Elon Musk has often credited books with shaping his ideas and knowledge.

Whenever asked how he learned to build rockets, Musk has a simple answer: “I read books.” He doesn’t just read them; he devours them.

Over the years, the SpaceX and Tesla CEO has shared many of his favorite reads.

Here are ten books Musk has personally recommended, along with why he thinks they’re worth reading!

1. The Lord of the Rings

Musk grew up reading fantasy and science fiction during an isolated childhood. J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings gave him heroic characters to look up to and a vision of saving the world.

In fact, those novels “shaped [Musk’s] vision of his future self,” inspiring his desire to solve big problems.

This epic book taught him about courage and hope, themes that resonate in his own ambitious goals.

2. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Douglas Adams’ comedic sci-fi classic was a key book for Musk in his teenage years.

He read it during an existential crisis and found it optimistic and enlightening.

Musk said Hitchhiker’s Guide highlighted that “a lot of times the question is harder than the answer” – once you properly ask the right question, finding the answer becomes easier.

This novel’s humor and wisdom about life helped spark Musk’s curiosity about the universe and taught him to think critically about big questions.

3. Foundation series

Musk frequently praises Isaac Asimov’s Foundation novels, calling the series “one of the all-time best” in science fiction.

Foundation centers on preserving knowledge to rebuild civilization, a concept that influenced Musk’s outlook on the future.

The saga fueled his early interest in space and technology, showing how human civilizations rise and fall in cycles.

Musk’s takeaway is that expanding humanity’s knowledge and making life multiplanetary (as SpaceX aims to do) is wise before any potential decline of civilization.

4. Benjamin Franklin: An American Life

Musk often draws inspiration from historical figures.

He has described Benjamin Franklin – the inventor, writer, and statesman – as one of his heroes.

This biography by Walter Isaacson resonated with Musk because Franklin started out with nothing and succeeded through intellect and hard work.

Musk recommended this book for its portrayal of an innovator and polymath who pursued practical inventions and scientific curiosity, much like Musk’s own endeavors.

5. Einstein: His Life and Universe

Another Walter Isaacson biography that Musk enjoyed is the life story of Albert Einstein.

Musk learned how a struggling young patent clerk went on to revolutionize physics.

He appreciates biographies of great scientists, and this book showed Einstein’s determination to question conventional wisdom and push the boundaries of knowledge.

Musk recommends it as an inspiring look at a genius who transformed our understanding of the universe through imagination and relentless curiosity.

6. Structures: Or Why Things Don’t Fall Down

Musk has a passion for engineering, and he taught himself a lot of rocket science through reading.

He specifically points to J.E. Gordon’s Structures as “really, really good if you want a primer on structural design”.

This book explains in simple terms the principles of physics and materials that keep bridges up, buildings standing, and rockets intact.

Musk recommended Structures when he was learning the fundamentals for SpaceX, finding it an accessible guide to the science of how things work.

7. Ignition!: An Informal History of Liquid Rocket Propellants

In Musk’s words, “There is a good book on rocket stuff called Ignition! … that’s a really fun one.”Written by John D. Clark, a rocket chemist, this book is a witty history of how early rocket fuels were developed (often explosively!).

Musk enjoyed its mix of technical detail and entertaining stories, which capture the enthusiasm and craziness of the pioneering rocketry era.

It’s a niche read, but Musk recommends it to those curious about rocket engineering, and it clearly helped him inform his own rocket fuel decisions at SpaceX.

8. Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies

Musk is deeply concerned about the future of artificial intelligence.

He urged people to read Nick Bostrom’s Superintelligence, which explores the potential risks of AI surpassing human intelligence.

Musk even warned that advanced AI could be “potentially more dangerous than nukes”. By recommending this book, Musk wants others to understand the existential risks and ethical challenges posed by AI.

It reflects his view that we must be cautious and thoughtful about developing AI – a theme he often emphasizes in interviews and on social media.

9. Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future

This bestselling business book by Musk’s PayPal co-founder, Peter Thiel, comes with Musk’s endorsement.

“Zero to One shows how,” Musk said, referring to Thiel’s ability to build multiple breakthrough companies.

Musk recommends Zero to One for its insights on innovation and creating new things from scratch.

The book encourages finding unique solutions and expanding frontiers rather than copying others, an approach that resonates with Musk’s own philosophy in companies like Tesla and SpaceX.

10. Merchants of Doubt

Musk has also suggested books that address pressing societal issues.

Merchants of Doubt by Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway examines how a few scientists spread misinformation on topics like tobacco smoke and climate change.

Musk recommended this book at a 2013 conference and later echoed its message in a tweet, noting that the same people who once denied smoking’s deadly effects were now denying the realities of climate change.

By endorsing this book, Musk highlights the importance of scientific truth and warns about the tactics of climate change deniers, aligning with his commitment to sustainable energy at Tesla.

Final Words

Each of these books offers a glimpse into the ideas that shaped Elon Musk’s worldview.

From epic sci-fi adventures to biographies of innovators and thought-provoking science reads, these recommendations reflect Musk’s eclectic interests.

They inspired him to ask bigger questions, pursue innovation, and stay aware of both the promise and peril of advanced technology.

Musk’s reading list shows that behind his bold ventures are years of learning and imagination fueled by the pages of great books!