List of All the Books Ever Recommended by Elon Musk

Abinaya Arangarajan

Nov 16, 2021 — 21 min read

More than half of the population have heard the name Elon Musk in recent events, who is very known for many reputable titles- Founder, CEO & chief engineer of SpaceX, CEO of Tesla, founder of The Boring company & PayPal, and Co-founder of Neuralink, Zip2, and OpenAL.

As everybody knows, Elon became the richest person on earth, as of November 2021. Generally, Elon was born to an African-American parent on 28th June 1971. At a very young age, Elon built an intent in computers & entrepreneurship, whereby he created a video game at the age of 12.

Besides, People inspire him for a reason, for instance, to cut off the huge expense of launching rockets, he established SpaceX that helps make affordable rockets. On the other hand, to conduct a smooth digital payment method, Elon Musk developed PayPal intending to change society.

For that matter, Elon Musk grew an interest in electric cars and built a company ‘Tesla’ that is considered to have done exceptional work in his career, which turned the entire world upside down.

Here are list of 70 books recommended by Elon Musk.

1. Superintelligence by Nick Bostrom

One of the best books suggested by Elon musk is Superintelligence. Nick Bostrom argued that machine brains surpass human brains in general intelligence, whereby superintelligence could replace human brains and live as a dominant on earth.

2. Merchants of Doubt by Naomi Oreskes and Erik M. Conway

Generally, this book tells you about the scientists disclosing the truth behind Tobacco which ultimately leads to Global warming.

3. Life 3.0 by Max Tegmark

The author discusses the impact of Artificial Intelligence on the future of life on earth and beyond.

4. Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

As is the case of Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple. He became an inspiration for many people. On the matter of this, Elon Musk recommends Steve Jobs autobiography to his followers.

5. Zero to One by Blake Masters and Peter Thiel

The name itself proved that a person with zero knowledge could gain everything by reading Zero to One book. This book is all about building the future by developing startups.

6. Chapterhouse Dune by Frank Herbert

As we know that this book ‘Dune’ has been the talk of the town in recent times. Dune is a science fiction novel that focuses on the future happening in a stellar society in which many noble houses control planetary lands.

7. Deep Learning by Ian Goodfellow, Yoshua Bengioand Aaron Courville

Deep Learning emphasizes the concept of techniques used in industry and on account of this Elon Musk said, “Written by three experts in the field, Deep Learning is the only comprehensive book on the subject.”

8. Benjamin Franklin- An American Life by Walter Isaacson

This book is a biography of an eminent U.S statesman- Benjamin Franklin. Elon musk suggested Benjamin Franklin an American life to improve the standard of living in terms of many facts. Elon recommends this book to acknowledge the adventures of an apprentice Benjamin Franklin.

9. Use of Weapons by Iain M. Banks

This book is a fiction novel that narrates the life of Cheradenine Zakalwe.

10. Acts of Love by Talulah Riley

Acts of Love is a modern love story. According to Elon Musk the characters in the book sound fictional even though the plot is based on real events.

11. The Lord Of The Rings by J.R.R Tolkein

The Lord Of Rings by J.R.R Tolkein — **The Lord Of The Rings by J.R.R Tolkein**

Novels are better than movies. However, both the novel and film series of The Lord Of The Rings have been captivating us to date. The Lord of the Rings is an epic and fantasy-filled novel written by J. R. R. Tolkien. The novel is about a group of heroes who thrive to save their origin from evil.

12. The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith

Elon Musk has recommended Adam Smith’s one of the finest works to give us all a gist of the industrialized capitalist network that was overturning the mercantilist network.

13. The Big Picture by Sean M. Carroll

We all know, popular astrophile Elon’s fondness for the universe is distinctly evident. In that case, the book The Big Picture: On the Origins of Life, Meaning, and the Universe is a salient piece for the theory of poetic naturalism.

14. Our Final Invention by James Barrat

it's quite debatable why the Tesla CEO has recommended this book as Our Final Invention by James Barrat: Artificial Intelligence and the End of the Human Era discusses the pros and cons of artificial intelligence about the human race.

15. Prelude to Foundation by Isaac Asimov

The first best trilogy in science fiction, The Foundation is one of the recommended books by Elon Musk. Initially, the trilogy was published in 1951 by Issac Asimov, utterly describing the downfall as well as the rebirth of a huge interstellar empire in the universe of the coming future.

16. Lying by Sam Harris

On the other hand, Lying by American Author and neuroscience Sam Harris is a book that yields the readers to reflect on their own lives and lies. Rationally, this book has a great theme implicating that instead of lying, one can tell the truth to improve and simplify one’s life in society.

17. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

The 1957 science fiction novel by Ayn Rand is about the concept of the murder of a man’s body. Ayn Rand has delineated that the murder is not the end, but the start or rebirth of a man’s spirit.

18. Consider Phlebas by Iain M Banks

Iain M Banks’s first science fiction novel takes people into an unrealistic world filled with human and alien races. Starting from the exploration of the nature of war, morality, and the limitless bounds of mankind's imagination, Consider Phlebas is a great piece to read.

19. Screw Business As Usual by Richard Branson

For business ventures, Elon recommends this book to readers who aspire for a noteworthy future. Moreover, this book has the best, exciting, and inspiring stories of people that can certainly stimulate any reader.

20. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The best-selling book is surprisingly also one of Elon’s recommendations. The book explores how cancer affects those who are diagnosed and how their families and friends react to their diagnoses.

21. A Song of Ice and Fire by George RR Martin

Game of Thrones is one of the best series of all time. However, Elon’s favorite is its novel ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’. In a similar narration, A song of Ice and Fire is all about magic, realism, politics, society, with an incredible portrait of characters, violence, sexuality, feminism, religion, and food.

22. Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett

The once famous play is now a great book, in which Whitley focuses on the human condition, absurdism, nihilism, and friendship. On the whole, the author captures the true meaning behind a meaningless existence.

23. The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins

The notion to perceive the biology of selfishness and altruism can be achieved by giving a read to The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins. Not only humans but also animals are capable of sacrificing themselves for others is evident.

24. Catherine the Great by Robert K. Massie

The award-winning story has captured readers with the mere portrait of a woman. It’s a powerful story of a fourteen-year-old German princess, who has traveled to Russia, and eventually, becomes one of the most memorable and powerful women.

25. Structures by J.E Gordan

Elon has recommended this book, especially for engineers, builders, and architects. The plot eventually concludes about uniting together in the end, no matter what.

26. The Story of Civilization: The Age of Faith by Will and Ariel Durant

This book is solely about cultural history and known for its wonderful narrative history. Moreover, the book is a very informative piece, if one wants to know about cultural creation, its origin, its development, and so on.

27. Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein

This science fiction is every sci-fi reader’s go-to fantasy. The novel by Robert A Heinlein depicts the story of a human who comes to earth in early adulthood after being born on Mars and brought up by Martians.

28. Stalin by Simon Sebag Montefiore

The biography of Stalin written by Simon Sebag Montefiore gives a fine narrative of dear, betrayal, privilege, debauchery, family life, and the murderous cruelty of this secret world.

29. The Story of Civilization Our Oriental Heritage by Will and Ariel Durant

**The Story of Civilization: The Reformation by Will and Ariel Durant**

On the other hand, this volume of The Story of Civilization Our Oriental Heritage depicts the Near Eastern history until the fall of the Achaemenid Empire in 330BC, plus the history of India, China, and Japan.

30. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Galaxy by Douglas Adam

The adaptation of Douglas Adams’s radio series, The Hitchhiker's Guide to Galaxy is about a human who wanders the universe after the annihilation of the earth with extraterrestrial occupation.

31. The Story of Civilization: The Renaissance by Will and Ariel Durant

Meanwhile, this volume of The Story of Civilization implicates the history of the Renaissance, that is the country Italy. The story predominantly underscores the contributions of famous characters in history.

32. Ignition by John Drury Clark

The writer creates the story with an idea on the development of the explosive fuels that could help with the search for a rocket propellant in a notion to men into space.

33. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein

The 1996 science factor is about a lunar colony’s revolt against absentee rule from the earth.

34. Das Kapital by Karl Marx

Elon’s recommendation for capitalism readers is here! The book Das Kapital delivers knowledge of capitalism, from how the capitalist system works to how it ends.

35. Storm of Steel by Ernst Junger

A crystal clear narration about the experiences of combat on the front line is what makes Storm of Steel a memoir of astonishing power, savagery, and ashen lyricism.

36. A Woman makes a Plan by Maye Musk

The author Maye Musk shares her experiences through the book A Woman Makes a Plan. Apparently, as a nutritionist and model, Maye has inspired Elon to a greater extent.

37. Modern Engineering for Design of Liquid Propellant Rocket Engines by Dieter K Hazel

As the title says, the book is the introduction to the design of liquid rocket engines and every component used to engineer them.

38. Daemon by Daniel Suarez

Daemon, the book is about a computer application named Daemon, which begins to change the real world after the original programmer’s death.

39. Foundation’s Edge by Isaac Asimov

The storyline is about a love story between Pelorat and a woman named Bliss. When people are forced to lead a life in the future in the galaxy, whereby their lives are at stake.

40. The Stainless Steel Rat by Harry Harrison

The stainless steel rat by Harry Harrison has given us one of the famous fictional characters named ‘slippery Jim’.

41. The history of the decline and fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon

The novel is about the history of the decline and fall of the Roman Empire between 1776 and 1788.

42. Twelve against the Gods by William Bolitho

Over and above, Twelve against God is to honor without hypocrisy the deeds of men and women with larger destiny.

43. The Age of Napoleon by Will & Ariel Durant

A well-written portrait of the age of Napoleon that depicts his heroism and revolution of western civilization.

44. The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster

The reality of men's reliance on machines is well-written by E.M Forster through his novel The Machine Stops.

45. Human Compatibility by Stuart Russell

The depiction of risks to humanity from advanced Artificial Intelligence is seen in Stuart Russell’s Human Compatibility.

46. The Story of Civilization: The Age of Reason Begins by Will and Ariel Durant

This book is about the understanding of modern European history, which tells about religious strife and other scientific progress between the period 1550 and 1650s.

47. Liftoff by Eric Berger

Elon Musk recommended this book by saying ‘Just Read It’, where the inside story of the first four historic flights that launched SpaceX- the world’s leading-edge rocket company.

48. Surface Detail by Iain Banks

The story is set in 2970 AD, where the plot covers the six to eight hundred years events of Surface Detail.

49. Matter by Iain Banks

Matter Iain Banks — **Matter by Iain Banks**

This book ‘Matter’ set in his Culture universe, was published on 25th January 2006 by Iain Banks, whereby the story revolves around a pre-industrial human civilization.

50. The Story of Civilization: The Age of Louis XIV by Will and Ariel Durant

This book is the eighth volume of the Pulitzer series, which is based on a history of European civilization in the period of Pascal, Moliere, Cromwell, Milton, Spinoza, Newton, and Peter the Great around 1648 to 1715.

51. The State of the Art by Iain Banks

It is a short story collection by Iain Bank, a Scottish writer that was published in 1991, and tells about the fictional universe.

52. Excession by Iain Banks

Another fictional novel of Iain Bank- Recession which featured a utopian fictional interstellar society, so-called ‘The Culture’.

53. The Hydrogen Sonata by Iain Banks

It is a science fiction novel based on the techno-utopian cultural universe which was published on 4th October 2012 by Iain Banks.

54. The Story of Civilization: The Life of Greece by Will and Ariel Durant

The plot revolves around the golden age of historical writing, before specialization that had invaded the field. Besides, the story talks about the statesmanship, science, arts, religion, literature, philosophy, and morals of the ancient Greeks.

55. The Player of Games by Iain Banks

Another novel in the series Culture by Iain Bank was published in 1988, is based on a character named- Jernau Gurgeh. He was an expert player of games, rarely lost in competition, and still felt unworthy, whereas he takes place in an ultimate advanced & convoluted game that supported an entire civilization.

56. If the Universe is Teeming with Aliens… Where is Everybody?

The story If the Universe is teeming with Aliens… where is everybody? is coherent and understandable and covers a diverse range of topics about various research fields.

57. Look to Windward by Iain Banks

It is science fiction as the sixth novel in the series Cultural by Scottish writer Iain M. Banks which was published in 2000. Notably, the plot revolves around the events of the Indian-Culture war, whereby Windward deals with the aftermath of the war events.

58. Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX and a Quest for a fantastic future by Ashlee Vance

Elon Musk, himself recommended his autobiography book ‘Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX and a Quest for a Fantastic Future’ which was published on 19th May 2015.

59. Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Issacson

**Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson**

The Journalist and American author Walter Isaacson prescribes the life and Universe of the great scientist Einstein in such a way that is acclaimed very well.

60. Lord of Flies by William Golding

The Nobel Prize-winning British author William Golding published ‘Lord of Files’ which is focused on a group of British boys stranded on an isolated island and their attempts to govern themselves written so intellectually and interestingly.

61. Empire: The life, legend and the madness of Howard Hughes by Donald L. Barlett

The storyline emphasis on an aviator, playboy, Entrepreneur, and Recluse- Howard Hudges, which is written by Donald L.Barlett and published in 1979.

62. The Story of Civilization: The Reformation by Will and Ariel Durant

This book discusses the events of European civilization from Wyclif to Calvin, i.e 1300-1564. Furthermore, the book speaks about the lives of Charles V, Columbus, Durer, Erasmus, Henry VII, Knox, Luther, More, Rabelais, Wolsey, Mary I, and Chaucer.

63. Second Foundation by Isaac Asimov

Another book of Issac Asimov and the fifth novel in the in-universe chronology and the third novel of the Foundation series was published in 1953 by Gnome publishers.

64. The Story of Civilization: The Age of Voltaire by Will and Ariel Durant

This volume of The Story of Civilization covers the history of Europe and the Near East from 1559 to 1648.

65. Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov

The story covers how the enterprising General Bel Rise of the Galactic Empire launched an attack against the Foundation.

66. The Story of Civilization: Rousseau and Revolution by Will and Ariel Durant

The plot is set on the history of civilization in France, England, and Germany from 1756 and in the remainder of Europe from 1715-1789.

67. Forward The Foundation by Isaac Asimov

It is the second of two prequels to the foundation series that was published in 1993 by an American author Issac Asimov.

68. Foundation and Earth by Isaac Asimov

It is the fifth and last novel in the series Foundation by Issac Asimov, generally, the plot is all about the future, whereby humans colonize the galaxy.

69. Heretics of Dune by Frank Herbert

Another fifth book in the science fiction series is Dune, which is ranked for best-selling book in 1984. The story is focused on the aftermath of Tyrant Leto II's death.

70. God Emperor of Dune by Frank Herbert

It is the fourth book in the franchise of Dune's six novels which is based on the God-Emperor, Leto II Atreides, who has become a hybrid of humans and giant sandworms and ruled the universe for 3500 years.

Conclusion

As it is known, Elon Musk’s love for books is inevitable, so it’s no little surprising how intellectual and inventive he is. Thus, books are great, the moment when you open one and sink into it you can escape from the real world into a fictional story that’s more interesting than yours will ever be.

He is not only a great book recommender but also, one of the greatest entrepreneurs and business magnates of this decade. His love for books can simply tell us how he has molded throughout his career.

As you read earlier, these are the top books suggested by Elon Musk to his fans, by taking us into his private library. Eventually, it is proven that books are what made the Entrepreneur Elon Musk today. Over and above, in 2015, an author named Vance has officially published a biography book on Elon titled ‘Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX and a Quest for a Fantastic Future.

FAQ

Did Elon Musk read 2 books a day?

Yes, According to his brother, Elon Musk would read through two books per day.

What is Elon Musk's favorite book?-

Elon Musk's favorite book is "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy".

The top book recommendations of Elon Musk are, "Structures: Or Why Things Don't Fall Down" by J.E. Gordon, "Benjamin Franklin: An American Life" by Walter Isaacson, "Einstein: His Life and Universe" by Walter Isaacson, "Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies" by Nick Bostrom and "Merchants of Doubt" by Erik M.

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