14 Books Recommended by Elon Musk

Elon Musk has proven himself as one of the greatest minds of his generation but he didn't get there alone. Below are the books that helped him learn the skills needed to reach success and the insights you can gain from each one. 

Also Recommended: Check out our list of the best startup books.

Musk has reshaped the way our world functions, and in "Foundation,” Asimov tells the story of a man who does the same. In the book, the main protagonist is the creator of a revolutionary science and brings together the best minds of science and scholars to preserve the knowledge of humankind.

“Foundation” is set in the future but contains many lessons that can be applied to businesses today. It teaches about the importance of planning and foresight, two essential qualities for any entrepreneur.

When Musk was building his first companies, he saw a vision of the future and had to convince others to see it too. In "Stranger in a Strange Land,” Robert A. Heinlein tells the story of a man who is born on Mars and comes to Earth, where he must learn about our customs and culture.

The book is about how to communicate to people your vision and how to share knowledge respectfully. It also teaches the importance of being open-minded and always learning, two qualities that will help you grow your business.

Building rockets that fly into outer space requires extensive knowledge of how structural design works. In "Structures,” J.E. Gordon dives into the science and engineering of why things stand up and how they can collapse.

The book is full of useful information for entrepreneurs who want to create something that will last. It teaches about the importance of planning and designing with a long-term view in mind. It also discusses how to build something that can withstand change and adversity, two things that any business will face.

The classic fantasy novel turned into a massive box office success movie franchise, "The Lord of the Rings” is a story of good versus evil. In the book, a group of brave heroes must band together to defeat a dark and powerful enemy.

The series is an epic adventure that teaches about the importance of teamwork and cooperation. It also shows how even the smallest person can make a big difference. Musk has said the heroes in the book always felt a duty to save the world and his businesses reflect this sentiment.

A deep and intimate look into the life of one of America's Founding Fathers, Walter Isaacson's "Benjamin Franklin: An American Life” is an inspiring read for entrepreneurs.

The book discusses how Franklin was able to accomplish so much in his life and how he overcame adversity. It also teaches about the importance of being persistent and always learning from your mistakes. Franklin was a runaway kid who grew into an icon and entrepreneurs following the same path can find inspiration from the book.

Looking for more book recommendations? We asked startup founders to share their favorite books on entrepreneurship, and here's what they said.

Walter Isaacson, the same author behind “Benjamin Franklin: An American Life,” brings us another fascinating read with "Einstein: His Life and Universe.” The book dives into the life of one of the most brilliant minds of our time.

Isaacson creates a portrait of Einstein and tries to shed light on how he became one of the world's thought leaders in math and the cosmos. Entrepreneurs can learn how to question conventional wisdom and change their perspectives to see truth where others see impossibility.

Peter Thiel is well-known as one of the co-founders of PayPal and an early investor in Facebook. In his book "Zero to One,” Thiel shares his insights on how technology can be used in any sector to create change and innovation.

Musk even acknowledges that Peter Thiel knows how to grow breakthrough companies, and the book is a guide to show entrepreneurs how they can do the same.

Superintelligence outlines exactly what would happen if machines surpass human intelligence. Nick Bostrom asks several pertinent questions that entrepreneurs should think about as artificial intelligence (AI) continues to evolve.

The book is important for anyone who wants to understand AI and its implications on business and society. It also helps entrepreneurs think about how they can use AI in their own companies in responsible and ethical ways.

As the richest man on the planet, Elon Musk has a few similarities to Howard Hughes, the former CEO of Hughes Aircraft. Both men are known for their eccentricities and their genius-level intellects.

In "Howard Hughes: His Life and Madness,” Donald L. Barlett tries to unravel the mystery that is Howard Hughes. The book gives insights into how Hughes became one of the most successful businessmen of his time. It also discusses how his mental health deteriorated as he grew older, and the book is a good cautionary tale for Elon Musk and other founders.

When Musk was a young teenager, he went through an existential crisis about the meaning of life. Where he found answers was in the fictional story of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams.

In the book, a character named Ford Prefect tries to figure out the meaning of life and comes to the conclusion that it is "42." While this answer may not be satisfactory for everyone, it sheds light on the importance of the question rather than the answer.

While not every entrepreneur is going to end up building rockets, Musk learned a lot from "Ignition” by John D. Clark. Although the content is very specific, entrepreneurs can learn how scientists continued to work against the known laws of nature to accomplish the impossible.

For those learning about how to build rockets, this book is a must-read. It's an in-depth look at the history of liquid rocket propellants and how they've been used over the years. It's easy to see why this book makes it on Elon's recommendations.

In "Life 3.0,” Max Tegmark dives into the different ways AI will impact our lives in the future. He asks difficult questions about what it means to be human and how we will define ourselves in a world where machines are becoming more intelligent than us.

This book is important for entrepreneurs to understand as they think about how AI will impact their businesses. It's also a good reminder that, as our world changes, we need to be thoughtful about the decisions we make and how they will affect the future.

While actual wars play out more violently and gruesome than what businesses face, the lessons in "On War” by Carl Von Clausewitz are still relevant for entrepreneurs.

On War is a dense read, but it's worth it for the lessons it provides on strategy, tactics, and how to think about conflict. For entrepreneurs, this book can help them think about how to approach competition and how to position their companies for success.

“Dune” is a fictional series created by Frank Herbert about a planet called Arrakis that is the only source of a drug called "spice." The story follows Paul Atreides, the heir to the ruling family of Arrakis, as he tries to navigate the politics and intrigue of his new home.

While Dune is technically science fiction, it's also a great political thriller and is known as one of the greatest science fiction novels of our time.