20 Books Recommended by Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Bill Gates That Could Change Your Life (And Business)

In the fast-paced, ever-evolving world of tech and business, it’s easy to think that the path to success is all about innovation, risk-taking, and raw ambition. But, for the likes of Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Bill Gates—three of the most influential figures in modern business—the foundation of their success isn’t just built on experience or gut instincts. These moguls have publicly shared a common secret to their triumphs: books.

Yes, books! While most people may see them as relics of the past, these tech giants have continuously credited their voracious reading habits with shaping their strategies, honing their leadership skills, and expanding their worldviews. So what books have these visionaries recommended over the years? You’ll be surprised at how the books that helped shape their success might offer life-changing lessons for you too. Here’s a list of 20 game-changing books that Musk, Bezos, and Gates have all endorsed at different points in their careers. Ready to dive into some of the most transformative reads of our time?

1. “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams

Recommended by: Elon Musk
Why it’s recommended: Musk has often mentioned this classic science fiction novel as one of his all-time favorites. Not only does it provide a perfect blend of humor and philosophy, but Musk believes it helped shape his out-of-the-box thinking. Adams’ depiction of a quirky, unpredictable universe may have inspired Musk’s own ventures in space exploration and technology innovation.

2. “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries

Recommended by: Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates
Why it’s recommended: Both Bezos and Gates have praised this book for its practical approach to starting and scaling businesses. The principles of “build, measure, learn” that Ries advocates for are something both tech moguls applied to their own companies, especially in the early days of Amazon and Microsoft.

3. “The Innovator’s Dilemma” by Clayton Christensen

Recommended by: Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates
Why it’s recommended: This groundbreaking book outlines why even the best companies can fail if they don’t innovate. Bezos has cited this as one of the main books that shaped Amazon’s relentless push into new markets. Gates has also praised Christensen’s analysis on disruptive innovation, which became a core philosophy at Microsoft.

4. “The Power of Habit” by Charles Duhigg

Recommended by: Bill Gates
Why it’s recommended: Gates has been a fan of this book for its deep dive into how habits shape our personal and professional lives. Duhigg’s insights into the neurological processes that influence behavior are crucial for leaders trying to form good habits within their organizations.

5. “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu

Recommended by: Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos
Why it’s recommended: This ancient Chinese military strategy book has been a favorite among leaders in all industries. Both Musk and Bezos have praised the timeless principles of strategy, competition, and leadership found in “The Art of War.” Musk has mentioned it several times as a source of inspiration for handling Tesla’s and SpaceX’s business challenges.

6. “Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind” by Yuval Noah Harari

Recommended by: Bill Gates
Why it’s recommended: Gates called this book “the most thought-provoking” he’s read in years. Harari’s exploration of the human species’ evolution and future possibilities is not only intellectually stimulating but also offers lessons on societal changes that are crucial for understanding today’s world.

7. “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand

Recommended by: Elon Musk
Why it’s recommended: Musk has mentioned this polarizing novel as an influence on his views about the importance of individualism and innovation. The book’s advocacy for capitalism, ambition, and self-reliance echoes Musk’s own approach to business and risk-taking.

8. “Business Adventures” by John Brooks

Recommended by: Bill Gates
Why it’s recommended: Gates is so enamored with this book that he called it his favorite business book of all time. The collection of twelve classic business stories provides timeless lessons on leadership, decision-making, and navigating corporate crises, offering insights that even today’s tech giants can learn from.

9. “The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon” by Brad Stone

Recommended by: Jeff Bezos
Why it’s recommended: It’s no surprise that Bezos himself recommended this book, which delves into his life and the rise of Amazon. The book provides an inside look at Bezos’ leadership style, his relentless drive, and the strategies he used to turn Amazon into a global powerhouse.

10. “Zero to One” by Peter Thiel

Recommended by: Elon Musk
Why it’s recommended: Musk has mentioned Peter Thiel’s philosophy about starting companies that create something entirely new—rather than just improving on what already exists—as a core influence on his own ventures. This book encourages entrepreneurs to seek unique solutions that break the mold and lead to groundbreaking innovations.

11. “The Hard Thing About Hard Things” by Ben Horowitz

Recommended by: Bill Gates
Why it’s recommended: Bill Gates has highlighted Horowitz’s raw and candid approach to the tough decisions all entrepreneurs face. This book offers invaluable advice for navigating the hardest parts of building a business, from dealing with layoffs to managing crises.

12. “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie

Recommended by: Jeff Bezos
Why it’s recommended: Bezos has often credited this timeless classic with teaching him how to build relationships and influence people. Carnegie’s focus on empathy, leadership, and effective communication is essential for any leader.

13. “The Intelligent Investor” by Benjamin Graham

Recommended by: Bill Gates
Why it’s recommended: Gates has praised this book for its deep dive into value investing and financial wisdom. Written by one of Warren Buffett’s mentors, the principles in this book are crucial for anyone wanting to understand how to build wealth over time.

14. “The Wealth of Nations” by Adam Smith

Recommended by: Elon Musk
Why it’s recommended: Musk has referred to this classic work of economics in his discussions of capitalism and market forces. Smith’s exploration of free markets and the “invisible hand” of the economy is essential reading for understanding business on a global scale.

15. “Creativity, Inc.” by Ed Catmull

Recommended by: Bill Gates
Why it’s recommended: Gates has praised this book for its deep insights into building and managing a creative organization. As the co-founder of Pixar, Catmull offers lessons on nurturing creativity and innovation within a corporate environment.

16. “The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon” by Brad Stone

Recommended by: Jeff Bezos
Why it’s recommended: Get an insider’s look at Bezos’ relentless pursuit of innovation and the strategies behind Amazon’s meteoric rise. This book has shaped how Bezos views leadership and the company’s continued evolution.

17. “Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman

Recommended by: Bill Gates
Why it’s recommended: Gates has recommended this book for its exploration of human behavior and decision-making. Kahneman’s insights into how we think and make choices have huge implications for leadership and entrepreneurship.

18. “Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future” by Ashlee Vance

Recommended by: Elon Musk
Why it’s recommended: This biography offers a compelling and in-depth look at the life of Elon Musk, his business ventures, and his unconventional approach to problem-solving. It provides both personal and professional insights into Musk’s world.

19. “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries

Recommended by: Jeff Bezos
Why it’s recommended: This book provides practical advice for building scalable companies. It’s one of the books Bezos credits with inspiring Amazon’s early “test and iterate” approach to growth and innovation.

20. “The Four: The Hidden DNA of Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google” by Scott Galloway

Recommended by: Jeff Bezos
Why it’s recommended: Bezos has acknowledged Galloway’s exploration of the biggest tech companies as a great way to learn how successful businesses build empires, stay ahead of the competition, and scale in the digital age.

Conclusion

There you have it—20 books that could help shape your thinking and propel your career in the direction of success, just like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Bill Gates. These business leaders didn’t achieve greatness overnight; their habits, knowledge, and perspective were influenced by the books they read. Now, it’s your turn. Will you pick up a book that could change the way you approach business and life? The lessons are there—waiting for you to dive in. Happy reading!