Read by Dave Ramsey
What books does Dave Ramsey recommend?
No-nonsense conviction has coached millions out of debt through Dave Ramsey's radio show and Ramsey Solutions, and his book recommendations carry that same edge. His 32 titles are drawn from the Ramsey Solutions store and articles, his EntreLeadership guide, and The Ramsey Show, and the collection is built for entrepreneurs and go-getters, weighted toward business and strategy, leadership and management, self-improvement, and psychology and human behavior. His signature pick is Scott Alexander's Rhinoceros Success, a book he believes in so strongly that 'I require my team to read it when they start working on my team,' urging readers to 'go rhino.' Terry Felber's The Legend of the Monk and the Merchant and Bob Burg's The Go-Giver round out the shelf. Ramsey is a prolific author, having written The Total Money Makeover, Baby Steps Millionaires, and Smart Money Smart Kids.
Last updated February 2026 · Every recommendation cited to its original source.
Rhinoceros Success
The Secret to Charging Full Speed Toward Every Opportunity
byScott Alexander
2003100 Pages“I believe in this book so much that I require my team to read it when they start working on my team. Scott Alexander has discovered the REAL secret of success: becoming a rhinoceros. Read it and go rhino!”
— Dave Ramsey
Source: Ramsey Solutions Official Store
Read by Dave Ramsey
The Legend of the Monk and the Merchant
Principles For Successful Living
byTerry Felber
2012208 Pages“Can your desk job serve a higher calling? Of course it can! Christians don't have to choose between the secular and the spiritual. Any talent can bring glory to God—whether it's in the church or in the marketplace. Treat all your work as holy.”
— Dave Ramsey
Source: Ramsey Solutions Article
The Go-Getter
A Story That Tells You How to Be One
byPeter B. Kyne
201964 Pages“Obstacles are no match for the Go-Getter. He does what it takes (short of theft) to finish a task most would have quit almost immediately. Perseverance is what separates the button-pushers from the go-getters.”
— Dave Ramsey
Source: Ramsey Solutions Article
The Go-Giver
A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea
byBob Burg, John David Mann
2015176 Pages“Are you a giver or a taker? In business, we often only give to get. But when you're generous with your money, time and talents, you'll help others succeed while you build character. You can't lose by helping others—you can only increase the winning.”
— Dave Ramsey
Source: Ramsey Solutions Article
Read by Jeff Bezos, Brian Armstrong, Chip Wilson and 5 others
Good to Great
Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't
byJim Collins
2001320 Pages“All of Jim Collins' books are absolute must-reads. Built to Last, Good to Great and How the Mighty Fall are all incredible. He's a fantastic writer and one of the best researchers around for business writing.”
— Dave Ramsey
Source: Ramsey Solutions EntreLeadership Guide
Who Moved My Cheese?
An A-mazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life
bySpencer Johnson
199896 Pages“Your cheese is your comfort zone, and when it gets moved, you can either sit and wait for it to come back or get up and find some tastier cheese. Change is a scary part of life, but it's inevitable. When you learn the art of adaptability, you can succeed almost anywhere.”
— Dave Ramsey
Source: Ramsey Solutions Article
Read by Dave Ramsey
QBQ! The Question Behind the Question
Practicing Personal Accountability in Work and in Life
byJohn G. Miller
2004160 Pages“Dave thinks so highly of John Miller that he is one of the few people allowed to be a guest on Dave's show. His book is one of the best on personal responsibility available today.”
— Dave Ramsey
Source: Ramsey Solutions EntreLeadership Guide
Read by Warren Buffett, Alex Hormozi, Chip Wilson and 11 others
byDale Carnegie
1936291 Pages“I read this book for the first time when I was 12 years old. This book is the Golden Rule fleshed out. It's also the text for the Dale Carnegie® course. This information has had a great impact in all areas of my life.”
— Dave Ramsey
Source: Ramsey Solutions Official Store
Read by Dave Ramsey
Boundaries
When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life
byHenry Cloud, John Townsend
2017352 Pages“Explains how to set healthy boundaries and say no when necessary. This book is essential for anyone who wants to take control of their life.”
— Dave Ramsey
Source: Ramsey Solutions Article
Read by Chip Wilson, James Clear, Dave Ramsey and 2 others
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Powerful Lessons in Personal Change
byStephen R. Covey
2020464 Pages“When Stephen Covey first released The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, the book became an instant rage because people suddenly got up and took notice that their lives were headed off in the wrong direction.”
— Dave Ramsey
Source: Ramsey Solutions Article
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
Follow Them and People Will Follow You
byJohn C. Maxwell
2022336 Pages“If you are a parent, employee, employer, brother, sister or are otherwise breathing in and out, chances are that you have influence. In that case, you should read this book.”
— Dave Ramsey
Source: Ramsey Solutions EntreLeadership Guide
Read by Dave Ramsey
Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters
10 Secrets Every Father Should Know
byMeg Meeker
2006267 PagesSource: The Ramsey Show
Read by Grant Cardone, Dave Ramsey, Steve Harvey and 10 others
Think and Grow Rich
The Landmark Bestseller Now Revised and Updated for the 21st Century
byNapoleon Hill
2005320 Pages“Ideal for anyone looking to learn from some of the most successful people in history about mindset and accomplishing what you want in life.”
— Dave Ramsey
Source: Ramsey Solutions Official Store
Read by Tim Ferriss, Chip Wilson, Gary Vaynerchuk and 3 others
The E-Myth Revisited
Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It
byMichael E. Gerber
1995288 Pages“Ramsey recommends this book specifically for entrepreneurs and small-business owners. It breaks down common myths about starting a business.”
— Dave Ramsey
Source: Ramsey Solutions EntreLeadership Guide
Read by Grant Cardone, Dave Ramsey, Jim Rohn and 3 others
byGeorge S. Clason
1926144 Pages“Beloved by millions, George S. Clason's classic business book reveals the financial principles that hold the key to personal wealth.”
— Dave Ramsey
Source: Book Foreword
The Ideal Team Player
How to Recognize and Cultivate The Three Essential Virtues
byPatrick Lencioni
2016240 Pages“My favorite book of his... we've been using that lingo in our hires. The ideal team player is hungry, humble and smart.”
— Dave Ramsey
Source: The Ramsey Show
Read by Tim Ferriss, Marc Andreessen, Joe De Sena and 4 others
Extreme Ownership
How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win
byJocko Willink, Leif Babin
2015320 Pages“Extreme Ownership was the breakthrough book how US Navy Seals lead and win... You do not want to miss it.”
— Dave Ramsey
Source: The Ramsey Show
Read by Richard Branson, Mark Manson, Steven Bartlett and 4 others
Start with Why
How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action
bySimon Sinek
2009256 Pages“The author of Start With Why hits another home run.”
— Dave Ramsey
Source: Ramsey Solutions EntreLeadership Guide
Leaders Eat Last
Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't
bySimon Sinek
2014368 Pages“Filled with stories of leaders who got it right, creating deeply loyal teams that win.”
— Dave Ramsey
Source: Ramsey Solutions EntreLeadership Guide
Read by Dave Ramsey
Tribes
We Need You to Lead Us
bySeth Godin
2008160 Pages“Literally everything he writes is marketing gold. Start with Tribes, Linchpin and Poke the Box.”
— Dave Ramsey
Source: Ramsey Solutions EntreLeadership Guide
Read by Dave Ramsey
The Speed of Trust
The One Thing that Changes Everything
byStephen M. R. Covey, Rebecca R. Merrill
2006384 Pages“What is the key ingredient to leading well in this new economy? Covey says it's all about trust, and we agree. So trust us on this one: Read this book.”
— Dave Ramsey
Source: Ramsey Solutions EntreLeadership Guide
Read by Dave Ramsey
Crucial Conversations
Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High
byKerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler
2011272 Pages“Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High.”
— Dave Ramsey
Source: Ramsey Solutions Article
Read by Dave Ramsey
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
A Leadership Fable
byPatrick Lencioni
2002229 Pages“Straightforward steps to overcome dysfunction and build a stronger company culture and unified team.”
— Dave Ramsey
Source: Ramsey Solutions Article
The 5 Levels of Leadership
Proven Steps to Maximize Your Potential
byJohn C. Maxwell
2011304 Pages“He provides clear, easy-to-understand steps you can take to create a game plan for your leadership development.”
— Dave Ramsey
Source: Ramsey Solutions Article
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Frequently asked questions
What books does Dave Ramsey recommend?
His 32 recommendations include Rhinoceros Success by Scott Alexander, The Legend of the Monk and the Merchant by Terry Felber, The Go-Getter by Peter Kyne, and The Go-Giver by Bob Burg, aimed at drive and entrepreneurship.
What is Dave Ramsey's top book pick?
Scott Alexander's Rhinoceros Success. Ramsey says 'I require my team to read it when they start working on my team,' calling its message about relentless, charging effort the real secret of success and urging readers to 'go rhino.'
Where do Dave Ramsey book recommendations come from?
They come from the Ramsey Solutions store and articles, his EntreLeadership leadership guide, forewords he has written for other authors, and recommendations shared on The Ramsey Show.
Has Dave Ramsey written any books?
Yes. He is the author of The Total Money Makeover, Baby Steps Millionaires, Financial Peace Revisited, Smart Money Smart Kids, and The Legacy Journey, all built around his debt-free approach to personal finance.
What genres does Dave Ramsey read most?
His recommendations favor business and strategy, leadership and management, self-improvement, and psychology and human behavior, with a consistent focus on discipline, drive, and building wealth through hard work rather than shortcuts or get-rich-quick schemes.
All 32 Books Dave Ramsey Has Recommended
- Rhinoceros Success · Scott Alexander
- The Legend of the Monk and the Merchant · Terry Felber
- The Go-Getter · Peter B. Kyne
- The Go-Giver · Bob Burg
- Good to Great · Jim Collins
- Who Moved My Cheese? · Spencer Johnson
- QBQ! The Question Behind the Question · John G. Miller
- How to Win Friends and Influence People · Dale Carnegie
- Boundaries · Henry Cloud
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People · Stephen R. Covey
- The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership · John C. Maxwell
- Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters · Meg Meeker
- Think and Grow Rich · Napoleon Hill
- The E-Myth Revisited · Michael E. Gerber
- The Richest Man in Babylon · George S. Clason
- The Ideal Team Player · Patrick Lencioni
- Extreme Ownership · Jocko Willink
- Start with Why · Simon Sinek
- Leaders Eat Last · Simon Sinek
- Tribes · Seth Godin
- The Speed of Trust · Stephen M. R. Covey
- Crucial Conversations · Kerry Patterson
- The Five Dysfunctions of a Team · Patrick Lencioni
- The 5 Levels of Leadership · John C. Maxwell
- Outliers · Malcolm Gladwell
- Built to Last · Jim Collins
- Orbiting the Giant Hairball · Gordon MacKenzie
- Business By The Book · Larry Burkett
- Building a StoryBrand · Donald Miller
- Joy, Inc. · Richard Sheridan
- Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook · Gary Vaynerchuk
- Youtility: Why Smart Marketing Is about Help Not Hype · Jay Baer