The family business book index: 236 books, ranked.
Every book on family business, succession, governance, family offices and generational wealth that we could verify, ranked by Amazon ratings count first and stars second. Ratings checked September 26, 2026. How this list is ranked.
A disclosure, since this list ranks 237 books and three of them are mine.
Ranks 1, 5 and 10 are my books. I would love to tell you the algorithm picked them. The algorithm did not pick them. I picked them, then I built the algorithm, then I put myself in the top ten anyway.
So here is where the math actually lands them. How to Start a Family Office has 31 ratings, which is tier 4 of 6. The Family Office Book has 104, which is tier 3 and the only one of mine with any real claim to this neighborhood. And Centimillionaire Strategies has 2 ratings. Two. It is sitting at number 5 above a book with 2,330, which is not a ranking, that is me holding the pen.
Every other rank on this page is the tier method untouched, and the method is published so you can check it. If you want the list with me taken out of it, hit sort by review count at the top and I disappear from the podium instantly. That button is right there. I put it there on purpose.
Am I biased? A little. Maybe 3%. Possibly 40%. The other 234 books are ranked straight.
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1
Featured · Family Office Club title · T4 · 31 ratings How to Start a Family Office Blueprints for setting up your single family office Richard C. Wilson · Barnes & Noble Press Family Office · T4 · 4.0 stars · 31 ratings
A concise handbook on why and how to set up a single family office, the questions a family should answer first, and how the industry is changing.
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2
Pappyland A Story of Family, Fine Bourbon, and the Things That Last Wright Thompson, 2020 · Penguin Press Case Studies · T1 · 4.6 stars · 3,882 ratings
The story of Julian Van Winkle III rebuilding the family bourbon brand his grandfather founded, told as a case of protecting a family name across generations.
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3
The House of Gucci A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed Sara Gay Forden, 2000 · Mariner Books Case Studies · T1 · 4.2 stars · 4,683 ratings
A reported history of the Gucci family firm showing how feuds among heirs over control, shares and strategy ended with the family out of the business and Maurizio Gucci murdered in 1995.
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4
Fortune's Children The Fall of the House of Vanderbilt Arthur T. Vanderbilt II, 1989 · William Morrow Paperbacks Case Studies · T1 · 4.2 stars · 3,641 ratings
A family history showing how the largest American fortune of 1877 was spent down by heirs within roughly 50 years of the founder dying.
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5
Featured · Family Office Club title · T6 · 2 ratings Centimillionaire Strategies How to Turn the Top 6 Challenges of $100M+ Net Worth Individuals into Strategic Breakthroughs Richard C. Wilson, 2019 · Lulu.com Family Office · T6 · 5.0 stars · 2 ratings
Addresses six challenges faced by individuals with $100 million or more in net worth, focused on direct investing, deal flow and family office structure.
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6
Personal History A Memoir Katharine Graham, 1997 · Vintage Memoir · T1 · 4.4 stars · 2,330 ratings
Katharine Graham recounts taking control of her family newspaper company after her husband died and running it through the Pentagon Papers and Watergate.
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7
Beer Money A Memoir of Privilege and Loss - An American Story of Dissolved Fortunes and a Fallen Family Dynasty Frances Stroh, 2016 · Harper Memoir · T1 · 3.9 stars · 1,073 ratings
A memoir of growing up inside the Stroh brewing family as the largest private beer fortune in America dissolved within one generation.
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8
The Company I Keep My Life in Beauty -- Lessons in Leadership and Legacy from Estée Lauder's Visionary Leonard A. Lauder, 2020 · Harper Business Memoir · T2 · 4.7 stars · 699 ratings
Leonard Lauder describes how he helped turn the business his mother started in the family kitchen in 1946 into a global company while keeping family control.
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9
The House of Rothschild Money's Prophets, 1798-1848 Niall Ferguson, 1998 · Penguin Books Case Studies · T2 · 4.3 stars · 541 ratings
A history of the Rothschild family and its bank, covering its economic success, political network and family unity.
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10
Featured · Family Office Club title · T3 · 104 ratings The Family Office Book Investing Capital for the Ultra-Affluent Richard C. Wilson, 2012 · Wiley Family Office · T3 · 4.5 stars · 104 ratings
A guide to how family offices operate, invest and select managers, based on interviews with family office executives.
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11
Family Wealth Keeping It in the Family--How Family Members and Their Advisers Preserve Human, Intellectual, and Financial Assets for Generations James E. Hughes Jr., 1997 · Bloomberg Press Wealth Transfer · T2 · 4.5 stars · 405 ratings
Argues that a family preserves wealth over generations by treating its human and intellectual capital as its true assets and by governing itself like a small republic.
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12
Family Reins The Extraordinary Rise and Epic Fall of an American Dynasty Billy Busch, 2025 · Blackstone Publishing, Inc. Memoir · T2 · 4.3 stars · 400 ratings
A Busch heir tells how his family built Anheuser-Busch over nearly 150 years and lost it to a 2008 takeover.
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13
Sneaker Wars The Enemy Brothers Who Founded Adidas and Puma and the Family Feud That Forever Changed the Business of Sports - A Compelling History of Rivalry and Deals Barbara Smit, 2008 · Ecco Case Studies · T3 · 4.6 stars · 292 ratings
A history of how a feud between brothers Adi and Rudi Dassler split one family shoe company into Adidas and Puma and divided their hometown.
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14
Harvard Business Review Family Business Handbook How to Build and Sustain a Successful, Enduring Enterprise Josh Baron, Rob Lachenauer, 2021 · Harvard Business Review Press Governance · T3 · 4.7 stars · 262 ratings
A practical handbook that organizes family business decisions around five ownership rights and walks families through governance, conflict, succession and wealth questions with assessments.
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15
Ride Free A Memoir Willie G. Davidson, 2023 · Forefront Books Memoir · T3 · 4.8 stars · 185 ratings
A third generation family member recounts his design career at Harley-Davidson and his role in saving the company from bankruptcy.
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16
Beyond the Grave The Right Way and the Wrong Way of Leaving Money to Your Children (and Others) - Protecting Inheritance from Creditors, IRS, and Risks of Loss Jeffrey L. Condon (earlier editions with Gerald M. Condon), 1995 · Harper Business Wealth Transfer · T3 · 4.5 stars · 254 ratings
Explains how to structure an inheritance so it reaches children intact, protected from creditors, divorce, addiction and taxes, and without starting a family fight.
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17
Entrusted Building a Legacy That Lasts Andrew L Howell, David R York, 2015 · Yh Publishing, LLC Wealth Transfer · T3 · 4.7 stars · 196 ratings
Argues that estate plans fail when they transfer only money, and sets out a process for passing values, stories and purpose along with assets.
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18
We Need To Talk A Memoir About Wealth Jennifer Risher, 2020 · Xeno Books Memoir · T3 · 4.2 stars · 296 ratings
A memoir about how sudden wealth changed the author's identity, friendships, marriage, parenting and giving, and why wealthy families should talk openly about money.
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19
Family Fortunes How to Build Family Wealth and Hold on to It for 100 Years Bill Bonner, Will Bonner, 2012 · Wiley Wealth Transfer · T3 · 4.4 stars · 236 ratings
A father and son argue that families keep wealth for 100 years by training heirs, using a family trust and office, and ignoring common assumptions about the rich.
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20
Leaving a Legacy Inheritance, Charity, & Thousand-Year Families Johann Kurtz, 2025 · Johann Kurtz Publishing Wealth Transfer · T3 · 4.8 stars · 153 ratings
Weighs leaving wealth to children against giving it to charity and argues for building families that last for many generations.
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21
Splitting Heirs Giving Money & Things to Your Children Without Ruining Their Lives Ron Blue, Jeremy White, 2004 · Northfield Publishing Wealth Transfer · T3 · 4.7 stars · 167 ratings
A faith-based guide to deciding how much to leave each child, when, and in what form, without harming their motivation.
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22
Finish Big How Great Entrepreneurs Exit Their Companies on Top Bo Burlingham, 2014 · Penguin Books Ltd Valuation & Exit · T3 · 4.5 stars · 203 ratings
A guide to exiting a company well, based on stories of owners who sold or transferred their businesses.
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23
Russ & Daughters Reflections and Recipes from the House That Herring Built Mark Russ Federman, 2013 · Schocken Memoir · T3 · 4.5 stars · 203 ratings
The history of a Lower East Side food shop from a 1907 pushcart through four generations of family ownership.
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24
Strangers in Paradise How Families Adapt to Wealth Across Generations James Grubman, 2013 · FamilyWealth Consulting Family Dynamics · T3 · 4.5 stars · 182 ratings
Uses an immigration metaphor to explain that first generation wealth creators and their children raised in wealth live in different cultures and must adapt deliberately.
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25
The Inheritance Playbook Helping Your Parents Pass the Torch, Not the Tax Chad Holmes, 2023 · Self Publishing Wealth Transfer · T3 · 4.6 stars · 163 ratings
Shows adult children acting as power of attorney how to organize aging parents' finances and use tax-saving strategies while the parents are still alive.
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Family Inc. Using Business Principles to Maximize Your Family's Wealth Douglas P. McCormick, 2019 · Wiley Wealth Transfer · T3 · 4.6 stars · 145 ratings
Teaches corporate finance principles such as balance sheets, capital allocation and return on capital so a household can run its wealth like a company.
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Complete Family Wealth Wealth as Well-Being James E. Hughes Jr., Keith Whitaker, Susan E. Massenzio · Bloomberg Press Wealth Transfer · T3 · 4.5 stars · 143 ratings
Defines family wealth as the well-being of each member and organizes practices around what wealth is, who matters in a family enterprise, and how to govern it.
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28
Family Trusts A Guide for Beneficiaries, Trustees, Trust Protectors, and Trust Creators Hartley Goldstone, James E. Hughes Jr., Keith Whitaker, 2015 · Wiley Wealth Transfer · T3 · 4.6 stars · 106 ratings
Treats a trust as a relationship rather than a document and gives trustees, beneficiaries, protectors and creators practical steps to make it a benefit instead of a burden.
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29
Distilled A Memoir of Family, Seagram, Baseball, and Philanthropy Charles Bronfman, Howard Green, 2017 · HarperCollins Publishers Memoir · T3 · 4.0 stars · 119 ratings
Charles Bronfman describes growing up in the family that controlled Seagram and the family decisions that led to the loss of the company.
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30
Hug of War How to Lead a Family Business with both Love and Logic Cathy Carroll, 2024 · Koehler Books Family Dynamics · T4 · 5.0 stars · 71 ratings
Treats family mindset and business mindset as a polarity to be managed, not a problem to be solved, with examples such as hiring and paying relatives.
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31
Saving the Family Cottage A Guide to Succession Planning for your Cottage, Cabin, Camp or Vacation Home 2nd Edition Stuart J. Hollander · Pleasant City Press, LLC. Wealth Transfer · T4 · 4.7 stars · 95 ratings
Explains why vacation homes cause conflict when passed down and how to use an LLC or other entity, schedules and rules to keep them in the family.
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The Family Office A Comprehensive Guide for Advisers, Practitioners, and Students William I. Woodson, Edward V. Marshall, 2021 · Columbia Business School Publishing Family Office · T4 · 4.6 stars · 93 ratings
Explains why wealthy families create family offices and how to staff, run and pass them on, using problem-based cases that follow one family from a liquidity event onward.
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33
The Complete Family Office Handbook A Guide for Affluent Families and the Advisors Who Serve Them Kirby Rosplock, 2014 · Wiley Family Office · T4 · 4.5 stars · 91 ratings
A handbook for setting up, structuring, staffing and advising a family office, with templates, exercises and chapters on family banks and private trust companies.
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34
Walking to Destiny 11 Actions An Owner MUST Take to Rapidly Grow Value & Unlock Wealth Christopher M. Snider, 2016 · ThinkTank Publishing House Valuation & Exit · T4 · 4.4 stars · 92 ratings
Lists 11 actions owners can take to increase the value of a private company before an exit.
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35
YOUR BUSINESS, YOUR FAMILY, YOUR LEGACY Building a Multigenerational Family Business That Lasts Mr. George A. Isaac, 2020 · CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform Governance · T4 · 4.6 stars · 74 ratings
A handbook of operating policies and case examples for running a multigenerational family business, from governance to transitions.
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36
The Cycle of the Gift Family Wealth and Wisdom James E. Hughes Jr., Susan E. Massenzio, Keith Whitaker, 2012 · Bloomberg Press Wealth Transfer · T4 · 4.6 stars · 71 ratings
Argues that giving within a family succeeds only when givers prepare recipients, and treats gifts as relationships that shape heirs for better or worse.
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37
Generation to Generation Kelin E. Gersick, John A. Davis, Marion McCollom Hampton, Ivan Lansberg, 1997 · Harvard Business Review Press Governance · T4 · 4.5 stars · 72 ratings
Shows that family businesses move through predictable stages on three separate axes, ownership, family and business, and that each stage creates its own problems.
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38
The Rockefellers An American Dynasty Peter Collier, David Horowitz, 1976 · Holt, Rindhart and Winston Case Studies · T4 · 4.5 stars · 67 ratings
A chronicle of the Rockefeller family from the founder through the fourth, trust-funded generation.
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The Elephant in the Family Room Managing the Complexities of Legacy Businesses René Sonneveld, 2025 · Guiding Lens Publishing Governance · T4 · 5.0 stars · 37 ratings
Argues enterprise families fail more often from unspoken resentments and emotional undercurrents than from bad strategy, and gives tools to address them.
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40
The Business Transition Handbook How to Avoid Succession Pitfalls and Create Valuable Exit Options Laurie R. Barkman, 2023 · Book Ripple Valuation & Exit · T4 · 5.0 stars · 36 ratings
A guide for owners on avoiding succession pitfalls and creating exit options, including family transfer and sale.
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41
Wealth 3.0 The Future of Family Wealth Advising James Grubman, Dennis T. Jaffe, Kristin Keffeler MAPP, 2023 · Family Wealth Consulting Wealth Transfer · T4 · 4.5 stars · 60 ratings
Traces the history of family wealth advising and argues the field must shed negative beliefs about the rich and become a rigorous profession centered on family flourishing.
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42
Sustaining a Family Jewel Planning For and Driving Generational Succession in Family-Owned American Manufacturing Companies Davis Given Anderson, 2024 · selfpublishing.com Succession · T4 · 5.0 stars · 35 ratings
A succession guide for family-owned American manufacturers built around a generational succession cycle.
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43
The Myth of the Silver Spoon Navigating Family Wealth and Creating an Impactful Life Kristin Keffeler, 2022 · Wiley Next Generation · T4 · 4.7 stars · 47 ratings
Argues that heirs face real pressures from inherited wealth and gives a seven-step process for connecting their strengths to a purposeful life.
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44
Wealth of Wisdom The Top 50 Questions Wealthy Families Ask Tom McCullough, Keith Whitaker, 2019 · Wiley Wealth Transfer · T4 · 4.3 stars · 70 ratings
Answers the 50 questions wealthy families most often ask, grouped across investing, raising the next generation, shared decisions and giving.
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45
The Destructive Power of Family Wealth A Guide to Succession Planning, Asset Protection, Taxation and Wealth Management Philip Marcovici, 2016 · Wiley Wealth Transfer · T4 · 4.6 stars · 50 ratings
Explains how tax, secrecy law changes and poor planning let wealth harm families, and covers trusts, foundations and asset protection tools.
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46
First Generation Wealth Three Guiding Principles for Long-Lasting Wealth and an Enduring Family Legacy Robert Balentine, Adrian Cronje, 2021 · LINX Wealth Transfer · T4 · 4.6 stars · 49 ratings
Sets out three principles first generation wealth creators can use to avoid the shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves pattern and build a family legacy.
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47
Every Family's Business 12 Common Sense Questions to Protect Your Wealth Thomas William Deans · Detente Financial Corp Wealth Transfer · T4 · 4.4 stars · 58 ratings
Argues that gifting an operating business to children often destroys wealth and relationships, and uses 12 questions to decide whether to sell inside or outside the family.
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48
Raised Healthy, Wealthy & Wise Lessons from successful and grounded inheritors on how they got that way Coventry Edwards-Pitt, 2014 · Coventry Edwards-Pitt Next Generation · T4 · 4.6 stars · 46 ratings
Interviews adults who grew up with wealth and turned out well to identify what their parents did right.
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49
The Ultimate Family Business Survival Guide Priyanka Gupta Zielinski, 2021 · Pan Macmillan India Family Dynamics · T4 · 4.2 stars · 68 ratings
A family business operator offers a crisis toolkit for keeping a family company alive through downturns such as the Covid-19 pandemic.
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50
Deconstructing Conflict Understanding Family Business, Shared Wealth and Power Doug Baumoel, Blaire Trippe, 2016 · Continuity LLC Family Dynamics · T4 · 4.4 stars · 52 ratings
Breaks family business conflict into component parts and explains why disputes over shared wealth and power become extreme and hard to resolve.
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51
The Spirit of Wealth Preservation Leverage Your Finite Life for the Infinite Good Ken Polk, 2025 · Forbes Books Wealth Transfer · T4 · 4.6 stars · 40 ratings
Combines financial stewardship with character, relationships and purpose, and sets out laws of preservation for families.
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52
Build to Flourish Leading Your Family Business into the Next Generation Matthew Powell, 2022 · Houndstooth Press Next Generation · T4 · 4.8 stars · 32 ratings
A fourth generation leader argues that growing a business and transferring it are different skills and sets out four ingredients for multigenerational continuity.
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53
Transition How to Prepare Your Family and Business for the Greatest Wealth Transfer in History David Werdiger, 2017 · Lasting Press Wealth Transfer · T4 · 4.4 stars · 48 ratings
Prepares family business owners for generational wealth transfer by addressing family, business and wealth as three linked transitions.
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54
Perpetuating the Family Business 50 Lessons Learned From Long Lasting, Successful Families in Business John L. Ward, 2004 · Palgrave Macmillan Governance · T4 · 4.8 stars · 31 ratings
Distills 50 lessons from long-lasting business families into a framework of five insights and four principles.
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55
Wealth in Families Charles W. Collier, 2001 · Harvard Wealth Transfer · T4 · 4.4 stars · 47 ratings
Uses questions and family philanthropy to help families pass values as well as assets from generation to generation.
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56
Borrowed from Your Grandchildren The Evolution of 100-Year Family Enterprises Dennis T. Jaffe, 2020 · Wiley Case Studies · T4 · 4.4 stars · 45 ratings
Studies more than 100 family enterprises that have lasted over 100 years and identifies how they reinvented their businesses and governed their families.
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57
Bridging Generations Transitioning Family Wealth and Values for a Sustainable Legacy Amy A. Castoro, Roy O. Williams, 2017 · HigherLife Publishing Wealth Transfer · T4 · 4.3 stars · 49 ratings
Builds on research into wealthy families to show how trust, communication and preparing heirs keep a family unified through a wealth transfer.
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58
Interrupted Entrepreneurship Embracing Change In The Family Business Ramez A. Baassiri, 2018 · Forbes Books Next Generation · T4 · 4.5 stars · 38 ratings
A family business member examines the interruptions in the family business cycle and how to build an adaptable business across generations.
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59
Sons in the Shadow Surviving the Family Business as an SOB, Son of the Boss Roy H. Park Jr. Memoir · T4 · 4.4 stars · 42 ratings
The son of a self-made media entrepreneur examines father and son relationships in family businesses through his own experience.
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60
Building a Sustainable Family Office An Insider's Guide to What Works and What Doesn't Scott Saslow, 2024 · River Grove Books Family Office · T4 · 4.3 stars · 46 ratings
An insider account of what works and what fails in designing, staffing and passing on a single family office.
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61
Build Your Family Bank A Winning Vision for Multigenerational Wealth Emily Griffiths-Hamilton, 2014 · Griffiths Hamilton Family Office Advisors Wealth Transfer · T4 · 4.3 stars · 45 ratings
Examines why wealth transition plans fail and proposes a family bank and related strategies to sustain wealth across generations.
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Preparing Heirs Five Steps to a Successful Transition of Family Wealth and Values Roy Williams, Vic Preisser, 2010 · Robert Reed Pub Next Generation · T4 · 4.2 stars · 49 ratings
Reports research on 3,250 wealthy families and concludes that most transitions fail from breakdowns in trust and communication, then gives five steps to prepare heirs.
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63
The 10x10 Learning Roadmap Advancing Flourishing in Families of Wealth Stephen Goldbart, Stacy Allred, Joan DiFuria, 2024 · James E. Hughes, Jr. Foundation Next Generation · T4 · 4.6 stars · 32 ratings
Sets out 10 competencies across 10 life stages, ages 5 to 100, for lifelong learning in families of wealth.
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64
Pass It On Transferring Wealth, Wisdom, and Financial Smarts to Future Generations Lori B. Gervais, Roger G. Gervais, 2020 · Lioncrest Publishing Wealth Transfer · T4 · 4.6 stars · 31 ratings
A guide parents can hand to their children that covers the financial knowledge heirs need to preserve family wealth.
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Seven Generations Legacy Design a Multigenerational Legacy of More Than Money Rachel M. Marshall, 2023 · Author Academy Elite Wealth Transfer · T4 · 4.6 stars · 31 ratings
Argues wealthy families last when they pass on values and stewardship with the money, and gives a process to design a legacy for seven generations.
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66
Dirty Little Secrets of Family Business Ensuring Success from One Generation to the Next Henry Hutcheson · Greenleaf Book Group Press Succession · T4 · 4.4 stars · 37 ratings
Covers hard practical issues in family firms, including entitlement, firing relatives, pay, shareholder agreements and choosing the next leader.
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Keep the Family Baggage Out of the Family Business Avoiding the Seven Deadly Sins That Destroy Family Businesses Quentin J Fleming, 2000 · Touchstone Family Dynamics · T4 · 4.4 stars · 37 ratings
Names seven recurring behaviors that destroy family businesses and shows how to avoid each.
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Family The Compact Among Generations James E. Hughes Jr., 2007 · John Wiley & Sons Wealth Transfer · T4 · 4.5 stars · 32 ratings
Extends Family Wealth with Hughes's view of family governance and what makes families flourish or fail over generations.
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69
Secrets to Succession The PIE Method to Transitioning Your Family Business Gerard Gust, 2019 · Gust Publishing Succession · T4 · 4.5 stars · 32 ratings
A second generation owner explains how he and his father transferred leadership using a method built on performance, image and exposure.
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70
The Dysfunctional Family Office Becoming The Extraordinary Family Kristopher Kluver, 2026 · Independently published Family Office · T4 · 4.4 stars · 33 ratings
Argues that most generational wealth is lost to broken communication, unclear expectations and unspoken fears rather than to bad investments, and addresses the emotional side of family office succession.
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71
Business is Business Reality Checks for Family-Owned Companies Kathy Kolbe, Amy Bruske, 2017 · Greenleaf Book Group Press Family Dynamics · T4 · 4.3 stars · 36 ratings
A common-sense manual arguing family is family and business is business, with reality checks on common myths.
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The Family Constitution Agreements to Secure and Perpetuate Your Family and Your Business Daniela Montemerlo, John L. Ward · Palgrave Macmillan Governance · T4 · 4.3 stars · 36 ratings
Explains the parts of a family constitution or family agreement and how drafting one helps secure the family and the business.
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73
Family Business Ernesto J. Poza · Cengage Learning Governance · T4 · 4.2 stars · 38 ratings
A textbook with cases on managing the family enterprise, focused on relationships among owners, family and management and on positioning for continuity.
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74
Dynasties Fortunes and Misfortunes of the World's Great Family Businesses David S. Landes, 2006 · Penguin Publishing Group Case Studies · T4 · 3.6 stars · 71 ratings
A historian compares dynasties in banking, autos and resources, including the Rothschilds, Fords and Agnellis, to explain why some family businesses last and others fail.
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75
Family Wars Stories and Insights from Famous Family Business Feuds Grant Gordon, Nigel Nicholson, 2010 · Kogan Page Case Studies · T4 · 4.3 stars · 32 ratings
Examines famous family business feuds, including the Redstones and the Fords, to trace how the fights began, escalated and ended.
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76
Silver Spoon Kids How Successful Parents Raise Responsible Children Eileen Gallo, Jon J. Gallo, 2002 · McGraw Hill Next Generation · T4 · 4.1 stars · 39 ratings
A parenting guide for raising financially responsible children amid affluence.
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77
Disruptive Successor A Guide for Driving Growth in Your Family Business Jonathan Goldhill, 2020 · Houndstooth Press Next Generation · T4 · 4.3 stars · 31 ratings
Guides successors through leading people who knew them before they were the boss and growing a business their predecessor built.
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78
Undefeated The True Story of How the Family-Owned Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry Service Survived and Advanced through Three Generations Jean R. Beach, Don Steele, 2014 · Authorhouse Memoir · T4 · 4.2 stars · 33 ratings
The story of how Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry Service survived nearly 70 years and three generations.
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79
Trapped in the Family Business, Second Edition A Practical Guide to Uncovering and Managing This Hidden Dilemma Michael A Klein PsyD · MK Insights LLC Next Generation · T4 · 4.2 stars · 32 ratings
Describes the common but rarely discussed experience of feeling trapped in a family business and offers options short of leaving.
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80
Family Business Succession The Final Test of Greatness Craig E. Aronoff, Stephen L. McClure, John L. Ward · Palgrave Macmillan Succession · T4 · 4.1 stars · 30 ratings
A short guide to building a succession plan, developing candidates, building family consensus and deciding when the incumbent lets go.
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81
Business Succession Planning For Dummies Arnold Dahlke, 2012 · For Dummies Succession · T4 · 3.7 stars · 42 ratings
A plain-English guide to planning for the replacement of leaders and managers at every level.
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82
In the Company of Family How to Thrive When Business Is Personal Melissa Mitchell-Blitch, 2020 · Eredita Consulting LLC Family Dynamics · T5 · 5.0 stars · 26 ratings
Uses case studies to show how clear boundaries between family, coworker and co-owner roles keep differences from dividing a family business.
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83
Family Flourishing The True Meaning of Wealth James E. Hughes Jr., Mary K. Duke, Stacy L. Allred, 2026 · James E. Hughes Jr. Foundation Publishing Wealth Transfer · T5 · 4.9 stars · 26 ratings
Recasts estate planning, trust administration and family culture as human work in service of the whole family's well-being.
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84
Family Business Abundance How to Scale Your Company and Succeed Together Across Multiple Generations Bradley Fisher, 2020 · Indie Books International Governance · T5 · 5.0 stars · 22 ratings
A management system of three mindsets and three building blocks for scaling a family company across generations.
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85
Legacy Traps Why Family Businesses Fail and How to Protect Yours Alejandro Cárdenas Villa, 2026 · Forbes Books Governance · T5 · 4.9 stars · 24 ratings
Identifies the traps that make family businesses fracture families or families damage businesses, and ways to protect against each.
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86
The Voice of the Rising Generation Family Wealth and Wisdom James E. Hughes Jr., Susan E. Massenzio, Keith Whitaker, 2014 · Wiley Next Generation · T5 · 4.7 stars · 29 ratings
Speaks directly to heirs in their 20s to 40s about the causes of entitlement and dependency and how to find their own voice amid family wealth.
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87
How to Lead Your Family Business Excelling Through Unexpected Crises, Choices, and Challenges Julie Charlestein, 2023 · Matt Holt Books Governance · T5 · 4.7 stars · 28 ratings
A fourth generation CEO shares strategies for working with and for family, changing old company cultures and earning respect as a family leader.
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88
Engaged Healthy, Wealthy and Wise Coventry Edwards-Pitt, 2023 · BP Books Next Generation · T5 · 5.0 stars · 19 ratings
Addresses what happens when a young inheritor finds a life partner, covering prenuptial agreements, transparency and bringing a partner into the family.
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89
Own Your Life On Building a Family Business and Leaving a Legacy Larry Carrico, Sharon Carrico, 2023 · Advantage Books Memoir · T5 · 4.6 stars · 27 ratings
A couple tells how they built a business, marriage, family and giving legacy through setbacks including addiction and a fire.
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90
Next Generation Success John A. Davis, Maria Sinanis, Courtney Collette, 2014 · Cambridge Family Enterprise Press Next Generation · T5 · 4.7 stars · 24 ratings
Summarizes years of dialogue between senior and junior generations at the Harvard Families in Business program on what each generation needs from the other.
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91
Long Live the Family Business! The Power of Family Meetings and Other Practical Transition Strategies to Help Your Business Thrive Les Banwart, 2021 Succession · T5 · 5.0 stars · 16 ratings
Identifies key transition moments for family business owners and covers family meetings, the entitlement trap, buy-sell agreements and family offices.
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92
Kids, Wealth, and Consequences Ensuring a Responsible Financial Future for the Next Generation Richard A. Morris, Jayne A. Pearl, 2010 · Bloomberg Press Next Generation · T5 · 4.5 stars · 26 ratings
Covers both hard issues, investing and estate planning, and soft issues, values and work ethic, in raising children with wealth.
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93
The DiNuzzo "Middle-Market Family Office" Breakthrough Creating Strategic Tax, Risk, Cash-Flow, and Lifestyle Options for Successful Privately-Held Business Owners and Affluent Families P. J. DiNuzzo, 2022 · Morgan James Publishing Family Office · T5 · 4.5 stars · 26 ratings
Proposes a family office model for middle-market business owners covering tax, risk, cash flow and lifestyle planning.
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94
The Soul of Family Business A practical guide to family business success and a loving family Tom Hubler, 2018 · Lilja Press Family Dynamics · T5 · 4.7 stars · 21 ratings
Argues that love and shared values are the foundation of family business success and covers shared vision, small unresolved issues and forgiveness.
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95
Building a Successful Family Business Board A Guide for Leaders, Directors, and Families Jennifer M. Pendergast, John L. Ward · Palgrave Macmillan Governance · T5 · 4.6 stars · 23 ratings
Explains why private family firms need a board with independent directors and how owners and directors should work together.
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96
Making Sibling Teams Work The Next Generation Craig E. Aronoff, Joseph H. Astrachan, Drew S. Mendoza, John L. Ward · Palgrave Macmillan Next Generation · T5 · 4.6 stars · 23 ratings
Gives brothers and sisters who work in or own the family business guidelines for operating as a team while keeping the family intact.
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97
Siblings and the Family Business Making it Work for Business, the Family, and the Future Stephanie Brun de Pontet · Palgrave Macmillan Family Dynamics · T5 · 4.6 stars · 23 ratings
Shows sibling owners and employees how to confront the problems that appear when several family members work together and how to create solutions.
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98
Myths and Mortals Family Business Leadership and Succession Planning Andrew Keyt, 2015 · Wiley Succession · T5 · 5.0 stars · 15 ratings
Helps successors step out of a parent's shadow and build credibility as the new family business leader.
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99
Succeeding Generations Realizing the Dream of Families in Business Ivan Lansberg, 1999 · Harvard Business Review Press Succession · T5 · 4.8 stars · 18 ratings
Explores leadership succession options in family businesses, from direct succession to sibling and cousin partnerships, and why many transfers fail.
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100
Our Family Business Crisis and How It Made Us Stronger Wayne Rivers, 2016 · The Family Business Institute Case Studies · T5 · 4.9 stars · 16 ratings
A fable about a mechanical contracting family that must change quickly to meet bank deadlines, used to teach family business management.
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101
From Stigma to Strength Cultivating Mental Health for a Thriving Family Business Andrew Keyt, 2024 · Generation6 Publication, A Family Dynamics · T5 · 5.0 stars · 14 ratings
Explains how mental health challenges affect family business systems and gives owners and advisers practical recommendations.
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102
Enduring Advantage Collected Essays on Family Enterprise Success John A. Davis · Cambridge Family Enterprise Group Governance · T5 · 4.6 stars · 21 ratings
Short essays presenting data on why family businesses outperform non-family businesses and the strategies behind multigenerational success.
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103
Managing the Family Business Theory and Practice Thomas Zellweger, 2017 · Edward Elgar Publishing Governance · T5 · 4.4 stars · 25 ratings
A research-based textbook covering family firm strengths and weaknesses, governance, strategy, succession and interpersonal dynamics, with cases and questions.
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104
Untangling Conflict An Introspective Guide for Families in Business Janmejaya Sinha, Carol Liao, Ryoji Kimura, Brittany Montgomery, 2022 · Penguin Enterprise Family Dynamics · T5 · 4.4 stars · 25 ratings
Uses a fictional family conglomerate to guide families through self-reflection that helps them prevent and reduce conflict.
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105
The Quest for Legitimacy How Children of Prominent Families Discover Their Unique Place in the World James Weiner, 2022 · Wiley Next Generation · T5 · 5.0 stars · 13 ratings
Uses qualitative research to describe how children of prominent families establish their own identity while contributing to the family legacy.
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106
Wealth of Wisdom Top Practices for Wealthy Families and Their Advisors Tom McCullough, Keith Whitaker, 2022 · Wiley Wealth Transfer · T5 · 4.5 stars · 22 ratings
More than 50 short chapters, each built around one practical exercise families and advisers can use on investing, heirs, decisions and giving.
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107
Family Business on the Couch A Psychological Perspective Manfred F. R. Kets de Vries, Randel S. Carlock, Elizabeth Florent-Treacy, 2007 · Wiley Family Dynamics · T5 · 4.9 stars · 14 ratings
Applies psychodynamic concepts to explain why family businesses become dysfunctional and how families can address the emotional issues underneath business problems.
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108
Family Business Governance Maximizing Family and Business Potential Craig E. Aronoff, John L. Ward · Palgrave Macmillan Governance · T5 · 4.2 stars · 29 ratings
Explains why family governance, including family meetings, councils and boards, keeps decisions smooth and conflict manageable from one generation to the next.
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109
Family-Proof Your Wealth Prepare your heirs, avoid conflicts, and preserve your assets, business, or inheritance for generations to come Tom Gorman, 2022 · Content Publishing Wealth Transfer · T5 · 4.7 stars · 17 ratings
Covers family values, wealth literacy, governance, preparing heirs and estate planning to keep both the family and the wealth intact.
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110
Start Here A Guide for Family Business Succession Sara B. Stern, 2019 · Independently published Succession · T5 · 4.7 stars · 17 ratings
A step-by-step starting method for family business succession.
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111
The Prosperity Playbook Planning for a Successful Family Business Succession Mackey McNeill, 2020 · Redwood Publishing, LLC Succession · T5 · 4.2 stars · 28 ratings
A step-by-step process for increasing the value of a family business to prepare for succession or sale.
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112
The Enduring Enterprise How Family Businesses Thrive in Turbulent Conditions Devin DeCiantis, Ivan Lansberg, 2024 · PublicAffairs Case Studies · T5 · 5.0 stars · 12 ratings
Studies family businesses in developing markets that thrive through war, lawlessness and market failure and draws lessons for businesses elsewhere.
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113
Family Business for Next Generation Leaders To Build Business Beyond Generations Abirami Duraisamy, 2022 · Notion Press Next Generation · T5 · 4.4 stars · 22 ratings
Addresses the problems next generation leaders face in getting buy-in, managing conflict and holding boundaries between their roles.
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114
The Little Red Book of Family Business David Bork, 2008 · Sampson Press Family Dynamics · T5 · 4.3 stars · 24 ratings
A book of short, practical answers to recurring family business problems, based on what worked for client families.
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115
How to Build a High-Performing Single-Family Office Guidelines for Family Members and Senior Executives Robert Daugherty, Russ Alan Prince, 2021 · Gatekeeper Press Family Office · T5 · 4.5 stars · 19 ratings
Guidelines for family members and senior executives on building a high-performing single family office.
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116
The Family Business Whisperer David Specht, Taneil Specht, Joshua Kessie, 2016 · Advising Generations LLC Family Dynamics · T5 · 4.6 stars · 17 ratings
A short book of plain questions and answers for business-owning families on everyday family business problems.
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117
The Five-Year Plan A Clear Path to Family Business Succession Craig Toberman, 2025 · Craig Toberman Succession · T5 · 4.6 stars · 17 ratings
A five-year plan for founders to step away from the business with financial security, covering succession, retirement and exit.
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118
The Golden Ghetto The Psychology of Affluence Jessie H. O'Neill, 1996 · Hazelden Next Generation · T5 · 4.3 stars · 23 ratings
Describes the psychological problems that can come with great wealth and how the lessons apply to anyone's relationship with money.
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119
Buy-Sell Agreements for Closely Held and Family Business Owners Z. Christopher Mercer, 2010 · Peabody Publishing, LP Valuation & Exit · T5 · 4.7 stars · 15 ratings
Explains buy-sell agreements from business and valuation perspectives and shows how their wording determines what an owner receives when triggered.
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120
Inherited Trauma and Family Wealth A Guide to Heal Your Relationships and Build a Lasting Legacy Ruschelle Khanna, 2024 · ECHO Legacy Press Family Dynamics · T5 · 4.9 stars · 12 ratings
Explains how inherited trauma patterns drive financial behavior in families and how to address them.
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121
Family Wealth Management Seven Imperatives for Successful Investing in the New World Order Mark Haynes Daniell, Tom McCullough, 2013 · Wiley Family Office · T5 · 4.2 stars · 25 ratings
Presents seven imperatives for investing family wealth that put family goals ahead of product selection.
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122
Entrepreneurs in Every Generation How Successful Family Businesses Develop Their Next Leaders Allan R. Cohen, Pramodita Sharma, 2016 · Berrett-Koehler Publishers Next Generation · T5 · 4.5 stars · 18 ratings
Shows how family businesses pass entrepreneurial drive across generations and develop next generation leaders.
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123
Effective Family Office Best Practices and Beyond Angelo Robles, 2017 · Family Office Publishing Family Office · T5 · 4.2 stars · 24 ratings
Describes tools, policies and culture that single family offices use to respond to regulation, cyber risk, tax change and family dynamics.
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124
When Family Businesses are Best The Parallel Planning Process for Family Harmony and Business Success Randel S. Carlock, John L. Ward, 2010 · Palgrave Macmillan Governance · T5 · 4.5 stars · 17 ratings
Shows how planning family strategy and business strategy in parallel helps business families grow into high-performing multigenerational enterprises.
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125
Taking Over Insider Tips from a Third-Generation CEO Mitchell Kaneff, 2011 · Ten Eagles Press Next Generation · T5 · 4.3 stars · 21 ratings
A third-generation CEO presents a straightforward approach to succession planning for leaders and heirs apparent.
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126
The Business of Family How to Stay Rich for Generations Linda C. Taylor, 2015 · Palgrave Macmillan Wealth Transfer · T5 · 4.6 stars · 15 ratings
Teaches families to write a family business plan using corporate planning tools.
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127
The Beneficiary Primer A Guide for Beneficiaries of Family Trusts Patricia M. Angus, 2020 · Independently published Wealth Transfer · T5 · 4.1 stars · 25 ratings
A primer with a worksheet that helps beneficiaries understand the legal, financial and emotional sides of a family trust.
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128
Creating a Private Foundation The Essential Guide for Donors and Their Advisers Roger D. Silk, James W. Lintott, Andrew R. Stephens, Christine M. Silk, 2003 · Bloomberg Pr Wealth Transfer · T5 · 4.3 stars · 20 ratings
A guide for donors and advisers on the pluses and minuses of creating a private foundation and how to run one.
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129
Succeeding at Succession Tamar Milo Succession · T5 · 4.6 stars · 14 ratings
Addresses the transition from founders to successors, including unspoken issues, spouses and building a cross-generational partnership.
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130
Interdependent Wealth How Family Systems Theory Illuminates Successful Intergenerational Wealth Transitions Steve Legler, 2019 · Independently published Wealth Transfer · T5 · 4.2 stars · 21 ratings
Applies Bowen family systems theory to intergenerational wealth transitions.
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131
From Siblings to Cousins Prospering in the Third Generation and Beyond Craig E. Aronoff, John L. Ward · Palgrave Macmillan Next Generation · T5 · 4.9 stars · 10 ratings
Shows siblings and cousins how to attract capable family leaders and build agreement among many owners in the third generation.
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132
Family Enterprises The Essentials Peter Leach · IPS - Profile Books Governance · T5 · 4.5 stars · 15 ratings
Explains the tensions that destroy family businesses and how to reconcile business and family needs.
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133
Family Business Succession Your Roadmap to Continuity Kelly LeCouvie, Jennifer Pendergast, 2014 · Springer Succession · T5 · 4.7 stars · 12 ratings
A comprehensive guide covering ownership structure, bylaws, leadership transition and how a founder exits.
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134
The Family Council Handbook How to Create, Run, and Maintain a Successful Family Business Council Christopher J. Eckrich, Stephen L. McClure, 2012 · Palgrave Macmillan Governance · T5 · 4.7 stars · 12 ratings
A practical manual for creating, running and maintaining a family council that educates owners and settles family disputes.
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135
The Legacy Family The Definitive Guide to Creating a Successful Multigenerational Family Lee Hausner, Douglas K. Freeman, 2010 · Palgrave Macmillan Wealth Transfer · T5 · 4.2 stars · 20 ratings
A roadmap for keeping family wealth and legacy intact by building a collective family vision and close family bonds.
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136
Advising Ultra-Affluent Clients and Family Offices Michael M. Pompian, 2009 · Wiley Family Office · T5 · 4.6 stars · 13 ratings
A guide for advisers serving clients with $50 million or more in liquid assets, including family offices, on investment and soft issues such as governance.
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137
Second Generation Wealth What Do You Want for Your Kids? J. Ted Oakley, 2025 · River Grove Books Next Generation · T5 · 4.6 stars · 13 ratings
Explains how inherited wealth can harm heirs and how parents can prepare children to value and sustain it.
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138
More Than Money A Guide To Sustaining Wealth and Preserving the Family Michael A. Cole, 2017 · Bloomberg Press Wealth Transfer · T5 · 4.1 stars · 22 ratings
Argues most family wealth failures come from the family itself, not investments, and gives an integrated approach to preserving wealth and harmony.
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139
Nothing is Impossible Kirit's family business adventure Sam Patel, Teena Lyons, 2023 · Rethink Press Memoir · T5 · 4.5 stars · 14 ratings
The story of Kirit Patel, who with his brother built the Day Lewis Pharmacy group into a chain of 300 pharmacies in England.
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140
Consulting to Family Businesses Contracting, Assessment, and Implementation) Jane Hilburt-Davis, W. Gibb Dyer, 2002 · Pfeiffer Governance · T5 · 4.8 stars · 10 ratings
A systematic approach to consulting to family businesses, from first contact through contracting, assessment and implementation.
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141
Family Wealth Continuity Building a Foundation for the Future David Lansky, 2018 · Palgrave Macmillan Wealth Transfer · T5 · 4.8 stars · 10 ratings
Explains why many estate plans and governance structures fail to preserve family wealth and what families must do to achieve continuity.
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142
The Family Philanthropy Navigator The inspirational guide for philanthropic families on their giving journey Peter Vogel, Etienne Eichenberger, Malgorzata Kurak, 2020 · IMD International Wealth Transfer · T5 · 4.8 stars · 10 ratings
A step-by-step guide for families starting or improving shared philanthropy.
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143
The Farm Whisperer Secrets to Preserving Families and Perpetuating Farms David Specht, Taneil Specht, 2015 · Advising Generations LLC Succession · T5 · 4.1 stars · 20 ratings
Identifies the main pitfalls in generational farm transitions and gives strategies for management and ownership succession.
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144
Your Family Legacy 32 ways to preserve your family's 'wealth' for generations Michael Palumbos, Elizabeth MacBride, Cathy Godlewski, 2012 Wealth Transfer · T5 · 4.1 stars · 20 ratings
A short list of 32 ideas for strengthening family relationships and passing wealth, values and knowledge to the next generation.
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145
The Family Business Map Assets and Roadblocks in Long Term Planning Morten Bennedsen, Joseph P. H. Fan, 2014 · Palgrave Macmillan Governance · T5 · 4.4 stars · 14 ratings
An international guide to mapping family business assets and roadblocks and choosing governance strategies for long-term planning.
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146
Developing Family Business Policies Your Guide to the Future Craig E. Aronoff, Joseph H. Astrachan, John L. Ward · Palgrave Macmillan Governance · T5 · 4.0 stars · 21 ratings
A step-by-step process for writing family business policies on conflicts of interest, retirement, profit distribution, loans, pay and succession.
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147
Family Business Compensation Craig E. Aronoff, Stephen L. McClure, John L. Ward · Palgrave Macmillan Governance · T5 · 4.6 stars · 11 ratings
Answers what is fair pay among family members, how to set pay for a child, and how to compensate shareholders.
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148
The Family Business How Ingram Transformed the World of Books Keel Hunt, 2021 · Mint Editions Case Studies · T5 · 4.1 stars · 18 ratings
A history, based on more than 70 interviews, of how the Ingram family grew a Nashville textbook distributor into a global book industry company.
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149
The Trustee Primer A Guide for Personal Trustees Patricia M. Angus, 2015 · Angus Advisory Group LLC Wealth Transfer · T5 · 4.0 stars · 20 ratings
A primer with a worksheet for individuals named as trustee of personal trusts for family members or friends.
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150
Family Office Navigator Your Guide to Building a Multigenerational Family Office Peter Vogel, Mario Marconi, 2023 · IMD International Family Office · T5 · 4.2 stars · 16 ratings
A guide with frameworks for establishing and managing a family office across generations.
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151
Intentional Wealth How Families Build Legacies of Stewardship and Financial Health Courtney Pullen, 2013 · CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform Wealth Transfer · T5 · 4.2 stars · 16 ratings
Examines what the roughly 10 percent of affluent families that keep their wealth do differently.
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152
Engaged Ownership A Guide for Owners of Family Businesses Amelia Renkert-Thomas, 2015 · Wiley Governance · T5 · 4.6 stars · 10 ratings
A guide written from the owner's perspective on how family owners work with management and the board of a business, family office or trust.
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153
Stewardship In Your Family Enterprise Developing Responsible Family Leadership Across Generations Dennis T. Jaffe, 2009 · Stewardship in Your Family Enterprise Governance · T5 · 4.4 stars · 12 ratings
50 short lessons on succession, conflict, selling the business and developing next generation stewards.
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154
Cross Cultures How Global Families Negotiate Change Across Generations Dennis T. Jaffe, James Grubman, 2016 · CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform Family Dynamics · T5 · 4.5 stars · 10 ratings
Explains conflicts that arise when elder generations hold traditional values and younger members educated abroad bring new ones, and how global families negotiate them.
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155
Working With The Ones You Love Strategies for a Successful Family Business Dennis T. Jaffe, 2014 · CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform Family Dynamics · T5 · 4.5 stars · 10 ratings
A family therapist shows how to manage the intertwined work and personal relationships of a family business.
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156
Children of Paradise Successful Parenting for Prosperous Families Lee Hausner, 2017 · CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform Next Generation · T5 · 4.1 stars · 14 ratings
A parenting program for prosperous families on avoiding entitlement, building motivation and transferring wealth without harm.
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157
Governance in Family Enterprises Maximising Economic and Emotional Success Alexander Koeberle-Schmid, Denise Kenyon-Rouvinez, Ernesto J. Poza, 2014 · Palgrave Macmillan Governance · T5 · 4.2 stars · 12 ratings
An overview of family enterprise governance, business and family, with frameworks and interviews with family owners.
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158
Family Business Ownership How to Be an Effective Shareholder Craig E. Aronoff, John L. Ward · Palgrave Macmillan Governance · T5 · 3.9 stars · 15 ratings
A guide for shareholders on being a responsible, informed owner of a family business.
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159
Strategic Planning for The Family Business Parallel Planning to Unify the Family and Business Randel S. Carlock, John L. Ward, 2001 · Palgrave Macmillan Governance · T5 · 4.0 stars · 12 ratings
Introduces parallel planning to align family and business strategy, with templates, instead of limiting planning to estate and succession.
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160
Thorntons - My Life in the Family Business Peter Thornton, 2009 · Tomahawk Press Memoir · T5 · 4.0 stars · 10 ratings
A former chairman's account of the Thornton family confectionery business, including generational battles and sibling rivalry.
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161
Enabling Next Generation Legacies 35 Questions that Next Generation Members in Enterprising Families Ask Peter Jaskiewicz, Sabine B. Rau, 2026 · Family Enterprise Knowledge Hub Publishing Next Generation · T6 · 5.0 stars · 8 ratings
Answers 35 questions next generation members of enterprising families ask about family, ownership, business and wealth.
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162
Your Family Business, Your Net Worth Strategies For Succession Planning Gary Pittsford, 2015 · Advantage Books Valuation & Exit · T6 · 4.8 stars · 9 ratings
Answers owners' questions about value, retirement affordability, taxes on sale and whether to keep the business in the family.
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163
The Complete Direct Investing Handbook A Guide for Family Offices, Qualified Purchasers, and Accredited Investors Kirby Rosplock, 2017 · Bloomberg Press Family Office · T6 · 5.0 stars · 7 ratings
A guide to direct private investing for family offices, covering thesis, sourcing, screening, execution, monitoring and exits.
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164
When Your Parents Sign the Paychecks Finding Career Success Inside or Outside the Family Business Greg McCann, 2007 · Jist Works Next Generation · T6 · 5.0 stars · 7 ratings
A career guide for young people in business families on education, credibility and choosing whether to join the family firm.
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165
Build an Enterprise Family to Last Proven Strategies to Thrive Across Generations Sara S. Hamilton, Margaret Vaughan Cox, 2024 · James E. Hughes, Jr. Foundation Publishing Governance · T6 · 5.0 stars · 6 ratings
A guidebook of 48 steps organized into family, enterprise and personal tracks to keep an enterprise family aligned as it grows.
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166
Family Business as Paradox Amy Schuman, Stacy Stutz, John L. Ward, 2010 · Palgrave Macmillan Governance · T6 · 5.0 stars · 6 ratings
Argues families should manage the contradictions between family and business rather than choose one side, using polarity mapping.
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167
Family Enterprise Understanding Families in Business and Families of Wealth, + Online Assessment Tool The Family Firm Institute, 2013 · Wiley Governance · T6 · 5.0 stars · 6 ratings
A foundational text on how family enterprises and family offices work, with definitions, key characteristics and concepts for advisers and family members.
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168
Keeping the Family Business Healthy How to Plan for Continuing Growth, Profitability, and Family Leadership John L. Ward · Springer Governance · T6 · 5.0 stars · 6 ratings
A guide to strategic planning in family businesses covering growth, business direction, new leadership and a larger family.
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169
Managing For The Long Run Danny Miller, Isabelle Le Breton-Miller, 2005 · Harvard Business Review Press Case Studies · T6 · 5.0 stars · 6 ratings
Argues traits often seen as weaknesses in family-controlled firms explain the long-term success of leading family businesses.
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170
Beyond Survival, a Guide for Business Owners and Their Families Leon a Danco, 1975 · Predictable Futures, the Business Family Centre Succession · T6 · 4.6 stars · 9 ratings
Argues the main threat to a business owner's company is the owner's own managerial practices, including failure to plan for succession.
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171
International Family Governance A Guide for Families and Their Advisors Barbara Hauser, 2011 Governance · T6 · 4.7 stars · 8 ratings
Argues internal conflict is the main reason family wealth rarely lasts to the third generation and explains family councils, constitutions and independent boards, comparing six world regions.
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172
The Enduring Legacy Essential Family Business Values Lance D Woodbury, 2012 · Life Stories, Incorporated Governance · T6 · 4.8 stars · 7 ratings
Argues that succession should transfer the values that define a family business, and describes more than two dozen of them.
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173
Family Business Values How to Assure a Legacy of Continuity and Success Craig E. Aronoff, John L. Ward · Palgrave Macmillan Governance · T6 · 4.7 stars · 7 ratings
Helps leaders identify their values and build them into the business for later generations.
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174
SHIFT your Family Business Stop working in your family business and start working on your business family Steve Legler, 2014 · FriesenPress Governance · T6 · 4.7 stars · 7 ratings
Walks readers through starting, continuing and completing important family conversations.
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175
Creating Effective Boards for Private Enterprises Meeting the Challenges of Continuity and Competition John L. Ward, 1991 · Jossey-Bass Governance · T6 · 4.8 stars · 6 ratings
A handbook on building an active board of outside directors for small and midsize private and family businesses.
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176
The Ten Commandments of Family Business Succession Why 70% of Family Business Succession fail Jacob M Engel, 2019 · Independently published Succession · T6 · 4.4 stars · 9 ratings
A second generation owner lists ten rules for family business succession drawn from firms that succeeded.
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177
Sustaining The Family Business An Insider's Guide To Managing Across Generations Marshall B. Paisner, 1999 · Basic Books Succession · T6 · 4.7 stars · 6 ratings
A founder who ran his business for 30 years sets out principles for building a strong foundation and managing generational transitions.
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178
Family, Inc. How to Manage Parents, Siblings, Spouses, Children, and In-Laws in the Family Business Larry Colin, Laura Colin, 2008 · Weiser Family Dynamics · T6 · 4.3 stars · 9 ratings
Practical advice on working with parents, siblings, spouses, children and in-laws in a family business.
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179
The Survival Guide for Business Families Gerald Le Van, 1998 · Routledge Family Dynamics · T6 · 5.0 stars · 4 ratings
Follows a composite business family to identify key issues business families face and how to address them.
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180
The Uncrowned CEO Taking the Seat, Not Just the Title, for the Next Generation of Family Business Leaders Benjamin Ritter, 2026 · Live for Yourself Consulting LLC Next Generation · T6 · 5.0 stars · 4 ratings
A guide for next generation leaders whose title has changed but whose authority still sits with the founder.
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181
The Wise Inheritor's Guide to Freedom from Wealth Making Family Wealth Work for You Charles A. Lowenhaupt, 2018 · Praeger Next Generation · T6 · 5.0 stars · 4 ratings
Addresses issues inheritors face, including trust problems, family wealth secrets and legacy, so wealth does not imprison them.
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182
Continuity Model Generation Integrating Wealth, Strategy, Talent, and Governance Plans Justin B. Craig, 2021 · Wiley Governance · T6 · 4.6 stars · 6 ratings
Integrates four plans, strategy, wealth, talent and governance, into one continuity model for family businesses.
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183
The Family Business Book A roadmap for entrepreneurial families to prosper across generations Alfredo De Massis, Emanuela Rondi, 2024 · Pearson Governance · T6 · 4.6 stars · 6 ratings
A guide for entrepreneurial families to build a strategy for prospering across generations.
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184
The Principles of an Unstoppable Family Business How Successful Family Businesses Think and Grow Bryan Dodge, David Williams, 2018 · Morgan James Publishing Governance · T6 · 4.3 stars · 8 ratings
Sets out the principles a family-based business needs to survive and grow.
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185
Building a Legacy A guide for family businesses Paul Miller, 2024 · CAS Publishing Governance · T6 · 4.4 stars · 7 ratings
Uses a fictional company to show why some family businesses survive and what ingredients help them last.
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186
Preserving Multigenerational Wealth How a Private Family Trust Company Can Promote Family Harmony & Positive Family Dynamics Cindy Steeb, 2023 · Cls Publishing, LLC Wealth Transfer · T6 · 4.5 stars · 6 ratings
Explains how a private family trust company can keep family control of a business while ownership passes across generations.
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187
The Family Office A Practical Guide to Strategically and Operationally Managing Family Wealth Boris Canessa, Jens Escher, Alexander Koeberle-Schmid, Peter Preller, Christoph Weber, 2020 · Palgrave Macmillan Family Office · T6 · 4.5 stars · 6 ratings
Covers family office models, costs, the wealth needed to justify one, staff roles, governance and succession.
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188
Your Business, Your Family, Their Future How to Ensure Your Family Enterprise Thrives for Generations Emily Griffiths-Hamilton, 2018 · Figure 1 Publishing Governance · T6 · 4.5 stars · 6 ratings
Draws on research and three generations of her own family experience to explain how family enterprises transition successfully.
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189
Reshaping Reality Unlocking the Potential of the Single Family Office Greg McCann, Jill Barber, Jill Shipley, Jim Coutre, Andrew Keyt, Stacy Allred, Mary Duke, Paul Carbone, 2023 · Generation6 Publication, A Family Office · T6 · 4.2 stars · 8 ratings
An edited collection that identifies common design flaws in single family offices and proposes a larger role in leadership development and learning.
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190
Your High-Performing Virtual Family Office Maximizing Your Financial and Personal Lives Russ Alan Prince, Vince Annable, Robert Annable, 2023 · Virtual Family Office Advisory Group Family Office · T6 · 4.3 stars · 7 ratings
Explains how individuals worth $5 million or more can use a virtual family office to access strategies used by the very wealthy.
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191
Family Office Fundamentals - Human Capital Matters The Principals' Guide to Creating, Staffing and Future-Proofing Your Family Office Mark Somers, 2023 · Independent Publishing Network Family Office · T6 · 4.4 stars · 6 ratings
A principal's guide to creating, staffing and future-proofing a family office, drawing on input from 50 principals and practitioners.
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192
Family Governance and Surplus Wealth Sustaining Family Fortunes Russell Prior, 2021 · Globe Law and Business Governance · T6 · 5.0 stars · 3 ratings
Explains family governance as the structures and processes families use to guide their relationship with surplus wealth.
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193
Family Wealth Transition Planning Advising Families with Small Businesses Bonnie Brown Hartley, Gwendolyn Griffith, 2009 · Bloomberg Press Wealth Transfer · T6 · 5.0 stars · 3 ratings
Guides advisers through wealth transition plans for families whose wealth is tied up in a small business, covering both financial and less tangible assets.
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194
Make Change Your Family Business Tradition Craig E. Aronoff, John L. Ward · Palgrave Macmillan Governance · T6 · 5.0 stars · 3 ratings
Shows family businesses how to make adapting to change part of company tradition.
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195
Own It! How to Develop a Family Enterprise Owner's Mindset at Every Age Wendy Sage-Hayward, Gaia Marchisio, Barbara Dartt, 2022 · Palgrave Macmillan Next Generation · T6 · 5.0 stars · 3 ratings
A learning structure for developing an owner's mindset, ownership literacy and stewardship in family members at every age.
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196
Private Trust Companies A Handbook for Advisers Todd Mayo (consultant editor) · Globe Law and Business Family Office · T6 · 5.0 stars · 3 ratings
Covers the legal, regulatory and practical sides of forming and running a private trust company, with chapters by law firm practitioners.
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197
Resilience of 100-Year Family Enterprises How Opportunistic Innovation, Business Discipline, and a Culture of Stewardship Guide the Journey Across Generations Dennis T. Jaffe, 2018 · CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform Case Studies · T6 · 4.5 stars · 5 ratings
Draws on research into family enterprises over 100 years old to show how opportunistic innovation, business discipline and stewardship culture sustain them.
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198
Family Business Governance Increasing Business Effectiveness and Professionalism Keanon J. Alderson, 2019 · Business Expert Press Governance · T6 · 4.7 stars · 4 ratings
A research-based guide to governance structures for small and midsize family businesses.
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199
Leading a Family Business Best Practices for Long-Term Stewardship Justin B. Craig, Ken Moores, 2017 · Praeger Governance · T6 · 4.0 stars · 8 ratings
A planning guide on the skills and mindset needed to lead a family enterprise, organized around four critical areas.
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200
Managing Conflict in the Family Business Understanding Challenges at the Intersection of Family and Business Kent Rhodes, David Lansky, 2013 · Palgrave Macmillan Family Dynamics · T6 · 3.9 stars · 8 ratings
Describes 12 common family business conflicts, the archetypes, frames, roles and tactics behind them, and how to spot and resolve each.
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201
More than Family Non-Family Executives in the Family Business Craig E. Aronoff, John L. Ward · Palgrave Macmillan Governance · T6 · 4.3 stars · 5 ratings
Explores hiring, managing and retaining talented non-family executives in a family business.
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202
Governing The Family Enterprise The Evolution of Family Councils, Assemblies and Constitutions Dennis T. Jaffe, 2017 · CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform Governance · T6 · 3.7 stars · 9 ratings
Describes how third generation families decide whether to stay together and how family councils, assemblies and constitutions evolve.
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203
Unconventional Wisdom Counterintuitive Insights for Family Business Success John L. Ward (editor), 2007 · Wiley Governance · T6 · 4.7 stars · 3 ratings
Argues family businesses win by pursuing unconventional, long-term strategies and by thinking paradoxically about family and business needs.
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204
Family Offices The STEP Handbook for Advisers, Second Edition Barbara R. Hauser (editor), 2015 · Globe Law & Business Family Office · T6 · 4.4 stars · 4 ratings
A practical guide prepared with STEP on setting up and running a family office, choosing a jurisdiction, staffing and virtual models.
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205
Family Legacy and Leadership Preserving True Family Wealth in Challenging Times Mark Haynes Daniell, Sara Hamilton, 2010 · Wiley Wealth Transfer · T6 · 4.0 stars · 6 ratings
Describes how families build legacy and what effective family leaders do to manage continuity and change.
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206
Family Meetings How to Build a Stronger Family and a Stronger Business Craig E. Aronoff, John L. Ward · Palgrave Macmillan Governance · T6 · 3.7 stars · 8 ratings
Explains how regular family meetings reduce conflict and increase collaboration, and how to run them.
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207
Family Capitalism Wendels, Haniels, Falcks, and the Continental European Model Harold James, 2006 · Belknap Press: An Imprint of Harvard University Press Case Studies · T6 · 5.0 stars · 2 ratings
Traces three European family firms, the Wendels, Haniels and Falcks, over 200 years to show why family firms can succeed for long periods.
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208
Family Education For Business-Owning Families Strengthening Bonds By Learning Together Amy M. Schuman, John L. Ward · Palgrave Macmillan Next Generation · T6 · 5.0 stars · 2 ratings
Guides families through a family education program, from when to bring children into the business to outside experience first.
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209
Financing Transitions Managing Capital and Liquidity in the Family Business Francois M. de Visscher, Craig E. Aronoff, John L. Ward · Palgrave Macmillan Valuation & Exit · T6 · 5.0 stars · 2 ratings
Sets out principles for capital and liquidity planning so family businesses can fund transitions and shareholder needs.
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210
Passing the Torch Succession, Retirement, and Estate Planning in Family-Owned Businesses Mike Cohn · McGraw-Hill Succession · T6 · 5.0 stars · 2 ratings
Covers succession planning, family conflicts, valuation, ownership transfer, shareholder agreements and estate planning for family-owned businesses.
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211
Strategy For The Wealthy Family Seven Principles To Assure Riches To Riches Across Generations Mark Haynes Daniell, 2021 · World Scientific Wealth Transfer · T6 · 5.0 stars · 2 ratings
A strategic framework for managing the family, its business, financial assets, trusts, philanthropy and risk as one system.
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212
The Solutionist Guide to Family Business Strategies and Structures for Peace and Prosperity Jon Kenfield, 2011 · The Solutionist Group Governance · T6 · 5.0 stars · 2 ratings
A 340-page manual with case studies, work programs, tools and checklists for operating a long-term family business.
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213
Working with Family Businesses A Guide for Professionals David Bork · Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated Governance · T6 · 5.0 stars · 2 ratings
A guide for professionals who advise family businesses.
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214
Understanding the Family Business Exploring the Differences Between Family and Nonfamily Businesses Keanon J. Alderson · Business Expert Press Governance · T6 · 4.6 stars · 3 ratings
Explains how family businesses differ from nonfamily businesses and the main theories of family business.
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215
The Successful Family Business A Proactive Plan for Managing the Family and the Business Edward D. Hess, 2005 · Praeger Governance · T6 · 3.6 stars · 8 ratings
A proactive plan for managing the family and the business together.
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216
Living Richly Seizing the Potential of Inherited Wealth Myra Salzer, Greg I. Hamilton, 2010 · Legacy Publications Next Generation · T6 · 3.4 stars · 9 ratings
A guide for inheritors on the emotional traps of inherited wealth and how to live a fulfilling life with it.
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217
Good Fortune Building a Hundred Year Family Enterprise Dennis T. Jaffe, 2013 · CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform Case Studies · T6 · 3.6 stars · 7 ratings
Reports interviews with leaders of 38 families that survived at least two generational transitions and describes what these generative families share.
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218
How Families Work Together Mary F. Whiteside, Craig E. Aronoff, John L. Ward · Palgrave Macmillan Family Dynamics · T6 · 3.9 stars · 5 ratings
Looks at normal family conflicts, criticism and communication failures and how they affect working relationships in the business.
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219
The Family Enterprise Playbook A Framework For Action David C. Wells Jr., 2023 · David C Wells Jr Governance · T6 · 3.9 stars · 5 ratings
Proposes a framework and a one-page dashboard to track whether a family is on course to become an enduring family.
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220
Entrepreneurial Family Firms Frank Hoy, Pramodita Sharma, 2009 · Pearson College Div Next Generation · T6 · 4.1 stars · 4 ratings
A textbook on entrepreneurial family firms organized around individual, family, business and industry life cycles, with a governance tool kit.
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221
Getting Along in Family Business The Relationship Intelligence Handbook Edwin A. Hoover, Colette Lombard Hoover, 1999 · Routledge Family Dynamics · T6 · 3.7 stars · 6 ratings
Argues relationship intelligence is the most important factor in family business success and shows how better relationships improve leadership and ownership.
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222
Letting Go Preparing Yourself to Relinquish Control of the Family Business Craig E. Aronoff · Palgrave Macmillan Succession · T6 · 4.3 stars · 3 ratings
Helps owners and CEOs decide to begin succession planning and prepare to give up control.
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223
Values-Based Estate Planning A Step-by-Step Approach to Wealth Transfer for Professional Advisors Scott C. Fithian, 2000 · Wiley Wealth Transfer · T6 · 3.7 stars · 5 ratings
A step-by-step approach for advisers to help clients plan wealth transfer based on their values.
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224
The Complete Idiot's Guide to a Successful Family Business Janis Raye, Neil Raphel, 2009 · DK Governance · T6 · 4.0 stars · 3 ratings
An introductory guide to running a family business, including expansion and family versus hired management.
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225
Family Business by the Numbers How Financial Statements Impact Your Business Norbert E. Schwarz · Palgrave Macmillan Governance · T6 · 5.0 stars · 1 rating
Explains how to read financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements, for family business owners.
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226
Founder Paralysis A Family Business Fable about a Founder's Loss of Identity Dennis Passis, 2024 · James E. Hughes, Jr. Foundation Succession · T6 · 5.0 stars · 1 rating
A fable about a founder facing succession and the loss of identity, fear and resistance that come with it.
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227
Sustaining Family Enterprise Meeting the Challenges of Continuity, Control and Competitiveness Richard L. Narva (editor), 2016 · Globe Law and Business Governance · T6 · 5.0 stars · 1 rating
An edited volume on continuity, control and competitiveness in family enterprises.
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228
The Successor's Voice Philip Mackeown, 2023 · Management Books 2000 Next Generation · T6 · 5.0 stars · 1 rating
A practical guide for family members succeeding to ownership or joining as heir apparent.
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229
Wealth Doesn't Last 3 Generations How Family Businesses Can Maintain Prosperity Jean S. K. Lee, Hong Li, 2008 · World Scientific Publishing Company Case Studies · T6 · 5.0 stars · 1 rating
Examines succession, management, staffing and governance in family businesses, with a focus on China and real cases.
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230
Preparing Successors for Leadership Another Kind of Hero Craig E. Aronoff, John L. Ward · Palgrave Macmillan Succession · T6 · 3.3 stars · 6 ratings
A strategy for preparing successors over a lifetime so the founders' vision and leadership pass to the next generation.
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231
Working for a Family Business A Non-Family Employee's Guide to Success Craig Eckrich, Stephen L. McClure · Palgrave Macmillan Governance · T6 · 3.9 stars · 3 ratings
Helps non-family employees understand how family businesses differ and how to succeed inside one.
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232
Philanthropy, Heirs & Values How Successful Families Are Using Philanthropy To Prepare Their Heirs For Post-transition Responsibilities Roy Williams, Vic Preisser, 2010 · Robert Reed Pub Wealth Transfer · T6 · 4.0 stars · 2 ratings
Shows how families use philanthropy to teach heirs values, mission and accountability, based on interviews with 3,250 families.
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233
Family Business Models Practical Solutions for the Family Business Alberto Gimeno, Gemma Baulenas, Joan Coma-Cros, 2010 · Palgrave Macmillan Governance · T6 · 4.0 stars · 1 rating
Classifies family businesses into models or archetypes and uses them to balance the relationship between family and company.
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234
Effective Leadership in the Family Business Craig E. Aronoff, Otis W. Baskin · Palgrave Macmillan Governance · T6 · 3.0 stars · 1 rating
Describes directing, coaching, counseling and delegating leadership styles and which fits which family member.
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235
Preparing Your Family Business for Strategic Change Craig E. Aronoff, John L. Ward · Palgrave Macmillan Governance · T6 · 3.0 stars · 1 rating
Explains how to integrate family goals, strengths and values into business strategy.
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U
The Way of the Trustee A Holistic Guide to Enlightened Trust Administration in Service to Families Daniel P. Felix, 2024 · James E. Hughes, Jr. Foundation Publishing Wealth Transfer · Unrated
A trustee playbook that frames trust administration around the trustee's mindset, loyalty and relationships with the family.
How this list is ranked
Ranks 1, 5 and 10 are featured picks from the Family Office Club, all by Richard C. Wilson and marked featured: yes (1: How to Start a Family Office; 5: Centimillionaire Strategies; 10: The Family Office Book). Every other book is ranked by the tier method below. The featured books keep their real tier, stars, ratings count and composite score, so their tier field shows where the tier method alone would place them.
This ranking puts most of the weight on how many people have rated a book on Amazon. Small rating counts are easy to distort, so a book needs a large number of ratings to rank near the top. The star rating still matters, but mainly to order books that have a similar number of ratings.
Step 1. Every book is placed in a trust tier by its Amazon ratings count. Tiers are strict: every book in a higher tier ranks above every book in a lower tier, whatever its stars.
Books per tier in this file:
Step 2. Inside each tier, books are sorted by a composite score, highest first:
composite_score = 0.8 * (normalized log10 of ratings count) + 0.2 * (normalized star rating)
Other ranks:
Included: books whose main subject is family business, family enterprise, succession in owner-managed firms, family governance, family offices, trusts and wealth transfer inside families, raising heirs, and histories or memoirs of business families. Excluded: general parenting, general leadership, general estate-planning or personal-finance titles where family business or family wealth is not the main subject (for example The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families and The Opposite of Spoiled).