3 Reasons to Read Venture Deals by Brad Feld and Jason Mendelson

This book is practical.  The bulk of the detail in this book was about economics and control and treated the rest as filler – important but yet filler compared to economics and control.  The book also placed responsibility on the entrepreneur to know the deal.  The best clients I’ve ever had know the deal – they’ve read and understand the term sheet and definitive agreement.  They lean on me for advice about the deal, ask hard questions about the deal and expect me to help execute the deal, but they know the deal inside and out.   The book reminded me of some of the best advice I received from my first boss – “Stuart, whatever you do, don’t mess up the names or numbers.  Most people can’t tell the difference between a great lawyer and a mediocre lawyer, but they certainly can tell if you mess up the names or numbers.”  (My boss still expected me to and trained me to be great lawyer, but he certainly hit on business basics first.)

Venture Deals is succinct.  People can read, understand and assimilate succinct writing.  I don’t recall where I first heard it but one of the best quotes on writing I’ve ever heard is – “Words should be transparent tools to convey your thoughts to your audience.”  In 185 pages of text, Feld and Mendelson give their readers useful information and tactics on term sheets, negotiation tactics and other practical advice.  

Feld and Mendelson share insights they’ve learned over accumulated decades of doing deals.  Where else can you get this much insight and experience neatly wrapped for you for $28.41?  Don’t go to your next angel investing group or send your pitch deck to a venture capitalist without reading this book.