Sam Altman
Former Y Combinator president now leading OpenAI, focused on advancing artificial general intelligence.
46 books recommended
Man's Search for Meaning
Viktor E. Frankl
Reflects on life in Nazi concentration camps, introducing logotherapy, which posits that meaning can be found even in suffering.
Thinking, Fast and Slow
Daniel Kahneman
Explores the two systems of human thought—fast, intuitive thinking and slow, deliberate reasoning—analyzing how biases shape decisions and behavior.
Zero to One
Peter Thiel & Blake Masters
Emphasizes building unique companies that create new markets, focusing on independent thinking, avoiding competition, and driving innovation.
Meditations
Marcus Aurelius
A series of personal writings by the Roman Emperor, reflecting on the practice of Stoic philosophy.
Endurance
Alfred Lansing
The incredible true story of Ernest Shackleton's ill-fated Antarctic expedition and the crew's heroic survival.
Blitzscaling
Reid Hoffman & Chris Yeh
Explores the techniques used by companies like Amazon, Google, and Airbnb to grow at lightning speed.
The Score Takes Care of Itself
Bill Walsh
Insights on leadership and success from the legendary coach of the San Francisco 49ers.
Brave New World
Aldous Huxley
A dystopian novel that explores the consequences of technology, consumerism, and state control on society.
Einstein
Walter Isaacson
A biography of Albert Einstein, exploring his life, theories, and the impact of his work on science.
Anna Karenina
Leo Tolstoy
A tragic love story set in 19th-century Russia, exploring themes of love, infidelity, and social change.
A Pattern Language
Christopher Alexander
A practical guide to designing spaces that foster human connection and well-being.
The Republic
Plato
A foundational philosophical text discussing justice, the ideal state, and the role of the philosopher-king in society.
Secrets of Sand Hill Road
Scott Kupor
Insights into venture capital and startup funding.
Dealers of Lightning
Michael A. Hiltzik
Chronicles the history of Xerox PARC, where groundbreaking technologies like the PC and Ethernet were developed.
Medieval Technology and Social Change
Lynn White
Examines how technological innovations in the Middle Ages affected social structures and economic systems.
The Old Way
Elizabeth Marshall Thomas
A study of the lives of the Kalahari Bushmen, examining the hunter-gatherer lifestyle and its relevance to human evolution.
The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind
Julian Jaynes
Proposes a theory on the development of consciousness, arguing that it evolved as societies grew more complex.
The Kite Runner
Khaled Hosseini
A novel about friendship, betrayal, and redemption set against the backdrop of Afghanistan’s tumultuous history.
The Death and Life of Great American Cities
Jane Jacobs
A critique of urban planning, advocating for community-driven city design and emphasizing the importance of mixed-use neighborhoods.
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius
Dave Eggers
A memoir reflecting on the author’s experiences raising his younger brother after the death of their parents, blending humor with tragedy.
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