Episode · This Week in Startups · 2025-12-20
Books mentioned on Level up your copywriting w/ Sam Parr | E2226
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Jason Calacanis recommended Ogilvy on Advertising by David Ogilvy and Confessions of an Advertising Man by David Ogilvy, and discussed How to Get Rich by Felix Dennis. Sam Parr discussed The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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Ogilvy on Advertising
David Ogilvy's seminal text Ogilvy on Advertising serves as a foundational guide to the principles of effective marketing and copywriting.
Recommended“So, when I saw you had, you know, done all this stuff, I immediately bought this book, Ogilvy on Advertising.”
Where to get it
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Confessions of an Advertising Man
Confessions of an Advertising Man by David Ogilvy is a classic industry memoir and manifesto outlining the foundational principles of modern advertising, agency management, and client relationships written by a legendary executive.
Recommended“And then Confessions of an Advertising Man. These are the two I bought.”
Where to get it
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The Catcher in the Rye
The Catcher in the Rye by J.
Discussed“With copy work, what I like to do is I find the best sales letters or it could even be the best book. So it could be like Catcher in the Rye, that's what I did it with.”
Where to get it
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How to Get Rich
How to Get Rich by Felix Dennis is a frank and practical exploration of wealth accumulation written by a successful magazine publishing mogul.
Discussed“You and I have a a famous book in common and I heard you talk about it and I it's so funny because I've listened to this book twice. And the book is How to Get Rich.”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (1) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“When I wrote the book Angel, it poured out of me. But then you try to write something if you don't know anything about the subject. If I were to write about private equity, I would be like, "Uh gosh, this white page is here. I don't know anything about this."”