13 Social Entrepreneurship Books For The 21st Century

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This article showcases our top picks for the best ‘Social Entrepreneurship Books For The 21st Century’. We reached out to industry leaders and experts who have contributed the suggestions within this article (they have been credited for their contributions below). 

We are keen to hear your feedback on all of our content and our comment section is a moderated space to express your thoughts and feelings related (or not) to this article This list is in no particular order.


Social Entrepreneurship by David Bornstein

This product was recommended by Akram Tariq Khan from YourLibaas

As an entrepreneur myself, I appreciate how this books creates clearly delineates traditional models of entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship. The case-based pedagogy wherein examples and case studies are used to explain concepts is wonderful. It attempts at explaining the terms in an intuitive manner instead of heavy technical jargon. It is recommended for beginners and intermediate alike – Learnings there for both of them. Not only does it explain concepts of entrepreneurship, it also goes on to explain the societal and financial angles attached to it.


Create and Orchestrate by Marcus Whitney

This product was recommended by Rachel Sheerin from RachelSheerin

Some books teach you how to succeed by the world’s rules, but this book teaches you tangible skills and strategies so you can build a business (and life) that has your creative powers at the forefront – especially if you don’t feel it’s a strength in business right now. Marcus shares his personal story with authenticity and allows you to learn from his failures, triumphs and lessons along the way so you can build a world that’s better than today.


Business is Dead by Neil A. Cohen

This product was recommended by Neil Cohen from BusinessIsDead

The book focuses on stories of first time entrepreneurs who launched their first venture based on their fandom of a track of pop culture. Called Fantrepreneurs, these people are more focused on passion then profit.


Do the KIND thing by Daniel Lubetzky

This product was recommended by Malte Scholz from Airfocus

CEO of the KIND Healthy Snacks, Daniel Lubetzky talks about the importance of doing a business that both makes profit and creates a positive change in the world. To him, these two concepts are closely linked together and these are the values he built his business on. Lubetzky’s premise is that you need to be fearless and honest to yourself if you want to live a passionate life. He reminds readers of the important values every person needs to nurture, regardless of the age, nationality or race. This book is also a great reminder to all of the entrepreneurs that a successful business doesn’t necessarily need to be only materialistic – it can also make a significant change in the society and thereby earn the respect of a huge community.


Building Social business by Muhammad yunus

This product was recommended by Achintya Kolipakkam from Elegance Tips

Its a great book on microfinance. Geting your base right is a boon and this book will make sure you get it right. It teaches you how to generate economic growth with a dominos effect. which means one growth which will lead to another growth


The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield

This product was recommended by Brandon C. White from Build a Business

Entrepreneurs have to believe they can do things they don’t think they can do. Only Entrepreneurs will understand that statement. They rely on hunches, gut feelings and need an unwavering craving of curiosity. Things don’t go as planned often when building a business and to get through the key is to ask “Why?”. Why did this happen, why did that customer say that, why is this happening in the market etc.. The Celestine Prophecy gives guidance, puts into words that which is hard to do. And provides a framework Entrepreneurs can use to apply to all the stages of building a business. I don’t want to ruin it, but the 9 insights will help guide your Entrepreneur journey regardless of your religion or lack there of. Highly recommend.


The Business of Good by Jason Haber

This product was recommended by Nicole Garcia from Most Craft

When I perused the first few pages, I was repelled by how conceptual the topic was discussed in this book. However, this was right before I was introduced to what social entrepreneurship was and what it means really entails. But when I did finish reading it, it was refreshing to be educated and to know that there is an impact on how the business of good has evolved throughout the years to entrepreneurs who want to succeed in their business ventures.


The Real Problem Solvers by Ruth A. Shapiro

This product was recommended by Shiv Gupta from Incrementors

The Real Problem Solvers brings together leading entrepreneurs, funders, investors, thinkers, and champions in the field to answer these questions from their own, first-person perspectives. It provides a real variety of first-hand accounts shared by leading practitioners, investors, thinkers, and advocates in the field. The book is a wonderful resource for those who try to stay inspired. In no other book are so many leaders presented side-by-side. Therefore, this is the ideal accessible and personal introduction for students and newcomers to social entrepreneurship.


The S.P.E.A.R. Method by Kuda Biza

This product was recommended by Kuda Biza from SPEARMethod

The SPEAR Method is a potent motivational book full of heart-felt personal stories as well as practical methods for cultivating a truly fulfilling life. As a social entrepreneur himself, he shares his tips for business and life through engaging first-hand experiences and provides a non-traditional 5-step plan as a framework. Throughout the book, Kuda gently guides the readers into defining what success really is, how to go about achieving that, and how to give back to the world at the same time. It is an inspiring read for those who want to impact the world around them and find direction in their own lives.


Social Entrepreneurship for the 21st Century by Georgia Levenson Keohane

This product was recommended by Aqsa Tabassam from InsideTechWorld

The world of entrepreneurship is drastically changing. To understand how it is changing, what direction it headed in, and how things will work in the future this book is a perfect guide. This book shows a clear picture of how social entrepreneurship has impacted different areas of the world.


The Social Entrepreneur’s Playbook, Expanded Edition by Ian C. MacMillan

This product was recommended by Lisa Arlington from Giftsnerd LLC

This book has answers to all your questions regarding how to set-up your business. But this business plan that this book tells about setting up is specific to social entrepreneurs. It gives the guideline of the complete process up til the scaling. It’s a complete playbook, with all the do’s and don’ts, and whatever will help you succeed.


Confessions of an Economic Hit Man by John Perkins

This product was recommended by David Lewis from Kitchen Ambition

Social entrepreneurship is rooted in building a new way forward for society. In order to shape the world of our future, we need to understand the legacy systems that we’re replacing, why and how they were created, and what interests are supporting their existence today. “Confessions” is a personal tale about one man’s role in the 20th century construction of the Western empire we know today. It’s eye opening and a page turner.


Leaving Microsoft to Change the World by John Wood

This product was recommended by Vipin Chahal from Return Policy Guide

The author of the books takes you on a self-experienced journey about making a shift from working for a commercial firm to a non-profit organization. It stresses the crucial need for education to make the world evolve and prosper. It helps you apply your learnings to solve social problems.


Good to Great by Jim Collins

This product was recommended by Charmi from Kitchen Nexus

https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others/dp/0066620996?&linkCode=li2&tag=prettyprogressive-20&linkId=e6c54cdba308a5900240ebf68b4b3ca3&ref_=as_li_ss_il” target=”_blank

The author of the book creates the defining management study of the nineties. The book showed how great companies triumph over time and how long-term sustained performance can be engineered into the DNA of an enterprise from the very beginning.

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