Ever wondered what fuels the minds of billionaires? As they strategize, build their empires, and invest wisely, the books they turn to often hold the keys to their success.
From influential leaders like Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos to trailblazers like Elon Musk, these top ten books have been endorsed by some of the most powerful figures in business.
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Here are the top ten books recommended by billionaires, based on data from Most Recommended Books.
Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
“Sapiens” is the most recommended book, endorsed by eleven billionaires including Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and Ray Dalio. The book explores the evolution of the human species, analyzing how historical events have shaped human societies. It has sold over twelve million copies and holds a Goodreads rating of 4.4 out of 5 from more than 45,000 reviewers.
Principles by Ray Dalio
“Principles” is recommended by ten billionaires such as Drew Houston and Howard Marks. The book, which sold over four million copies, shares the principles developed by Dalio during his tenure at Bridgewater Associates. It was named Amazon’s business book of 2017 and was initially published online in 2011, where it received over three million downloads.
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High Output Management by Andy Grove
“High Output Management,” endorsed by nine billionaires including Larry Ellison and Ron Conway, serves as a guide for middle managers. The book, praised for its insights on management and productivity, has over 800 reviews on Goodreads with an average rating of 4.3. It is noted for its contribution to management practices in Silicon Valley.
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
Recommended by eight billionaires including Elon Musk and Peter Thiel, “Atlas Shrugged” is a 1957 novel depicting a dystopian society where private enterprises struggle under restrictive regulations. The book, which had sold nine million copies as of 2019, aims to highlight the role of individual innovators in society.
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The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz
“The Hard Thing About Hard Things,” recommended by seven billionaires including Larry Page and Peter Thiel, addresses the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and leaders. The book, which has over 3,000 reviews on Goodreads and an average rating of 4.23, offers practical advice based on Horowitz’s experiences in the tech industry.
Poor Charlie’s Almanack compiled by Peter D. Kaufman
Endorsed by prominent figures such as Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, “Poor Charlie’s Almanack” compiles the wisdom of Charlie Munger. Published in 2005, the book focuses on investment strategies and psychological principles for maintaining simplicity in investing.
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Blitzscaling by Chris Yeh and Reid Hoffman
“Blitzscaling” is recommended by billionaires including Brian Chesky and Sheryl Sandberg. The book, which discusses strategies for rapidly scaling companies, has received over 5,000 reviews on Goodreads with a rating of 3.95. It offers insights into the rapid growth of businesses in global markets.
Only the Paranoid Survive by Andrew Grove
“Only the Paranoid Survive” is recommended by Bill Gates and Steve Jobs among others. The book details the concept of strategic inflexion points, where businesses must adapt to survive. It has over 8,000 reviews on Goodreads, holding an average rating of 3.96.
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The Innovator’s Dilemma by Clayton Christensen
“The Innovator’s Dilemma,” which examines disruptive technologies, is endorsed by billionaires such as Jeff Bezos and Mark Benioff. The book received the Global Business Book Award in 1997 and holds a Goodreads rating of 4.03 from over 48,000 reviewers.
Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
“Snow Crash,” a science fiction novel recommended by figures like Larry Page and Mark Zuckerberg, explores a future America through a unique narrative. Published in 1992, it has sold over a million copies in North America and holds a Goodreads rating of 4.03 from over 10,000 reviews.
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