The Putnam Bookshelf

Walter Isaacson’s award-winning authorized biography of Apple’s co-founder offers a compelling, candid narrative. The book highlights both the genius and the abrasiveness of Steve Jobs. It covers Jobs’ complete life story and his obsessive perfectionism, volatile relationships, and lasting impact on technology and culture.

A memoir by Phil Knight, co-founder of Nike

“Phil Knight turned a $50 loan from his father into one of the most iconic brands in the world. It is a journey marked by mistakes, setbacks, and failures, overcome by vision, grit, determination, and a unique team with a shared vision.”

— Brendan Murray, Head of Global Business Development

A collection of Munger’s speeches, ideas, and humor, by Peter D. Kaufman

“There is no better teacher than history in determining the future. There are answers worth billions in a $30 history book.”

— Karan Sodhi, CFA, Portfolio Manager

A memoir by Home Depot co-founder Ken Langone

“Few stories capture the American dream as powerfully as Ken Langone’s—whose vision and tenacity helped build Home Depot and demonstrated how capitalism can elevate both people and communities.”

— Brian Freiwald, CFA, Portfolio Manager

The classic biography by Roger Lowenstein draws on three years of unprecedented access to Buffett’s family, friends, and colleagues. It highlights Buffett’s personal values of patience, integrity, and simplicity, offering an inside look at his life, career, and unique success.

This sweeping biography by Ron Chernow profiles the founder of Standard Oil, tracing his rise from modest beginnings to the world’s richest man. It explores the tension between his ruthless, monopoly-building business practices and his later role as a pioneering, large-scale philanthropist.

A profile of former Ford CEO Alan Mulally by Bryce Hoffman

“Alan Mulally’s commitment to get Ford through the financial crisis is a fascinating lesson in management, corporate culture, and company values. It’s a nail biter that leaves you rooting for their success.”

— Caroline Edwards, CFA, Senior Client Portfolio Manager

Author Walter Isaacson follows biochemist Jennifer Doudna and her collaborators as they develop CRISPR gene editing. It traces the race to harness DNA, the ethical dilemmas of rewriting life, and how the technology is transforming medicine, biology, and debates over what it means to be human.

An in-depth profile of Amazon and its founder by Brad Stone

“While controversial at times, Jeff Bezos’ push for a tough, fast, and effective management culture is a great case study for businesses trying to create long-term value in large, highly competitive markets.”

— Julian Brady, Equity Associate

A profile of mathematician Jim Simons and his hedge fund Renaissance Technologies, by Gregory Zuckerman

“This book shows that the most extraordinary track record in finance didn’t come from a magic formula, but from culture, people, and constantly evolving teamwork.”

— Vivek Gandhi, CFA, Portfolio Manager

A memoir by Trader Joe’s founder Joe Coulombe

“Joe Coulombe belongs in the retail hall of fame alongside Sam Walton, Sol Price, and Jeff Bezos. He proved that retailers can be brands, and less can be more.”

— Max Spelke, Equity Associate

Author Michael Lewis recounts the intense friendship and groundbreaking collaboration of psychologists Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky, showing how their work upended assumptions about rational decision-making and reshaped fields from economics to medicine and public policy.

This is a Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir by Katharine Graham, the shy heiress who became publisher of The Washington Post. It portrays her privileged yet lonely upbringing, her husband’s mental illness and suicide, and her evolution into a courageous leader through the Pentagon Papers, Watergate, and a male-dominated media world.

This memoir by James Dyson highlights how countless flops, prototypes, and setbacks shaped his journey from young designer to building a global technology company. It demonstrates how persistence, curiosity, and engineering-led experimentation can turn failure into breakthrough innovation.

A profile of the Ryanair CEO by Alan Ruddick

“Against all odds, Michael O’Leary transformed Ryanair from a foundering startup in 1988 into a 200 million passenger juggernaut that has earned the highest profit margins globally—all while obsessively charging the lowest fares.”

— Spencer Morgan, CFA, Portfolio Manager

Distilled interviews and writings from Singapore’s founding leader, by Graham Allison

“Arguably, no one has done more for a nation than Lee Kuan Yew did for Singapore—or whose insights were so universally sought by the world’s political and business elite.”

— Shep Perkins, CFA, Chief Investment Officer

Howard Green profiles Hunter Harrison, the hard driving CEO who transformed four major railroads. Harrison used precision scheduled railroading, cut costs, boosted efficiency, created huge shareholder value, and ignited controversy with his relentless style.

In this biography, Matthew Symonds profiles Oracle’s flamboyant founder. It traces how Ellison’s aggressive personality, appetite for risk, and love of competition built a dominant database company, while revealing the internal battles, bold bets, and controversies that shaped Oracle’s rise.

Author Dieter Brandes recounts how brothers Karl and Theo Albrecht transformed their mother’s small German grocery into Aldi, a no-frills discount empire. The brothers stripped out costs, tightly limited product range, and obsessively drove efficiency to deliver reliable quality at remarkably low prices.

Author Mark Robichaux follows John Malone’s rise as the deal driven engineer who turned TCI and Liberty Media into cable powerhouses, using leverage, tax-savvy deals, and scale to reshape pay TV, media ownership, and the economics of the modern cable industry.

This biography of Warren Buffett by Alice Schroeder traces Buffett’s journey from a numbers-obsessed boy in Omaha to one of the world’s most influential investors. It details his investment philosophy, personal relationships, and the life choices that shaped his fortune and character.

David Carey and John E. Morris chronicle the rise of Steve Schwarzman and private equity firm Blackstone

“This easy read explains how private equity came to be and the players and structures that were key to its development. The unique history and thoughtful self-reflection of Blackstone’s leaders turned it into a global giant.”

— Walter Scully, CPA, Portfolio Manager

Author Andrew Grove explains how companies and careers can navigate strategic inflection points⁠—dramatic shifts in technology, competition, or markets. Grove argues that constant vigilance, willingness to abandon old habits, and bold leadership are essential to survive and thrive through disruptive change.

This is a memoir by Willis Johnson, founder of Copart, the world’s largest online auto auction. Johnson recounts his journey from humble beginnings in rural Arkansas to building a multi-billion-dollar business empire. The book highlights his perseverance, innovative use of technology, and willingness to take risks, as well as the values of hard work and family.