Walter Isaacson is a bestselling author and former CEO of the Aspen Institute who has written acclaimed biographies of Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein, and Benjamin Franklin. His work explores how innovation shapes history and the lives of visionary leaders. Isaacson's narrative approach to biography has made complex subjects accessible to millions of readers worldwide.
20 Books Recommended by Walter Isaacson
Ranked by popularity across all reading lists on this site
The 4-Hour Workweek
27 people recommendedrecommended 2x[The author has] a great curiosity and [...] a great love for things.
[The author has] a great curiosity and [...] a great love for things.
Also recommended by: Eric Jorgenson, Ev Williams, Marc Andreessen, Tim Draper, Aj Jacobs, Blake Mycoskie, Caterina Fake, Charles Poliquin, Brian Dean, Daniel Pink, David Heinemeier Hansson, Derek Sivers, Eric Weinstein, Gary Keller, Jason Silva, Jodie Cook, Laura R Walker, Lewis Howes, Marc Goodman, Mark Bell, Maurice Ashley, Michael Hyatt, Mike Maples Jr, Mike Shinoda, Rolf Potts, Tristan Harris
A fast-paced tale of launching a public company, taking it private, and then taking it public again.
A fast-paced tale of launching a public company, taking it private, and then taking it public again.
Also recommended by: Bill Gates, Eric Schmidt, Howard Schultz, Jamie Dimon, Marc Andreessen, Marc Benioff, Ray Dalio, Richard Branson, Sheryl Sandberg, Adam Grant, Malcolm Gladwell, Matthew Mcconaughey, Satya Nadella
Measure What Matters
8 people recommendedrecommended 2xThe most important venture capitalist of our era reveals a key to business innovation and success.
The most important venture capitalist of our era reveals a key to business innovation and success.
Also recommended by: Bill Gates, Larry Page, Dustin Moskovitz, Reid Hoffman, Sheryl Sandberg, Jim Collins, Marty Cagan
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
8 people recommendedrecommended 2xCast as a letter to his son. Itβs not some deep ruminations and things. Itβs about how you make your way through this world.
Cast as a letter to his son. Itβs not some deep ruminations and things. Itβs about how you make your way through this world.
Also recommended by: Elon Musk, Jamie Dimon, Brandon Stanton, Charlie Munger, Cory Booker, Paul Graham, Vince Vaughn
Destined for War
7 people recommendedrecommended 2xWhen a new power arises in the world, it results in a clash with the dominant power. This important and fascinating book extracts lessons for how we can avoid such a confrontation.
When a new power arises in the world, it results in a clash with the dominant power. This important and fascinating book extracts lessons for how we can avoid such a confrontation.
Also recommended by: Elon Musk, Lloyd Blankfein, Ray Dalio, Anthony Scaramucci, David Sacks, Fareed Zakaria
On the Road
6 people recommendedrecommended 2xRead [this book].
Read [this book].
Also recommended by: Steve Jobs, Ev Williams, Bob Dylan, Josh Waitzkin, Lex Fridman
Thereβs something beautiful about [this book] because Ulysses is on the boat and then heβll have this incredible adventure. But then he gets to get back on the boat and move on.
Thereβs something beautiful about [this book] because Ulysses is on the boat and then heβll have this incredible adventure. But then he gets to get back on the boat and move on.
Also recommended by: Jay Z, Caterina Fake, Michael Pollan, Stewart Brand, Tim Oreilly
Future Forward
5 people recommendedrecommended 2xProvides a dramatic, clear-eyed look at this visionary entrepreneur and the leadership lessons he used to build his global company.
Provides a dramatic, clear-eyed look at this visionary entrepreneur and the leadership lessons he used to build his global company.
Also recommended by: Bill Gates, Marc Benioff, Bob Metcalfe, Guy Kawasaki
Begin Again
4 people recommendedrecommended 2xMust-read.
Must-read.
Also recommended by: Cory Booker, Hugh Hewitt, Steve Kerr
Tools and Weapons
4 people recommendedrecommended 2xThis is a colorful and insightful insidersβ view of how technology is both empowering and threatening us. From privacy to cyberattacks, this timely book is a useful guide for how to navigate the digital future.
This is a colorful and insightful insidersβ view of how technology is both empowering and threatening us. From privacy to cyberattacks, this timely book is a useful guide for how to navigate the digital future.
Also recommended by: Bill Gates, Reed Hastings, Satya Nadella
Read [this book].
Read [this book].
Also recommended by: Richard Branson, Daniel Pink, Ernest Hemingway
The Founders
4 people recommendedrecommended 2xAn indispensable guide to modern innovation and entrepreneurship.
An indispensable guide to modern innovation and entrepreneurship.
Also recommended by: Anthony Pompliano, David Sacks, Tyler Cowen
Both a useful guide on how to stay healthy and a fascinating analysis of the latest in medical science.
Both a useful guide on how to stay healthy and a fascinating analysis of the latest in medical science.
Also recommended by: Marc Benioff, Al Gore
The Only Game in Town
2 people recommendedrecommended 2xA must-read from one of the most astute financial analysts of our time.
A must-read from one of the most astute financial analysts of our time.
Also recommended by: Mark Cuban
The Moviegoer
2 people recommendedrecommended 2xWalter Isaacson mentioned this book on "The Tim Ferriss Show" podcast.
Walter Isaacson mentioned this book on "The Tim Ferriss Show" podcast.
Also recommended by: Ryan Holiday
Poor Richard’s Almanack
2 people recommendedrecommended 2xWalter Isaacson mentioned this book on "The Tim Ferriss Show" podcast.
Walter Isaacson mentioned this book on "The Tim Ferriss Show" podcast.
Also recommended by: Brandon Stanton
An inspiring and informative page-turner.
An inspiring and informative page-turner.
Also recommended by: Patrick Collison
Fantasyland
recommended 2xI think it helps you understand the wackiness happening in our country today.
I think it helps you understand the wackiness happening in our country today.
Genius Makers
recommended 2xThis colorful page-turner puts artificial intelligence into a human perspective.
This colorful page-turner puts artificial intelligence into a human perspective.
