What to Make of a Life: Cliffs, Fog, Fire, and the Self-Knowledge Imperative
nonfiction · First published 2026
Author guide
James C. Collins Books in Order
James C. Collins is an American researcher, author, speaker, and consultant whose work examines exceptional human endeavor, leadership, and the principles behind enduringly successful organizations. He coauthored Built to Last and Great by Choice and authored Good to Great, How the Mighty Fall, Good to Great and the Social Sectors, Turning the Flywheel, Beyond Entrepreneurship, and What to Make of a Life.
businessmanagementleadershiporganizational studiesnonfiction
Catalog record updated .
James C. Collins's Newest Book
Not sure where to begin?
Start with one of these
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't
The author's best-known central work and a concise introduction to his research on organizational excellence.
Beyond Entrepreneurship: Turning Your Business into an Enduring Great Company
A useful starting point for readers interested in entrepreneurship and building enduring companies.
Outside the series
Bibliography by category
Novels (8)
- Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies
nonfiction · 1994
Groundbreaking research into the development of America's most enduring and successful corporations that shatters myths, provides new insights and gives practical guidance for companies that would like to follow in their footsteps.
- Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't
nonfiction · 2001
- Good to Great and the Social Sectors: A Monograph to Accompany Good to Great
nonfiction · 2005
An addition to Jim Collins's book "Good to Great" that focuses on achieving high performance in the social sectors.
- How the Mighty Fall: And Why Some Companies Never Give In
nonfiction · 2009
Discusses signs pointing toward the decline of a business, how far the decline can proceed before failure becomes inevitable, and crucial steps companies can take to reverse course.
- Turning the Flywheel: A Monograph to Accompany Good to Great
nonfiction · 2019
__________________ *From the author of the multi-million-copy bestseller Good to Great* ‘No matter what your walk of life, no matter how big or small your enterprise, no matter whether it’s for-profit or nonprofit, no matter whether…
Frequently asked questions about James C. Collins
Who is James C. Collins?
James C. Collins, often known as Jim Collins, is an American researcher, author, speaker, and consultant who studies exceptional human endeavor and advises leaders across sectors.
What did James C. Collins study, and where did he begin his career?
He earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematical sciences and an MBA from Stanford University. He worked at McKinsey & Company and Hewlett-Packard before teaching at Stanford Graduate School of Business and founding a management laboratory in Boulder in 1995.
Sources: jimcollins.com (opens in a new tab)gsb.stanford.edu (opens in a new tab)
How did rock climbing influence James C. Collins’s thinking?
Collins has described rock climbing as an “ultimate classroom” that taught him lessons about discipline, risk, persistence, teamwork, and self-mastery—ideas he later applied to leadership and organizational research.
What honors has James C. Collins received?
He received Stanford GSB’s Distinguished Teaching Award in 1992 and honorary doctoral degrees from the University of Colorado and Claremont Graduate University’s Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management. Forbes also included him in its 2017 list of the 100 Greatest Living Business Minds.
Sources: jimcollins.com (opens in a new tab)forbes.com (opens in a new tab)
Why is James C. Collins influential in business and leadership?
His research-based frameworks—such as Level 5 Leadership, the Hedgehog Concept, the Flywheel, and BHAGs—became part of the leadership lexicon. His work has also influenced leaders in corporate, nonprofit, education, healthcare, government, and military organizations.
Sources: jimcollins.com (opens in a new tab)gsb.stanford.edu (opens in a new tab)