Capital in the Twenty-First Century author Thomas Piketty poses with the hit book. (Source: Getty)
Have you been given a e-book for Christmas? Maybe a Kindle Paperwhite, Kobo or Nook? If you’re really lucky, you may have even got a Kindle Fire.
Are you looking to catch up on some reading during your days off? Planning on developing a new business in the new year?
If you replied yes to one or all of those, then you’ll probably be wanting to get stuck into one of the business books of the year.
Look no further. Filled with seasonal spirit, we’ve complied 2014′s nine best business books for you – and where you can download them – in the list below.
Capital in the 21st Century
By Thomas Piketty
Synopsis: Named the business book of the year by the Financial Times, Capital in the 21st Century studies wealth and income inequality in the Europe and the US since the eighteenth century. French economist Piketty studies data from twenty different countries to reveal how western society has both avoided cataclysmic inequality but may have not made the progress hoped for in an optimistic world post-World War Two.
What the critics say: “So Capital in the Twenty-First Century is an extremely important book on all fronts. Piketty has transformed our economic discourse; we'll never talk about wealth and inequality the same way we used to.” – Paul Krugman, New York Review of Books.
Available on:
- Kindle: £11.88
- Kob, £23.99
- Nook, £17.97
Creativity, Inc.
By Ed Catmull
Synopsis: A must-have for any manager. Ed Catmull, president of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation, details the commitment to innovation and a culture of creativity that has led to such outstanding success for the company in recent years.
What the critics say: “This is a well-told tale, full of detail about an interesting, intricate business. For fans of Pixar films, it’s a must-read. For fans of management books, it belongs on the “value added” shelf.” – Stewart Pinkerton, The Wall Street Journal.
Available on:
- Kindle, £6.99
- Kobo, £9.99
- Nook, £9.99
This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs the Climate
By Naomi Klein
Synopsis: The New York Times bestseller by Canadian Naomi Klein puts forward the argument that serious steps to tackle global warming are impossible under the current era of “neoliberal market fundamentalism.”
What the critics say: “The proposition that the world’s political and economic institutions are preventing us from meeting the lethal challenge of global warming is hardly novel. But Naomi Klein in her new book articulates the case as forcefully and comprehensively as anyone has yet managed.” – Ben Chu, The Independent.
Available on:
- Kindle, £6.99
- Kobo, £9.99
- Nook, £9.99
How Google Works
By Eric Schmidt and Jonathan Rosenberg
Synopsis: Current Google executive chairman and former chief executive Eric Schmidt share lessons learned from running one of the world’s biggest technology companies.
What the critics say: “This very popular read sees the pair give an entertaining run-down of what working at Google teaches you, and how technology has changed the power balance between firm and consumer. Their exploration of the ‘smart creative’ will also give you some food for thought“. – Harriet Green, City AM.
Available on:
- Kindle, £9.49
- Kobo, £12.99
- Nook, £12.99
Flash Boys
By Michael Lewis
Synopsis: Heard of high-frequency trading, dark pools and flash orders but not exactly sure how it all works? Michael Lewis ventures into the murky financial world to try and shed some light…
What the critics say: “Lewis's skill is in unpicking the complexities of the financial world, providing explanations clear enough for outsiders to understand, and well enough informed to appeal to experts.” – Alex Preston, The Telegraph.
Available on:
- Kindle, £6.99
- Kobo, £9.99
- Nook, £9.99
The Second Machine Age
By Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee
Synopsis: Two MIT professors argue that Western society is on the cusp of technological breakthroughs that will lead to a second age of economic growth.
What the critics say: “Drawing on their work at the MIT Center for Digital Business, the authors point to artificial intelligence, exponential increases in computing power, and extensive networks of connected devices as examples of technologies set to radically change the world for the better.” – Liam Ward-Proud, City AM.
Available on:
- Kindle, £10.47
- Kobo, £17.27
- Nook, £10.47
The Hard Thing About Hard Things
By Ben Horowitz
Synopsis: The co-founder of venture capital firm Andreesen Horowitz uses his favourite rap lyrics to teach you every essential lesson you need to know about running a start-up.
What the critics say: “Not all his advice is compelling, but there is more than enough substance in Mr Horowitz's impressive tome to turn it into a leadership classic.” - The Economist.
Available on:
- Kindle, £5.03
- Kobo, £7.99
- Nook, £7.99
Zero to One
By Peter Thiel
Synopsis: Co-founder of PayPal and tech billionaire Peter Thiel shares some thought-provoking ideas on what it really takes for a company to prosper.
What the critics say: “His analysis of our present world is radical but refreshing.” – Liam Ward-Proud, City AM.
Available on:
- Kindle, £6.99
- Kobo, £9.99
- Nook, £9.99
The Innovators
By Walter Isaacson
Synopsis: The story behind the people behind the digital world’s most important inventions.
What the critics say: “If you've found yourself slipping into dark thoughts recently about whether a robot is going to take your job or online monitoring will lead to a surveillance state, then this tour d'horizon of the computer age is for you.” – Richard Waters, The Financial Times.
Available on:
- Kindle, £6.99
- Kobo, £9.99
- Nook, £9.99
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