Leadership Bookshelf: Must-Reads for Insight, Inspiration, and Growth

Dive into the favorite reads of HES FinTech leaders and discover the books that have shaped their thinking and journeys, both professional and personal. From deep explorations of economic history and decision-making psychology to gripping biographies and classic literature, these selections offer valuable insights and inspiration. Each recommendation includes a personal touch from Ivan Kovalenko, Dmitry Dolgorukov, Andre Kravchenko, and Artem Britun, who share why these books matter to them. Explore their choices, understand the stories behind their selections, and get inspired to expand your own reading list.

Books That Challenge
Conventional Thinking

Daniel Kahneman, “Thinking, Fast and Slow”

An oldie but a goldie. This book challenges you to think critically about how others think and make decisions.

Walter Isaacson, “Elon Musk”

Elon Musk is one of the most controversial yet productive entrepreneurs of our time. This biography reinforces the idea that every step we take in life—good or bad—shapes who we become.

Matt Lerner, “Growth Levers”

A must-read for every founder who wants their startup to grow and succeed.

Deep Dives into Debt, Power,
and Wealth

David Graeber, “Debt: The First 5000 Years”

A deep dive into the history of debt and its profound impact on human society. This book will change the way you think about economics, money, and the social structures that have shaped our world for millennia.

Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson, “Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty”

An insightful exploration into why some nations prosper while others remain trapped in poverty. This book is essential for understanding the political and economic factors that drive success or failure in societies.

Thomas Piketty, “Capital in the Twenty-First Century”

A groundbreaking analysis of wealth inequality in modern times. Piketty offers a thorough examination of the forces that drive economic disparity, making it a crucial read for anyone interested in the dynamics of wealth and power.

Stories of Legends and Leaders

Keith Richards, “Life”

A great read for those who grew up listening to rock ’n’ roll, like I did. What impressed me most about this book is Keith Richards’ remarkable memory, despite the well-documented professional hazards of a rock ’n’ roll lifestyle, paired with his great knack for immersive storytelling.

Anthony Bourdain, “Kitchen Confidential”

A book by Anthony Bourdain, a rock ’n’ roll hero of the culinary world. It started as an essay, detailing the underbelly of the New York restaurant scene, published by The New Yorker. The book followed, and then a TV show spanning the world—fusing food, culture, history, music, film, and anthropology—narrated and curated by a man whose greatest skill was his ability to listen to others. Anthony was a great storyteller, and his voice is greatly missed—in print, on screen, and in life.

Jon Meacham, “And There Was Light: President Lincoln and the American Struggle”

A biopic by the outstanding historian and author Jon Meacham, and my favorite regular guest on Morning Joe. The book is a page-turner that feels especially pertinent today—a study of leadership in times of a divided nation.

Timeless Classics of Philosophy
and Fiction

Lawrence Durrell, “The Alexandria Quartet”

A fascinating series of four novels set in mid-20th century Egypt. The story is uniquely structured, with the same events being retold from the perspectives of different characters. The language is incredibly beautiful, making it a captivating read..

Marcus Aurelius, “Meditations”

This book is essentially a collection of personal notes from Emperor Marcus Aurelius. It’s a compilation of his thoughts, reflections, and philosophies on important life topics. Remarkably, much of what he wrote is still relevant today.

Franz Kafka, “The Castle”

A novel that blurs the line between dream and reality, filled with philosophical and religious undertones. The characters and plot are so vividly crafted that as you read, you might feel a strong, almost physical urge to intervene in the events and “fix” things—a rare experience in literature.

Happy reading!