Rework

I read Rework cover-to-cover this afternoon.  Time well-spent.

Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson wrote the book - they're two of the brains behind 37Signals, an iconic software company that creates amazingly simple, useful products and has helped redefine the online software business.

The book is about starting and growing a business.  It is simple, direct, and reasonable - basically a collection of one page manifestos, each coupled with a great illustration.  You can download a sample here.

Some of my favorite nuggets:

Who cares what they're doing?  "Focus on competitors too much and you wind up diluting your own vision."

Pick a fight.  "If you think a competitor sucks, say so."

Out-teach your competition.  "Teach and you'll form a bond you just don't get from traditional marketing."

Build half a product, not a half-assed product.  "Getting to great starts by cutting stuff that's merely good."

The content isn't necessarily earth-shattering - but the book's clarity, honesty, and applicability are truly genius.  Highly recommend the read.