Book Recommendations From Business Leaders and Cultural Influencers

Jenny Johnson

President and CEO, Franklin Templeton

A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II, by Sonia Purnell

“This is a remarkable story of an American woman who served as a secret undercover agent in France during World War II—first as a spy for the British Intelligence agency SOE, because the U.S. state department refused to let her join, and then later for the U.S. She had unbelievable success in mobilizing the French resistance—fortunately, unconscious bias worked in her favor, as the Germans could not imagine that a woman with a disability could be so effective at undercover work—including bold prison breaks! Despite her success, the SOE refused to promote her, until finally it became abundantly clear that she was far more effective than her

superiors, and she was appointed to a leadership position.”

Greg Norman

World Golf Hall of Famer, Chairman and CEO, Greg Norman Co. 

Rise and Kill First: The Secret History of Israel’s Targeted Assassinations, by Ronen Bergman

“The book was recommended by a few of my friends. I recently went on a trip to Israel and was fascinated by how such a small nation has had such a difficult history. This book really showcased how hard Israel has fought and continues to do so for its sovereign rights.”

David Hunt

President and CEO, PGIM 

The Third Pillar: How Markets and the State Leave the Community Behind, by Raghuram Rajan

“While the globalization of capitalism has been responsible for lifting millions of people out of poverty, in an age of rising inequality, many are rightfully questioning the system as a whole. Rajan’s The Third Pillar offers an

excellent framework to understand the problems associated with market-based economic systems and help us think about solutions.”

Dana Canedy

Senior Vice President and Publisher, Simon & Schuster

White Ivy, by Susie Yang

“I absolutely love fiction with characters that are so richly realized and that defy stereotypes and show us new ways to see cultures and the people who make them so complex and vibrant. Yang does not disappoint, with this brilliant work of literature that offers a unique view of the immigrant experience and left me thinking about class and character in unexpected ways.”

Cristina Mariani-May

CEO, Banfi Vintners

Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds, by David Goggins  

“I was inspired by Goggins ’ perseverance and drive. As a working mom who recently reorganized her business after 100 years of being family owned and operated and who worked to reposition it for today and the next generation, I really loved the role model I found in Goggins. I am also an ultra-marathon runner, and David tells amazingly detailed stories of long-distance trail runs. If you want to feel empowered, read this book!”