Books recommended by Elon Musk offer a unique window into the mind of one of the most influential figures of our time. Whether you’re a fan of Musk’s ideas, someone intrigued by what drives a tech visionary, or just looking for a great reading list, you’re in the right place. In this article, we will explore ten diverse books Elon Musk himself recommends. From science fiction to history and business, these books have shaped the thinking of the entrepreneur behind SpaceX, Tesla, and other groundbreaking companies.
Ready to dive into Musk’s must-reads?
Who is Elon Musk?
Born in South Africa in 1971, Elon Musk is a tech entrepreneur, engineer, and investor with a net worth surpassing $200 billion, making him one of the richest men in the world. He’s the driving force behind several revolutionary companies, including SpaceX, Tesla, Neuralink, and The Boring Company.
Musk’s global influence stretches across technology, space exploration, electric vehicles, and artificial intelligence, making him both a celebrated innovator and a polarising figure. His bold ideas, relentless work ethic, and unfiltered communication style have earned him fame and infamy alike.
Musk often speaks about the books that have inspired him, revealing what fuels his vision and ambition. Here are ten books he recommends, along with why they might just change the way you think.
To know more about the billionaire entreprenur, read his biography, Elon Musk by Ashlee Vance.
10 Books Recommended by Elon Musk
By J.R.R. Tolkien
Genre: Fantasy
What’s it about? This classic epic fantasy follows the journey of Frodo Baggins as he attempts to destroy the One Ring and save Middle-earth from the dark forces of Sauron.
Where he recommended it: In multiple interviews and tweets.
Why he recommends it: Musk credits Tolkien’s work with sparking his imagination and inspiring his love for complex, heroic narratives.
The heroes of the books I read always felt a duty to save the world.
Genre: Science Fiction
What’s it about? A comedic romp through the galaxy, following an unwitting human named Arthur Dent who’s whisked away on an interstellar adventure just as Earth is destroyed.
Where he recommended it: In a 2015 interview with Neil deGrasse Tyson.
Why he recommends it: Musk appreciates its witty take on life, the universe, and everything.
… it highlighted an important point, which is that a lot of times the question is harder than the answer. And if you can properly phrase the question, then the answer is the easy part.
By Peter Thiel
Genre: Business, Non-fiction
What’s it about? A guide to innovation and startups, written by PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel, focusing on how to create unique products and monopolies.
Where he recommended it: In a tweet on X.
Why he recommends it: Musk believes Thiel’s contrarian thinking is crucial for anyone looking to build something genuinely new and valuable.
Peter Thiel has built multiple breakthrough companies, and (this book) shows how.
By Isaac Asimov
Genre: Science Fiction
What’s it about? A comedic romp through the galaxy, following an unwitting human named Arthur Dent who’s whisked away on an interstellar adventure just as Earth is destroyed.
Where he recommended it: In a 2015 interview with Neil deGrasse Tyson.
Why he recommends it: Musk credits Asimov’s series with helping him think about the future of humanity and space colonization.
It’s sort of a futuristic version of Gibbon’s Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Let’s say you were at the peak of the Roman empire, what would you do, what action could you take, to minimise decline?
Genre: Allegorical fiction
What’s it about? A group of boys stranded on a deserted island struggle for survival, revealing the dark sides of human nature.
Where he recommended it: Mentioned in several of his interviews and reading lists.
Why he recommends it: Musk has referred to the classic as a reflection on human nature and societal collapse, a theme he finds relevant when considering humanity’s future, both on Earth and in space. Musk has even compared his childhood in South Africa to the plot of this book.
By Max Tegmark
Genre: Non-fiction, Science
What’s it about? A deep dive into the future of artificial intelligence and its potential impact on humanity.
Where he recommended it: On Twitter and in a conversation at the 2017 TED Conference.
Why he recommends it: As a key player in AI development, Musk sees Tegmark’s work as essential reading for understanding our future with technology, delving into both the promises and the existential risks associated with AI.
A compelling guide to the challenges and choices in our quest for a great future of life, intelligence, and consciousness — on Earth and beyond.
Genre: Military Theory
What’s it about? A classic work on military strategy and theory, offering insights into war, conflict, and political strategy.
Where he recommended it: Referenced during various interviews.
Why he recommends it: Musk appreciates Clausewitz’s emphasis on understanding the “fog of war” — the uncertainty in any decision-making process where there is incomplete information. This idea resonates with Musk, as it can be applied to navigating complex situations, whether in business, engineering, or innovation.
Genre: Science Fiction
What’s it about? Set in a distant future, this epic saga delves into politics, religion, and power struggles on a desert planet.
Where he recommended it: During various interviews and public speaking events.
Why he recommends it: Musk has highlighted that Dune offers a compelling narrative about the dangers of concentrating too much power in one person or group and the importance of ecological stewardship, especially in the context of Mars colonisation and resource management.
Brilliant. The author advocates placing limits on machine intelligence.
Genre: History
What’s it about? Provides an overview of fifteen pivotal battles that Creasy argues had significant impacts on the course of history, determining the fate of nations and the development of civilizations.
Where he recommended it: Shared in a reading list in one of his early interviews.
Why he recommends it: Musk finds it valuable to learn how critical moments and decisions can change the trajectory of history
By Sean Carroll
Genre: Science, Philosophy
What’s it about? An exploration of the nature of reality, science, and meaning from a leading physicist. It discusses fundamental questions about the nature of existence, combining insights from physics, cosmology, and philosophy.
Where he recommended it: Mentioned on Twitter as a thought-provoking read.
Why he recommends it: Musk sees it as essential for understanding the universe’s complexities and our place within it. The Big Picture offers a framework for thinking about the big questions of existence — the kind of thinking that inspires Musk’s long-term vision for humanity.
If these books have influenced Musk’s groundbreaking ideas, they might just spark some of your own. So, why not add a few of these titles to your reading list today?
Looking for more books to add to your TBR list, check out the blog’s Reading Lists section
And wondering what is TBR? Find out the answer here: TBR, Bookstagram, Backlist…Book Hashtags & Terms Decoded!
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