Summer reading list 2024/25

With the summer holidays around the corner, we asked Betashares staff to put forth their literary recommendations from the past year.

Our staff read widely, covering topics such as leadership, history, investing, psychology and economics.

Here are their top picks.

Alex Vynokur – Chief Executive Officer

Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World  by Stanley McChrystal

Alex’s pick follows General Stanley McChrystal as he shares powerful insights on adapting leadership and organisational structures to thrive in today’s fast-changing, interconnected world.

“Drawing from his experiences leading the Joint Special Operations Task Force during the Iraq War, McChrystal reveals how traditional, top-down hierarchies fail in complex environments. He argues for a shift toward adaptable, empowered, and highly interconnected teams,” he says.

The book introduces the concept of “shared consciousness” and “empowered execution,” emphasising the importance of trust, transparency, and decentralisation. Through compelling stories and sharp analysis, McChrystal shows how businesses, governments, and military organisations can transform into agile networks to meet modern challenges.

Sarah Hare – Head of People & Culture

Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things by Adam Grant

Grant’s book explores how we can grow beyond our natural abilities and unlock what we’re truly capable of. Sarah enjoyed how the book challenges the idea that success is all about talent and instead focuses on effort, learning, and the environment you’re in.

“Grant’s engaging storytelling and actionable insights make complex research accessible and relatable. It inspires readers to reconsider the value of persistence and to rethink how they define ability,” she says.

Chamath De Silva – Head of Fixed Income

Chip War by Chris Miller

Chamath recommends Miller’s exploration of the global competition for dominance in the semiconductor industry, which increasingly underpins the modern global economy.

“The book traces the history of chip innovation, highlighting the geopolitical stakes as nations and companies race to control chip manufacturing and supply chains,” he says.

Given the volatile geopolitical environment, the role that chips and semiconductor manufacturing plays in that context (e.g. Taiwan), and the outsized influence semiconductor companies are having on global share markets (e.g. Nvidia), it’s a must read!

Katherena Koh – Associate Account Manager

Trillions: How a Band of Wall Street Renegades Invented the Index Fund and Changed Finance Forever  by Robin Wigglesworth

Kat highly recommends Trillions for anyone interested in exploring the rise of index funds and ETFs. Financial Times journalist Robin Wigglesworth discusses the evolution of passive investing from a fringe concept to a dominant force in finance, now managing trillions globally.

Wigglesworth effectively highlights how ETFs have revolutionised investment strategies, offering liquidity and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional mutual funds. He quotes an anonymous mutual fund manager lamenting the rise of indexing: “If people start believing this random-walk garbage… a lot of $80,000-a-year portfolio managers… will be replaced by $16,000-a-year computer clerks.”

“Trillions is essential reading for those looking to understand modern finance and the ongoing evolution of investment strategies. It emphasises the importance of being open-minded in a rapidly changing world – adapt or get left behind!”

Ilan Israelstam – Chief Commercial Officer

From Third World to First: The Singapore Story: 1965-2000 by Lee Kuan Yew

This year, Ilan immersed himself in a memoir written by Lee Kuan Yew, widely regarded as the forefather of modern Singapore.

“This is one of the most fascinating accounts I’ve read of a leader who transformed an entire nation through vision, pragmatism, and relentless determination,” he says.

The book chronicles Singapore’s meteoric rise from a struggling colony to a global economic powerhouse, driven by Lee’s extraordinary leadership and unyielding resolve.

“While I don’t agree with every decision Lee made or the methods he employed, I found his ability to tackle challenges—whether political, social, or economic—both inspiring and thought-provoking,” he says.

The book offers insights into leadership, nation-building, and the delicate balance between achieving progress and maintaining humanity. “It’s not just a story of Singapore; it’s a masterclass in strategy, resilience, and hard choices.”

Sophie Shuttleworth – Advertising & Brand Manager

Decisive by Chip and Dan Heath

This year Sophie delved into Decisive, where the Heath brothers tackle the challenge of making better decisions by debunking common cognitive biases.

Using examples and engaging storytelling, they introduce the WRAP model: Widen your options, Reality-test your assumptions, Attain distance before deciding, and Prepare to be wrong. Each step is backed by research and actionable strategies, making complex behavioural psychology accessible to readers.

“While some advice may feel intuitive, the structured approach sharpens decision-making clarity. Overall, Decisive is an insightful, empowering guide for anyone looking to make choices with greater confidence,” she says.