// Book comparison
The Big Short vs Think and Grow Rich
Which should you read? A side-by-side comparison of The Big Short by Michael Lewis and Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.
The Big Short
by Michael Lewis
★ 4.9/5
Think and Grow Rich
by Napoleon Hill
★ 4.9/5
At a glance
| The Big Short | Think and Grow Rich | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9/5 | ★ 4.9/5 |
| Pages | 288 | 238 |
| Reading time | ~7.2 h | ~6.0 h |
| Published | 2010 | 1937 |
| Author | Michael Lewis | Napoleon Hill |
| Category | Finance & Investment | Finance & Investment |
| Publisher | W. W. Norton & Company | The Ralston Society |
Choose The Big Short if…
- → You're interested in finance & investment.
- → You want the higher-rated book (4.9/5).
- → You want the more recent perspective (2010).
Choose Think and Grow Rich if…
- → You're interested in finance & investment.
- → You prefer a shorter read (~6.0 hours).
Key takeaways — The Big Short
- ✓ Prioritize First-Hand Data Investigation, ensuring your organization’s biggest strategic bets are based on the reality of the 'Underlying Assets' rather than on the opinions of rating agencies or experts.
- ✓ Cultivate Contrarian Bravery, recognizing that the most significant strategic opportunities often require you to stand alone and bet against the 'Collective Blindness' of the market.
- ✓ Understand The Danger of Complexity as Obfuscation, recognizing that when a financial product or business model is too complex to be easily explained, it often hides systemic fragility and loss.
Key takeaways — Think and Grow Rich
- ✓ Develop a Definite Chief Aim for your organization, ensuring that every strategic decision and resource allocation is aligned with a singular, compelling vision of success.
- ✓ Utilize the Master Mind Principle by surrounding yourself with a diverse group of experts and advisors, creating a collective intelligence that is greater than the sum of its parts.
- ✓ Cultivate Unwavering Persistence, recognizing that the ability to maintain effort through temporary defeats is the primary psychological trait that separates high-achievers from the rest.
The verdict
If you want the higher-rated, more acclaimed read, start with The Big Short. If you want a different angle on the same topic, Think and Grow Rich is the better fit. Both summaries are free — no signup required.
❓ FAQ
Is The Big Short or Think and Grow Rich better? +
The Big Short has the higher reader rating (4.9/5 vs 4.9/5), but "better" depends on your goal. The Big Short focuses on finance & investment, while Think and Grow Rich focuses on finance & investment. See the verdict below.
Which is shorter, The Big Short or Think and Grow Rich? +
Think and Grow Rich is shorter (238 pages, ~6.0 hours) compared to The Big Short (288 pages, ~7.2 hours).
Should I read The Big Short or Think and Grow Rich first? +
If you want the quicker, higher-rated read, start with The Big Short. Otherwise read whichever matches your current goal — both summaries are free on BookHubs.