Tim Urban is the creator of Wait But Why, a popular blog featuring deep dives into subjects like artificial intelligence, space exploration, and procrastination. His distinctive style combines humor, illustrations, and rigorous research to make complicated ideas accessible. Urban's work has gained millions of readers interested in understanding the forces shaping our world.
17 Books Recommended by Tim Urban
Ranked by popularity across all reading lists on this site
The Fountainhead
17 people recommendedI absolutely loved the book. Sure, the characters are extreme and one-dimensional - but to me, that was the point.
Also recommended by: Ankur Warikoo, Mark Cuban, Larry Ellison, Ev Williams, Ray Dalio, Travis Kalanick, Emma Watson, Fred Wilson, Jesse Williams, Jim Carrey, Kevin Kelly, Noah Kagan, Shah Rukh Khan, Vince Vaughn, Deep Kalra, Kalyan Krishnamurthy
Tools of Titans
16 people recommendedrecommended 2xDefinitely worth checking out.
Definitely worth checking out.
Also recommended by: Ankur Warikoo, Naval Ravikant, Balaji Srinivasan, Balaji S. Srinivasan, Ben Greenfield, Daniel Pink, George Raveling, Greg Mckeown, Greg Norman, Jocko Willink, Jodie Cook, Kevin Rose, Mr Money Mustache, Ranveer Allahbadia, Derek Sivers
Originals
12 people recommendedEnjoyed the shit out of it. Highly recommend.
Also recommended by: Peter Thiel, Ray Dalio, Richard Branson, Sheryl Sandberg, Arianna Huffington, Anthony Pompliano, Jodie Cook, Kat Cole, Seth Godin, Tony Hsieh, Whitney Wolfe Herd
Atomic Habits
12 people recommendedrecommended 2xI'd attribute about 60% of my good habits to [the author's] blog and this book is rapidly filling in the other 40%.
I'd attribute about 60% of my good habits to [the author's] blog and this book is rapidly filling in the other 40%.
Also recommended by: Ankur Warikoo, Vinod Khosla, Ben Greenfield, Biz Stone, Ali Abdaal, Anthony Pompliano, Blake Randall, Jodie Cook, Justin Kan, Rohan Bhargava, Derek Sivers
A great biography on Musk.
A great biography on Musk.
Also recommended by: John Collison, Casey Neistat, Anthony Pompliano, Austen Allred, Mr Money Mustache
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
4 people recommendedrecommended 2x[The author's] an awesome writer.
[The author's] an awesome writer.
Also recommended by: Ankur Warikoo, Abraham Mutai, Derek Sivers
Station Eleven
4 people recommendedrecommended 2xShould be required reading to remind everyone that we all live in an incredible magical utopic civilization.
Should be required reading to remind everyone that we all live in an incredible magical utopic civilization.
Also recommended by: George R R Martin, Kathryn Minshew, Tyler Cowen
Hit Makers
3 people recommendedrecommended 2xEvery time I talk to [this author], I can't stop taking my phone out to jot down insights that pop up in the convo. [This book] has the same effect.
Every time I talk to [this author], I can't stop taking my phone out to jot down insights that pop up in the convo. [This book] has the same effect.
Also recommended by: Daniel Pink, Fareed Zakaria
Our Final Invention
3 people recommendedrecommended 2xI think is the best overall resource on AI.
I think is the best overall resource on AI.
Also recommended by: Elon Musk, Sam Harris
The Biggest Bluff
2 people recommendedrecommended 2xOne of the most insightful and best storytellers around.
One of the most insightful and best storytellers around.
Also recommended by: Liv Boeree
[The author's] been scaring the shit out of me with this research for the past few years, and now it's a book I hope lots of people read/discuss/debate.
[The author's] been scaring the shit out of me with this research for the past few years, and now it's a book I hope lots of people read/discuss/debate.
Also recommended by: Vinod Khosla
Option B
2 people recommendedrecommended 2xA powerful book about a life skill we all need: resilience.
A powerful book about a life skill we all need: resilience.
Also recommended by: Katie Couric
TED Talks
2 people recommendedrecommended 2x[I read this book] while prepping for my TED Talk and found it HUGELY helpful.
[I read this book] while prepping for my TED Talk and found it HUGELY helpful.
Also recommended by: David Deutsch
Immune
2 people recommendedrecommended 2xSuper fun read and totally changed my understanding of the human body.
Super fun read and totally changed my understanding of the human body.
Also recommended by: John Green
Dream Teams
recommended 2x[This author] is an insanely interesting human.
[This author] is an insanely interesting human.
A Little History of the World
recommended 2xSuper comprehensive history of everything. As if your grandfather were sitting around with a bunch of little kids explaining it.
Super comprehensive history of everything. As if your grandfather were sitting around with a bunch of little kids explaining it.
Barking Up the Wrong Tree
recommended 2xA mountain of scientific research on success distilled into a quick, enjoyable read.
A mountain of scientific research on success distilled into a quick, enjoyable read.