This document provides summaries of 14 books that are considered some of the best books in advertising. It describes books such as From Those Wonderful Folks Who Gave You Pearl Harbor by Jerry Della Femina, which describes working on Madison Avenue in the golden age of advertising. Confessions of an Advertising Man by David Ogilvy discusses how Ogilvy got his start in advertising after initially working as a farmer and selling encyclopedias. Reality in Advertising by Rosser Reeves outlines theories of advertising based on 30 years of research into how to create ads that produce sales.

1. The Best Books in
Advertising
By The Voice

2. From Those Wonderful Folks
Who Gave You Pearl Harbor
by Jerry Della Femina
• Written in 1970, author Jerry Della Femina brings
advertising back to the golden age with this
bestseller that describes working on Madison
Avenue. A classic, that later went to inspire the
television drama Mad Men.

3. Confessions of an
Advertising Man by David
Ogilvy
• David Ogilvy was the founder of one of the
largest global advertising agencies in the world,
even though he came late into the advertising
game. He started off as a farmer and eventually
began selling encyclopedias door to door; which
he found to be great training for sales. Ogilvy
created advertisements for Rolls Royce and
Hathaway shirts. A strong believer in ad research,
one of his strategies was to always try to get the
product’s name in the headline.

5. Reality in Advertising by
Rosser Reeves
• Reality in Advertising written by Rosser Reeves
and published in 1961, was listed for weeks on
the general bestseller list. It has been
acknowledged as being advertising’s greatest
classic. Reeves formulates theories of advertising
based on 30 years of detailed and intensive
research. Through this, he is able to explain
thoroughly and clearly about how to create
advertising in order to produce sales. Reeves was
a creative force behind Ted Bates Advertising and
was the developer of the Unique Selling
Principle.

6. Hey Whipple, Squeeze This: A
Guide to Creating Great
Advertising by Luke Sullivan
• Author Luke Sullivan writes to inspire a
generation of advertising students, young
creators and copywriters to make their mark in
the advertising industry. Luke Sullivan is currently
the chair of the advertising department at the
Savannah College of Art and Design. Before this,
he had previously spent 32 years in the
advertising industry at agencies such as Fallon,
GSD&M, and The Martin Agency.

7. How to Put Your Book
Together and Get a Job in
Advertising by Maxine
Paetro
• Maxine Paetro ‘s book How to Put Your Book
Together and Get a Job in Advertising is a
great beginner’s guide for anyone just
joining the business. Having been a recruiter
and Creative Department Manager at
several ad agencies in New York she knows
what it takes to make it in advertising and
her book outlines the procedure for
prospective creatives.

8. Graphic Style: From
Victorian to New Century
by Steven Heller
• Graphic Style: From Victorian to New Century by
author Steven Heller shows the importance and
power of illustrative art by using the history of
print communications. This book is considered a
must read for anyone who is serious about
designing and illustrating. After first being
released in 1988, it was recognized as the book
to consult for a visual overview of graphic design
styles through different ages. Heller was a great
historian of graphic design and art direction who
taught at the School of Visual Arts in New York
City.

9. • The Mirror Makers by Steven fox is
the closest you will get to a textbook
on advertising history. It outlines the
foundations of advertising by
covering the very beginning in the
1800’s through its role in the
depression era society.
The Mirror Makers
by Stephen Fox

10. • Advertising the American Dream by
Roland Marchand deals with advertising
and the changes it experienced in the
1920’s. It speaks about the idea of ads
creating a fantasy for American
consumers and the associations they
then make with the various products.
Advertising the American
Dream by Roland Marchand

11. • Bill Bernbach’s Book: A History of
Advertising that Changed the
History of Advertising by Bob
Levenson takes a look at the
creative revolution in the 1960’s
and Bill Bernbach’s role in it. His
agency, DDB, created some of the
most influential ads of the time
period and many are still
recognizable today.
Bill Bernbach’s Book: A History of
Advertising That Changed the History
of Advertising by Bob Levenson

13. • When Advertising Tried Harder by Larry
Dobrow outlines the creative revolution in
advertising that took place during the late
1950s through the 1960s. This revolution
brought on the idea that anyone could be
a copywriter and saw highlights such as
the Avis “We try harder” campaign which
the book is named after.
When Advertising Tried
Harder by Larry Dobrow

15. • The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
is one of the more modern books on
this list and goes into detail about the
phenomenon of “influencers.” This idea
suggests that advertisers target those
who others look up to and, if done
successfully, will attract the whole
group.
The Tipping Point by
Malcolm Gladwell

16. • Thirty Seconds by Michael J. Arlen is a
how to on shooting a thirty second
commercial. Based on the famed
commercial director, Steve Horn, it
provides tremendous insight on how
to film the most effective ads.
Thirty Seconds by
Michael J. Arlen

17. • e a novel by Matt Beaumont is a
satirical look at everyday office life
as seen through the emails of the
office inhabitants. It has everything
from the wacky creatives to snarky
assistants who humorously interact
in these everyday situations.
e by Matt Beaumont

18. Thank You for listening to The
Best Books in Advertising