Great Books That Shaped The B-School Elite

Jeffrey Pfeffer of Stanford’s Graduate School of Business

JEFFREY PFEFFER

Thomas D. Dee II Professor of Organizational Behavior at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University

Which book has influenced you the most?

Moneyball by Michael Lewis. It is an example of how analytics can improve management practice and how so few managers, even in the presence of tremendous incentives, fail to use evidence.

What do you plan to read next?

The Big Short because everything Michael Lewis writes is both insightful and stunningly written.

Real books or e-readers and iPads?

Real books, as I read full books mostly on planes when I have the time and read them one at a time.

Apart from management books, which genres do you like best?

Fiction, particularly mysteries like those by Lisa Gardner and Tami Hoag.

If you are stranded alone on an island which is the one book you would like for company and why?

A Kindle so I can download as many books as I want to keep myself occupied.

Jennifer Chapman of Berkeley’s Haas School

JENNIFER CHATMAN

Paul J. Cortese Distinguished Professor of Management and Chair, Haas Management of Organizations Group, Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley

Which book has influenced you the most? Why?

Hard to say – maybe some of my PhD program readings, but also one novel sticks in my head, Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner. The book is historical fiction partly located in California. I loved Stegner’s prose and I love California. His words made me feel like I was in California just as it was taking shape. I also identify with Stegner himself – a Professor in Northern California for many years. Part of the book is about his discovery of this story loosely based on his ancestors.

What do you plan to read next?

I’m contemplating now. Most likely one of the latest books about the new psychology of dogs.

Real books or digital devices?

Both. Real books at home, digital when traveling because of efficiency and weight.

Apart from management books, which genres do you like best?

Novels, particularly humor.

If you are stranded alone on an island which is the one book you would like for company and why?

Bossypants by Tina Fey, because it made me laugh out loud. It is an autobiography of sorts. I related to her hilarious perspective on career/life tradeoffs and gender issues at work, in particular.