Experts > Dave Ramsey

Dave Ramsey's Top Book Recommendations

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Want to know what books Dave Ramsey recommends on their reading list? We've researched interviews, social media posts, podcasts, and articles to build a comprehensive list of Dave Ramsey's favorite book recommendations of all time.

1
To find the keys to greatness, Collins's 21-person research team read and coded 6,000 articles, generated more than 2,000 pages of interview transcripts and created 384 megabytes of computer data in a five-year project. The findings will surprise many readers and, quite frankly, upset others.

The Challenge
Built to Last, the defining management study of the nineties, showed how great companies triumph over time and how long-term sustained performance can be engineered into the DNA of an enterprise from the very beginning.

But what about the company that is not born...
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Jeff Bezos"Collins briefed Amazon executives on his seminal management book before its publication. Companies must confront the brutal facts of their business, find out what they are uniquely good at, and master their fly wheel, in which each part of the business reinforces and accelerates the other parts," Stone writes. (Source)

Dave Ramsey[Dave Ramsey recommended this book on his website.] (Source)

Max Levchin[Max Levchin recommended this book as an answer to "What business books would you advise young entrepreneurs read?"] (Source)

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2
You can go after the job you want—and get it!
You can take the job you have—and improve it!
You can take any situation—and make it work for you!

Dale Carnegie’s rock-solid, time-tested advice has carried countless people up the ladder of success in their business and personal lives. One of the most groundbreaking and timeless bestsellers of all time, How to Win Friends & Influence People will teach you:

-Six ways to make people like you
-Twelve ways to win people to your way of thinking
-Nine ways to change people without arousing...
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Dustin MoskovitzSeek to be understood. (Source)

Scott Adams[Scott Adams recommends this book on his "Persuasion Reading List."] (Source)

Daymond JohnI love all the Dale Carnegie books. (Source)

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3

Who Moved My Cheese?

Who Moved My Cheese? is a simple parable that reveals profound truths. It is an amusing and enlightening story of four characters who live in a "Maze" and look for "Cheese" to nourish them and make them happy.

Two are mice named Sniff and Scurry. And two are "Littlepeople"—beings the size of mice who look and act a lot like people. Their names are Hem and Haw.

"Cheese" is a metaphor for what you want to have in life—whether it is a good job, a loving relationship, money, a possession, health, or spiritual peace of mind.

And the "Maze" is where you look...
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Dave Ramsey[Dave Ramsey recommended this book on his website.] (Source)

Daymond John[Daymond John said this is one of his most-recommended books.] (Source)

Darren ChuaWhen asked what books he'd recommend to young people interested in the same career path, mentioned Who Moved My Cheese. (Source)

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4
“Most people just laugh when they hear that the secret to success is giving. . . . Then again, most people are nowhere near as successful as they wish they were.”
 
The Go-Giver tells the story of an ambitious young man named Joe who yearns for success. Joe is a true go-getter, though sometimes he feels as if the harder and faster he works, the further away his goals seem to be. Desperate to land a key sale at the end of a bad quarter, he seeks advice from the enigmatic Pindar, a legendary consultant referred to by his many devotees sim­ply as the Chairman.
...
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Dave Ramsey[Dave Ramsey recommended this book on his website.] (Source)

Nick LoperThe one I refer people to the most is probably The Go-Giver, which is about being genuinely helpful first without any expectation of reward. I started my first real business for the noble goal of making money, and by luck, it worked out. Afterward I started several others that flopped. Why? They just weren't that helpful. When I read this, it really solidified a shift in thinking to an attitude... (Source)

Tim FargoThe Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea. https://t.co/1N9nCvQ6lG via @BobBurg #book #leadership #business https://t.co/j23Hfka0yQ (Source)

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5
New York Times bestselling author Donald Miller uses the seven universal elements of powerful stories to teach readers how to dramatically improve how they connect with customers and grow their businesses.

Donald Miller’s StoryBrand process is a proven solution to the struggle business leaders face when talking about their businesses. This revolutionary method for connecting with customers provides readers with the ultimate competitive advantage, revealing the secret for helping their customers understand the compelling benefits of using their products,...
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Dave Ramsey[Dave Ramsey recommended this book on his website.] (Source)

Scott HarrisonSuch a fan of this book. Such great actionable insights for startups and social entrepreneurs. https://t.co/Vfdq3ZJe1f (Source)

Nick LoperI just finished Building a StoryBrand, and need to fill in the worksheets and re-think my homepage as a result. That's the mark of a good business book — homework! (Source)

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6
When Stephen Covey first released The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, the book became an instant rage because people suddenly got up and took notice that their lives were headed off in the wrong direction; and more than that, they realized that there were so many simple things they could do in order to navigate their life correctly. This book was wonderful education for people, education in how to live life effectively and get closer to the ideal of being a ‘success’ in life.

But not everyone understands Stephen Covey’s model fully well, or maybe there are some people who...
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Dustin Moskovitz[I] was surprised at how familiar the topics felt. (Source)

Dave Ramsey[Dave Ramsey recommended this book on his website.] (Source)

Kishore BiyaniImmensely helpful and influential during my early years, it explained some of the basic mindsets required to succeed in any profession. (Source)

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7
In Everyday Millionaires, #1 national best-selling author Chris Hoganwill show you how ordinary people built extraordinary wealth--and how you can too. You'll learn how millionaires live on less than they make, avoid debt, invest, are disciplined and responsible!

This book is based on the largest study EVER conducted on 10,000 U.S. millionaires--and the results will shock you! You'll learn that building wealth has almost NOTHING to do with your income or your background! It doesn't matter where you come from. It matters where...
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Recommended by Dave Ramsey, Fola Aina, and 2 others.

Dave Ramsey[Dave Ramsey recommended this book on his website.] (Source)

Fola AinaIf you are young and serious about learning very practical steps on how to take charge of your finances then you must read; ‘Everyday Millionaires’ by Chris Hogan. Paying attention to the treasure chest of knowledge embedded in this book will cause a shift in your thinking. (Source)

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8
If you’ve never read The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, you’ve been missing out on one of the best-selling leadership books of all time. If you have read the original version, then you’ll love this new expanded and updated one. 

Internationally recognized leadership expert, speaker, and author John C. Maxwell has taken this million-seller and made it even better: 

Every Law of Leadership has been sharpened and updated
Seventeen new leadership stories are included
Two new Laws of Leadership are introduced
New evaluation tool will reveal your...
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Dave Ramsey[Dave Ramsey recommended this book on his website.] (Source)

Lex Na Wei MingI remember during the days when I was in National Service, between the ages of 19 to 21. I had a lot of time on my hands. I managed to stumble upon the author by the name of John C Maxwell. He was really popular during that period of time and he had so many good titles like “Developing the leader with you.”, “Today Matters.”, “The 21 irrefutable laws of leadership.”. These series of books really... (Source)

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9
E-Myth \ 'e-,'mith\ n 1: the entrepreneurial myth: the myth that most people who start small businesses are entrepreneurs 2: the fatal assumption that an individual who understands the technical work of a business can successfully run a business that does that technical work

Voted #1 business book by Inc. 500 CEOs.

An instant classic, this revised and updated edition of the phenomenal bestseller dispels the myths about starting your own business. Small business consultant and author Michael E. Gerber, with sharp insight gained from years of experience, points...
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Dave Ramsey[Dave Ramsey recommended this book on his website.] (Source)

Timothy FerrissAfter reading The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber and The 80/20 Principle by Richard Koch, I decided that extreme questions were the forcing function I needed. (Source)

Brian ScudamoreThe book that’s had the biggest impact on me is The E-Myth by Michael Gerber (I even wrote about it in my own book). I read it front to back, then reread it right away. Gerber takes you through every step of a running a business from start to finish, and shows you what you need to make it successful. I read it when I was looking to take 1-800-GOT-JUNK? to the next level, and I had an epiphany:... (Source)

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10
Author Scott Alexander wants you to wake up tomorrow morning as a full-grown, 6,000-pound rhinoceros! Rhinos have purpose. Rhinos have dreams. And rhinos put everything they've got into everything they do. If you have ever thought I can do better, if you have ever felt the stirrings of rhino blood in your veins and your heart quicken at the scent of success, then you are ready. Listen to Rhinoceros Success and get charging! less

Dave Ramsey[Dave Ramsey recommended this book on his website.] (Source)

Bear GryllsOne of the bedrocks of my life and work. (Source)

Doug McMillonRead some wonderful and enlightening books this year. (Source)

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Don't have time to read Dave Ramsey's favorite books? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
11
Everyone gets 168 hours a week, but it never feels like enough, does it? Work gobbles up the lion's share--many professionals are working as much as 70 hours a week--leaving less and less for rest, exercise, family, and friends. You know, all those things that make life great.

Most people think productivity is about finding or saving time. But it's not. It's about making our time work for us. Just imagine having free time again. It's not a pipe dream.

In Free to Focus, New York Times bestselling author Michael Hyatt reveals to readers nine proven ways to...
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Tony RobbinsOne reason so few of us achieve what we truly want is that we never direct our focus; we never concentrate our power. No one understands this better than Michael Hyatt, and he's engineered a new, easy-to-follow approach to harness this power in his new book Free to Focus. (Source)

Cal NewportBusyness is meaningless. What matters is consistently executing the work that actually matters. This book shows you how. (Source)

Dave RamseyFree to Focus will push you to use your time well and to become a better version of the person you were created to be. (Source)

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12
Right now, 70% of Americans aren't passionate about their work and are desperately longing for meaning and purpose. They're sick of "average" and know there's something better out there, but they just don't know how to reach it.

One basic principle--The Proximity Principle--can change everything you thought you knew about pursuing a career you love.

In his latest book, The Proximity Principle, national radio host and career expert Ken Coleman provides a simple plan of how positioning yourself near the right people and places can help you land the job you love.
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Recommended by Dave Ramsey, and 1 others.

Dave RamseyKen Coleman's Proximity Principle book is the PROVEN strategy that will lead to the career you love. Don't waste another year wishing you'd done something different. Read this book and start to make a change. (Source)

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13
In Any Economy, It Pays to Discover Your Calling
 
According to financial expert Dave Ramsey, “Few categories of our lives define us and grow us spiritually, emotionally, relationally, and as people. Our work is one of those defining areas. Sadly, a ‘j-o-b’ is what most people settle for. But as Dan Miller so powerfully points out in 48 Days to the Work You Love, a calling lights up your life.”
 
As a leading vocational thinker, New York Times best-selling author Dan Miller helps you better understand and organize your God-given skills, personality traits, values,...
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Recommended by Dave Ramsey, Vincent Pugliese, and 2 others.

Dave Ramsey[Dave Ramsey recommended this book on his website.] (Source)

Vincent PuglieseQuestion: What books would you recommend to young people to be prepared for the future workplaces? Answer: So many! So many by Seth Godin (Linchpin, The Icarus Deception, Purple Cow) Essentialism by Greg McKeown, Deep Work by Cal Newport, The Choice by Og Mandino, Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki, The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey, No More Dreaded Mondays and 48 Days To The Work You... (Source)

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14

Love & Respect

A Marriage Book with a Difference!

A Revolutionary Message: "I've been married 35 years and have not heard this taught.""This is the key that I have been missing.""You connected all the dots for me.""As a counselor, I have never been so excited about any material.""You're on to something huge here."

A Simple Message: A wife has one driving need--to feel loved. When that need is met, she is happy. A husband has one driving need--to feel respected. When that need is met, he is happy. When either of these needs isn't met, things get crazy." Love and Respect "reveals why...
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Recommended by Dave Ramsey, and 1 others.

Dave Ramsey[Dave Ramsey recommended this book on his website.] (Source)

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15
“If you’re hesitant to pull the trigger when things obviously aren't working out, Henry Cloud’s Necessary Endings may be the most important book you read all year.” —Dave Ramsey, New York Times bestselling author of The Total Money Makeover

“Cloud is a wise, experienced, and compassionate guide through [life’s] turbulent passages.” —Bob Buford, bestelling author of Halftime and Finishing Well; founder of the Leadership Network

Henry Cloud, the bestselling author of Integrity and The One-Life Solution, offers...
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Recommended by Dave Ramsey, and 1 others.

Dave Ramsey[Dave Ramsey recommended this book on his website.] (Source)

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16
Praise for THOU SHALL PROSPER

"Rabbi Daniel Lapin's wisdom has helped untold numbers of people, including me, grow in our business, family, and spiritual lives. In Thou Shall Prosper, Rabbi Lapin has done it again. This book tells it like it is in a helpful, honest, hopeful, informative way. He offers valid, useful information based on ancient wisdom and modern experience."
-Zig Ziglar, author and motivational teacher

"Is it practical to apply spiritual lessons to the hardheaded world of business? In this potentially life-changing book, Rabbi Daniel Lapin proves...
more
Recommended by Dave Ramsey, and 1 others.

Dave Ramsey[Dave Ramsey recommended this book on his website.] (Source)

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17
Mothers are expected to do it all: raise superstar kids, look great, make good salaries, keep an immaculate house, be the perfect wife. In this rallying cry for change, Meg Meeker, M.D., uses her twenty-five years’ experience as a practicing pediatrician and counselor to show why mothers suffer from the rising pressure to excel and the toll it takes on their emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual health. Complete with an all-new tool kit of wellness tips and exercises, Dr. Meeker’s book reveals the 10 most positive and impactful habits of healthy, happy mothers, including
 
•...
more
Recommended by Dave Ramsey, and 1 others.

Dave Ramsey[Dave Ramsey recommended this book on his website.] (Source)

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18
Meg Meeker, M.D., acclaimed author of Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters, now turns to an equally powerful relationship in the family: the one between mother and son.
 
From the moment a mother holds her newborn son, his eyes tell her that she is his world. But often, as he grows up, the boy who needs her simultaneously pushes her away. Calling upon thirty years of experience as a pediatrician, Meg Meeker, M.D., a highly sought after national speaker, assistant professor of clinical medicine, and mother of four, shares the secrets that every mother needs to know...
more
Recommended by Dave Ramsey, and 1 others.

Dave Ramsey[Dave Ramsey recommended this book on his website.] (Source)

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19
Using the best medical research, experience from her own practice, and numerous interviews, Dr. Meeker shows why Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters is not a slogan-it's a necessity. less
Recommended by Dave Ramsey, and 1 others.

Dave Ramsey[Dave Ramsey recommended this book on his website.] (Source)

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20
Having clear boundaries is essential to a healthy, balanced lifestyle. A boundary is a personal property line that marks those things for which we are responsible. In other words, boundaries define who we are and who we are not. Boundaries impact all areas of our lives: Physical boundaries help us determine who may touch us and under what circumstances -- Mental boundaries give us the freedom to have our own thoughts and opinions -- Emotional boundaries help us to deal with our own emotions and disengage from the harmful, manipulative emotions of others -- Spiritual boundaries help us to... more
Recommended by Dave Ramsey, Greg McKeown, and 2 others.

Dave Ramsey[Dave Ramsey recommended this book on his website.] (Source)

Greg McKeownI really like [this book]. (Source)

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Don't have time to read Dave Ramsey's favorite books? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
21
Every life requires a spiritual foundation.
"Grandfather, you left this..." Julio lifted the leather-bound journal and stepped toward the old man.
"It is yours now," said Antonio, with a gleam in his eye. "I've lived my life according to the twelve principles recorded in it. And if you will apply its principles as I did, your success will be greater than you could ever imagine."
Be a minister in the marketplace.Terry Felber has written a parable that will transform your life and your business. Many years ago, this ago book helped Dave Ramsey rediscover...
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Recommended by Dave Ramsey, and 1 others.

Dave Ramsey[Dave Ramsey recommended this book on his website.] (Source)

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22
Jon Acuff's hilarious thoughts on all things "Dave Ramsey." Perfect for the Dave fan who has everything, or the person who wants to laugh about money while on their journey to financial peace.

* Do your former credit card companies stalk you like a deranged ex-girlfriend? Page 45.
* Do you need to baby-proof your home against 27-year-old kids trying to move into your basement? Page 19.
* Have you ever made the basket walk of shame? Page 173.
* Was your biggest question throughout Financial Peace University “How many blue shirts does Dave actually own?” Page 13....
more
Recommended by Dave Ramsey, and 1 others.

Dave Ramsey[Dave Ramsey recommended this book on his website.] (Source)

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23
Albert Einstein once said, “To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle, requires creative imagination and marks real advance in science.” What is true of science, I’m convinced, is true in all of life. Great questions are often the keys that unlock possibilities for human advancement. That truth has been proven again and again throughout human history, as great interviewers from Bob Costas to Barbara Walters have captivated audiences and ignited imaginations. In a world where the messages of public figures and politicians are carefully crafted by... more
Recommended by Dave Ramsey, and 1 others.

Dave Ramsey[Dave Ramsey recommended this book on his website.] (Source)

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24
Have you ever felt caught between the tension of a day job and a dream job? That gap between what you have to do and what you'd love to do?

I have.

At first I thought I was the only one who felt that way, but then I started to talk to people and realized we're becoming the "I'm, but" generation. When we talk about what we do for a living we inevitably say, "I'm a teacher, but I want to be an artist." "I'm a CPA, but I'd love to start my own business."

"I'm a _____, but I want to be a ______."

All too often, we hear that dreaming big means you...
more
Recommended by Dave Ramsey, and 1 others.

Dave Ramsey[Dave Ramsey recommended this book on his website.] (Source)

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25
The Go-Getter: A Story of How to Be One follows a man named Bill Peck who needs a job and refuses to take no for an answer. He goes on to prove that when you set goals and strive hard to achieve them, nothing can stop you from becoming successful. These days, many businessmen swear that the lesson they learned from reading this story has helped them to achieve greater success. This is a short story, so it won't take long to read, however, the value of its message could change your life. less
Recommended by Dave Ramsey, and 1 others.

Dave Ramsey[Dave Ramsey recommended this book on his website.] (Source)

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26
Wall Street Journal best-selling author Jon Acuff reveals the steps to getting unstuck and back onto the path of being awesome.

Over the last 100 years, the road to success for most everyone has been divided into predictable stages. But three things have changed the path to success:

Boomers are realizing that a lot of the things they were promised aren't going to materialize, and they have started second and third careers.

Technology has given access to an unprecedented number of people who are building online empires and changing their lives in ways...
more
Recommended by Dave Ramsey, and 1 others.

Dave Ramsey[Dave Ramsey recommended this book on his website.] (Source)

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27
There is a movement of women stepping into their God-given gifts to make money doing what they love. If you're ready to join them, this is your handbook that will take the ideas in your head and the dream in your heart and turn them into action. * Help you create a step-by-step, customized plan to start and grow your business * Show you how to manage your time so you can have a business-and life-that you love * Explain overwhelming business stuff like pricing, taxes, and budgeting in simple terms *Teach you how to use marketing to reach the right people in the right way less
Recommended by Dave Ramsey, and 1 others.

Dave Ramsey[Dave Ramsey recommended this book on his website.] (Source)

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28
In Love Your Life, Not Theirs, Rachel Cruze shines a spotlight on the most damaging money habit we have: comparing ourselves to others. Then she unpacks seven essential money habits for living the life we really want—a life in line with our values, where we can afford the things we want to buy without being buried under debt, stress, and worry.

The Joneses are broke. 

Life looks good, but hidden beneath that glossy exterior are credit card bills, student loans, car payments, and an out-of-control mortgage. Their money situation is a mess, and...
more
Recommended by Dave Ramsey, and 1 others.

Dave Ramsey[Dave Ramsey recommended this book on his website.] (Source)

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Don't have time to read Dave Ramsey's favorite books? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.