Books Recommended by Bill Gates

Steven Arthur Pinker, the bestselling author of Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress, is a renowned cognitive psychologist and public intellectual celebrated for his research on language, human nature, and societal progress. A Harvard College Professor and former MIT faculty member, Pinker’s work bridges academia and public discourse, with his books frequently nominated for Pulitzer Prizes and translated into over 30 languages.

Enlightenment Now (2018) exemplifies his commitment to Enlightenment values, arguing for rationality and scientific advancement as drivers of human flourishing—themes echoed in his earlier works like The Better Angels of Our Nature and The Blank Slate.

Pinker’s insights have shaped global conversations through TED Talks, New York Times columns, and appearances on platforms like NPR and BBC. A two-time Pulitzer finalist and recipient of the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award, his ideas are endorsed by Bill Gates, who called Enlightenment Now “my new favorite book of all time.” Other key works summarized here include The Language Instinct and How the Mind Works, which explore cognition through evolutionary psychology.

Born in Montreal in 1954, Pinker’s Jewish upbringing and academic rigor inform his provocative yet data-driven style, cementing his status as one of Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World Today.”

1. Steven Pinker's Enlightenment Now proves global progress through data-driven optimism
2. Core Enlightenment values—reason, science, humanism—remain humanity’s best tools for advancement
3. Despite media negativity, data shows life expectancy and wealth at historic highs
4. IQ scores rise globally due to better nutrition and education systems
5. Pinker dismantles the myth of decline with 75+ progress-measuring graphs
6. Enlightenment ideals reduced violence and increased democracy worldwide since 1700s
7. Artificial intelligence and nuclear weapons require reason-based solutions, not fear-driven policies
8. Counter-Enlightenment movements threaten progress but remain statistical outliers historically
9. Humanism prioritizes individual flourishing over group identity politics and tribalism
10. Existential risks exist but pale against Enlightenment-driven problem-solving track record
11. Pinker argues scientific progress must be paired with ethical humanistic frameworks
12. Enlightenment Now refutes populist narratives with evidence of sustained global betterment

Vaclav Smil, author of How the World Really Works, is a distinguished Czech-Canadian interdisciplinary scientist and policy analyst renowned for his data-driven explorations of energy, technology, and societal development. A Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Manitoba, Smil’s work bridges environmental science, economics, and history, with a focus on global energy transitions, food systems, and technological innovation.

His expertise is rooted in decades of research and advisory roles for institutions like the World Bank and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Smil’s influential titles, including Energy and Civilization and Numbers Don’t Lie, cement his reputation for synthesizing complex topics into accessible insights. Bill Gates, a vocal advocate of Smil’s work, has called him “the best author I read for making sense of how the world works.”

A prolific writer with over 40 books translated into 25 languages, Smil combines rigorous analysis with a contrarian perspective, challenging conventional narratives about progress and sustainability. His website, VaclavSmil.com, serves as a hub for his ongoing research and commentaries. How the World Really Works continues his legacy of illuminating the interconnected systems shaping modern civilization.

1. Modern civilization rests on four pillars: cement, steel, plastics, and ammonia.
2. Fossil fuels enabled the agricultural revolution that sustains billions today.
3. Ammonia-based fertilizers are why 8 billion people can exist now.
4. Swapping coal for solar isn't enough—energy transitions take decades.
5. Globalization only works with fossil fuels moving goods worldwide.
6. Urban wealth depends on cheap steel and cement from hydrocarbons.
7. Decarbonizing heavy industries like steelmaking remains our biggest challenge.
8. Understanding risk means facing probabilities, not just fearing worst-case scenarios.
9. Vaclav Smil shows modern life relies on converting ancient sunlight.
10. Bill Gates says energy transitions need dull, accurate middle paths.
11. 200 years of energy advances let 10% feed 100% through agriculture.
12. No hydrocarbon substitutes yet match concrete’s role in urbanization.

Hans Rosling, acclaimed Swedish physician, statistician, and global health visionary, authored the groundbreaking nonfiction work Factfulness with his son Ola Rosling and daughter-in-law Anna Rosling Rönnlund. Published posthumously in 2018, the book challenges misconceptions about global development through data-driven insights, reflecting Rosling’s lifelong mission to combat ignorance with empirical analysis.

A professor of international health at Stockholm’s Karolinska Institute, Rosling co-founded Gapminder Foundation, revolutionizing data visualization through tools like Trendalyzer—adopted by organizations from the UN to Google. His electrifying TED Talks and viral BBC documentaries, including The Joy of Stats, made complex global trends accessible to millions.

Rosling advised world leaders from Barack Obama to Fidel Castro and received recognition in Time’s 100 Most Influential People list. Factfulness became an international bestseller, translated into 46 languages, with Bill Gates distributing free copies to college graduates. The book’s enduring legacy lies in its optimistic reframing of human progress through what Rosling called “a fact-based worldview.”

1. Replace “developed vs. developing” categories with Hans Rosling’s four income levels for accurate global analysis.
2. Combat the negativity instinct by tracking incremental progress in health, poverty, and education.
3. Overcome the gap instinct by focusing on data majority patterns, not extremes.
4. Challenge the blame instinct by analyzing systemic causes over individual villains.
5. Use proportional comparisons to counter size instinct distortions in media narratives.
6. Reject single-perspective solutions by testing ideas across cultural and economic contexts.
7. Replace urgency-driven panic with fact-based, long-term problem-solving frameworks.
8. Recognize destiny instinct fallacies by tracking dynamic societal and economic shifts.
9. Counter generalization biases with localized data and intersectional demographic insights.
10. Adopt a factfulness mindset by auditing emotional reactions against empirical trends.

Steven Arthur Pinker, bestselling author of The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined, is a cognitive psychologist and leading authority on language, human nature, and societal progress. Born in Montreal in 1954 and educated at McGill and Harvard, Pinker’s work bridges psychology, history, and Enlightenment philosophy, exemplified by his Pulitzer Prize-finalist explorations of violence reduction and rational optimism.

A Harvard professor and MIT alum, he’s shaped public discourse through groundbreaking books like The Language Instinct and Enlightenment Now, alongside TED Talks and columns for The New York Times.

The Better Angels of Our Nature synthesizes Pinker’s research on cognitive science with historical analysis to argue that humanity has grown less violent through reason and cooperation. His ideas have influenced figures like Bill Gates, who called it “the most inspiring book I’ve ever read.” Pinker’s other works, including How the Mind Works and The Blank Slate, further examine human behavior through evolutionary psychology.

Translated into over 30 languages, Pinker’s books have sold millions worldwide. The Better Angels of Our Nature remains a cornerstone of debates on human progress, cementing his reputation as a defining thinker of 21st-century intellectual culture.

1. Violence has declined through six historical shifts from tribal warfare to modern human rights.
2. Empathy and reason counterbalance humanity’s evolutionary “inner demons” like dominance and revenge.
3. Stable governments reduce violence by replacing anarchic self-help justice with legal systems.
4. The printing press enabled humanitarian ideals to spread and curb systemic brutality.
5. Commerce and trade incentivize cooperation over conquest as a survival strategy.
6. Expanding moral circles extend empathy beyond tribes to global and interspecies levels.
7. Ideologies often start humane but risk justifying violence through utopian purity.
8. The Flynn Effect shows rising IQ correlates with better conflict resolution skills.
9. Modern media exaggerates perceived violence despite living in history’s most peaceful era.
10. Self-control and moral norms suppress impulsive violence more effectively than biology.
11. Feminization of values reduces glorification of aggression and warrior mentalities.
12. Pinker argues declining violence stems from cultural evolution, not biological change.

John Brooks (1920–1993) was an acclaimed financial journalist and a longtime contributor to The New Yorker. He is best known as the author of the seminal business classic Business Adventures, a penetrating exploration of corporate America and Wall Street dynamics.

Renowned for blending meticulous research with narrative flair, Brooks illuminated complex financial themes such as market psychology, innovation, and corporate ethics through vivid case studies. His expertise stemmed from decades of dissecting financial markets for The New Yorker, where his incisive reporting earned him a Gerald Loeb Award for The Go-Go Years (1973), another essential read analyzing 1960s stock market speculation.

Brooks also authored Once in Golconda, a gripping account of 1920s Wall Street scandals, and served as president of the Authors Guild, advocating for writers’ rights. Beyond nonfiction, he penned three novels reflecting his sharp observational wit.

Praised by Bill Gates as “the best business book I’ve ever read,” Business Adventures remains a touchstone in corporate literature, continually recommended for its timeless insights into ambition, risk, and human behavior in finance.

1. Market unpredictability defines success—J.P. Morgan’s “it will fluctuate” remains Wall Street’s only certainty.
2. Ford’s Edsel failure exposes the peril of misreading consumer desires mid-market shift.
3. Corporate culture shapes ethical outcomes more than written policies, as GE’s price-fixing scandal reveals.
4. Insider trading cases underscore the moral hazards of privileged information in financial decision-making.
5. Stock market crashes like 1962’s flash crash mirror human psychology, not just economic data.
6. Shareholder meetings unveil power dynamics between management and investors in corporate governance battles.
7. John Brooks frames business as human drama—hubris, resilience, and miscalculation drive Wall Street narratives.
8. Crisis management demands all-hands urgency, as shown by brokers navigating sudden market collapses.
9. Regulatory evolution, from the 1934 Securities Act onward, tracks recurring clashes between profit and ethics.
10. True innovation dies when companies prioritize past successes over future reinvention, per Xerox’s story.
11. Brooks’ storytelling transforms dry finance topics into suspenseful lessons on leadership and character.
12. Bill Gates champions Brooks’ case studies as timeless guides to human behavior in business strategy.

Gretchen Rubin, New York Times bestselling author of The Happiness Project: Or Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun, is a leading expert on habits, happiness, and human nature. A former lawyer who clerked for Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Rubin pivoted to writing, blending memoir, self-help, and research to explore practical strategies for personal growth.

Her work combines insights from philosophy, psychology, and her own experiments, resonating with readers seeking actionable advice. Rubin expanded her influence through the award-winning podcast Happier with Gretchen Rubin, co-hosted with her sister, and her widely read blog.

She authored other bestsellers like Better Than Before and Happier at Home, cementing her reputation in the self-help genre. Featured on platforms like Jeopardy! and in shows such as Big Little Lies, her ideas permeate popular culture. The Happiness Project has sold over two million copies worldwide and been translated into more than 30 languages, inspiring global book clubs and discussion groups.

1. Happiness requires balancing feeling good, feeling bad, and feeling right within growth.
2. Gretchen Rubin’s Twelve Commandments help align actions with core values for lasting joy.
3. Tackle procrastination with Rubin’s “Do It Now” principle to reduce stress and boost productivity.
4. Strengthen relationships by avoiding gossip and prioritizing birthdays, generosity, and quality time.
5. Cultivate self-awareness using Rubin’s “Be Gretchen” mantra to embrace authentic preferences.
6. Happiness grows through learning, mastery, and contributing to others’ progress (“atmosphere of growth”).
7. Rubin’s “Act the Way You Want to Feel” tactic rewires emotional responses.
8. Monthly themed resolutions build habits for sustained happiness (e.g., vitality, relationships, mindfulness).
9. Letting go of grudges and focusing on love amplifies daily contentment.
10. Gretchen Rubin’s Eight Splendid Truths link happiness to gratitude, growth, and self-acceptance.
11. Track progress with Franklin-inspired charts to reinforce accountability and measurable goals.
12. Happiness isn’t passive—design a personalized project to actively shape your joy.

Ian Leslie is a British author and behavioral psychology expert. He explores the complexities of human deception in his acclaimed book Born Liars: Why We Can't Live Without Deceit.

A former advertising strategist for global brands, Leslie brings a unique lens to psychology and communication. He has written for The Guardian, Financial Times, and New Statesman. His work bridges academic rigor and accessible storytelling, with follow-up bestsellers like Curious (2014) and Conflicted (2021) examining curiosity and productive disagreement in modern society.

Leslie hosts the Polarised podcast and shares insights through his popular newsletter The Ruffian, reaching thousands of subscribers. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, he advises leaders on workplace culture while residing in London with his family. Born Liars has been cited widely in psychology discussions and adapted into educational resources for its groundbreaking analysis of deceit’s evolutionary role.

1. Lying evolved as a survival tool for highly social human species.
2. Deception detection failures expose polygraph tests as scientifically flawed.
3. White lies build social trust but erode personal self-awareness over time.
4. Pathological liars construct fantasy worlds where falsehoods feel emotionally true.
5. Childhood lying marks cognitive development milestones rather than moral failure.
6. Placebos prove deception's power to heal both body and mind.
7. Political and advertising success relies on strategic truth manipulation tactics.
8. The "Norfolk Four" case reveals how interrogation tactics manufacture false confessions.
9. Social media amplifies deceptive self-presentation through curated identity crafting.
10. Ian Leslie argues lying shaped human intelligence and cooperation.
11. Neural plasticity enables our brains to rewrite memories through repeated deceit.
12. Deception fuels artistic creativity but risks ethical decay in relationships.

Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is a philanthropist, clean energy investor, and bestselling author of How to Avoid a Climate Disaster: The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need.

A leading voice in climate innovation, Gates combines his tech expertise and global health advocacy to address urgent environmental challenges, advocating for scalable solutions like advanced nuclear energy and carbon removal technologies.

His work through Breakthrough Energy, which funds cutting-edge climate startups, and TerraPower, a next-generation nuclear reactor company, reflects his commitment to transforming energy systems. Gates frequently shares insights on his blog Gates Notes and in TED Talks, where he emphasizes the role of policy and private-sector collaboration.

How to Avoid a Climate Disaster became a New York Times bestseller, translated into over 30 languages, and is widely cited in climate policy discussions.

1. Bill Gates prioritizes achieving net-zero emissions over partial reductions by 2050
2. The "green premium" concept highlights cost barriers to adopting clean energy solutions
3. Five key sectors—electricity, manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, heating—require targeted decarbonization strategies
4. Government policies must incentivize green innovation while implementing carbon pricing systems
5. Nuclear energy and grid modernization are critical for reliable clean electricity
6. Developing nations need affordable clean energy to balance growth with emissions
7. Corporate investment in carbon capture and green hydrogen accelerates climate progress
8. Agriculture innovations like methane-reducing feed and soil tech curb sector emissions
9. Climate solutions demand global collaboration between governments, businesses, and researchers
10. Avoiding climate disaster requires scaling existing tech while funding breakthrough inventions
11. Electric vehicles and green building materials enable cross-sector emission reductions
12. Energy storage advancements are vital to overcoming solar and wind intermittency

Hermann Karl Hesse (1877–1962), Nobel Prize-winning author of Siddhartha, was a German-Swiss literary icon renowned for exploring existential spirituality and the human quest for self-discovery.

Blending Eastern philosophy with Jungian psychology, his works like Siddhartha—a lyrical parable of enlightenment—reflect his fascination with Buddhism and introspective journeys.

A disillusioned seminary student turned autodidact, Hesse’s own crises and psychoanalytic experiences shaped classics such as Steppenwolf and Demian, which dissect identity, duality, and transcendence. His magnum opus, The Glass Bead Game, earned him the 1946 Nobel Prize in Literature for its “inspired writings exemplifying humanitarian ideals.”

Other seminal works include Narcissus and Goldmund, a meditation on art and asceticism. Translated into over 60 languages, Siddhartha remains a global touchstone for spiritual seekers, selling millions of copies and inspiring adaptations in film and theater.

1. Enlightenment flows from lived experience, not inherited teachings.
2. The river’s timeless wisdom teaches unity of past, present, and future.
3. Self-discovery requires abandoning dogma to forge your own path.
4. Material wealth and asceticism both fail as permanent spiritual solutions.
5. Listening to nature reveals life’s interconnected cycles of death and rebirth.
6. True peace comes through loving acceptance, not intellectual mastery.
7. Time dissolves when embracing the eternal “now” of existence.
8. Every failure and desire fuels eventual awakening.
9. Hermann Hesse frames enlightenment as a journey of unlearning, not learning.
10. Siddhartha’s final lesson: wisdom cannot be taught—only earned through suffering.
11. The “Om” symbol embodies life’s unbroken harmony beneath surface chaos.
12. Spiritual growth demands cyclical deaths and rebirths of the ego.

John Bridges is the bestselling author of How to Be a Gentleman and a leading authority on modern etiquette and traditional manners. A native of Slapout, Alabama, Bridges draws on decades of experience in cultural affairs, serving as Director of Cultural Affairs for Nashville, Tennessee, to craft practical advice for contemporary social dynamics. His work blends timeless courtesy with insights into today’s digital age, making gentlemanly conduct accessible to readers worldwide. Bridges has expanded his expertise through related titles like 50 Things Every Young Gentleman Should Know and A Gentleman Entertains, establishing a comprehensive library for readers seeking polished social skills.

Known for his lighthearted yet authoritative tone, Bridges has been featured on major media platforms including the Today show and CBS Sunday Morning, solidifying his reputation as a trusted voice in etiquette. His books, translated into over 15 languages, emphasize respect, personal grooming, and grace under pressure. With over 1.25 million copies sold globally, How to Be a Gentleman remains a cornerstone of modern manners literature, celebrated for bridging tradition with 21st-century practicality.

1. A gentleman commands respect through grace under fire, not demands or arrogance.
2. Modern chivalry means respecting women equally while maintaining thoughtful courtesy.
3. Unobtrusive technology use defines 21st-century manners more than gadget flaunting.
4. Cultural sensitivity becomes armor against social friction in global interactions.
5. The gentleman's handkerchief symbolizes preparedness for others' needs before his own.
6. Workplace conflicts dissolve through tactful communication before escalating.
7. Humility in victory and graciousness in defeat build lasting reputation.
8. Instead of attention-seeking, focus energy on making others comfortable.
9. Polished shoes signal self-respect; clean nails reveal personal standards.
10. Anger restraint separates gentlemen from boys in heated moments.
11. Active listening trumps witty comebacks in building meaningful connections.
12. Timeless etiquette blends firm handshakes with smartphone silence zones.