C.E.O. Libraries Reveal Keys to Success

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/21/business/21libraries.html?em&ex=1185336000&en=8b2b14f17431502c&ei=5087%0A

by yubrew • 19 years ago

11 8 19 years ago

Loved the article, though I have to wonder how useful this "Founders at Home" stuff is -- I read all the time, as do most of my friends, but most of my more entrepreneurial acquaintances don't have the time. It isn't stated in the article, but having a huge library is probably something you should do either before you start or after you sell out.

myoung82• 19 years ago

correlation != causation

odds are fortune 500 CEO's just happen to like to read, it's not a prerequisite for success. journalistic sensationalism at its worst.

byrneseyeview2• 19 years ago

...

The journalist was just observing the libraries of a tiny sample of executives. I don't think anyone is claiming that reading leads to success (besides you), because (as you noted, and as the article didn't have to), plenty of people like to read, and not all of them are rich.

Now, if you wanted more reliable data, you could look at this survey:

http://www.forbes.com/2006/09/20/ent-manage_biz_06rich400_se...

Which seems to show that among billionaires, the most common attributes are 1) a tendency to exercise a lot, and 2) a few hours a day of reading.

Well, that and the billions of dollars in net worth.

myoung82• 19 years ago

The headline reads "CEO Libraries Reveal Keys to Success." That suggests to me that the keys are in the library...

daniel-cussen2• 19 years ago

Anecdotes prove nothing.

I know a few writers and I know a few entrepreneurs. The writers read their whole lives. The entrepreneurs I know never read all that much. I know a businessman who will only read books if they're bestsellers. I've even met entrepreneurs who have never voluntarily read a book. As far as I can tell, the guys who devote time to reading will never do as well as the guys to devote time to making money.

jward• 19 years ago

You're assuming people buy books to read them, not to display them and have them be status symbols.

daniel-cussen2• 19 years ago

You're right. However, I'm not sure Great Gatsby types really reap huge benefits from having libraries.

jkush• 19 years ago

Great article - thanks for posting this. When I make my fortune, I will almost certainly build an extensive library where I can sit and read in comfort and quiet.

C.E.O. Libraries Reveal Keys to Success

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