Competitive Intelligence
by Larry Kahaner - Simon & Schuster

A compelling and valuable read for "do-it-yourselfers" conducting due diligence on investment opportunities. The book provides a ton of information, resources, and real life examples of gathering competitive intelligence - all done legally and ethically. It provides a path to transform yourself from being just a gatherer of information to that of a user of intelligence. Four stock certificates.

HighTech Start Up
by John Nesheim - The Free Press

If you are thinking about founding, joining or investing in a start-up technology company, you have to read this book. Practical advice and information on the steps necessary to turn a concept into a public company. The real-world case studies provide invaluable lessons for those venturing into the start-up world. Four stock certificates.

The Innovator's Dilemma
by Clayton Christensen - HarperBusiness

A must read for entrepreneurs developing or refining a business concept.  While this book was not specifically intended for those seeking venture capital, a company that can alter the playing field/value proposition of an industry will most likely be able to attract institutional investors.  Four stock certificates. 

The Monk and the Riddle 
by Randy Komisar - Harvard Business School Press

The Monk and the Riddle is a portal into the inner workings of Silicon Valley - from how startups get launched and how VCs do their deals to how plans get prepared and pitched. As this humorous narrative unfolds, it follows the author through meetings with VCs and eager entrepreneurs - imparting valuable lessons about the difference between leadership and management, passion and drive, and about the meaning of personal success - how passion to creating change is investable and why too many entrepreneurs' 'deferred life plan' is not.

The Soul of a New Machine 
by Tracy Kidder

Written in the late 1970's about a group of Data General Engineers working on a new 32 bit Mini-computer, with impossible deadlines - anyone who has been involved in an important project, characterized by mixed agendas, an innovate team and stress due to tight deadlines and/or limited resources will enjoy this story. At the time it was written, the 24 hour work ethic, dedication and irreverent "out of the box" atmosphere seemed unusual, admirable but also troubling. This book is quick read, entertaining and the "classic" discussion of a new type of development environment - which in the intervening 20+ years has become fairly commonplace. When it came out, his book was popular with general readership (won a Pulitzer Prize) and was well known within the computer/technology industry community.

Winning Angels  
by David Amis and Howard Stevenson - Financial Times Prentice Hall

Great "how-to" book for early-stage investors.  Provides a practical, hands-on approach to sourcing, evaluating, valuing, structuring, negotiating, supporting and harvesting early-stage investments.  Additionally, it provides entrepreneurs with an understanding of how angel and early-stage venture capitalists approach investment opportunities.  Four stock certificates.

Zero Gravity
by Steve Harmon -Bloomberg Press

Zero Gravity guides entrepreneurs through the venture capital fund raising process.  A little heavy on the .com stuff, but good, sound advice regarding the essentials of raising venture capital - the big idea, finding the right venture firm, pitching the deal, managing the process, negotiating and closing the deal.  Three stock certificates.