9 Biographies Every Man Should Read

—
“Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others.” ― Otto von Bismarck

I believe the man who said the solution to your problems is in a book somewhere was genuinely wise. It’s not smart to think the hardships you face in life are unique to you. The universe has been there for millions of years and so have most of its problems. Someone, somewhere on this planet has been in your shoes and can show you the way if you just read their story.

Below are some of the best biographies a man can read in his lifetime. I have read each one, and I recommend you do the same.

1. Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of NIKE (A book for young entrepreneurs)

If entrepreneurship is your thing, then Phil Knight`s memoir should be on your read list for the year. This book should’ve been named: How to Quit Accounting, Travel the World and Build the World`s Largest Sports Apparel Company Before age 30.

Knight’s memoir explores the early years of Blue Ribbon; the brand we now know as Nike. It started with an idea when ex-runner Knight wanted to become one of the first American distributors of the Japanese brand “Onitsuka Tiger” after falling in love with their shoes.

The book then takes us to the years between 1971 and 1980 when both sides separated following a conflict between Knight and the Japanese. We then discover how Nike rose to dominate over 50 percent of the American athletic shoe market in 1980.

2. Sam Walton: Made in America (A book on decision making and lateral thinking)

This is one of the most exciting —and yet short— business autobiographies you`ll ever read. America`s richest man of his time shares his concise insights from when young Walton sold milk and magazine subscriptions at eight, to until he founded Walmart and made it America`s largest retail company that worth over $10 billion by the time he died in 1992.

The book shares insights on Walton`s philosophy and business decisions, how he spied on competitors and how frugally he lived during Walmart`s early days to set an example for other store managers.

3. Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr. (A book on philanthropy and capitalism)

This is a book written by the world`s richest human being in the last five hundred years estimated net worth of $336 billion — Bill Gates is 85.3.

John D. Rockefeller’s biography is about a man who felt he was compelled to do his best and give all he could to people despite controlling over 90 percent of all America`s oil. The book shows you how wealth is built and how Rockefeller regarded his fortune as a public trust and redefined the word philanthropist forever.

4. Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story (A book on ambition, resilience and making dreams come true)

“My father believed just as strongly in training our brains. His answer to life was discipline. We had a strict routine that nothing could change. When we were a little older and starting to play sports, exercises were added to the chores, and we had to earn our breakfast by doing sit-ups.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger will always be remembered as one of the greatest — if not the greatest— bodybuilders of all time and a true embodiment of the American dream. His story is about the Austrian kid with the German accent who spent his life collecting dreams.

From rags to riches, Total Recall is about the man who achieved every goal he had set. From a young Austrian tank driver to a seven-time Mr. Olympia, a four-time Mr. Universe, one of the highest-paid Hollywood actors of his time, married a Kennedy and served two times as Governor of California. Love or hate him, Schwarzenegger has something to teach you about life and success.

5. The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill (A book on Leadership)

This book comes in three volumes, which is a whole lot to read, but worth every minute of it. Volume I begins with the aristocratic life of young Winston Churchill and how he built a legacy as a soldier and a lord in the British House of Commons.

Volume II is a tribute to Churchill`s farsightedness and how he predicted the rise of Adolf Hitler even before the later was elected Führer in 1934. Volume III is on leadership in hard times and how England with the cunning of Churchill survived two years of German bombing —the Blitz— and contributed to the fall of Nazi Germany by the end of 1945.

6. Einstein: His Life and Universe (A book on creativity, love, and life)

This book says everything you need to know about the rebellious nature of Albert Einstein, the 2-year-old boy who was dubbed Dopey by his family for being a slow learner then went to become one of the brightest minds in the history of human beings.

This autobiography will send you to the world of Einstein, not just the genius, but the human being.
The fun friend, the cocky student and the young love boy who married the woman of his dreams then gave her his Nobel Prize money to get a divorce.

7. Meditation By Marcus Aurelius (A book on asceticism)

“Soon you will be ashes, or bones. A mere name, at most or just a sound. The things we want in life are empty, stale, and trivial. Dogs snarling at each other. Quarreling children — laughing and then bursting into tears a moment later. Trust, shame, justice, truth are gone from the earth and only found in heaven.” – Marcus Aurelius

Stoicism is usually linked to thrifty, half-naked, skinny men who disdain life just because they can`t get their share of it. Marcus Aurelius, however, was far from all that.

Aurelius —the second most famous Stoic philosopher after Seneca— is known to be one of the greatest three emperors to ever rule the Roman Empire. His book — which he wrote to himself— is the definitive guide to self-actualization, philosophy, and humility from the man who believed pride is the master of deception even with him controlling more than four million km² in land, men and resources.

Aurelius honored self-discipline as the greatest virtue one can have and believed the secret to a wise man lies in living his moment as though it`s his last breath. It`s a great book to read and learn from, and it`s also too short and simple that anyone can finish it in one or two sittings.

8. The Autobiography of Malcolm X (A book on politics, freedom, and social justice )

“If you’re not ready to die for it, put the word ‘freedom’ out of your vocabulary.” – Malcolm X
This book is about the transformation of the angriest black man in America —as once he called himself— who grew to become one of the most influential human-rights activists in the last hundred years.

Malcolm X`s autobiography is captivating from start to finish and holds you throughout the entire journey from X`s days in Harlem and Detroit to Nation of Islam, then Mecca and how jealousy and political views contributed to his death by the master who once embraced him.

9. I Forgot to Die – Khalil Rafati (A book on addiction, survival, and hope)

“I piss in the sink. The edge is crowded with cuticle clippers, scissors, needle-nose pliers, two bottles of hydrogen peroxide, and one can of paint thinner. Slowly and carefully I raise my head toward the mirror.

Chunks of flesh are missing from my left cheek and between my eyebrows. The top part of my right nostril and two patches of my scalp are gone. On the wall, written in my blood with my hand, are the words: GOD HELP ME” – Khalil Rafati

Abused, bullied, raped, and addicted to heroin and crack cocaine. I Forgot to Die is the inspiring life story of the homeless junkie who survived death to become the owner of one of LA`s most popular juice chains.

From selling drugs and sleeping on the streets to building a fortune, ex-con, ex-addict, and now multi-millionaire, Khalil Rafati has a lot to teach on the will to survive, dream and rise above pain to touch the stars and live life to its fullest.
—