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Bill Gates

Dive into the literary world of Bill Gates, Former CEO of Microsoft.

Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft Corporation, is one of the most influential tech entrepreneurs and philanthropists of our time. Born in 1955 in Seattle, Washington, Gates demonstrated early interest and aptitude in computer programming, which led him to drop out of Harvard University to pursue his vision of personal computing for every household. Under his leadership, Microsoft became a dominant player in the tech industry, revolutionizing software development and accessibility with products like Windows and Office. Since stepping down from Microsoft, Gates has dedicated much of his vast fortune to global health, education, and climate change initiatives through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

❝Reading is still the main way that I both learn new things and test my understanding.❞ — Bill Gates

Gates is well-known for his dedication to reading and learning, often discussing books on his personal blog and sharing annual reading lists that span a range of topics from public health to climate change and political history. His avid reading habits are part of a broader commitment to lifelong learning and understanding complex global issues. Gates credits reading not only as a source of knowledge but also as a way to test his understanding and to challenge his assumptions. His reflective approach to reading emphasizes the importance of being informed and remaining curious about the world.

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Bill Gates' Favorite Books

Last Updated: June 2024

Reinventing American Health Care: How the Affordable Care Act Will Improve Our Terribly Complex, Blatantly Unjust, Outrageously Expensive, Grossly Inefficient, Error Prone System

Emanuel provides an in-depth analysis of the U.S. health care system and the effects of the Affordable Care Act, offering insights into the future of health care reform in America.

Lincoln in the Bardo: A Novel

Set during the American Civil War, Saunders' novel is an experimental narrative about Abraham Lincoln mourning the death of his young son, Willie, depicted through a chorus of voices from spirits inhabiting the graveyard where Willie is temporarily interred.

The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World

Melinda Gates offers compelling insights into how empowering women can lead to transformative improvements across societies worldwide.

Also recommended by:
Barack Obama Warren Buffett

On Immunity: An Inoculation

Biss navigates the fears and facts surrounding vaccination, blending personal narrative and cultural history to explore the human immune system and the ethical and political implications of immunization.

Moonwalking With Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything

Foer recounts his journey from journalist covering the U.S. Memory Championship to becoming a participant in the event, exploring the techniques of the contestants and the scientific foundations of human memory.

Seveneves: A Novel

Stephenson's science fiction epic begins with the moon exploding and mankind facing extinction, detailing humanity's desperate efforts to ensure survival by sending an ark of survivors into space, leading to unforeseen consequences thousands of years later.

Also recommended by:
Adam Savage

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind

Yuval Noah Harari provides a compelling overview of the history of our species from the emergence of ancient human tribes to the present day, exploring how biology and history have defined us.

Also recommended by:
Tom Hanks Lex Fridman Naval Ravikant

A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter reflects on his public and private life with a frankness and clarity, discussing his youth in rural Georgia, his presidency, and his years of humanitarian work, offering insights into the wisdom he has gained through his experiences.

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis

Vance's memoir offers a probing look at the struggles of America's white working class through his personal story of growing up in a poor Appalachian family, highlighting the social, economic, and cultural pressures that affect this community.

Also recommended by:
Ben Shapiro Bill Nye

Making the Modern World: Materials and Dematerialization

Smil examines the material basis of modern civilization, discussing how the extraction and processing of materials have shaped industries and the environment, and explores the trends and necessities of dematerialization for sustainable future development.

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I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life

Yong delves into the world of the microbiome, revealing how microbes influence health, behavior, and the complexity of life on Earth, reshaping our understanding of biology.

Poor Numbers: How We Are Misled by African Development Statistics and What to Do about It

Jerven critically examines the reliability of economic data in Sub-Saharan Africa, explaining how poor statistical methods have led to misguided policies, and proposes solutions to improve the accuracy and utility of economic statistics in the region.

Magic of Reality: How We Know What's Really True

Dawkins blends science with storytelling to explain how the world works, using vivid examples and thoughtful arguments to address myths and misconceptions about the universe.

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Thing Explainer: Complicated Stuff in Simple Words

Randall Munroe uses line drawings and only the thousand most common English words to explain how various scientific and mechanical processes work.

Also recommended by:
Naval Ravikant

Energy and Civilization: A History

Smil provides a comprehensive account of how energy transformations and consumption have shaped human history, from pre-agricultural times to the present industrial world, emphasizing the inextricable link between energy and the advancement of civilization.

The Best We Could Do: An Illustrated Memoir

This graphic memoir recounts Thi Bui's journey as a Vietnamese refugee to the United States, exploring the complex themes of family, identity, and displacement while tracing her family's history through decades of tumultuous changes.

The Fever: How Malaria Has Ruled Humankind for 500,000 Years

Shah explores the complex history of malaria, its impact on human civilization, and the ongoing efforts to control and eradicate a disease that continues to affect millions of people worldwide.

21 Lessons for the 21st Century

In this exploration of contemporary global issues, Harari addresses the technological, political, social, and existential challenges that humanity faces in the modern age, offering insight and advice on navigating the complexities of life in the 21st century.

The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism

Goodwin details the close friendship and subsequent political rivalry between Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft, set against the backdrop of the progressive era and the rise of investigative journalism.

Believe Me: A Memoir of Love, Death, and Jazz Chickens

Izzard's memoir combines humor with reflection, detailing his multifaceted life as a comedian, actor, and marathon runner, while discussing his personal relationships, gender identity, and the pursuit of his dreams.

Breath from Salt: A Deadly Genetic Disease, a New Era in Science, and the Patients and Families Who Changed Medicine Forever

This book tells the poignant story of the revolutionary breakthroughs in treating cystic fibrosis and the incredible saga of the patients, families, and researchers who pushed boundaries in genetic medicine to find a treatment.

Super Freakonomics: Global Cooling, Patriotic Prostitutes, and Why Suicide Bombers Should Buy Life Insurance

A continuation of their first book, Levitt and Dubner use economic theories to explore counterintuitive hypotheses and offer unconventional analysis on various social, moral, and economic issues.

The Myth of the Strong Leader: Political Leadership in the Modern Age

Brown challenges the widespread belief that strong, decisive leaders are the most successful and beneficial, using detailed political analysis to argue that collaborative and flexible leadership often results in more sustainable and democratic governance.

The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz

Larson presents a detailed chronicle of Winston Churchill's first year as Prime Minister during WWII, focusing on his leadership, the personal struggles of his family, and the resilience of the British people during the Blitz.

Harvesting the Biosphere: What We Have Taken from Nature

Smil quantifies the human impact on the biosphere, examining how much biomass we extract from the earth each year through farming, forestry, and other activities, and discussing the sustainability of these practices in the face of growing consumption.

Cloud Atlas: A Novel

An intricate tale where six interlinked narratives spanning different time periods and genres explore how individual actions and consequences ripple through time, ultimately influencing one another in profound ways.

Also recommended by:
Natalie Portman Keanu Reeves

Brave New Words: How AI Will Revolutionize Education (and Why That's a Good Thing)

Salman Khan, founder of Khan Academy, discusses the potential of artificial intelligence to transform educational systems worldwide by personalizing learning and making high-quality education more accessible and effective.

Blueprint: The Evolutionary Origins of a Good Society

This book argues that despite the capacity for human brutality and selfishness, there is a stronger genetic blueprint for cooperation, compassion, and friendship, which Christakis explores through social and biological research.

The Power to Compete: An Economist and an Entrepreneur on Revitalizing Japan in the Global Economy

This dialogue between father and son, one an economist and the other an entrepreneur, explores the challenges facing Japan's economy and proposes innovative solutions to revive its global competitiveness.

The Heart: A Novel

De Kerangal's novel focuses on the emotional and complex process of a heart transplant, detailing the 24 hours from the tragic death of a young man to the moment his heart begins to beat in the chest of the recipient, offering a poetic exploration of life and death.

Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow

This thought-provoking book speculates on the future of mankind, discussing how ongoing technological and genetic advancements may fundamentally alter human life and even lead to the creation of a superhuman class.

Stress Test: Reflections on Financial Crises

Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner provides an insider's account of the 2008 financial crisis, detailing the decisions and strategies implemented to stabilize the financial system and prevent economic collapse.

Also recommended by:
Warren Buffett

Being Nixon: A Man Divided

Thomas paints a complex portrait of Richard Nixon, focusing on his challenging presidency and personal insecurities, aiming to provide a balanced view of his achievements and the scandals that plagued his tenure.

The Women: A Novel

This novel by Kristin Hannah explores the lives and dynamics of several generations of women within a family, showcasing their struggles, strengths, and profound connections as they navigate various challenges through the decades.

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Epic Measures: One Doctor. Seven Billion Patients.

Smith tells the story of Dr. Christopher Murray, who revolutionized global health data and policy by creating an unprecedented database that tracks the health outcomes and diseases of people worldwide, challenging old assumptions and shifting how resources are allocated in global health.

Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress

Pinker argues that the ideals of the Enlightenment have led to progress in every aspect of human development and advocates for reason, science, and humanism as the foundational principles to further improve the human condition.

Also recommended by:
Jordan Peterson

The Great Escape: Health, Wealth, and the Origins of Inequality

Nobel laureate Angus Deaton explores the historical and current disparities in health and wealth among nations, discussing how some countries have made dramatic progress, while others remain mired in poverty, and the complex factors that drive these inequalities.

Also recommended by:
Jordan Peterson

Growth: From Microorganisms to Megacities

This book provides a comprehensive look at the concept of growth across biological, human, and technological systems, examining patterns from the smallest organisms to the development of megacities and global economic systems.

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The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness

Alexander argues that the War on Drugs has created a new racial underclass in America, as systemic racial discrimination in the criminal justice system has effectively disenfranchised millions of African Americans.

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Nine Pints: A Journey Through the Money, Medicine, and Mysteries of Blood

George delves into the vital, often surprising role blood plays in medicine, history, and business, exploring everything from revolutionary medical breakthroughs to the dark history of trade and exploitation.

Upheaval: Turning Points for Nations in Crisis

Diamond examines how several countries have managed to overcome massive challenges like civil war, foreign threats, and general crisis by exploring their selective change, using psychological principles to analyze national responses and resilience.

The Gene: An Intimate History

Mukherjee provides a compelling history of genetic research from Mendel to modern gene editing, interweaving science with personal stories of his own family's struggle with genetic diseases.

Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike

This memoir provides an insider's glimpse into the founding and building of Nike, as Phil Knight recounts his journey from selling shoes out of his car trunk to running one of the most iconic and profitable global shoe brands.

Also recommended by:
Warren Buffett Kobe Bryant

Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened

This graphic memoir, based on Brosh's popular webcomic, combines humor and poignancy to explore personal experiences, mental health, and the absurdity of life.

Turtles All the Way Down

This novel follows sixteen-year-old Aza Holmes as she grapples with mental illness while investigating the disappearance of a billionaire, exploring themes of friendship, identity, and the challenges of everyday life.

The World Until Yesterday: What Can We Learn from Traditional Societies?

Diamond draws lessons from the lifestyles and experiences of traditional societies—covering conflict resolution, childcare, elder care, and food habits—to offer insights into how modern societies might address similar challenges.

The Rosie Effect: A Novel

In this sequel to The Rosie Project, the socially awkward but lovable geneticist Don Tillman continues his quirky and humorous journey through married life with Rosie, facing new challenges as they prepare to welcome their first child.

The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company

Robert Iger shares the leadership insights and principles he gleaned during his tenure as CEO of Disney, detailing his pivotal decisions and the acquisitions that helped shape the future of the media and entertainment giant.

Leonardo da Vinci

Isaacson provides a detailed biography of Leonardo da Vinci, examining his extraordinary genius in art, science, and technology, driven by insatiable curiosity about the world and an unparalleled ability to observe and imagine.

How To Lie With Statistics

This classic book exposes the many ways in which statistics can be used to deceive, providing examples and techniques to identify statistical manipulation, thereby fostering more critical reading of statistical data.

Also recommended by:
Neil deGrasse Tyson

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success

Carol Dweck's book explores the concept of "mindset," the idea that the way we think about our abilities and potential is crucial for success, advocating for a "growth mindset" over a "fixed mindset."

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Why Does College Cost So Much?

This book investigates the reasons behind the soaring costs of higher education in the U.S., analyzing factors like technological change, labor intensity, and governmental support, and dispelling some common myths about the sources of rising tuition.

The Box: How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger

Levinson explores the revolutionary impact of the shipping container, detailing how its introduction transformed global trade and logistics, significantly boosting the global economy by streamlining processes and reducing transportation costs.

Business Adventures: Twelve Classic Tales from the World of Wall Street

This collection of New Yorker essays by John Brooks provides insightful and engaging narratives about pivotal events and characters in American corporate history, making complex business situations accessible and entertaining.

Also recommended by:
Warren Buffett

What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions

Munroe uses his background in physics and his popular webcomic style to provide entertaining and scientifically accurate answers to bizarre and speculative questions from his readers.

The Road to Character

This book explores how some of the world's greatest thinkers and leaders have built strong inner character through the conquest of their own vices and the struggle against adversity, urging modern readers to focus more on developing virtues rather than personal success.

Also recommended by:
Jordan Peterson

How Not to Be Wrong: The Power of Mathematical Thinking

Ellenberg uses engaging examples and stories to show how mathematical thinking can help us make better decisions, challenge misconceptions, and understand patterns that underlie everyday life.

A Gentleman in Moscow

Amor Towles tells the story of Count Alexander Rostov, who is sentenced to house arrest in a luxury hotel across from the Kremlin, where he lives through decades of tumultuous Russian history.

Also recommended by:
Tom Hanks

These Truths: A History of the United States

Lepore offers a sweeping narrative of American history from 1492 to the present, weaving together political, technological, and cultural threads to explore the ideals and contradictions of the American experiment.

The Vital Question: Energy, Evolution, and the Origins of Complex Life

Lane explores the pivotal role of energy in the evolution of life on Earth, proposing that the energy flow through cells is a fundamental driving force behind the complexity of life and offering new insights into the origins of life and evolution.

Capitalism without Capital: The Rise of the Intangible Economy

This book explores the growing impact of intangible assets like intellectual property, branding, and digital products on the economy, which are reshaping traditional economic structures and business practices.

Prepared: What Kids Need for a Fulfilled Life

Diane Tavenner, founder of the successful Summit Public Schools, shares her educational philosophy and practical tools for parents to help children become self-motivated, competent, and resilient individuals prepared for success.

When Breath Becomes Air

This poignant memoir follows the life of neurosurgeon Paul Kalanithi after being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, reflecting on his quest to understand the meaning of life when facing death.

Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams

This book delves into the critical importance of sleep, presenting scientific research to demonstrate how sleep affects our ability to learn, function, and live healthier lives, while explaining the devastating consequences of sleep deprivation.

Capital in the Twenty First Century

This influential book analyzes wealth concentration and distribution over the past 250 years and argues that the rate of capital return in developed countries is persistently greater than the rate of economic growth, leading to increasing inequality.

Also recommended by:
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

The Rosie Project: A Novel

This charming and witty novel follows the socially awkward geneticist Don Tillman as he designs a scientific survey to find the perfect wife, only to have his best-laid plans upended by the spontaneous and unpredictable Rosie.

The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History

Barry provides a gripping narrative of the 1918 flu pandemic that killed millions around the world, detailing its origins, its global impact, and the scientific struggle to contain and understand the virus.

The Idealist: Jeffrey Sachs and the Quest to End Poverty

Munk provides a detailed, critical examination of economist Jeffrey Sachs's ambitious project to end global poverty through targeted investments in health, agriculture, and education in Africa, highlighting both the successes and significant challenges.

Educated: A Memoir

This memoir recounts Westover's struggle to educate herself beyond her isolated and survivalist upbringing in Idaho, showcasing her journey from home-schooling without formal education to earning a PhD from Cambridge University.

An American Marriage

Tayari Jones tells a poignant story of a newlywed African American couple whose lives are shattered when the husband is wrongly imprisoned, exploring themes of love, loyalty, race, and injustice.

Also recommended by:
Oprah Winfrey