I am collating a list of books that might be useful to fellow-travellers. These are books on freelancing, the world of work, the gig economy etc. But also, there are books on mindset, attitude and philosophy.
My criteria here are simple: books that I’ve read and would recommend to like-minded souls: freelancers, interims, talent economy workers, gig economy workers, solopreneurs … sovereign professionals. I’m sure I’ve missed some, and the list will inevitably grow, but this is a start.
Non-fiction
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations – Essential reading. The Stoic classic, all the more powerful for being Marcus’s notebook rather than his text book.
Beckwith, Harry, Selling the Invisible – Fist published in 1997, the examples are wonderfully dated, but the insights on marketing services are timeless.
Brown, Derren, Happy – Stoicism for the modern age. A wonderfully practical, but beautifully crafted book.
Coase, Ronald, The Nature of the Firm – Back in 1937, Coase explained why firms and employees exist in the first place. The answer, transaction costs, explains the current growth in sovereign professionalism. This is not a book, but an academic paper available free, via Wiley (and other online sources).
Donkin, Richard, The History of Work – From hunter-gatherer to googler, an expansive, insightful and readable history. The further you look back, the further forward you can see.
Pink, Daniel, Free Agent Nation – From 2002, some of this has happened, some hasn’t (yet), but still a great exploration of the various dimensions of being a free agent, a sovereign professional.
Mantel, Hilary, The Wolf Hall Trilogy – The life and progress of Thomas Cromwell, a masterclass in navigating a political landscape, and a beautifully written tale, as well.
Rand, Ayn, Atlas Shrugged – 1,200 pages of almost unreadable prose, but still a worthwhile antidote to commonly accepted perspectives. Gird your loins, pin your eyes open and trudge through at least the first couple of hundred pages.
Rand, Ayn, The Fountainhead – A refusal to compromise personal and professional integrity. An easier read than Atlas Shrugged, offering plenty to ponder
Stephenson, Neal, Snow Crash – First published in 1992. Sometimes it’s eye-opening when you look back to see forwards.