Business Audiobooks | Biography & Memoir

The Billionaire Who Wasn't: How Chuck Feeney Secretly Made and Gave Away a Fortune

"The astonishing life of the modest New Jersey businessman who anonymously gave away 10 billion dollars and inspired the "giving while living" movement In this bestselling book, Conor O'Clery reveals the inspiring life story of Chuck Feeney, known as the "James Bond of philanthropy." Feeney was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, to a blue-collar Irish-American family during the Depression. After service in the Korean War, he made a fortune as founder of Duty Free Shoppers, the world's largest duty-free retail chain. By 1988, he was hailed by Forbes Magazine as the twenty-fourth richest American alive. But secretly Feeney had already transferred all his wealth to his foundation, Atlantic Philanthropies. Only in 1997 when he sold his duty free interests, was he "outed" as one of the greatest and most mysterious American philanthropists in modern times, who had anonymously funded hospitals and universities from San Francisco to Limerick to New York to Brisbane. His example convinced Bill Gates and Warren Buffett to give away their fortunes during their lifetime, known as the giving pledge."

Conor O'Clery (Author), TBD (Narrator)

Audiobook

One Up on Wall Street: How to Use What You Already Know to Make Money in the Market

"More than one million copies have been sold of this seminal book on investing in which legendary mutual-fund manager Peter Lynch explains the advantages that average investors have over professionals and how they can use these advantages to achieve financial success. America's most successful money manager tells how average investors can beat the pros by using what they know. According to Lynch, investment opportunities are everywhere. From the supermarket to the workplace, we encounter products and services all day long. By paying attention to the best ones, we can find companies in which to invest before the professional analysts discover them. When investors get in early, they can find the "tenbaggers," the stocks that appreciate tenfold from the initial investment. A few tenbaggers will turn an average stock portfolio into a star performer. Lynch offers easy-to-follow advice for sorting out the long shots from the no-shots by reviewing a company's financial statements and knowing which numbers really count. He offers guidelines for investing in cyclical, turnaround, and fast-growing companies. As long as you invest for the long term, Lynch says, your portfolio can reward you. This timeless advice has made One Up on Wall Street a #1 bestseller and a classic book of investment know-how."

Peter Lynch (Author), TBD (Narrator)

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The Philosopher in the Valley: Alex Karp, Palantir and the Rise of the Surveillance State

"In the age of big data, no company embodies its promise and its perils more than Palantir. This software firm sells some of the most powerful and dangerous technology in the world, ingesting huge quantities of data and spotting patterns, trends, and connections that would likely elude most people. Apart from Facebook, you'd be hard-pressed to find another tech company that's making as big of a splash - or fraught with more potential pitfalls. Founded in 2003 to help the US government in the war on terror, Palantir now has more than thirty federal agencies as clients. From climate change and terrorism to poverty to immigration, money laundering, and the future of warfare, Palantir is at the nexus of the most critical issues of the 21st century. At its helm is cofounder and CEO Alex Karp, an atypical tech boss with a law degree from Stanford and a doctorate in social theory from Germany's Goethe University, yet no background in either computer science or business. Now, in The Philosopher in the Valley, journalist Michael Steinberger delves deeply into Karp and the company he's leading, highlighting the risks to privacy and civil liberties that come with big data. Can we get the good without the bad and if not, what are the trade-offs? Karp's unique political and philosophical views put him and the company at odds with fellow cofounder Peter Thiel, a big supporter of Donald Trump in Silicon Valley. The technology they created has the potential to shape the global power dynamic and the way individuals interact with governments. Urgent and important, this illuminating work shows us what this future might look like. "

Michael Steinberger (Author), Unknown (Narrator)

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The Curious Case of Mike Lynch: The Improbable Life & Death of a Tech Billionaire

"Read by the author, Katie Prescott. Mike Lynch was a maverick outsider in the British business world. From humble beginnings, Lynch rose to become one of the UK's richest men, selling his home-grown enterprise software company Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard for over £11bn in 2011. The sale triggered one of the biggest fraud cases in Silicon Valley history, as HP accused him of cooking the company's books. Lynch was sent to the US in handcuffs, his reputation in tatters - but was acquitted by a US jury, and returned home a free man. Tragically, his second chance at life was snatched away even as he was celebrating his freedom. In a freak accident, his yacht sunk off the coast of northern Sicily in August 2024, taking the lives of Lynch, his daughter and five others. Shockingly, the co-defendant in the US trial, Autonomy accountant Stephen Chamberlain, was killed hours before Lynch, hit by a car in Cambridge. It was almost thirteen years to the day since the deal between HP and Autonomy was signed. Drawing on extensive research and exclusive access to key sources, The Curious Case of Mike Lynch follows the billionaire's dramatic rise and fall and, finally, his untimely and tragic death. It's a thrilling story of money, power and deception, taking readers into a high-stakes world of corporate subterfuge and rivalries, zigzagging through the hallowed confines of Cambridge across the cut-throat streets of the City of London to Silicon Valley. In this pacy, no-holds barred investigation into one of the most fascinating men in the history of British business, award-winning Times journalist Katie Prescott reflects on Lynch's legacy, outlining lessons from a truly unique life which serve as both a warning and inspiration for us all."

Katie Prescott (Author), Katie Prescott (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Baron of Wall Street: Clarence Dillon and the Making of the Modern Financial World

"The first biography of one of the most influential and innovative figures in the history of American finance who revolutionized Wall Street and whose story reads like a real-life Great Gatsby J.P. Morgan. John D. Rockefeller. Charles E. Mitchell. These are some of the most prominent icons of wealth and influence during the Roaring Twenties. Yet the one figure who has strangely escaped notice all these years is an enigmatic banker by the name of Clarence Dillon. In the dazzling 1920s, as he rose in wealth and influence, Dillon became one of the original behind-the-scenes players in Hollywood, and his contact list included everyone from Thomas Edison to Charlie Chaplin and Joseph P. Kennedy to FDR. Like many great figures in history, Dillon's personality was complex and contradictory: he could be utterly ruthless and cold-blooded, yet he was also sophisticated and elegant. This immensely influential man left a lasting mark on the history of finance in America. Yet, strangely, he eluded the close attention of biographers and historians-until now. A revolutionary in finance, Clarence Dillon single-handedly: - Created modern bankruptcy law - Pioneered leveraged buyouts - Invented junk bonds - Engineered some of the biggest mergers and acquisitions ever seen This first-ever inside look at Dillon and his life will fill a void in how we view the wild excesses of the Roaring Twenties, and how we understand the increasingly complex nexus between Wall Street and political power in our own time. The Baron of Wall Street is a vivid, novelistic account of Wall Street's most formative years and its transformation through one dynamic and influential player in the financial world, highlighting his significant role in shaping US foreign policy today."

William R. Loomis Jr. (Author), Joe Knezevich (Narrator)

Audiobook

Unplugged: Adventures from MTV to Timbuktu

"A freewheeling and riveting memoir from media honcho Tom Freston that takes us behind the scenes of his global adventures—from hitchhiking around the world, to running a clothing export company out of India and Afghanistan, to cofounding MTV, to becoming CEO of MTV Networks, then CEO of Viacom, then later returning to work in Africa and Afghanistan. Tom Freston's path to the C-suite was decidedly non-traditional. After getting his MBA, he bartended his way through the United States and the Caribbean, sparking a lifelong passion for travel. After a brief stint on the fast track at an ad agency, he chucked it all and headed to the Sahara Desert and beyond. Entranced by India and Afghanistan, he stayed on for eight years and launched his first big success, Hindu Kush, a company that designed and manufactured contemporary clothing for export to America and other countries. Freston's next chapter followed his other passion: music. He joined the small original team that launched MTV where he swiftly climbed the ladder, eventually overseeing not only MTV but also Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, VH1, CMT, and other iconic networks. He built a creative powerhouse that transformed global popular culture in cable's all-conquering heyday. In this unique memoir of risk-taking, rule-breaking, and warm cultural exchanges, Freston shows how to be successful at living your life on your own terms."

Tom Freston (Author), Tom Freston (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Fairfax Way: Inside Prem Watsa's Secret to Lasting Success

"The rise and stall-and rise again-of corporate Canada's least well-known spectacular success Even those who have heard of Prem Watsa and Fairfax Financial probably don't understand them. The company sprawls across more than 100 countries and is known for its complex finances-so complex, they once attracted a who's-who of Wall Street short sellers who misread the company as the next Enron and decided it could be profitably pushed into an open grave. The hedge funds even had Bob Dylan lined up to sing at the company's funeral party. Fairfax stared down regulators and fought back. Dylan never got the chance to sing. Watsa, now 75, stole a page from Warren Buffett in building a $45 billion global empire built on value investing and insurance assets. Its bold and creative trades are legendary, often moving against the herd and making billions while others lose their shirts. These days, the company is back winning billion-dollar bets, but away from the headlines. The Fairfax Way explores the lessons learned and why skies are now blue above a transformed company. In its 39-year history, Fairfax's annual compound return of 19.2% trounces the S&P 500's 11.3%. Lately, it is outperforming even Silicon Valley tech stocks and winning back an investor following. It's time to get to know Fairfax better. The company's holdings include strategic investments like Bauer hockey sticks, William Ashley wedding gifts, Sleep Country mattresses, Golf Town stores, and Seaspan container ships. If you took home Swiss Chalet chicken last week or went for steak at the Keg, you ate at Fairfax restaurants. It's time to get to know Prem Watsa better, too. People long misjudged him as a recluse. Truth is, he simply always wanted to build a business, not talk to the media. After 40 years, he and his executives have finally decided it's a good time to open up. For all the colourful dealmaking, billion-dollar bets, high-stakes hedge fund wars, Thomas reveals an inspiring story for our current troubled times. What emerges is that many people just had trouble believing Fairfax had the audacity to build a company culture based on the golden rule-treat others as you would have them treat you. The Fairfax Way captures the inside story of how a culture of treating people right can be a secret competitive moat to long-term outperformance."

David Thomas (Author), TBD (Narrator)

Audiobook

Gimme a Crisis: In the Room with Global Banker Rick Waugh

"Bestselling author Howard Green profiles former Scotiabank CEO Rick Waugh and sketches an unprecedented and up-close picture of what it is like to run a global bank, often during financial chaos, while leading more than 80,000 employees in more than fifty countries. From navigating a violent economic default and loss in Argentina and a bail-out of the Dominican Republic to surviving the global financial crisis, actively promoting women in banking, and helping secure the NBA's Raptors for Toronto, Rick Waugh was in the room. Green captures the riveting stories, intense conflicts, and pivotal moments that occurred at one of Canada's biggest banks, a significant player in international finance. Waugh's clear-eyed approach to managing risk offers lessons for steering through economic uncertainty, lessons that will be increasingly relevant as we enter a new era of global insecurity. His simple formula: when assessing deals, investments, or major decisions, know your downside, never calculate the upside. Let risk guide decision-making, and the upside will take care of itself. Interweaving extensive interviews with Waugh over the course of a more than twenty-year relationship with the author and scores of interviews with others who worked closely with Waugh or intersected with him, Gimme a Crisis takes readers into the executive suite, revealing the rapid-fire, pressurized decision-making that took place during the most volatile-and harrowing-period in Canada's financial system since the Great Depression."

Howard Green (Author), Howard Green (Narrator)

Audiobook

Cannon Hall Farm - Past, Present & Future

"As seen on Channel 5’s hit shows, Springtime on the Farm, This Week on the Farm and Cannon Hall: A Yorkshire Farm Packed with fresh anecdotes and astonishing new detail, this emotional journey to the foothills of the Pennines brings the Cannon Hall Farm story bang up to date. In their own words, the very personal story of the ups and downs of the Nicholson family at Cannon Hall farm spanning almost 70 years. From the death of Roger’s beloved dad Charlie to the daily struggle for survival amid farming’s rapidly changing landscape, the Nicholsons have weathered storm after storm. They came perilously close to losing it all as a lifetime of farming tradition seemed to slip through their fingers. But in a daring last roll of the dice, they bet the farm – and won – creating against all odds one of Britain’s best-loved tourist attractions. Here, Roger and wife Cynthia, along with their sons Richard, Robert and David, take turns reflecting on some of the dizzy highs and crushing lows that have made them who they are today: champion livestock breeders, TV stars and – above all – devoted farmers."

The Nicholson Family (Author), Richard Nicholson (Narrator)

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Catch People Doing Things Right: How Ken Blanchard Changed the Way the World Leads

"This candid business biography reveals how bestselling author, speaker, and business consultant Ken Blanchard revolutionized management by leading with love and service. Ken Blanchard transformed modern leadership theory through unlikely means—by catching people doing things right. Written with warmth and humor, this authorized biography reveals how a mediocre student who was told he 'couldn't write' became a bestselling author and a globally renowned management expert. Through extensive access to personal papers, letters, and interviews, Martha Lawrence paints an intimate portrait of the man behind The One Minute Manager and dozens of other influential books. From his early days coaching Cub Scouts to building a worldwide training organization, Blanchard demonstrated that nice guys can finish first by focusing on serving rather than being served. During pivotal moments—his sister's tragic death, losing his home to wildfire, economic downturns threatening his company—Blanchard's optimistic leadership philosophy was tested. Yet his unwavering commitment to bringing out the best in others while leading with love created a lasting legacy that continues to influence organizations globally."

Martha C. Lawrence (Author), Tanya Eby (Narrator)

Audiobook

Bag Man: The Story Behind the Improbable Rise of Coach

"The longtime CEO of Coach shares stories and strategies behind the company's stunning growth from a $6 million business to a $5 billion global brand. Lew Frankfort knew nothing about fashion when he became assistant to the founder of Coach. By the time he left, Frankfort had spent twenty-nine years as CEO, growing Coach from a scrappy maker of leather bags with a small cult following to a beloved lifestyle brand. Along the way, Coach created a new market segment—accessible luxury—that redefined an industry. In Bag Man, Frankfort explains how he built a business that challenged conventions, grew it 1000%, and became recognized as one of the world's best CEOs. Bag Man offers lessons from both achievements and missteps as Coach reinvented itself over decades. Throughout, Frankfort considers a more personal aspect of leadership—how the double-edged sword of fear and drive can lead to success but also take a toll. He shares his struggles with a haunting fear of failure, including how it drove an obsession with consumer insights that made Coach unique in the industry. A riveting, candid business memoir, Bag Man traces an extraordinary leadership journey that built a legacy brand."

Lew Frankfort (Author), Brian Troxell, Lew Frankfort (Narrator)

Audiobook

Born to Be Wired: Lessons from a Lifetime Transforming Television, Wiring America for the Internet,

"If you've ever streamed a show on HBO Max, seen a Formula One race, hummed a tune on SiriusXM, bought concert tickets via Ticketmaster, or watched an Atlanta Braves game, you've crossed paths with John Malone. You just didn't know it. John Malone remains a stranger to most people, though millions have been touched by the technologies and content he made possible. In Born to Be Wired, this legendary "cable cowboy" shares stories from behind the scenes of the most transformative deals in media, entertainment, and technology. He recounts the extraordinary saga of how America was wired—how a single copper strand evolved from a rural TV-antenna service into a high-speed backbone powering the internet and clearing the path for Amazon, Facebook, and Google. Malone offers an insider's account of launching television's first cable networks—including Discovery, TBS, QVC, and BET—and the strategy behind era-defining mergers, from Warner Bros. Discovery to Live Nation Entertainment. His Liberty Media ventures, including Formula One, have delivered long-term returns often compared to Berkshire Hathaway. More than a business story, this is a personal reflection—from a quiet kid with a mechanic's curiosity to a media visionary confronting the costs and consequences of disruption in an industry he helped reshape. Trained at the storied Bell Labs and gifted with a mathematical mind, Malone saw patterns in complexity. Where others saw chaos, he saw systems—and reconfigured companies with the precision of an engineer, unlocking value no one else could see. Sweeping, revealing, and deeply human, Born to Be Wired offers a rare glimpse into the logic—and the life—behind the screen."

John Malone (Author), Fred Sanders (Narrator)

Audiobook

Business Audiobooks in Biography & Memoir

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