The books in this collection include classic works on economics, biographies of famous businesspeople, and even science fiction and the strange genius of a famous scientist. Take a reading trip through the minds of these tech giants as they talk about the books that inspire them and show us the intellectual fuel that powers their world-changing work.
Elon Musk
In the rich list of preferred authors of the richest man in the world can be seen as a “textbook” on economics. Adam Smith’s title The Wealth of Nations stands at the heart of modern theories of market economics and is certainly a must-read.
Among Elon Musk’s undisputed favorite titles is Benjamin Franklin: An American Life. The SpaceX founder often says he admires Franklin and his success as an entrepreneur starting from scratch.
Also on Musk’s list of favorite titles is Walter Isaacson’s biography of Steve Jobs, based on his interviews and information from his colleagues and loved ones. The book was written before Jobs’ death at his request.
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The title Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies by Swedish philosopher Nick Bostrom examines humanity’s ability to cope with rapidly evolving technologies. And Musk refers to it as “worth reading”.
Ayn Rand’s most significant novel Atlas Shrugged, is also among the titles that have gained the attention of Elon Musk. The anti-utopia presents the author’s concept of Objectivism, drawing on various elements and techniques.
Jeff Bezos
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos lists Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies as his favorite business book. It’s based on six years of research by Stanford University scholars and traces the journey of 18 companies, comparing each key milestone with a direct competitor.
Among his favorite books is The Remains of the Day by Japanese author and Nobel Prize winner Kazuo Ishiguro. Characterized by his spare language, Ishiguro draws attention to the disappointment and the unlived in human life. As Bezos admits, “before reading it, I didn’t think a perfect novel was possible.”
Bezos’s selection also features an autobiography. The title is Sam Walton: Made in America and traces the journey and success of the creator of the leading retail brand Walmart.
Larry Page
The Google co-founder lists among his favorite read My Inventions: The Autobiography of Nikola Tesla. The book is also among Elon Musk’s favorites, representing his life and career. As Page himself shares, it was this book that influenced him to realize that “I want to have an easy time getting things out into the world and make a real impact.”
Among Larry Page’s favorite titles are books by the noted American Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard P. Feynman. He remains in history not only for his ingenious developments but also for his extraordinary originality and wit. That is why books like What Do You Care What Other People Think? and The Pleasure of Finding Things Out give an inside look at the life and thinking of the eccentric scientist. He presents his theories not only on purely physical problems but also the views on pressing social issues. Of course, entirely in a jocular, but also extremely insightful tone.
The novel Snow Crash by the famous science fiction author Neal Stephenson, often cited as one of the best science fiction novels of all time, is also among Larry Page’s favorites. A remarkable book that examines a vast amount of themes and ideas, including linguistics, religion, anthropology, philosophy
