Editors across PEI Media’s publications informally surveyed industry pros for book recommendations — and in some cases offered their own. The list below includes just-published options and perennial favourites with a mix of ideas for the beachgoer thinking about their next deal as well as readers looking to dial things back for a bit. Here’s wishing you an enjoyable summertime.

Deals and dealmaking

Amazon Unbound
by Brad Stone

“The Washington post acquisition chapter was probably the most interesting given the unconventional deal mechanics and Bezos’s ability to buy a distressed asset, turn it around, and create a technology platform (Arc Publishing) within The Post to sell as a subscription service to other legacy publications as they make their digital pivot.” — Kevin Deeth, Director, Capital Raising & Deal Sourcing at Graham-Allen

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Ask For More: 10 Questions to Negotiate Anything
by Alexandra Carter

“A Wall Street Journal bestseller, it is a quick read, very logical, and an interesting perspective on the art of negotiating.” — Steven I Rosenfeld, President, Delray Eye Associates, PA; Executive Advisor at Blue Sea Capital

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The Caesars Palace Coup
by Sujeet Indap and Max Frumes

“Bad deals happen. But this one, doomed almost from the outset, erupts into a brutal brawl that involves a virtual who’s who in private equity and hedge funds.” — Chris Witkowsky, Editor, Buyouts

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The Key Man: The True Story of How the Global Elite Was Duped by a Capitalist Fairy Tale
by Simon Clark and Will Louch

“Will make you laugh, wince and look afresh at private markets and the concept of impact investment.” — Toby Mitchenall, Editor, New Private Markets

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The Long Good Buy: Analysing Cycles in Markets
by Peter Oppenheimer

“A nerdy and interesting book about stock market trends over time and different valuation methods.” — Kristoffer Melinder, managing partner, Nordic Capital

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The World for Sale: Money, Power, and the Traders Who Barter the Earth’s Resources
by Javier Blas and Jack Farchy

“A fascinating and highly readable study of the close-knit firms that have dominated the global commodity trade over the last 100+ years. Virtually every nation and industry relies upon or interacts with this small group of inscrutable firms to meet their national or commercial goals. Definitely an entertaining page-turner for a summer day.” — Dan Zwirn, CEO and CIO, Arena Investors

Unplugging (of one kind or another)

Blackwater
by Kerstin Ekman

“About a woman who moved into an alternative community in the 1970s. A page-turner.” — Kristoffer Melinder, managing partner, Nordic Capital

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Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
by Greg McKeown

“Recommended to me by a top VC on how to manage time better (if only I had the time to read it!)” — Simon Faure, managing director, IH International Advisors

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The Surrender Experiment: My Journey into Life’s Perfection
by Michael A. Singer

“As an avid reader of biographies, I found Michael Singer’s life story to be a fascinating and inspirational journey – from abbot, to professor, to CEO, to the victim of governmental prosecutorial misconduct – handled all with complete Zen, with him surrendering to the natural flow and order of life. Reading it also creates quite a calming effect, making it perfect for a relaxing summer read.” — Dan Zwirn, CEO and CIO, Arena Investors

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Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat
by Samin Nosrat

“It’s BBQ season and meat is on the menu for us. So why not learn to cook better.” — Fernando I. Vinzons, director of investments, Cook County Pension Fund 

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Unwinding Anxiety
by Judson Brewer

“Although this isn’t necessarily a “beach read” (maybe exactly the opposite?), I would highly recommend the book knowing that most of us – especially the lawyers – all have some level of stress coming from our jobs. I’ve found this to be a really insightful read that [explains] how our brains work and, indirectly, relieves some stress (which is what the beach is supposed to do, right?)” — Eric Nedell, partner, Hunton Andrews Kurth

Remembrances of things past

Agent Sonya
by Ben Macintyre

“Really great real life story and very enjoyable thriller especially for those that grew up in the cold war era.” — Simon Faure, managing director, IH International Advisors

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Ascent of Money
by Niall Ferguson

“Only just started but so far so good, a financial history of the world.” — Simon Faure, managing director, IH International Advisors

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The House of Morgan
by Ron Chernow

“An interesting read on the history of investment banking. These bankers had similar challenges to that we have today. Truly there is nothing new under the sun.” — Jim Nelligan

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The Shortest History of England
by James Hawes

“I was terrible at history; I know nothing about it and my children now know much more about it. This is the shortest version I could find of the entire history of England.” — Andy Dawson, managing partner and co-founder of bd-capital

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To Catch a King
by Charles Spencer

“Great read of the escape of Charles II from England including the explanation of why there are so many pubs called the Royal Oak.” — Simon Faure, managing director, IH International Advisors