In this post, I will tell you the best books on strategic thinking, so far.
Unlike making a decision, creating a strategy require more knowledge and experience.
And this is something most people aren’t good at.
One way to be a better strategist is to (obviously) read books on strategy.
Luckily for you, I already compiled the best books on strategy that will help you create a solid and battle-tested strategy.
See also: Best Decision Making Books & Best Brain Training Apps For Kids
1. The Art Of War by Sun Tzu
The Art Of War is an ancient Chinese classic that is based on an ideology which explains, we have the power to deal with the conflicts – be it external or internal – right within us.
The classic talks widely about how we can solve our conflicts wisely and victoriously just by believing in ourselves.
The writer believes that conflicts are an inevitable part of life and The Art Of War sheds light on competition and conflict in general, on every level from interpersonal to international.
This book remains influential and is a prominent book of strategy.
It is studied by prestigious personas, executives, military leaders.
The Art of War predominantly focuses on invincibility, victory without battle, and indisputable strength through the comprehending of the psychology of conflict, politics, and physics.
What will you get from this book:
- Extraordinarily influential book of strategy.
- Techniques to deal with conflicts on every level – from interpersonal to international.
2. The 33 Strategies of War by Robert Greene
Written by Robert Greene in 2006, The 33 Strategies of War is a book that widely serves a guide to the subtle social game of everyday life informed by the military principles in the war.
It is based on the information of dozens of political, philosophical and religious text and thousands of years of violent conflict.
It is a comprehensive piece of content that is composed with discussions and examples on offensive strategies that require you to negotiate from a position of strength and defensive strategies to help you respond to dangerous situations and avoid unwinnable wars.
Greene provides you with all the psychological ammunition you require to overcome patterns of failure and forever gain the upper hand, in the book The 33 Strategies of War.
What will you get from this book:
- Timeless lessons from historical leaders that ring true in today’s culture.
3. Blue Ocean Strategy, Expanded Edition: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne
Blue Ocean Strategy is here to challenge everything you thought you knew about the importance of strategic success.
Writers W. Chan and Renée Mauborgne stress on the fact that since the beginning of the industrial age, companies have had crucial competitions in search profitable growth.
Writers explain the competitive strategies with the metaphor of a bloody red ocean of rivals fighting over a shrinking profit pool.
Supported by the study of 150 strategic moves, W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne argue that success comes not from fighting the competitors but from creating “blue oceans” – ripe of growth in new market spaces.
This phenomenon is embraced by businesses worldwide.
The Blue Ocean Strategy guides you with a systematic approach to making the competition irrelevant and focusing on the principles and tools that a company can use to create and capture their own blue oceans.
What will you get from this book:
- An international best-seller and accepted worldwide.
- Fascinating book about drawbacks of irrelevant competition.
4. The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi
The Book of Five Rings is written by Miyamoto Musashi and translated by V. Haris.
It is a piece of limitless inspiration for businessmen and provides them with psychological insight for people who rely on strategy and tactics.
The book is based on the framework and research of the legendary Samurai Swordsman and his work.
This book is divided into five Rings which are based on the five elements – earth, water, fire, wind, void.
It describes strategies and principles of martial arts along with a touch of philosophy.
The final ring i.e. The Void is highly appreciated among readers.
What will you get from this book:
- Brilliant reference book for marketing and business students.
- Espouses winning at all costs in a deadly pursuit.
5. Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t by Jim Collins
Good to Great by famous writer Jim Collin is built on five years of research and case studies.
It defines the fundamental ethics behind the companies that take a leap from good to great and companies that don’t manage to do so.
He stresses on the idea that the primary reason why some companies become great is that they know exactly how to use their resources in their field of proficiency.
In the book, the renowned author states that there is a succession of common factors in all the companies that achieve greatness.
These aspects could be ranging from company’s wide understanding of business goals to the ethics that the company executives follow.
His compelling research in Good to Great presents an exceptional study of how organizations – large or small, can achieve extravagant results.
What will you get from this book:
- A brilliant book about business strategies.
- Covers elements that help the company to take a leap from good to great.
6. The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli
An Italian Renaissance historian, a politician, a diplomat, a philosopher, a humanist, and a writer; Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) was a package of extravagant talent.
The Prince has been a highly controversial book written in 1513.
The celebrated writer has widely spoken about “Machiavellianism” in his masterpiece.
“Machiavellianism” is a harmful term used to describe distinguished deceitful politicians.
The writer describes unethical behavior like killing innocents and corruption as being normal in the book and has seemed to endorse it.
Such practices made the writer earn backlash from some readers claiming that the author was teaching and promoting evil.
But The Prince is a highly-praised book by many commentators such as Baruch Spinoza, Rousseau and Denis Diderot, Jean-Jacques; and they claim The Prince to be an inspirational piece of enlightenment on modern democratic political philosophy.
What will you get from this book:
- An awe-inspiring piece of art on democratic political policy.
7. Scaling Up: How a Few Companies Make It…and Why the Rest Don’t by Verne Harnish
Author Verne Harnish, in his book, shares practical techniques for growing business successfully and profitably.
Scaling Up is a sequel to a book released 12 years ago “Mastering the Rockefeller Habits”.
There are some mentions of the material from the previous book.
But the reader can still understand the context of Scaling Up even without reading the previous book.
Scaling Up majorly focuses on four key decisions every company needs to get right – People, Strategy, Execution, and Cash.
The book consists of various new One-Page tools.
It also includes the famous and recently-revised One-Page Strategic Plan, which more than 40,000 firms around the globe have used to scale their companies successfully.
Scaling Up explains entrepreneur, ways to ace their businesses successfully.
What will you get from this book:
- Lists techniques to ace in business successfully.
- Talks about strategic plans to scale up businesses.
8. Boyd: The Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of War by Robert Coram
Boyd, by Robert Coram, is a beautifully written masterpiece on the greatest of great heroes to ever be born on earth, John Boyd.
Coram eloquently describes the U.S. military fighter bringing light on Boyd’s greatness and legacy that he has left behind.
John Boyd is one of the most remarkable unsung heroes in all of American military history.
He is the man who simulated air-to-air combat and defeated every challenger in less than 40 seconds.
Boyd discovered a theory that changed the way fighter planes were designed and his manual tactics altered the way every air force pilot in the world flies the flight.
Additionally, Boyd taught the U.S. marine corps how to fight the war on the ground.
All his ideas were responsible to lead America to win the gulf war and foretell the attack of 9/11.
Boyd is a story of the man with ferocious passion and inflexible stubbornness – a rebel who cared not for his reputation or fortune but for his country.
What will you get from this book:
- An astonishing piece of work that celebrates the legacy of great John Boyd.
- Discusses strategy and a tactic that helped win wars.
9. The Innovator’s Dilemma: When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail by Clayton M. Christensen
The Innovator’s Dilemma is a revolutionary bestseller, in which the Harvard professor Clayton M. Christensen explains why some companies can do everything right and still drop their market leadership, with the help of smart examples.
He also elaborates on various tricks and techniques to avoid a similar fate.
The writer focuses on “disruptive technology” like the Honda Super Cub or the hydraulic excavator.
Christensen also shares his views on why some companies miss “the next great wave.”
According to Christensen, the managers need to abandon traditional business practices and be ready to take risks if they aim to gain success.
The Innovator’s Dilemma talks about a set of rules that can help the company in capitalizing on the phenomenon of disruptive innovation, answering various questions.
The Innovator’s Dilemma is a must read for anybody who is looking for a transitional shift for their company.
What will you get from this book:
- Thought-provoking book on the dilemmas in the business field.
- Provides rules for capitalizing on the phenomenon of disruptive technology.
10. On War by Carl von Clausewitz
Carl von Clausewitz was a military officer who spent his entire career in the Prussian army; from the age of twelve till the very end.
He fought against France in all major Prussian campaigns and in 1806, when the battle of Jena-Auerstedt happened, the Prussian army was destroyed by the Napoleon.
This critical experience further served as an inspiration for Carl Von Clausewitz to write On War.
It is an extraordinary piece of art that has often been called “not simply the greatest, but the only truly great book on war.”
The book is a detailed analysis explaining the theories of war and how it works.
On War is a piece of intelligent observations and a biting irony.
It is also known for its memorable phrases; one of them being, “War is a continuation of politics by other means.”
What will you get from this book:
- A remarkable book on embracing theory of how war works.
- The witticism and irony which makes the book an interesting read.
So, which book should you buy?
If you’re like most people who prefer to read popular books, the #1 book is enough for you.
What is your experience in creating a strategy?
