Thanks, Mark. I have ordered 3 of them from the library and would ask if anyone here has read any of these if they might offer a brief synopsis and recommendation on a scale of 1-10.

While I do have loads of books in a "to read" stack, I have read all 28 of the books on this list. I'd give nothing on the list less than an 8, so will try to think of some way to recommend, sort or otherwise categorize.

Thanks Mark, just from 3 links I've already spotted one I now must buy and read :)

I didn't see Capitalism at the Crossroads by Stuart Hart. I also see a slew of books I would recommend as reading for social entrepreneurs, bu they are not about social entrepreneurship.

Replying to a Tweet (and recommending a book) on Facebook...

Reid Albecker commented on your status:

"The Art of Community: Building the New Age of Participation by Jono Bacon"

Another social entrepreneur book recommendation via Twitter...

@energizecc Gotta have the "Necessary Revolution" by Peter Senge: RT @whiteafrican: RT @neddotcom: Any book you would add? http://bit.ly/47BFYz #socent

Would recommend "Real Wealth of Nations" by Riane Eisler. Asks us to reframe our notions of economic systems to go well beyond markets, socialism, capitalism and focus on value.

Great list. Thank you. @littleasklab

Here's one I like (with their spiel - Jeremy Nicholls is a pioneer of SROI at the New Economics Foundation):

There’s No Business Like Social Business How to be socially enterprising Liam Black and Jeremy Nicholls

Published by the Cat’s Pyjamas and available now, priced £15.

Drawing on their years of hands on social enterprise experience, and their encounters with social entrepreneurs from around the world, Liam and Jeremy have written a book which is full of insights into how to start up and sustain successful social business ventures.

There’s No Business Like Social Business is an indispensable guide for anyone drawn to finding business solutions to the challenges facing our society today.

The book takes on the tough questions. How do you balance commercial realities with your social change vision? What happens to voluntary and community organisations when they enter competitive markets? How can you demonstrate the value of the social and environmental impacts you claim for your enterprise?

In the book, social entrepreneurs and social business leaders talk honestly about their learning and offer advice, top tips and cautionary tales. Chapters cover subjects such as how to work effectively with the private and public sectors. How to ensure that growth doesn’t undermine your values and mission. How to attract and keep customers. Why innovation and social reporting are vital ingredients for successful social business. And why the phrases “non-profit” and “not for profit” should be banished from the English language!

Says Liam: “These are exciting times for entrepreneurs with passion and drive who want to make a lasting difference in the world. We have written this book to inform and inspire. It is written primarily for people involved in organisations in the economy seeking to manage a triple bottom line. But we hope what we have written will be of interest to people running all sorts of businesses – including private ones – where values and people matter as much as profit.”

To order your copy of There’s No Business Like Social Business contact Gill Fitzsimmons on 0151 702 0550 or email her at gillf@frcgroup.co.uk .

About the authors

Liam Black is one of the country’s best known social entrepreneurs and social business leaders. A renowned speaker on social enterprise and organisational change, he has extensive experience with high profile social businesses such as the Big Issue and the FRC Group. He is also founder director of Create and chair of Create UK.

Good ones Jean, Leslie and Ben.

I am currently reading In the River They Swim, recommended to me by Lars Hasselblad Torres. Will report back with a rating.

I have tried too many times to make an entry with lots of local links but I keep losing it. Let it suffice to say that I just got One Wild Life: A Journey to Discover People Who Change Our World by our own Clare Mulvany and finished it cover to cover without putting it down. It is a great resource and a source of inspiration that I will use with aspiring business students. Another part of the fun is all of the people fro here who are named and/or featured in the book....I think I counted more than 15 people I knew!

8 more good ones...

Revolution in a Bottle: How TerraCycle Is Redefining Green Business by Tom Szaky

Blessed Unrest: How the Largest Social Movement in History Is Restoring Grace, Justice, and Beauty to the World by Paul Hawken

Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things by William McDonough

Philanthrocapitalism: How Giving Can Save the World by Matthew Bishop, Michael Green, and President Bill Clinton

Billions of Drops in Millions of Buckets: Why Philanthropy Doesn't Advance Social Progress by Steven H. Goldberg

Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World by Bill Clinton

Free the Children: A Young Man Fights Against Child Labor and Proves that Children Can Change the World by Craig Kielburger

Me to We: Finding Meaning in a Material World by Craig Kielburger

I just finished Mission, Inc. This is a totally awesome and inspiring book and a good place to start if you are going to be any kind of entrepreneur but a must read for the social entrepreneur. Thanks for the tip, Mark.