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.
Bill Gates' Favorite Books
Last Updated: June 2024
The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War
Author: Ben Macintyre
Publisher: Crown
Date: Sep 18th, 2018
Macintyre tells the thrilling true story of Oleg Gordievsky, a KGB officer who became one of the West's most valuable spies during the Cold War, and the dramatic efforts of the British MI6 to exfiltrate him from the Soviet Union when his cover is blown.
The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World
Author: Melinda French Gates
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Date: Apr 23rd, 2019
Melinda Gates offers compelling insights into how empowering women can lead to transformative improvements across societies worldwide.
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Making the Modern World: Materials and Dematerialization
Author: Vaclav Smil
Publisher: Wiley
Date: Dec 16th, 2013
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.
The Box: How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger
Author: Marc Levinson
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Date: Apr 5th, 2016
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.
How Asia Works: Success and Failure in the World's Most Dynamic Region
Author: Joe Studwell
Publisher: Grove Press
Date: Jun 25th, 2013
Studwell analyzes the economic policies of Asian countries to determine why some nations, like Japan, South Korea, and China, have experienced spectacular growth, while others have lagged behind, highlighting strategies in agriculture, manufacturing, and finance that contribute to success.
The Gene: An Intimate History
Author: Siddhartha Mukherjee
Publisher: Scribner
Date: May 17th, 2016
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.
When Breath Becomes Air
Author: Paul Kalanithi
Publisher: Random House
Date: Jan 12th, 2016
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.
The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz
Author: Erik Larson
Publisher: Crown
Date: Feb 25th, 2020
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.
The Vital Question: Energy, Evolution, and the Origins of Complex Life
Author: Nick Lane
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Date: Jul 20th, 2015
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.
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness
Author: Michelle Alexander
Publisher: The New Press
Date: Jan 7th, 2020
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.
The Best We Could Do: An Illustrated Memoir
Author: Thi Bui
Publisher: Abrams ComicArts
Date: Mar 7th, 2017
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.
Seveneves: A Novel
Author: Neal Stephenson
Publisher: William Morrow
Date: May 19th, 2015
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.
Reinventing American Health Care: How the Affordable Care Act Will Improve Our Terribly Complex, Blatantly Unjust, Outrageously Expensive, Grossly Inefficient, Error Prone System
Author: Ezekiel J. Emanuel
Publisher: PublicAffairs
Date: Mar 4th, 2014
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.
Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike
Author: Phil Knight
Publisher: Scribner
Date: Apr 26th, 2016
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.
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The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History
Author: Elizabeth Kolbert
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Date: Feb 11th, 2014
Elizabeth Kolbert's Pulitzer-winning work details the ongoing mass extinction caused by human activity, comparing it to past extinction events.
Turtles All the Way Down
Author: John Green
Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
Date: Oct 10th, 2017
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.
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Thing Explainer: Complicated Stuff in Simple Words
Author: Randall Munroe
Publisher: Dey Street Books
Date: Nov 24th, 2015
Randall Munroe uses line drawings and only the thousand most common English words to explain how various scientific and mechanical processes work.
Army of None: Autonomous Weapons and the Future of War
Author: Paul Scharre
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Date: Apr 24th, 2018
Scharre explores the cutting-edge world of autonomous weapons and the ethical, legal, and strategic implications of using robots in warfare, questioning the future of military tactics and the risks of machines making life-or-death decisions.
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