Biographies of the very rich and successful who started with nothing are usually very good. I look for common themes and key points in their lives. A few of my favorites: Carnegie by Peter Krass, http://www.amazon.com/Carnegie-Peter-Krass/dp/0471468835/ref... (http://www.amazon.com/Carnegie-Peter-Krass/dp/0471468835/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246715621&sr=8-7) "Titan, The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr." by Ron Chernow, http://www.amazon.com/Titan-Life-John-Rockefeller-Sr/dp/1400... (http://www.amazon.com/Titan-Life-John-Rockefeller-Sr/dp/1400077303/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246715706&sr=1-1) "iWoz", by Steve Wozniak, http://www.amazon.com/iWoz-Computer-Invented-Personal-Co-Fou... (http://www.amazon.com/iWoz-Computer-Invented-Personal-Co-Founded/dp/0393061434/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246715846&sr=1-1)
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