Rework

The 37signals manifesto, by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson: a book-length argument against startup orthodoxy. Rework attacks the sacred cows — business plans, long hours, raising money, meetings, 'perfect' timing — and argues that small teams, few constraints, and shipped products beat ambition and capital every time. Written by the makers of Basecamp, it is short, blunt, and deliberately contrarian.

Cuban's jacket blurb — 'If given a choice between investing in someone who has read Rework or has an MBA, I'm investing in Rework every time' — says precisely what founders need to hear from an investor: execution and shipping beat credentials. The book's core lessons — build fewer things, cut scope as a strategy, underdo competitors, sell your story — are all operating rules for the constrained early stage.