Dive into the literary world of Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX & Tesla.

Elon Musk, a figure synonymous with futuristic technologies and audacious entrepreneurship, is the CEO of SpaceX, Tesla, Inc., and several other high-profile companies. Born in South Africa in 1971, Musk moved to the United States where he became a driving force behind several transformative ventures, including PayPal, which redefined digital payments. His ventures into space exploration with SpaceX and the automotive industry with Tesla are fueled by his vision of a sustainable future and the possibility of colonizing Mars. Musk's approach to business is marked by his propensity to tackle global challenges and push the boundaries of what's considered achievable.

I was raised by books. Books, and then my parents.❞ — Elon Musk

Musk is also a voracious reader, with a penchant for science fiction and non-fiction that has deeply influenced his conceptualization of future technologies. From a young age, he was known to read up to two books a day, ranging from encyclopedias to classic sci-fi like Isaac Asimov's "Foundation" series, which he credits with shaping his understanding of the potential for human civilization. His reading habits underpin his creative solutions to engineering and business problems, reflecting a lifelong commitment to learning.

Elon Musk's Favorite Books

Last Updated: May 2024

Benjamin Franklin: An American Life

Walter Isaacson presents a detailed biography of Benjamin Franklin, exploring the life of one of America's most influential Founding Fathers, who was also a brilliant inventor and savvy diplomat.

Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future

Peter Thiel provides unconventional wisdom and practical advice for entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of innovation and creating new products that jump from zero to one, rather than improving on existing products.
Also recommended by:
Sam Altman 

Einstein: His Life and Universe

Walter Isaacson delves into the life of Albert Einstein, illuminating how his revolutionary ideas reshaped modern physics while exploring his personal and professional journeys.
Also recommended by:
Sam Altman 

The Fellowship of the Ring

The first book in J.R.R. Tolkien's epic fantasy trilogy, "The Lord of the Rings," where a young hobbit, Frodo Baggins, begins his perilous journey to destroy an ancient ring that embodies ultimate power and evil.
Also recommended by:
Keanu Reeves 

Foundation and Earth

The continuation of the Foundation series where Golan Trevize continues his quest to understand the choice he made regarding the galaxy's future, leading to a search for Earth with profound implications.
Also recommended by:
Lex Fridman  Sam Altman 

The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress

Robert A. Heinlein's revolutionary tale about a lunar colony's revolt against Earth's government, exploring themes of freedom, self-determination, and the complex politics of rebellion.

Prelude to Foundation

In this prequel to his seminal Foundation series, Isaac Asimov recounts the early life of Hari Seldon, the brilliant mathematician who develops psychohistory, a method of predicting the future.
Also recommended by:
Sam Altman  Lex Fridman 

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Douglas Adams' iconic sci-fi comedy follows the intergalactic adventures of Arthur Dent, an ordinary human who hitchhikes through space after Earth is demolished to make way for a cosmic freeway.
Also recommended by:
Lex Fridman 

Foundation

Isaac Asimov's groundbreaking novel introduces his grand narrative of the decline and fall of a Galactic Empire and the scientific effort to shorten the ensuing dark age.
Also recommended by:
Sam Altman  Lex Fridman 
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