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Thursday, May 22, 2008
My Favorite Books
People often ask me for a list of my favorite books. So
here it is.
I reserve the right to update this list from time to time.
I tend to read a lot of stuff. The fact that I
recommend a book here does not mean that I agree with everything in it.
Coding
I think it's out of print, but I really liked Writing
Solid Code. It's very oriented toward C/C++, so if you're mostly in
C#/Java/Ruby/Python/Perl/VB, it may not be worth your time. Still, it's an
outstanding book.
And of course Code
Complete is a classic.
Software Management
Dynamics
of Software Development is one of my favorites.
Business
I'm a big fan of Built to
Last and its sequel, Good to
Great. The sequel is easier to read and a bit more relevant to smaller
companies.
The
Silicon Valley Way is a great book, and it's a very visual book with nice
short chapters. Easy to just pick up and browse..
If you get the opportunity, go hear Guy Kawasaki speak. He's
much better in person than he is on paper. But if that doesn't work out, Rules for
Revolutionaries is a good read.
Marketing
If you read only one book on marketing, it should be Crossing
the Chasm.
But actually you should read at least a dozen books on
marketing.
Here's your second one: Differentiate
or Die
Now go find ten more.
Sales
I think Selling
the Wheel is an outstanding book. At first you'll be tempted to stop
because it's kind of cheesy. Don't. Finish it all the way to the end.
Useless but Enjoyable Fluff
I really like the "Prey" series of novels by John Sandford.
Start at the beginning with Rules of
Prey
WPF
I have all of the following WPF books:
These are all good, each in a different way. If you're
going to do anything serious with WPF, it seems to me that you should own them
all.
Other Stuff
The Seven
Habits of Highly Effective People is still worth reading. None of Covey's
other books are nearly as good.
Any serious pool player has a copy of Byrne's
New Standard Book of Pool and Billiards.
My favorite literary novel is The Count
of Monte Cristo. The unabridged version is worth the extra trouble.
For dog lovers, Marley
& Me is terrific.
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