Written by Marijn Overvest | Reviewed by Sjoerd Goedhart | Fact Checked by Ruud Emonds | Our editorial policy
25 Best Negotiation Books of 2026
As taught in the Negotiation Course for Procurement Professionals / ★★★★★ 4.9 rating
What can you learn from negotiation books?
- Negotiation books like “Mindful Negotiation,” “Negotiate Without Fear,” and “Even CEOs Get Fired” teach readers how to become negotiation experts.
- Negotiation is intimidating but reading a book about how to use the fear and turn it into courage comes in handy.
- Reading negotiation books will help you understand what you need to work on in terms of negotiating and help you improve for future activities.
The 25 Best Negotiation Books
Negotiation books are specialized guides that teach strategies, techniques, and psychological insights to improve negotiation skills. They help readers handle business, personal, and high-stakes situations more effectively, boosting confidence and achieving better outcomes.
1. Mindful Negotiation – Becoming More Aware in the Moment, Conquering Your Ego, and Getting Everyone What They Want
Author: Gaetan Pellerin
Why this book is recommended: This book covers everything you need to become a master negotiator. Topics such as being accepted, fear of failure, and incompetence are discussed at great length in this book. It tells the story of a young woman who is going through a ton of negotiation failures, personal development, setbacks, and self-awareness. The further you read into the book, the more it is revealed how the woman can get back up. No spoilers, so you’re going to have to buy the book to find out!
2. Negotiate Without Fear – Strategies and Tools to Maximize your Outcomes
Author: Victoria Medvec
Why this book is recommended: As the title suggests, being able to negotiate without fear will certainly give you the edge you need. No one can stop during negotiations. Of course, the book tells you more. It’s not just about being able to negotiate with courage; you also need to learn new skills in negotiation. The book covers a lot of those and is a must-have for negotiators who want to improve their craft. This book will help you to feel comfortable in uncomfortable situations.
3. Stop Getting Fu*ked by Technical Recruiters – A Nerd’s Guide to Negotiating Salary and Benefits
Author: Scott Turdman, Zoe Rose
Why this book is recommended: To become a good (or better) negotiator, you must have the skill ready at any point in time where you need to negotiate to get what you want. Take negotiating your salary, for example. If you keep getting tricked by recruiters into agreeing to their terms when it comes to your salary, then you are doing a poor job as a negotiator. This book will teach you the secrets to getting those pesky recruiters to say “yes” every time you need to negotiate for your salary. If that’s not a good reason for picking this book, then nothing will.
4. Litigation Interest and Risk Assessment – Help your Clients Make Good Litigation Decisions
Author: Heather Dianne Heavin, John Lande, Isidor Loeb, Professor Emeritus, Michaela Keet
Why this book is recommended: This book will help you recognize and avoid common decision-making errors when it comes to litigation. That’s because it has information on court outcomes, thus giving you an idea of how it will end. A good book not just for those involved in the settlement of lawsuits, but for up-and-coming negotiators as well. Risk assessment is very important to close good deals for any negotiator.
5. Even CEOs Get Fired
Author: Jotham Stein
Why this book is recommended: This book is all about how employees, executives, and entrepreneurs protect themselves while employed or if they are running a business. Based on 25 years of experience in protecting known executives and employees around the country, Jotham Stein is a Silicon Valley lawyer who will guide you through all the pitfalls and practices that he uses to help his clients. Learning from faults and how to counter possible attacks on your arguments & storyline (like in court in this book) is a must if you want to become the best negotiator yourself.
6. Stealing From Your Future Self – How to break through your Insecurities and confidently negotiate your salary
Author: Philip A. Spencer
Why this book is recommended: The book title is quite the catch. Because if you can’t break through your insecurities and negotiate a good salary, then you’re stealing from your future self.
We’ve even discussed this in one of our posts about salary negotiation. The topic is just that important!
In this book, right after reading a few books on negotiations, the author managed to help his friend get a $17,500 raise with the use of a simple email. Now if that doesn’t amaze you, then nothing else will. His methods and techniques are well thought out in this book. This book is another gem for negotiators who want to improve their craft in negotiations.
7. Negotiation Essentials for Lawyers
Author: Andrea Kupfer Scheider, Chris Honeyman
Why this book is recommended: Considered an easy-to-use guide for lawyers, this book will help you figure out quickly what went wrong with yesterday’s meetings. It will also teach you how to fix things during tomorrow’s follow-up meeting. A good book to have for professional negotiators, this will give the reader the skills needed to create a good meeting atmosphere and the skills to get the results that they want after the meeting.
8. Getting More: How You Can Negotiate to Succeed in Work and Life
Author: Stuart Diamond
Why this book is recommended: Statistics say that most employees are not happy in their workplace. Whether it has something to do with career goals or salary objectives, what matters is how one spends their day at work. This book tells us that if we choose to spend our working hours miserably, then chances are higher that we are not getting work done. This book is all about improving the quality of work relationships, and it often leads to living quality lives. As a negotiator, this is an invaluable lesson that you want to learn.
9. Bargaining for Advantage: Negotiation Strategies for Reasonable People
Author: G. Richard Shell
Why this book is recommended: Negotiations are often a challenge of wits, and sometimes, you need to have the courage to sacrifice a trump card or two to get the results that you want. This is what the book is all about. The sacrifices you make won’t be in vain, though, because once your plans are put into place and everything comes according to plan, then you’ll stand to gain a lot more once the challenge is over.
10. Difficult Conversations: How To Discuss What Matters Most
Author: Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, Sheila Heen, Roger Fisher
Why this book is recommended: Have you ever encountered difficulty in trying to talk about things that matter the most during negotiations? If you did, then this book is recommended for you. We all have those things that we don’t want to discuss. It feels like trying to converse about such topics always seems to cause misunderstandings with other people. This book will give you ideas on how to find courage when speaking your mind. A must-have not just for people who want to improve their social skills, but for negotiators too!
11. Crucial Conversation Tools for Talking When Stakes are High
Author: Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler
Why this book is recommended: This is another great book that focuses on emotional preparation before a negotiation. Having the mental toughness to take on several negotiations in a week will look good for your reputation. Of course, such things need preparation, and that is what this book is all about. Taking decisions based on your morals and values while having the confidence to say what you want will earn you the reputation of a professional negotiator.
12. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion
Author: Dr. Robert B. Cialdini
Why this book is recommended: If you want to be a skilled negotiator, you must learn how you use persuasion at the negotiation table. This book was first published in 1984 and delves into the psychology of compliance and persuasion that explain why people say ‘yes’.
Dr. Robert B. Cialdini outlines in his book the six principles that can help you become skilled in persuader-reciprocation, commitment and consistency, social proof, liking, authority, and scarcity.
Additionally, it tells you how to use these principles to achieve your desired outcome in negotiations and how you can defend yourself from persuasion tactics.
13. Ask For More: 10 Questions to Negotiate Anything
Author: Alexandra Carter
Why this book is recommended: This book identifies the ten questions that will allow you to gain buy-in and reach favorable agreements.
The author, Alexandra Carder, draws on her expertise and experience as a Columbia law professor and career negotiator. She also brings in anecdotes and case studies to show the recommended methods.
Furthermore, the book shows you how you can identify the central problem and contributing factors, read emotions and reactions, know the needs and interests of the other party, and direct discussions that inspire openness and willingness to listen.
14. Negotiating the Nonnegotiable: How to Resolve Your Most Emotionally Charged Conflicts
Author: Daniel Shapiro
Why this book is recommended: The Negotiating the Nonnegotiable by Daniel Shapiro is one of the most helpful books on negotiation and conflict resolution. It presents tactics to identify common ground and compromise in high-pressure situations.
The book explains the common reasons for heated arguments and how you can avoid falling into the trap of letting your emotions dominate the discussion.
Additionally, it shows how you can talk about sensitive topics in a productive manner and know the common ground in opposing viewpoints in the negotiation.
15. INKED: The Ultimate Guide to Powerful Closing and Sales Negotiation Tactics that Unlock YES and Seal the Deal
Author: Jeb Blount
Why this book is recommended: This book is a how-to guide for sales negotiation. The book identifies the common mistakes that salespeople commit when trying to compromise with clients and outlines strategies that will enable them to close better deals.
Additionally, the procurement book shows numerous techniques you can use to prevail in industry negotiations.
16. The Book of Real-World Negotiations: Successful Strategies from Government, Business, and Daily Life
Author: Joshua N. Weiss
Why this book is recommended: The book gives you a look at the world’s most high-stakes deals to know what works and what does not in a negotiation. It explains why rushing to yes can be a mistake and how to overcome roadblocks when you encounter them in the negotiation.
The book also shows you how you can avoid the most common pitfalls, how you can maintain your confidence in the face of power, and the secrets of negotiating with people having different cultural backgrounds.
17. Getting to Yes, Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In
Authors: Roger Fisher, William Ury, Bruce Patton
Why this book is recommended: Getting to Yes is one of the most influential books ever written on negotiation because it introduces the concept of principled negotiation, negotiation based on principles rather than positions. It focuses on separating the people from the problem, looking for interests instead of fixed positions, finding options that provide mutual benefit, and insisting on objective criteria. This model helps turn negotiations from win‑lose situations into win‑win situations. The book is a classic in business education and is used in many MBA programs worldwide.
The book also provides practical strategies to avoid common negotiation pitfalls, maintain confidence in challenging situations, and navigate negotiations with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.
18. You Can Negotiate Anything
Author: Herb Cohen
Why this book is recommended: This book is a negotiation classic from the perspective of practical skill and self-confidence. Cohen claims that everything in life involves negotiation and that anyone can learn to negotiate better, even when the situation seems unfavorable. The book uses concrete examples and storytelling to show how approach, attitude, and understanding human nature can dramatically improve outcomes. This is an excellent choice if you want a practical approach for everyday negotiations as well as major deals, and it is easy to read and motivating.
Additionally, the book offers numerous techniques for succeeding in industry negotiations, helps readers anticipate common mistakes, and provides guidance on preserving confidence under pressure.
19. The 3rd Alternative, Solving Life’s Most Difficult Problems
Author: Stephen R. Covey
Why this book is recommended: Covey expands the negotiation perspective by introducing the idea that compromise, splitting the difference, is not the only solution; you can create a third alternative that is better than both original positions. It focuses on synergy and creative problem-solving through collaborative thinking. For those who want to see negotiation as a tool for transforming problems rather than just a tactical duel, this book provides a deep and applicable framework for business, personal life, and social relationships.
The book shows readers how to avoid common negotiation errors, maintain confidence when facing powerful counterparts, and discover creative solutions that work across different cultural and organizational contexts.
20. Great Negotiations, Agreements That Changed the Modern World
Author: Fredrik Stanton
Why this book is recommended: Unlike typical manuals, Great Negotiations uses historical narratives to show how some of the most important agreements in modern history were achieved. You learn how leaders and negotiators thought, what tactics they used, and how they overcame enormous obstacles, from peace treaties to global agreements. The book is inspiring and educational because it shows negotiation as a powerful social and political tool, not just a business skill.
The book also provides lessons on avoiding common pitfalls, sustaining confidence in high-pressure negotiations, and adapting strategies to deal with negotiators from diverse cultural backgrounds.
21. Never Split the Difference, Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It
Authors: Christopher Voss, Tahl Raz
Why this book is recommended: Written by a former FBI hostage negotiator, Never Split the Difference delivers high‑stakes negotiation strategies rooted in real hostage negotiation experiences that can be applied to business, salary discussions, and personal interactions. It emphasizes empathy, tactical listening, calibrated questions, and emotional intelligence to steer difficult conversations toward success.
This book also provides practical techniques to avoid emotional pitfalls, maintain confidence under pressure, and adapt strategies to various cultural or power‑imbalanced negotiation contexts.
22. Negotiation Genius, How to Overcome Obstacles and Achieve Brilliant Results at the Bargaining Table and Beyond
Authors: Deepak Malhotra, Max H. Bazerman
Why this book is recommended: Negotiation Genius presents a research‑backed framework and concrete strategies for negotiations, showing how to prepare effectively, create and claim value, and handle psychological biases and real‑world obstacles.
The book equips readers with ways to manage common negotiation challenges, from dealing with hostility or unethical tactics to preserving confidence and negotiating across cultures with ethical integrity.
23. The Art of Negotiation: How to Improvise Agreement in a Chaotic World
Author: Michael Wheeler
Why this book is recommended: This book reframes negotiation as a dynamic, improvisational process that requires adaptability, creativity, and emotional awareness rather than rigid formulas. It teaches negotiators how to navigate uncertainty, think quickly, and adjust strategy in real‑time to reach agreements in unpredictable situations.
Additionally, the book provides insights into avoiding common negotiation pitfalls, sustaining confidence in unpredictable interactions, and using flexible tactics in culturally diverse and complex negotiations.
24. Negotiating the Impossible, How to Break Deadlocks and Resolve Ugly Conflicts
Author: Deepak Malhotra
Why this book is recommended: Negotiating the Impossible explores how to tackle negotiations that seem unsolvable, such as entrenched conflicts or disputes with no obvious common ground, by using strategic creativity, patience, and psychological insight. (Based on the author’s expertise and recommendations from negotiation literature lists.)
The book also offers methods to avoid common deadlocks, maintain negotiation confidence when the stakes are high, and adapt approaches for negotiations involving diverse parties and cultural barriers.
25. The Negotiation Book, Your Definitive Guide to Successful Negotiating
Author: Steve Gates
Why this book is recommended: This book acts as a comprehensive, hands‑on guide to negotiation with a strong focus on practical tools, techniques, and step‑by‑step strategies for real‑world negotiations in business and everyday life. It covers preparation, communication skills, concession tactics, and closing deals effectively.
This book provides readers with clear strategies to avoid negotiation traps, build confidence in diverse scenarios, and apply structured methods that are effective across different industries and cultures.
Conclusion
These books provide valuable lessons on preparation, communication, and decision-making that can be applied across various negotiation contexts. By learning from real-life examples, research-backed methods, and expert advice, readers can avoid common pitfalls and make more informed choices. Ultimately, negotiation books empower individuals to negotiate confidently, resolve conflicts, and achieve mutually beneficial agreements.
Additionally, negotiation books encourage readers to develop emotional intelligence and adaptability, essential skills for navigating complex interactions. They inspire continuous learning, helping negotiators refine their approach and achieve long-term success.
I have created a free-to-download negotiation preparation toolkit template. It’s a PowerPoint file that can help you prepare for your next negotiation. I’ve even made a video that explains how to use this template.
Frequentlyasked questions
What are negotiation books?
Negotiation books are resources that teach readers how to become skilled in negotiations.
What can we learn from negotiation books?
From negotiation books, we can learn practical strategies, effective communication skills, and psychological techniques to negotiate confidently, avoid common mistakes, and achieve better outcomes in business and personal situations.
Are these negotiation books suitable for beginners, or are they more geared towards experienced negotiators?
The recommended negotiation books cover a spectrum suitable for both beginners and experienced negotiators. For novices, titles like “Mindful Negotiation” and “Negotiate Without Fear” offer foundational insights. Experienced negotiators can benefit from specialized guides like “Negotiation Essentials for Lawyers” and advanced strategies in books like “Getting More: How You Can Negotiate to Succeed in Work and Life.” The diverse selection ensures relevance for negotiators at various skill levels.
About the author
My name is Marijn Overvest, I’m the founder of Procurement Tactics. I have a deep passion for procurement, and I’ve upskilled over 200 procurement teams from all over the world. When I’m not working, I love running and cycling.
