My
Reading List

Books have been among the greatest teachers in my life.  Each title on this page sits on my office shelves and has influenced the way I think, lead, practice law, serve others, and raise my family.  Although I do not necessarily agree with every conclusion reached by every author, each of these books challenged me, taught me something valuable, or broadened my perspective.

I have a starter pack that I give to high school and college graduates. It includes the following:

📘 Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

The roadmap for building a life of character, discipline, and purpose.

📘 Thomas J. Stanley, The Millionaire Next Door

The best explanation I've found of how ordinary people quietly build extraordinary wealth.  It will completely change the way you view income and wealth.

📘 John T. Molloy, Dress for Success

Backed by extensive research, this classic demonstrates how appearance influences credibility, confidence, and opportunity.

Books that changed my life
include the following:

Faith & Character

  • The Book of Proverbs (from the Bible)

  • Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

  • Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom

  • Ben Carson, Gifted Hands:  The Ben Carson Story

  • Arthur Ashe, Days of Grace:  A Memoir

  • Gavan Daws, Holy Man: Father Damien of Molokai

Leadership

  • Colin Powell, My American Journey

  • Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People

  • John C. Maxwell, Leadership 101:   What Every Leader Needs to Know

  • Sam Walton, Made in America

  • Lee Iacocca, Iacocca:  An Autobiography

Law & Persuasion

  • Evan Thomas, The Man to See:  Edward Bennett Williams Ultimate Insider; Legendary Trial Lawyer

  • Francis L. Wellman, The Art of Cross-Examination

  • Bryan A. Garner and Antonin Scalia, Making Your Case:  The Art of Persuading Judges

  • Philip Houston, Michael Floyd, Susan Carnicero, Don Tenasnt, Spy the Lie:  Former CIA Officers Teach You How to Detect Deception

  • John Grisham and Jim McCloskey, Framed: Astonishing True Stories of Wrongful Convictions

Health, Performance, and Personal Development

  • Tony Robbins, Awaken the Giant Within: How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical and Financial Destiny!

  • Tony Robbins, Peter H. Diamandis, and Robert Hariri, Life Force:  How New Breakthroughs in Precision Medicine Can Transform the Quality of Your Life & Those You Love

  • Daniel Goleman, Emotional Intelligence:  Why It Can Matter More Than IQ

  • Matthew Walker, PhD, Why We Sleep

  • Richard Carlson, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff . . . and it’s all small stuff:  Simple Ways to Keep The Little Things From Taking Over Your Life

  • Lillian Glass, Talk to Win:  Six Steps to a Successful Vocal Image

  • Mark Hyman, MD, Young Forever:  The Secrets to Living Your Longest, Healthiest Life

  • T. Colin Campbell, PhD and Thomas M. Campbell II, The China Study:  Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss and Long-Term Health

  • Arnold Schwarzenegger, New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding:  The Bible of Bodybuilding, Fully Updated and Revised

  • Chris Aceto, Everything You Need to Know About Fat Loss

  • Chris Aceto, Championship Bodybuilding

  • Michael Matthews, Bigger Leaner Stronger: The Simple Science of Building the Ultimate Male Body

Financial Wisdom

  • Thomas J. Stanley, The Millionaire Next Door:  The Surprising Secrets of America’s Wealthy

  • Thomas J. Stanley, The Millionaire Mind

  • Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich

  • Robert T. Kiyosaki, Rich Dad Poor Dad:  What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!

Relationships

  • Gary Chapman, The 5 Love Languages®:  The Secret to Love that Lasts

  • Gary Smalley and John Trent, The Hidden Value of a Man:  The Incredible Impact of a Man on His Family

  • John Gray, Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus: The Classic Guide to Understanding the Opposite Sex

  • John Rosemond, Six-Point Plan for Raising Happy, Healthy Children

Critical Thinking & History

  • James W. Loewen, Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong

  • Sharyl Attkisson, The Smear:  How Shady Political Operatives and Fake News Control What You See, What You Think, and How You Vote

  • Tony Brown, Black Lies, White Lies: The Truth According to Tony Brown