Summer Reading for Investment Bankers: 15 Books That Sharpen Strategy, Leadership, and Perspective

As the summer slowdown approaches, there's no better time to invest in your most important asset—your mind. Whether you're unwinding between deals, traveling, or simply enjoying a quieter inbox, the right book can sharpen your thinking, broaden your perspective, and prepare you for what’s next.

This curated reading list combines recommendations from seasoned leaders who appeared on The Investment Banking Leaders Podcast. These titles span finance, leadership, psychology, and history—offering essential lessons for investment bankers who want to lead, inspire, and outperform.

For Financial Acumen and Market Insight

📘 Investment Banking (3rd Edition) by Joshua Pearl and Joshua Rosenbaum – A modern must-read on valuation, LBOs, M&A, and IPOs. Ideal for junior and seasoned bankers looking to strengthen core technical skills.

📘 The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham – A timeless guide to value investing and financial discipline.

📘 M&A Titans by Brett Cole – Profiles the strategies of major dealmakers behind some of the world’s biggest transactions.

📘 The Big Short by Michael Lewis – A gripping real-world case study in financial foresight and risk management.

📘 Fooled by Randomness & Black Swans by Nassim Nicholas Taleb – Learn to spot hidden risks, navigate uncertainty, and question assumptions in financial markets.

For Leadership, Culture, and Career Growth

📘 What It Takes by Stephen Schwarzman – Candid lessons from the Blackstone founder on ambition, resilience, and building a lasting legacy.

📘 Radical Candor by Kim Scott – A practical guide for giving feedback, managing with empathy, and building trust in high-performance teams.

📘 Red Helicopter by James Rhee – An inspiring story about leading with compassion and the power of creative business thinking.

📘 The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz – Brutally honest advice on leadership in difficult times—relevant to every banking leader managing through volatility.

📘 The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell – Understand how trends catch fire—essential for bankers thinking about growth, influence, or market movement.

For Strategic Thinking and Broader Perspective

📘 Barbarians at the Gate by Bryan Burrough & John Helyar – The iconic tale of the RJR Nabisco takeover—timeless lessons in negotiation and corporate drama.

📘 Dealers of Lightning by Michael Hiltzik – A story of invention and disruption at Xerox PARC that mirrors today’s tech-driven banking evolution.

📘 Napoleon: A Life by Andrew Roberts – Learn from one of history’s most complex leaders about vision, resilience, and strategic domination.

📘 Why Nations Fail by Daron Acemoglu & James Robinson – A deep dive into political and economic systems—relevant for bankers advising clients across geographies.

Why This Matters

As many of our podcast guests have reminded us: “Leaders are readers.” These titles were selected because they do more than inform—they inspire. They challenge you to see the industry, your clients, and yourself differently.

Take advantage of the summer to reset, retool, and return stronger. Whether you’re preparing for your next promotion, deal, or pivot—these books will give you an edge.

📚 Have a favourite to add? Or a title that shaped your thinking? Let us know—we’re building Series 3 now.

Subscribe to The Investment Banking Leaders Podcast to keep learning.

Happy reading, and enjoy the summer.