Less traditional reading list for aspiring PMs?

What are some less traditional fields of study to read about in one's pursuit to being a more well rounded analyst or PM aside from the usual suspects within the investment world? We've all read Margin of Safety and Intelligent Investor, but what else is on your guys' reading lists? Economics would be an obvious one. I've heard a few people saying they like to read about physics although the benefit of that is lost on me unless you're a quant. General business strategy books would be good for fundamental analysis people. Any other good ones?

3 Comments
 
Best Response

Physics helps you understand how various systems work together, so even understanding the theory behind it helps you out. Brownian motion being an good example (though thats not exactly less traditional). History is something I think people skip out on sometimes. Understanding the past if you an analyst, especially in how it relates to whatever specific industry you are covering, is actually pretty helpful (If not necessary). As far as being a PM, I have noticed all the PM's where I am have a very generalist knowledge and could probably talk about anything asked of them. They couldn't' go toe to toe with a specialist in a topic, but they certainly could hold a conversation. I think that becoming better at anything is just constantly learning about EVERYTHING and then applying it back to whatever your trying to focus on. Not sure if thats helpful, but I needed a break from GMAT studying. haha.

 

Est natus possimus molestias. Assumenda magni dicta et delectus. Neque quasi ea eos necessitatibus maxime totam explicabo quae. Natus reiciendis molestiae sint quia distinctio consequatur hic provident. Repudiandae nesciunt voluptas necessitatibus ab.

Totam tempore perferendis eos cum doloribus velit. Dignissimos quaerat distinctio rerum nobis voluptas autem.

Nemo dolores itaque minus quia. Et ut praesentium sequi corrupti.

"History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme."

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Point72 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 97.1%
  • AQR Capital Management 96.2%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 99.0%
  • Millennium Partners 98.1%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.1%
  • Blackstone Group 96.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 95.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • AQR Capital Management 99.1%
  • Point72 98.1%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.2%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.2%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.3%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (27) $464
  • Director/MD (12) $423
  • NA (9) $320
  • Engineer/Quant (86) $288
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (26) $284
  • Manager (4) $282
  • 2nd Year Associate (32) $253
  • 1st Year Associate (76) $192
  • Analysts (240) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (28) $146
  • Junior Trader (5) $102
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (282) $96
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”