It's World Book Day, and we asked our audience for their best reads on policy, leadership and working in public services. Here's what they came up with:
How to win friends and influence people by Dale Carnegie
This self-help guide to increasing your popularity through flattery and respect for others was first published in 1936 and based on a series of lectures by Carnegie, a famous public speaker.
This "granddaddy of all management handbooks" spawned an industry of self-help material, including How to win friends and influence people in the digital age.
Local government recruitment specialist Andy Ball (@abll_localgov) describes it as "the only book everyone should read at least once on their life".
Why should anyone be led by you? by Rob Goffee and Gareth Jones
The authors spoke to hundreds of leaders – from chief executives of multinational corporations to teachers and nurses – about what it takes to be a good leader.
"If you are serious about leadership," they say, "don't try to be someone else: be yourself – more – with skill."
Rick Harmes (@ricklph), a researcher in localism and politics, recommends this book because it "treats leadership from the perspective of followers".
What makes an effective executive by Peter Drucker
Chief executive of National Voices and "escapee from Treasury" Jeremy Taylor (@JeremyTaylorNV) says this review on effective leaders is "a corker".
It attempts to break down the stereotypes surrounding leadership, arguing that effective leaders range from "extroverted to nearly reclusive, from easygoing to controlling, from generous to parsimonious". Drucker sets out the real practices integral to good leadership.
Instruction to deliver: Tony Blair, the public services and the challenge of delivery by Michael Barber
Written by Blair's most powerful civil servant, Barber's book is driven by his experiences as head of the delivery unit from 2001 to 2005. It is a "tactfully candid" analysis of Blair's triumphs, failures, strengths and weaknesses.
Thinktank senior researcher Natan Doron (@natandoran) says, "the book was so popular in @thefabians research team we had to buy another copy".
If we can put a man on the moon by William Eggers and John O'Leary
This book looks at the policy mistakes and successes of various American governments and the lessons that can be learned from them.
The authors want to combat cynicism and political apathy, and say: "Government's difficulty in executing large, complex undertakings is becoming a pattern. Time and time again, public officials fall into the same traps, a set of snares that doom their well-meaning initiatives to failure."
More suggestions... an eclectic list!
• The Analects by Confucius
• Understanding public management by Kjell Eliassen and Nick Sitter
• Shifting involvements: private interest and public action by Albert Hirschman
• If by Rudyard Kipling
• Bureaucracy: what government agencies do and why they do it by James Wilson
• Creating public value: strategic management in government by Mark Moore
• Inspirational leadership: Henry V and the muse of fire by Richard Olivier
• South Riding by Winifrid Holtby
• How to make a difference and get results by Ann Franke, chief executive of CMI
• Change management masterclass by Mike Green
Some are a little more cynical
• Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince.
A review by Guardian critic Nicholas Lezard says, "We do not pick it up because it might come in handy when we seize power or attempt to do so; we pick it up and read it because it gives us a clear insight into the minds of our own rulers, and also warns them that a badly governed state will eventually collapse on top of them."
• Animal Farm by George Orwell
Former local authority director Blair McPherson says it's "a lesson in how good intentions go wrong".
And some are not books at all
• "In many ways the book is being replaced by film, TV or the DVD in inspiring those in central government and public services, especially since so much of public sector and government thinking comes from the US experience. Currently, it is whole-life prison sentences, ideas on welfare reform and a different health care model for the NHS. So I would nominate the box set of the West Wing as an example of the difficulties faced in a liberal administration, ably led by an intelligent and articulate president but often frustrated by the system and self interest groups.
"In the same vein, I would select The Wire if you want a vision of how things could be in 10 years in our cities if we go down the US road.
"More recently, I have been inspired by Borgen for its depiction of political leadership, integrity and people management."
– McPherson
• Buckingham town councillor Jon Harvey (@CllrJonSHarvey) has a blog on the leadership messages that can be found in popular films.
Do you have a book to add to the list? Tell us in the comments section below or email us at public.leaders@theguardian.com.
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