If you’re a fan of Elon Musk, and his work in a variety of fields, you might be interested in the books he’s read and recommends.
In this article, we’re going to share a list of the top Elon Musk book recommendations – those books that he’s mentioned the most, be it on social media or elsewhere.
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Where there’s an existing tweet, we’re include his Twitter recommendations here. So if you’re looking for Elon Musk books, we have just the list for you!
Whether you’re looking for a relaxed nighttime read, or something more academic, we have a whole goldmine of knowledge to share! All Elon Musk recommended.
Elon Musk Recommended Books
Let’s take a look at the books Elon Musk has read and loved.
Elon Musk Best Books
Science / Technology
Ignition: An Informal History of Liquid Rocket Propellants
Ignition by John Clarke, Huzel & Wang book on propulsion, Asimov's Foundation, Heinlein's MiaHM @WHester #APSpaceChat
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 3, 2012
“Ignition by John Clarke, Huzel & Wang book on propulsion, Asimov’s Foundation, Heinlein’s MiaHM.”
Elements of Propulsion: Gas Turbines and Rockets
“Cantrell tells us that he soon discovered that he and Musk shared an affinity for applied knowledge, and he loaned him some textbooks to study (they “were never returned, by the way!” Cantrell says). The books were “Rocket Propulsion Elements,” “Aerothermodynamics of Gas Turbine and Rocket Propulsion,” “Fundamentals of Astrodynamics,” and the “International Reference Guide to Space Launch Systems.”
Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies
Worth reading Superintelligence by Bostrom. We need to be super careful with AI. Potentially more dangerous than nukes.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 3, 2014
“Worth reading Superintelligence by Bostrom. We need to be super careful with AI. Potentially more dangerous than nukes.”
Our Final Invention
While on the subject of AI risk, Our Final Invention by @jrbarrat is also worth reading
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 3, 2014
“While on the subject of AI risk, Our Final Invention by @jrbarrat is also worth reading.”
Rocket Propulsion Elements
This Is Rocket Science
The Big Picture: On the Origins of Life, Meaning, and the Universe Itself
Highly recommend anything by Sean Carroll https://t.co/yVbceZm0Io
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 12, 2016
“Highly recommend anything by Sean Carroll.”
Fundamentals of Astrodynamics
Structures: Or Why Things Don’t Fall Down
If the Universe Is Teeming with Aliens … WHERE IS EVERYBODY?
Great book. Read it when it came out.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 29, 2018
“Great book. Read it when it came out.”
Modern Engineering for Design of Liquid-Propellant Rocket Engines
Ignition by John Clarke, Huzel & Wang book on propulsion, Asimov's Foundation, Heinlein's MiaHM @WHester #APSpaceChat
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 3, 2012
“Ignition by John Clarke, Huzel & Wang book on propulsion, Asimov’s Foundation, Heinlein’s MiaHM.”
Aerothermodynamics of Gas Turbine and Rocket Propulsion
Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Worth reading Life 3.0 by @Tegmark. AI will be the best or worst thing ever for humanity, so let’s get it right.https://t.co/lT0uMH3ujZ
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 29, 2017
“Worth reading Life 3.0 by @Tegmark. AI will be the best or worst thing ever for humanity, so let’s get it right.”
International Reference Guide to Space Launch Systems
Deep Learning
History
Twelve Against the Gods: The Story of Adventure
Merchants of Doubt
The Wealth of Nations
Read Das Kapital when I was 14, incl cross-checking English translation of original German. Adam Smith FTW obv. Ironically, future automation will naturally lead to greater equality of consumption. Monopolies are true enemy of people. Competing to serve is good.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 16, 2018
“Read Das Kapital when I was 14, incl cross-checking English translation of original German. Adam Smith FTW obv. Ironically, future automation will naturally lead to greater equality of consumption. Monopolies are true enemy of people. Competing to serve is good.”
