10 Salesforce Books That Define the Future of CRM

Recommended by Richard Branson, Danielle Morrill, and Billie Jean King to boost your Salesforce knowledge and skills

Richard Branson
Danielle Morrill
Billie Jean King
Indra Nooyi
Jim Cramer
Robin Roberts
Bill Gross
Updated on June 28, 2025
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What if the key to mastering Salesforce wasn’t just knowing the platform but understanding the mindset of the leaders and innovators behind it? Salesforce has transformed how businesses connect with customers, but navigating its complexities demands more than just clicking through menus. It requires strategic insight, project leadership, and a grasp of evolving technologies.

Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, found Trailblazer not only inspiring but a roadmap to align purpose with profit. Meanwhile, Danielle Morrill, CEO of Mattermark, champions Predictable Revenue for its fresh take on scalable sales processes within the Salesforce ecosystem. Their endorsements spotlight how these books offer more than technical tips — they reveal how Salesforce shapes business and culture.

While these expert-curated books provide proven frameworks and deep industry knowledge, if you want content tailored to your experience level, career goals, or specific Salesforce modules, consider creating a personalized Salesforce book that builds on these insights for your unique journey.

Best for values-driven business leaders
Richard Branson, founder and CEO of Virgin Group, highlights how "Trailblazer is an urgent and compelling book for anyone in business who yearns to fulfill a higher mission in the world." His extensive experience in global entrepreneurship lends weight to his endorsement. Branson appreciates how Marc Benioff’s stories push us beyond 'business as usual' to prioritize values as the core of success. This perspective changed how he views leadership's role in social impact, making the book essential for those seeking to integrate purpose with profit. Alongside Branson, Billie Jean King praises the book’s model for building inclusive cultures where every voice matters, further emphasizing its relevance to leaders aiming for meaningful change.
RB

Recommended by Richard Branson

Founder and CEO of Virgin Group

Trailblazer is an urgent and compelling book for anyone in business who yearns to fulfill a higher mission in the world. Marc’s powerful and poignant stories of leadership remind each of us what we can achieve when we abandon 'business as usual' and make our values the driving force of our work. (from Amazon)

2019·272 pages·CEO, Salesforce, Business, Leadership, Company Culture

Unlike most business books that focus solely on profit, Marc Benioff, Salesforce's founder and co-CEO, presents a vision where company values drive success and social impact. You learn how trust, customer success, innovation, and equality form the foundation of a resilient culture that empowers employees at every level. Chapters reveal how embedding values into every decision can transform an organization into a platform for change, illustrated by Salesforce's 1-1-1 philanthropy model. This book is for leaders and aspiring changemakers wanting to align business growth with purposeful missions.

New York Times Bestseller
Published by Crown Currency
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Best for scalable Salesforce sales teams
Danielle Morrill, CEO and Co-Founder of Mattermark, brings a deep understanding of growth and technology startups, making her endorsement especially meaningful for anyone navigating Salesforce's sales ecosystem. Her recognition of this book signals its relevance for leaders seeking to transform sales into a predictable engine rather than a hit-or-miss effort. Alongside her, David Cancel, CEO at Drift, adds further weight to the book's value, reflecting its alignment with cutting-edge sales leadership principles. Together, their perspectives highlight why this book remains a touchstone for building sustainable, scalable sales processes.
DM

Recommended by Danielle Morrill

CEO & Co-Founder of Mattermark

2020·208 pages·Sales, Business, Salesforce, Outbound Sales, Lead Generation

Aaron Ross, with his extensive experience revolutionizing Salesforce.com's sales approach, offers a fresh perspective on building scalable revenue streams without relying on cold calls. The book introduces a specialized sales system that segments roles within sales teams to generate high-quality leads predictably, emphasizing automation and repeatable processes. You gain insights into structuring outbound sales in a way that reduces dependence on constant oversight and increases efficiency, including detailed frameworks like the Cold Calling 2.0 method. This approach particularly suits CEOs, entrepreneurs, and sales leaders who aim to systematize growth and avoid common pitfalls of traditional sales tactics.

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Best for personal skill mastery
This AI-created book on Salesforce mastery is crafted after you share your background, skill level, and specific areas of interest within the platform. By focusing on what you want to achieve, the book provides a personalized learning path through Salesforce’s complexities. Instead of generic content, you get a custom guide that matches your goals and experience, helping you build relevant skills faster and with clearer focus.
2025·50-300 pages·Salesforce, Salesforce Basics, Platform Architecture, Customization, Automation

This tailored Salesforce Mastery Blueprint explores core concepts and practical skills tailored to your unique background and goals. It covers the Salesforce platform's architecture, customization options, and key modules, focusing on your interests and experience level. The book examines critical workflows, automation techniques, and integration methods, providing a personalized pathway through the platform’s complexities. By matching content to your specific objectives, it reveals how to navigate Salesforce’s tools efficiently, bridging expert knowledge with your personal learning needs. This approach ensures you gain a deep, relevant understanding without sifting through unrelated material, making your learning journey both effective and engaging.

Tailored Guide
Platform Architecture
3,000+ Books Created
Best for aspiring Salesforce project leaders
Heather Black brings extensive experience as a leader of a Salesforce consultancy and founder of Supermums, a global Salesforce training and talent provider. Recognized among the 100 Most Influential Women in Tech by Computer Weekly and a Golden Hoodie Winner, she combines her Salesforce certification and expertise in change management to offer this authoritative guide. Her background overseeing 700+ projects and advising Salesforce professionals worldwide uniquely qualifies her to share how you can elevate your career by mastering project leadership.

Drawing from a decade leading a Salesforce consultancy and mentoring professionals worldwide, Heather Black offers a detailed guide designed to elevate your Salesforce career by mastering project leadership. You learn how to navigate every phase of a Salesforce project, from initial planning to successful roll-out, including practical strategies for stakeholder engagement and risk mitigation. The book provides tangible tools like templates and communication frameworks, especially useful for those aiming to impress clients and maximize user adoption. If you're aiming to lead Salesforce projects confidently and avoid common pitfalls, this book delivers focused insights without fluff.

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Best for Salesforce implementation managers
Gaurav Kheterpal, a member of the Salesforce MVP Hall of Fame and a recognized voice in system architecture, praises this book for its thorough coverage of every aspect of Salesforce implementation. He highlights Kristian’s practical examples and case studies, which prompt deep reflection on one’s own professional experiences. "Kristian does a fabulous job covering all facets of a Salesforce implementation with practical examples, case studies and crucial decision points which make you think and reflect on your own experiences," he says. Gaurav’s extensive background lends weight to his recommendation, suggesting this book is a must-read if you want to master Salesforce implementations. Similarly, Tameem Bahri, Global Engineering Director of CRM at Maersk and Salesforce Certified Technical Architect, commends the book’s clarity on project lifecycles and its utility in identifying project gaps, reinforcing its value for anyone managing Salesforce projects.

Recommended by Gaurav Kheterpal

Salesforce MVP Hall of Fame, System Architecture Expert

Kristian does a fabulous job covering all facets of a Salesforce implementation with practical examples, case studies and crucial decision points which make you think and reflect on your own experiences. Overall, an excellent read—well done Kristian. You should be extremely proud of this fine piece of work that you've produced. (from Amazon)

2023·302 pages·Salesforce, Salesforce Development, Project Management, Strategy, Change Management

What started as Kristian Margaryan Jørgensen's decade-long experience navigating complex Salesforce projects became a detailed guide for anyone involved in Salesforce implementations. You’ll learn how to define project vision, manage change, and establish governance frameworks that keep initiatives on track. The book drills into common pitfalls and offers checklists to evaluate implementation progress, covering everything from pre-development through continuous improvement phases. Whether you’re a consultant, architect, or project manager, it gives you the tools to manage Salesforce projects that deliver measurable business outcomes without getting lost in jargon or theory.

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Best for Salesforce developers and release managers
Glenn Weinstein, co-founder of Appirio and a respected figure in Salesforce consulting, credits this book as an indispensable guide for the evolving Salesforce landscape. He highlights how Andrew Davis captures the transition of Salesforce into a full cloud development platform and equips developers to move beyond coding to become software engineers. This perspective emerged as Weinstein observed the growing complexity in Salesforce development and the need for scalable, professional workflows. His endorsement signals the book's value for anyone serious about mastering Salesforce DevOps. Additionally, Dan Appleman, author and Salesforce MVP, emphasizes the book’s depth and breadth, recommending it to both developers and admins eager to adopt modern engineering practices within Salesforce.

Recommended by Glenn Weinstein

Co-founder of Appirio

Andrew Davis has written the essential reference for the next 5-10 years of Salesforce evolution. Salesforce has become a true cloud development platform, but its ecosystem of enterprise-class tools and techniques are just starting to catch up. All prospective and existing Salesforce developers should read this book if they aspire to be not just coders, but professional software engineers. (from Amazon)

2019·479 pages·Salesforce, Information Technology, Salesforce Development, DevOps, Continuous Delivery

When Andrew Davis developed his approach to Salesforce DevOps, he drew on years of experience managing complex release processes and promoting collaboration between development and operations teams. This book teaches you how to implement DevOps principles specifically within Salesforce environments, including how to leverage Salesforce DX for continuous delivery, build deployable packages, and reduce deployment risks. You'll gain practical insights into enabling admins to contribute in traditionally developer-centric workflows and applying automated testing techniques tailored for Salesforce. It's particularly useful if you're a Salesforce developer, release manager, or team leader aiming to improve software delivery performance and foster innovation.

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Best for rapid Salesforce wins
This AI-created book on Salesforce success is tailored to your current experience and specific objectives. You share your background, skill level, and which Salesforce roles or projects you're focused on, then receive a book that zeroes in on the actions that lead to quick, meaningful progress. Personalizing the content this way helps you bypass generic advice and engage directly with what matters most for your Salesforce journey.
2025·50-300 pages·Salesforce, Salesforce Basics, Project Planning, Stakeholder Engagement, User Adoption

This tailored book explores the essential actions needed for rapid success in Salesforce projects and roles, focusing on practical, targeted guidance designed to match your background and goals. It examines key steps to accelerate project outcomes and enhance your impact, diving into core Salesforce functions, project milestones, and role-specific tasks. By closely aligning with your interests, this personalized resource reveals how to navigate the complexities of Salesforce with clarity and confidence, emphasizing quick wins that build momentum. It covers everything from stakeholder engagement to technical implementation, ensuring you gain a clear, actionable pathway. This tailored approach transforms broad expertise into a focused, manageable learning journey designed for your unique Salesforce challenges.

Tailored Guide
Rapid Deployment
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for Salesforce administration newcomers
Eric Dreshfield, a Salesforce MVP Hall of Fame inductee and founder of Midwest Dreamin', endorses this guide as the definitive resource for Salesforce beginners. He highlights how the book covers everything from foundational CRM concepts to advanced automation features like Assignment Rules and Approval Processes. Eric appreciates the clear writing and abundant screenshots that make complex topics approachable, noting the chapter quizzes as a valuable tool to confirm your learning. His recommendation shows how this book can effectively support you in mastering Salesforce administration and confidently building your skills.

Recommended by Eric Dreshfield

Salesforce MVP Hall of Fame, Midwest Dreamin' Founder

From the basic topic of ‘What is CRM’ to the more advanced topics of Assignment Rules and Approval Processes, this book has it all. Well written, in a manner that is easy to comprehend, coupled with screen-shots aplenty, Sharif & Timothy have created the ultimate guide for Salesforce newbies. And if you’re wondering if you really “get it”, each chapter concludes with a quiz to help you assess your understanding of the topics. (from Amazon)

2022·532 pages·Salesforce, Salesforce Development, Sales, Marketing, Automation

Sharif Shaalan and Timothy Royer bring their deep Salesforce expertise to this book, aiming to demystify the platform for newcomers and aspiring administrators. You’ll learn to navigate key Salesforce functions such as lead management, sales pipelines, campaign marketing, and business process automation using Flows and Approval Processes. The book breaks down complex concepts like security models and user setup into digestible chapters, each concluding with quizzes to reinforce your grasp. If you want a thorough grounding in Salesforce administration and practical skills to optimize your CRM workflows, this book offers a clear path forward without overwhelming technical jargon.

Salesforce MVP Hall of Fame Author
Published by Packt Publishing
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Best for Salesforce entrepreneurship enthusiasts
David Cancel, CEO at Drift with extensive experience in SaaS growth, brings deep insight to why Behind the Cloud resonates within the Salesforce ecosystem. His endorsement reflects an understanding of how Marc Benioff’s firsthand account reveals the strategic moves behind one of the fastest-growing software companies. Cancel's background in scaling software businesses aligns with the book’s focus on innovation, customer evangelism, and resilience amid market challenges. Alongside him, Arianna Huffington, co-founder of The Huffington Post, highlights David's contributions within the book, adding a layer of validation from a media pioneer familiar with transformative leadership.
AH

Recommended by Arianna Huffington

Co-Founder of The Huffington Post

David wrote “The Sales Playbook” in Marc @Benioff’s book Behind the Cloud and @businessinsider published a great piece featuring David last week about closing software sales during the pandemic. (from X)

Marc Benioff, the founder and CEO of Salesforce, offers an insider’s account of how a startup in a small apartment grew into a $46 billion cloud computing giant. You’ll gain insight into the innovative business, technology, and philanthropic models that shaped Salesforce’s rise, including how the company weathered the dotcom crash and built an ecosystem of passionate customers and partners. The book dives into specific strategies like turning customers into evangelists and fostering continuous innovation that you can adapt to your own business challenges. If you're interested in entrepreneurship, cloud technology, or scaling tech companies, this book provides a grounded perspective from someone who lived it.

Forbes Innovator of the Decade
Named among World's 25 Greatest Leaders
Salesforce named World's Most Innovative Company for 8 years
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Best for Salesforce enterprise architects
Don Robins, a Salesforce MVP and Certified Instructor, highlights the book's value from his broad experience in Salesforce development and architecture. He found that "Andrew Fawcett's book on Salesforce Platform Enterprise Architecture is a must-read for developers and architects," emphasizing its deep dive into enterprise-scale application design and current platform features. Don's background as an instructor lends weight to his praise, showing how the book clarifies complex concepts like governor limits and DevOps within Salesforce. His endorsement suggests this guide offers critical architectural insights for anyone serious about scalable Salesforce applications.

Recommended by Don Robins

Salesforce MVP and Certified Instructor

Andrew Fawcett's book on Salesforce Platform Enterprise Architecture is a must-read for developers and architects. It offers a deep dive into architecting and implementing enterprise-scale applications using current platform features and best practices. Andrew's experience as a CTO and his work with Apex and Salesforce provide valuable insights. The book covers topics like Salesforce Developer Experience, key platform features, traditional software development patterns, governor limits, and DevOps. It offers a comprehensive understanding of the Salesforce platform and provides an architectural approach for success in building scalable and maintainable systems. (from Amazon)

2023·712 pages·Software Architecture, Salesforce Development, PaaS, Salesforce, Platform As A Service

When Andrew Fawcett, a seasoned software architect and Salesforce VP, wrote this book, he aimed to bridge the gap between complex enterprise needs and the Salesforce Platform's evolving capabilities. You’ll gain detailed insights into advanced architectural patterns like domain-driven design and separation of concerns, plus practical guidance on leveraging Lightning Web Components and integrating external services through Heroku and Functions. The book also dives into security features, unit testing with ApexMocks and Jest, and handling large data volumes asynchronously. If you're a developer with solid Salesforce basics looking to elevate your enterprise application skills, this book sharpens your ability to build scalable, maintainable, and packaged apps for both internal use and AppExchange.

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Best for AppExchange app developers
Jakub Stefaniak's credentials as a Salesforce Certified Technical Architect and VP of Technology Strategy at Aquiva Labs uniquely position him to share insider knowledge on AppExchange success. His advanced education from Stanford and MIT’s CTO program adds depth to his expertise. This book embodies his mission to empower developers and entrepreneurs by distilling complex technical and business concepts into actionable guidance within the Salesforce ecosystem.
2023·342 pages·Salesforce, Salesforce Development, AppExchange, ISV Partnerships, Security Review

Jakub Stefaniak leverages his extensive background as a Salesforce Certified Technical Architect and VP of Technology Strategy to guide you through the complex AppExchange ecosystem. You’ll learn how to design customer-focused applications, navigate security reviews, and manage app releases with real-world case studies enriching the narrative. The book delves into both technical challenges and business strategies like monetization and operational excellence, making it an indispensable resource for developers and entrepreneurs alike. Whether you're aiming to launch your first app or scale an existing product, this book offers detailed insights to help you succeed within Salesforce’s marketplace.

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Best for advancing Salesforce admin careers
Jodi Hrbek is an influential voice and sought-after speaker in the Salesforce ecosystem. Her book reflects two decades spent implementing and optimizing the platform for startups and enterprise organizations. Jodi’s Salesforce journey includes four years working directly with Salesforce, launching an independent consultancy, and leading implementations for several fast-paced startups within the Blackstone portfolio. She has also overseen platform strategy at companies like CompuCom and Invitation Homes. Known for building high-performing teams, Jodi has recruited, trained, and mentored dozens of Salesforce professionals, always focused on creating impactful, value-driven solutions. Jodi’s mission is to elevate the role of Salesforce Admins and empower them to deliver high-quality solutions by asking quality questions.
2022·214 pages·Salesforce, Strategy, Stakeholder Management, Career Development, Time Management

Unlike most Salesforce guides that skim technical features, this book dives into transforming your role from a mere system operator to a strategic partner. Jodi Hrbek draws from her extensive two decades of hands-on experience, including leadership roles at Salesforce and startups in the Blackstone portfolio, to teach you how to identify business needs and deliver impactful solutions. You’ll find practical frameworks for stakeholder communication and time management, illustrated by real examples that sharpen your decision-making and influence. This book is ideal if you want to elevate your career beyond admin tasks but might feel less relevant if you’re seeking purely technical how-tos.

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Conclusion

Together, these 10 Salesforce books underscore three vital themes: leadership with purpose, practical project and implementation expertise, and the integration of cutting-edge technology. If you’re stepping into Salesforce administration, Salesforce for Beginners and Rock your Role as a Salesforce Admin offer accessible starting points. For those leading projects or architecting solutions, Become a Super Salesforce Consultant and Salesforce Platform Enterprise Architecture provide depth and strategic guidance.

Looking to innovate and scale? Mastering Salesforce DevOps and Salesforce AppExchange Success Blueprint deliver specialized knowledge for development and marketplace success. For rapid impact, pairing Predictable Revenue with Trailblazer reveals how sales strategies and values-driven leadership go hand in hand.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized Salesforce book to bridge the gap between general principles and your specific situation. These books can help you accelerate your learning journey and confidently navigate the Salesforce landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with Salesforce for Beginners if you're new to the platform. It breaks down core concepts clearly. If you're focused on career growth, Rock your Role as a Salesforce Admin offers practical leadership advice.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Salesforce?

Not at all. Books like Salesforce for Beginners are designed specifically for newcomers, while others like Mastering Salesforce DevOps target experienced developers, letting you choose based on your skill level.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with foundational books like Salesforce for Beginners and Become a Super Salesforce Consultant. Then, explore specialized topics such as DevOps or AppExchange development to deepen your expertise.

Are any of these books outdated given how fast Salesforce changes?

These books are recent and reflect current Salesforce practices. For example, Salesforce Platform Enterprise Architecture is in its fourth edition as of 2023, ensuring up-to-date coverage of platform features.

Which book gives the most actionable advice I can use right away?

Salesforce End-to-End Implementation Handbook offers practical checklists and frameworks you can apply immediately to manage projects effectively and improve outcomes.

Can I get Salesforce learning tailored to my specific needs?

Yes! While these books provide solid foundations, you can create a personalized Salesforce book to focus on your experience, goals, and areas of interest for a more targeted learning experience.

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