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. But what are the best Elon Musk recommended books?
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.
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 top Elon Musk recommended books that he’s read and loved.
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.”
- Clark, John Drury (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 302 Pages - 05/23/2018 (Publication Date) - Rutgers University Press Classics (Publisher)
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.”
- Hardcover Book
- Jack D. Mattingly and Keith M. Boyer (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 960 Pages - 06/15/2016 (Publication Date) - Amer Inst of Aeronautics (Publisher)
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.”
- Bostrom, Nick (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 390 Pages - 05/01/2016 (Publication Date) - Oxford University Press (Publisher)
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.”
- Barrat, James (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 352 Pages - 02/17/2015 (Publication Date) - St. Martin's Griffin (Publisher)
Rocket Propulsion Elements
- Hardcover Book
- Sutton, George P. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 800 Pages - 12/27/2016 (Publication Date) - Wiley (Publisher)
This Is Rocket Science
- Hardcover Book
- Skurzynski, Gloria (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 80 Pages - 04/13/2010 (Publication Date) - National Geographic Children's Books (Publisher)
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.”
- Carroll, Sean (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 496 Pages - 05/16/2017 (Publication Date) - Dutton (Publisher)
Fundamentals of Astrodynamics
- Roger R. Bate (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 480 Pages - 06/01/1971 (Publication Date) - Dover Publications (Publisher)
Structures: Or Why Things Don’t Fall Down
- Gordon, J. E. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 424 Pages - 07/10/2003 (Publication Date) - Da Capo Press (Publisher)
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.”
- Webb, Stephen (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 449 Pages - 05/29/2015 (Publication Date) - Springer (Publisher)
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.”
- Hardcover Book
- Huzel, Dieter K (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 431 Pages - 01/01/1992 (Publication Date) - AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics)...
ELON MUSK BOOKS
Who Is Elon Musk?
Elon Musk is an inventor and entrepreneur. He was born in South Africa, but now resides in Los Angeles, California.
In 2002 he co-founded X.com (later renamed PayPal), the online payment system that eventually became one of the world’s largest Internet companies with more than 100 million members around the world before it was acquired by eBay in October 2002 for $1.5 billion in stock.
In 2003, Musk founded SpaceX as an aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company to reduce human involvement in space exploration while still focusing on his other company, electric vehicle manufacturer, Tesla.
Aerothermodynamics of Gas Turbine and Rocket Propulsion
- Hardcover Book
- G. Oates, (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 452 Pages - 01/01/1997 (Publication Date) - AIAA (Publisher)
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.”
- Tegmark, Max (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 384 Pages - 07/31/2018 (Publication Date) - Vintage (Publisher)
International Reference Guide to Space Launch Systems
- Used Book in Good Condition
- S. Isakowitz (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 550 Pages - 09/02/2004 (Publication Date) - AIAA (Publisher)
Deep Learning
- Language Published: English
- Binding: hardcover
- It ensures you get the best usage for a longer period
- Hardcover Book
- Goodfellow, Ian (Author)
History
Twelve Against the Gods: The Story of Adventure
- Bolitho, William (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 302 Pages - 09/25/2018 (Publication Date) - Diversion Books (Publisher)
Merchants of Doubt
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Oreskes, Naomi (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 368 Pages - 05/31/2011 (Publication Date) - Bloomsbury Publishing (Publisher)
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.”
- Smith, Adam (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 524 Pages - 11/01/2018 (Publication Date) - CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (Publisher)
Das Kapital
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.”
- Marx, Karl (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 200 Pages - 03/02/2011 (Publication Date) - CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (Publisher)
Business / Self Development
Screw Business As Usual: Turning Capitalism into a Force for Good
@richardbranson Liked "Screw Business as Usual" a lot. This approach should be taken to heart by all, as it really is the smart move.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 29, 2011
“Liked “Screw Business as Usual” a lot. This approach should be taken to heart by all, as it really is the smart move.”
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Branson, Richard (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 386 Pages - 12/08/2011 (Publication Date) - Portfolio (Publisher)
Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future
- If you want to build a better future, you must believe in secrets.
- The great secret of our time is that there are still uncharted frontiers to explore and new...
- Hardcover Book
- Thiel, Peter (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Lying
Read "Lying", the new book by my friend Sam Harris. Excellent cover art and lots of good reasons not to lie!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 21, 2011
“Read “Lying”, the new book by my friend Sam Harris. Excellent cover art and lots of good reasons not to lie!”
- Hardcover Book
- Harris, Sam (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 108 Pages - 11/05/2013 (Publication Date) - Four Elephants Press (Publisher)
My Life & Work
No products found.
Biographies
Einstein: His Life and Universe
- Isaacson, Walter (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 704 Pages - 05/13/2008 (Publication Date) - Simon & Schuster (Publisher)
Tesla: Inventor of the Electrical Age
- Carlson, W. Bernard (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 520 Pages - 04/27/2015 (Publication Date) - Princeton University Press (Publisher)
Howard Hughes: His Life and Madness
- Barlett, Donald L. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 688 Pages - 09/17/2004 (Publication Date) - W. W. Norton & Company (Publisher)
The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill: Alone, 1932–1940
- Bantam
- brand: Bantam
- manufacturer: Bantam
- Manchester, William (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Benjamin Franklin: An American Life
Am reading a great biography of Ben Franklin by Isaacson. Highly recommended.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 4, 2011
“Am reading a great biography of Ben Franklin by Isaacson. Highly recommended.”
- Isaacson, Walter (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 586 Pages - 06/01/2004 (Publication Date) - Simon & Schuster (Publisher)
Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman
Am reading Robert Massie's book on Catherine the Great. Yeah, I know what you're probably thinking … did she really f* a horse?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 30, 2011
“Am reading Robert Massie’s book on Catherine the Great. Yeah, I know what you’re probably thinking … did she really f* a horse?”
- Orders are despatched from our UK warehouse next working day.
- Massie, Robert K. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 672 Pages - 09/18/2012 (Publication Date) - Random House Trade Paperbacks (Publisher)
Novels
The Lord of the Rings
Looking forward to it. I know it's cliche, but LotR is my favorite book ever 🙂 Want to see the set and take my kids on tour of greater NZ.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 12, 2017
“Looking forward to it. I know it’s cliche, but LotR is my favorite book ever 🙂 Want to see the set and take my kids on tour of greater NZ.”
- Tolkien, J.R.R. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 1728 Pages - 09/25/2012 (Publication Date) - Del Rey (Publisher)
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
@Recode I love Douglas Adams! My favorite spaceship ever is in HHGTTG.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 5, 2016
“I love Douglas Adams! My favorite spaceship ever is in HHGTTG.”
- Adams, Douglas (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 224 Pages - 09/27/1995 (Publication Date) - Del Rey (Publisher)
A Game of Thrones
I love Banks. Best books in recent years imo are Iain Banks & George Martin.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 15, 2018
“I love Banks. Best books in recent years imo are Iain Banks & George Martin.”
- Used Book in Good Condition
- It is durable and long lasting
- It ensures you get the best usage for a longer period
- Martin, George R. R. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Daemon
@drwave @itsDanielSuarez Yeah, Daemon is a great read
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 3, 2014
“Yeah, Daemon is a great read.”
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Suarez, Daniel (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 489 Pages - 01/08/2009 (Publication Date) - Dutton (Publisher)
Dune
Dune series by Herbert also brilliant. He advocates placing limits on machine intelligence.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 8, 2014
“Dune series by Herbert also brilliant. He advocates placing limits on machine intelligence.”
- Ace, A great option for a Book Lover
- Easy To Read
- Comes with Proper Binding
- Herbert, Frank (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
The Fault in Our Stars
@johngreen @hankgreen You had me at Sheen or Gaddafi. Must admit to liking "The Fault in Our Stars" too. Sad, romantic and beautifully named
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 6, 2015
“You had me at Sheen or Gaddafi. Must admit to liking “The Fault in Our Stars” too. Sad, romantic and beautifully named.”
- Green, John (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 352 Pages - 04/08/2014 (Publication Date) - Penguin Books (Publisher)
The Lost Planet
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Heppner, Vaughn (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 465 Pages - 12/31/2016 (Publication Date)
Stranger in a Strange Land
- science fiction
- Heinlein, Robert A. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 438 Pages - 05/15/1987 (Publication Date) - Ace (Publisher)
The ‘Foundation’ Series
Foundation Series & Zeroth Law are fundamental to creation of SpaceX
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 15, 2018
“Foundation Series & Zeroth Law are fundamental to creation of SpaceX.”
- English (Publication Language)
The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress
“A future Lunar society facing food shortages rebels against the tyranny of Earth with the help of an artificial intelligence. Another science fiction classic by a member of the big three of sci-fi writers.”
- Robert A. Heinlein (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 384 Pages - 06/15/1997 (Publication Date) - Orb Books (Publisher)
I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream
“A cautionary tale about the dangers of superintelligent artificial intelligence. In a word, terrifying. The AI at the center of this story wields godlike powers that he inflicts sadistically upon the last survivors of the human race.”
- Ellison, Harlan (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 162 Pages - 06/03/2014 (Publication Date) - Open Road Media (Publisher)
The Culture Series
Reading The Culture series by Banks. Compelling picture of a grand, semi-utopian galactic future. Hopefully not too optimistic about AI.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 26, 2014
“Reading The Culture series by Banks. Compelling picture of a grand, semi-utopian galactic future. Hopefully not too optimistic about AI.”
- Banks, Iain M. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 04/20/2024 (Publication Date) - Orbit (Publisher)
Atlas Shrugged
Very appealing if you’re a sophomore in college. It’s a counterpoint to communism and useful as such, but should be tempered with kindness.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 16, 2018
“Very appealing if you’re a sophomore in college. It’s a counterpoint to communism and useful as such, but should be tempered with kindness.”
- Signet
- It comes in a proper packaging.
- It ensures you get the best usage for a longer period
- Rand, Ayn (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
The Machine Stops
Worth reading The Machine Stops, an old story by E. M. Forster https://t.co/0Dl4l2t6FH
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 2, 2016
“Worth reading The Machine Stops, an old story by E. M. Forster.”
- Forster, E.M. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 46 Pages - 05/23/2013 (Publication Date) - A Forster Book (Publisher)
Waiting for Godot: A Tragicomedy in Two Acts
Have recently come to appreciate the awesome, absurdist humor of Waiting for Godot. We so often wait, without knowing why, when or where.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 17, 2016
“Have recently come to appreciate the awesome, absurdist humor of Waiting for Godot. We so often wait, without knowing why, when or where.”
- Beckett, Samuel (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 128 Pages - 05/17/2011 (Publication Date) - Grove Press (Publisher)
Kill Decision
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Suarez, Daniel (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 512 Pages - 08/06/2013 (Publication Date) - Dutton (Publisher)
Elon Musk Books – Wrapping Up
We hope you’ve found this article fill of Elon Musk recommended books helpful. There are some absolutely fantastic and life-changing books here and we hope you make some quality purchasing decisions.
Have you read a book that Elon Musk has recommended? Let us know in the comments just below here.
