N Sreekumar's top book reads

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Taken for a Ride (First Edition: 2001)

by Bill Vlasic and Bradley Stertz

This is the story of one the most controversial business mergers ever. The coming together of the manufacturer of sleek German luxury sedans with the Detroit-based progenitor of the minivan and shaded dealings that happened behind closed doors. Daimler-Benz’s $36-billion buyout of Chrysler in 1998 was widely hailed as a paradigm-busting leap forward in the cost-efficient manufacture and development of cars and trucks.

The authors draw on more than 200 interviews conducted in Detroit, Stuttgart and elsewhere for a behind-the-scenes account of one of the biggest mergers in the automotive industry and people behind the deal. 

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Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion (First Edition: 2006)

by Robert B. Cialdini

This book explains the psychology of why people say “yes”—and how to apply these understandings to one’s benefit.

Robert Cialdini has over 35 years of experience and evidence-based research to back his six universal principles, which will help the reader on how to become a skilled persuader—and how to defend yourself against one.

This is an essential book for understanding the psychological foundations of marketing.

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The 48 Laws of Power (First Edition: 2000)

by Robert Greene

Greene transforms 3,000 years’ worth of recorded human history of power into 48 distinct laws. The books amalgamates ideas and philosophies of Machiavelli, Sun-tzu, Carl von Clausewitz and many more into a book that is a riveting read. Some laws teach the need for prudence, the virtue of stealth, and many demand the total absence of mercy and all have applications in real life.

The Appeal (First Edition: 2012)

by John Grisham

Grisham is known to write some of the most intricate courtroom dramas. The Appeal is one with the twist as it starts off where most courtroom dramas end, with the verdict.

Essentially a sordid tale of big business and politics vs big verdicts and class action lawsuits it has its fair share of twist and turns.

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The Oath of the Vayuputras (First Edition: 2013)

by Amish Tripathi

This is the third book in the trilogy of fictional books about Shiva.

Amish Tripathi, is an author who gave 

up his banking job to live his dream of 

becoming a writer. His first attempt at writing grabbed the imagination of the masses in India.

Tripathi recently signed Rs five-crore book deal for his next yet to be titled novel series. 

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