My Learning Library

Here's a detailed collection of the books I've completed in recent years, updated weekly.

The Joys of Compounding
A framework for applying the power of compounding across every area of life—not just investing, but also habits, learning, relationships, and character. Drawing on insights from some of the world’s sharpest minds, Baid distills decades of wisdom into a thoughtful, well-researched guide. It’s a reminder that the most powerful compounding happens when you invest in yourself.
One of my favorite books—worth rereading annually. Full of lightbulb moments. Read 2020 hardcover.
How to Read a Book
A framework book for gaining a deeper understanding from what you read. It provides a step-by-step approach that helps readers learn from books and develop original insights. A key concept is the four levels of reading: Elementary Reading (basic literacy), Inspectional Reading (skimming to grasp key ideas), Analytical Reading (methodically questioning a book’s arguments), and Syntopical Reading (reading multiple books on a topic and comparing them to develop your own insight).
The concept of syntopical reading stuck with me—reading across multiple books to answer a question, not just absorb one author’s view. Asking “What’s the main argument or tree trunk of this book?” changed how I read. Originally published in 1940. I read the 2014 paperback reprint.
Hedge Fund Market Wizards
A biographical anthology about 15 of the most successful hedge fund managers. Divided into three sections—Macro, Multistrategy, and Equity—the book is based on in-depth interviews that explore each investor’s strategies, principles, and mindset, revealing what enabled their long-term success. The managers profiled are: Colm O'Shea, Ray Dalio, Larry Benedict, Scott Ramsey, Jaffray Woodriff, Edward Thorp, Jamie Mai, Michael Platt, Steve Clark, Martin Taylor, Tom Claugus, Joe Vidich, Kevin Daly, Jimmy Balodimas, and Joel Greenblatt.
Great sections on Ed Thorp, Jamie Mai, and Joel Greenblatt. Learned about Thames River—an incubator and seed investor in hedge funds, including Ken Griffin’s Citadel. The summary of lessons across all managers at the end was especially useful. Read the 2012 hardcover.
More Money Than God
Historical exploration of the hedge fund industry. This book details the origins, key players, their impact on the industry, and the role hedge funds played in the 2007-2009 financial crisis.
Great breakdown of hedge fund industry. Also read author's book The Power Law about VC industry. Read 2011 paperback.
The Power Law
Historical exploration of the venture capital (VC) industry. This book details the key players, their impact on the industry, and how VC has impacted innovation and economic growth.
Well researched. Best explanation of VC history I've read. Read 2022 hardcover.
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Working Backwards
A framework for operating and innovating like Amazon. Written by two longtime Amazon executives, this book offers a behind-the-scenes look at core mechanisms—like PR/FAQs, six-page memos, and single-threaded teams—that powered Amazon’s biggest breakthroughs, including AWS, Prime, and Kindle. It’s a practical guide to building customer-obsessed, scalable systems that drive innovation.
Read 2022 paperback
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Billion Dollar Loser
Biography of Wework and Adam Neumann. Describes Neumann's journey leading to founding Wework. Describes how the company's rapid growth period fueled by venture capital. Details rapid decline and ouster of Neumann.
Neumann's storytelling mesmerized investors and suspended reality. Read 2020 hardcover.
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Thinking in Bets
A framework for thinking probabilistically in uncertain situations, written by a former professional poker player who believes everyone can “think in bets” to make better decisions.
Read 2018 hardcover.
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The Price of Tomorrow
Jeff Booth's contrarian perspective on how monetary policy, debt, inflation, technology, and other topics work together.
Read 2020 paperback.
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Atomic Habits
A framework for using small daily habits and systems—rather than setting ambitious goals—to increase the likelihood that you will arrive at your desired destination. Clear outlines three levels of behavior change: outcomes (what you get), processes (what you do), and identity (what you believe). He emphasizes starting with the identity layer: belief-based habits that focus on the kind of person you want to be. Once you know who you want to be, it’s easier to back into what you need to do (process layer) to get the result you want (outcome layer).
Read this book as part of my EO forum. Good framework to think about systems and habits instead of goals. You can control what actions you take, but you can't always control outcomes. Read 2018 hardcover
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Blood and Oil
An investigative biography that traces how Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) rose to power and became the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia. The book offers a rare and revealing look at his tactics and global ambitions.
I was fascinated by the cultural differences when I visited the Middle East and started following MBS closely in the news. Read 2020 hardcover.
Venture Deals
A beginner's guide to how venture capital deals are structured and negotiated—designed to help those unfamiliar with VC understand the mechanics behind fundraising and term sheets.
Read the 2019 hardcover (4th edition).
Angel
A practical guide to angel investing based on Jason Calacanis’s experience.It outlines his approach to sourcing and evaluating deals, check writing strategy, deal mechanics, and adding value to founders. Calacanis shows that angel investing isn’t random luck, but a strategic game of access and probabilities.
Great intro. Demystifies angel investing and shows how outsized success comes from strategy, not luck. Read 2017 hardcover.
Secrets of Sand Hill Road
A technical guide to how venture capital works, written by Scott Kupor of VC firm Andreessen Horowitz. Drawing on personal experience and investor perspectives, Kupor offers practical advice on pitching, negotiating term sheets, and building strong VC relationships—while revealing how venture capitalists think. For founders considering raising venture capital, it’s an invaluable playbook for understanding the rules before you step on the court.
Read 2019 hardcover.
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The Mastermind
An investigative biography detailing how Paul Calder Le Roux went from a gifted software engineer to running a global online prescription drug empire from Manila, Philippines. A fascinating account of his rise, the inner workings of his dangerous international organization, and the DEA operation that finally brought him down.
Read 2019 hardcover.
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American Pain
An investigative biography detailing the meteoric rise and fall of American Pain, Chris George’s Florida-based pill mill. Through this story, the book reveals how weak oversight and other factors fueled the opioid crisis, giving readers an inside view of pain clinics and the devastation they caused in America.
Eye-opening. Clear look at opioid crisis and pill mill business model. Read 2015 paperback.
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