Best Consolidation & Merger Books of 2025

Buy Then Build by Walker Deibel is a groundbreaking book that provides a new approach to entrepreneurship. Deibel offers a solution to the high failure rates of startups by teaching readers how to buy and build upon an already profitable company. Through his extensive knowledge and experience, Deibel provides a blueprint for entrepreneurs to succeed and achieve financial independence. The book includes practical tips on how to navigate the acquisition process, find brokers and generate deal flow. The reviews from industry experts praise the book as a gamechanger and a pioneering work. Overall, Buy Then Build is a must-read for anyone looking to outsmart the startup game and achieve success as an acquisition entrepreneur.

The Caesars Palace Coup is a gripping true story of the 2015 bankruptcy of Caesars Entertainment, one of the most brutal corporate restructurings in Wall Street history. The book details the intense power struggle between private equity firms and distressed debt hedge funds over the famous casino giant. Through a $27 billion leveraged buyout and a dizzying string of financial engineering transactions, Apollo and TPG seemingly snatched every prime asset of the company from creditors, with the exception of Caesars Palace. This book delves deep into the tactics of distressed debt mavens and their fight-to-the-death mentality that has come to dominate the scene in Corporate America. Financial journalists Max Frumes and Sujeet Indap have done an excellent job of bringing this story to life.

Barbarians at the Gate by Bryan Burrough and John Helyar is a #1 New York Times Bestseller and regarded as the best business narrative ever written. It tells the story of the fall of RJR Nabisco, the largest takeover in Wall Street history, marked by brazen displays of ego and the ruthless style of finance in the 1980s. The book is a masterpiece of investigative journalism, written with the bravado of a novel, and includes a new afterword by the authors. It is a valuable cautionary tale that must be heeded, and a fascinating inside story of greed and glory.

Corporate Turnaround Artistry: Fix Any Business in 100 Days is a comprehensive guide for entrepreneurs and business leaders who are struggling with financial distress. The book offers insider strategies and proven methods to revive and rehabilitate any business, under any circumstance, without the need for new debt. Author Jeff Sands shares deep insider secrets of controlling cash, gaining creditor support, and developing a comprehensive turnaround plan that stakeholders will support. The book covers topics including cashflow stabilization, debt restructuring, and crisis management skills. Overall, this book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to turn their business around and achieve sustained profitability.

Capital Returns: Investing Through the Capital Cycle: A Money Manager's Reports 2002-15: 2015 is a comprehensive guide to the capital cycle approach to investment. This book provides investors with a relatively simple method for identifying and potentially avoiding asset bubbles by following the trail of investment. The book encourages investors to identify firms that can deliver superior returns by avoiding sectors or markets where investment spending is unduly elevated and competition is fierce. Edward Chancellor, the book's editor, brings together 60 reports from Marathon Asset Management, a London-based investment firm managing over $50 billion of assets, to illustrate the practical implementation of the capital cycle approach to investment.

The Private Equity Playbook: Management’s Guide to Working with Private Equity is an authoritative yet approachable handbook for CEOs and senior management executives to understand how private equity firms operate. With over 5,500 P.E. firms owning tens of thousands of companies, this book provides valuable insights into finding the right firm to partner with, navigating new governance, and strategies for continued growth in the private equity space. Written by Adam Coffey, who has almost twenty years of experience building businesses for private equity companies, this book provides all the coaching needed to compete and win in this new playing field. Overall, it is a must-read for anyone looking to succeed in the private equity industry.

The 3rd Edition of Investment Banking: Valuation, LBOs, M&A, and IPOs is an authoritative guide to performing valuation work and financial analysis on Wall Street. Written by investment bankers, this book offers a step-by-step approach to each methodology, building a chronological knowledge base and defining key terms and financial concepts. The book has become a go-to resource for students, graduates, and career changers looking to break into finance. With valuable contributions from Nasdaq and Latham & Watkins LLP, plus access to online valuation models and a course, this timely update is more relevant than ever.

The Art of M&A, Fifth Edition: A Merger, Acquisition, and Buyout Guide is a must-read for executives, investment bankers, attorneys, and accountants who are heavily involved in M&A processes. This updated edition provides critical lessons learned from past financial crises and regulatory shocks, delivering the information and insight needed to make the right decisions throughout the process. The book covers everything from getting started to landmark legal cases, and is authored by Alexandra Reed Lajoux, one of the most respected figures in the fields of M&A, corporate governance, and international trade. Overall, this book is an indispensable resource that provides guidance on developing, stewarding, and closing deals that benefit everyone involved.

"Conócete y Serás Feliz" is a Spanish-language self-help book for women looking to live a fulfilling life and achieve their goals. The author, Amanfi Taylor, draws on her personal experiences to provide practical guidance on developing self-awareness, identifying negative influences, and cultivating positive habits. Taylor's emphasis on emotional intelligence and self-love sets this book apart from other motivational self-help books. Overall, "Conócete y Serás Feliz" is a valuable resource for women seeking to improve their mental and emotional well-being.

Mergers & Acquisitions For Dummies is a comprehensive guide to buying and selling companies. It covers the entire M&A process step by step, including industry-specific terms, valuation techniques, and financing deals. The book also provides expert advice on identifying potential M&A targets, performing due diligence, drafting purchase agreements, and integrating new employees after the deal closes. This guide is a great resource for business owners, executives, and students looking to understand how M&A can affect their company and career. Overall, Mergers & Acquisitions For Dummies is a valuable tool for anyone interested in the practice of buying and selling companies.