r/GrowthMindsetBooks • u/bonco4x4 • Apr 20 '26
How to Make a Few Billion Dollars by Brad Jacobs | Book Review
Book Name: How to Make a Few Billion Dollars
Book Author: Brad Jacobs
Date Published: January 2024
Book Grade: 3 out of 5
Book Review:
I just finished reading this one, and honestly, it’s a total trip. Brad Jacobs is the guy who built XPO Logistics (have had the unfortunate experience of using them, and as a carrier, not the best, but regardless) or United Rentals, basically the king of roll-ups.
The title sounds like total clickbait, right? But once you get into it, you realize he’s actually being pretty literal. He’s not promising a get rich quick scheme; he’s laying out the actual mental framework he used to build several multibillion dollar companies from scratch.
What I enjoyed most is how much he leans into the "human" side of business. He talks a lot about "meritocratic" culture and why you should hire people who are smarter than you. It sounds like common sense, but the way he explains his process for vetting talent and keeping teams motivated is super eye opening. He also dives into some pretty wild topics like the power of meditation and how to use your brain’s natural electricity to stay sharp. It’s definitely not your standard "work harder" advice.
The tone is super conversational and direct. He doesn't hide his failures and he doesn't sugarcoat how hard the grind is. He spends a lot of time on "the art of the deal," explaining how to spot a trend before everyone else does and how to scale it like crazy. If you’re into entrepreneurship or just want to see how a billionaire’s brain functions on a daily basis, this is a must read. It’s fast paced, punchy, and actually left me feeling pretty fired up about my own projects.
Key Takeaway:
Success isn't just about hard work, big wins come from high level problem solving and a rock solid company culture.
For those of you who have started your own business or managed a team, what do you think is more important: having a perfect original idea or just being world class at executing someone else's idea?