Tyler Cowen

Tyler Cowen

Economist and Public Intellectual

Tyler Cowen is an economist at George Mason University known for exploring how culture, innovation, and incentives shape society through books and his blog Marginal Revolution.

Authors & Thinkers

Tyler Cowen is a professor of economics at George Mason University and the author of numerous bestselling books on culture, economics, and innovation. He co-founded the influential economics blog Marginal Revolution and is known for his ability to connect seemingly disparate fieldsβ€”from art history to technologyβ€”through an economic lens. His work emphasizes how individual choices and market incentives drive cultural and technological progress.

54 Books Recommended by Tyler Cowen

Ranked by popularity across all reading lists on this site

πŸ“–
#1

Working Backwards

by Colin Bryar

4 people recommendedrecommended 2x

One of the very best management books of recent times.

One of the very best management books of recent times.

Buy on Amazon β†’

Also recommended by: Austen Allred, Marty Cagan, Tim Oreilly

πŸ“–
#2

Station Eleven

by Emily St. John Mandel

4 people recommendedrecommended 2x

[The author's] biggest-selling book to date.

[The author's] biggest-selling book to date.

Buy on Amazon β†’

Also recommended by: George R R Martin, Kathryn Minshew, Tim Urban

πŸ“–
#3

The Founders

by Jimmy Soni

4 people recommendedrecommended 2x

Illuminating.

Illuminating.

Buy on Amazon β†’

Also recommended by: Anthony Pompliano, David Sacks, Walter Isaacson

The Decadent Society book cover
#4

The Decadent Society

by Ross Gregory Douthat

3 people recommendedrecommended 2x

Excellent book!

Excellent book!

Buy on Amazon β†’

Also recommended by: Peter Thiel, Fareed Zakaria

πŸ“–
#5

Here Comes Everybody

by Clay Shirky

3 people recommendedrecommended 2x

About spontaneous order and decentralisation, and just how powerful the web can be.

About spontaneous order and decentralisation, and just how powerful the web can be.

Buy on Amazon β†’

Also recommended by: Ryan Holiday, Derek Sivers

πŸ“–
#6

The Infinite Machine

by Camila Russo

2 people recommendedrecommended 2x

Yes, this is the story of Vitalik Buterin and Ethereum. Very useful, and I am glad there is now a good book on this topic.

Yes, this is the story of Vitalik Buterin and Ethereum. Very useful, and I am glad there is now a good book on this topic.

Also recommended by: Eric Jorgenson

The Idealist book cover
#7

The Idealist

by Nina Munk

2 people recommendedrecommended 2x

I could not help but crack open the cover and sample a few pages, and then I was hooked.

I could not help but crack open the cover and sample a few pages, and then I was hooked.

Buy on Amazon β†’

Also recommended by: Bill Gates

πŸ“–
#8

by

2 people recommended

New and notable.

Also recommended by: Patrick Collison

πŸ“–
#9

The Revolt of The Public and the Crisis of Authority in the New Millennium

by Martin Gurri

2 people recommendedrecommended 2x

One of the more important and more prophetic social science books of our time.

One of the more important and more prophetic social science books of our time.

Buy on Amazon β†’

Also recommended by: Ryan Shea

πŸ“–
#10

by

2 people recommendedrecommended 2x

A very good book about the YIMBY movement and its struggles.

A very good book about the YIMBY movement and its struggles.

Also recommended by: Marc Andreessen

πŸ“–
#11

Wikinomics

by Don Tapscott

2 people recommendedrecommended 2x

It basically says wikis work and wikis are important and wikis are the way of the future.

It basically says wikis work and wikis are important and wikis are the way of the future.

Buy on Amazon β†’

Also recommended by: Ryan Holiday

πŸ“–
#12

The Book of Disquiet

by Fernando Pessoa

2 people recommendedrecommended 2x

It’s really a book of meditations. It’s very philosophical.

It’s really a book of meditations. It’s very philosophical.

Buy on Amazon β†’

Also recommended by: Pewdiepie

πŸ“–
#13

The Glass Bead Game

by Hermann Hesse

2 people recommendedrecommended 2x

About the beauty of organised structures and how we play them in game-like fashion and how much they entrance us.

About the beauty of organised structures and how we play them in game-like fashion and how much they entrance us.

Buy on Amazon β†’

Also recommended by: Paul Stamets

πŸ“–
#14

The Glass Hotel

by Emily St. John Mandel

recommended 2x

I think, is [the author's] very best, deepest, most subtle novel.

I think, is [the author's] very best, deepest, most subtle novel.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#15

Wicked City

by Nicholas Hewitt

recommended 2x

Every city should have a good book about it, and now Marseille does.

Every city should have a good book about it, and now Marseille does.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#16

Quarantined

by Peter Johnson

recommended 2x

British Columbia had a quarantine station that late, and this is its story.

British Columbia had a quarantine station that late, and this is its story.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#17

Facebook

by Steven Levy

recommended 2x

Probably the best history of the company were are going to get, at least for the earlier years of the company.

Probably the best history of the company were are going to get, at least for the earlier years of the company.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#18

The Power Notebooks

by Katie Roiphe

recommended 2x

Power, sex, dating, and romance, but surprisingly substantive.

Power, sex, dating, and romance, but surprisingly substantive.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#19

The Cure That Works

by Sean Masaki Flynn

recommended 2x

A look at how to translate ideas from Singapore’s health care system into the United States.

A look at how to translate ideas from Singapore’s health care system into the United States.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#20

New Atlantis Revisited

by Paul R. Josephson

Imagine the Soviets trying to build a 'city of science,' and meeting problem after problem.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#21

The Origins of You

by Jay Belsky

Will prove one of the best and most important works of the last few years.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#22

Very Important People

by Ashley Mears

recommended 2x

I loved this book.

I loved this book.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#23

Drink?

by Professor David Nutt

recommended 2x

A very good introduction to the growing body of evidence about the harms of alcohol, in all walks of life.

A very good introduction to the growing body of evidence about the harms of alcohol, in all walks of life.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#24

The American Dream Is Not Dead

by Michael R. Strain

recommended 2x

Just how good or bad are things in America right now? [This book] is the most balanced and informative take on this question you are likely to see.

Just how good or bad are things in America right now? [This book] is the most balanced and informative take on this question you are likely to see.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#25

When the President Calls

by Simon W. Bowmaker

recommended 3x

Tyler Cowen recommended this book in his blog.

Tyler Cowen recommended this book in his blog.

Tyler Cowen recommended this book in his blog.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#26

Frank Ramsey

by Cheryl Misak

Thorough and useful, though not exciting to read.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#27

Allah

by Gabriel Said Reynolds

recommended 3x

A very good treatment of what it promises, with an emphasis on the concept of mercy in Islam.

A very good treatment of what it promises, with an emphasis on the concept of mercy in Islam.

A very good treatment of what it promises, with an emphasis on the concept of mercy in Islam.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#28

Lost Pianos of Siberia

by Sophy Roberts

A wonderful book if you care about the lost pianos of Siberia and indeed I do.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#29

Sketches of the Criminal World

by Varlam Shalamov

recommended 3x

The first third being remarkably moving and incisive as well.

The first third being remarkably moving and incisive as well.

The first third being remarkably moving and incisive as well.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#30

Conviction Machine

by Harvey A. Silverglate

A frank and brutal documentation of why you should never trust a prosecutor or speak to the FBI.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#31

Free to Move

by Ilya Somin

recommended 2x

The best book on geographic mobility and exit that has been written to date.

The best book on geographic mobility and exit that has been written to date.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#32

Social Democratic Capitalism

by Lane Kenworthy

A very smart, well-written, well-argued book.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#33

Sunnis and Shi’a

by Laurence LouΓ«r

Captures the complexities, and in fact pulls the reader away from the usual tired dichotomy.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#34

Children of Ash and Elm

by Neil S. Price

recommended 2x

I have only browsed this book, yet it appears to have much more information about the Vikings than other books I know.

I have only browsed this book, yet it appears to have much more information about the Vikings than other books I know.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#35

Dante

by John Took

The book to read on Dante after you’ve read all the other books.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#36

The Bomb

by Fred M. Kaplan

Not a secret history, but it is a good general overall introduction to its chosen topic.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#37

Fully Grown

by Dietrich Vollrath

recommended 3x

An excellent book on economic growth.

An excellent book on economic growth.

An excellent book on economic growth.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#38

Leonhard Euler

by Ronald S. Calinger

What a beautiful book.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#39

A Treatise on Northern Ireland, Volume I

by Brendan O'Leary

recommended 2x

This three-volume set is quite the remarkable achievement.

This three-volume set is quite the remarkable achievement.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#40

A Treatise on Northern Ireland, Volume II

by Brendan O'Leary

recommended 2x

This three-volume set is quite the remarkable achievement.

This three-volume set is quite the remarkable achievement.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#41

A Treatise on Northern Ireland, Volume III

by Brendan O'Leary

recommended 2x

This three-volume set is quite the remarkable achievement.

This three-volume set is quite the remarkable achievement.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#42

Generation Priced Out

by Randy Shaw

recommended 2x

A YIMBY book, with good historical material on San Francisco, Los Angeles, and other locales involved in the struggle to build more.

A YIMBY book, with good historical material on San Francisco, Los Angeles, and other locales involved in the struggle to build more.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#43

The Industrialists

by Jennifer A. Delton

recommended 2x

Why don’t more books fit this model: take one topic and explain it well?

Why don’t more books fit this model: take one topic and explain it well?

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#44

Economists

by Robert M. Solow

recommended 2x

Self-recommending.

Self-recommending.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#45

The Senkaku Paradox

by Michael E. O'Hanlon

recommended 2x

About what options a U.S. government would have β€” short of full war β€” to deal with international grabs by China or Russia.

About what options a U.S. government would have β€” short of full war β€” to deal with international grabs by China or Russia.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#46

The Age of Entitlement

by Christopher Caldwell

recommended 2x

A very old thesis, but these days quite new.

A very old thesis, but these days quite new.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#47

Under the Influence

by Robert H. Frank

recommended 2x

Tyler Cowen recommended this book in his blog.

Tyler Cowen recommended this book in his blog.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#48

Confessions of a Sociopath

by M.E. Thomas

recommended 2x

One of the most interesting parts of the memoir is how she reconciles being both a 'psychopath' and a Mormon...

One of the most interesting parts of the memoir is how she reconciles being both a 'psychopath' and a Mormon...

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#49

Cognitive Gadgets

by Cecilia Heyes

recommended 2x

Perhaps the most important general social science book in a good while.

Perhaps the most important general social science book in a good while.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#50

The Wizard and the Prophet

by Charles C. Mann

recommended 2x

I loved [this book].

I loved [this book].

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#51

Against the Grain

by James C. Scott

recommended 2x

Wonderful.

Wonderful.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#52

The Ideas Industry

by Daniel W. Drezner

recommended 2x

Excellent.

Excellent.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#53

Individualism and Economic Order

by F. A. Hayek

recommended 2x

Has nothing to do with the internet per se, it’s really about decentralisation.

Has nothing to do with the internet per se, it’s really about decentralisation.

Buy on Amazon β†’
πŸ“–
#54

Everything Is Miscellaneous

by David Weinberger

recommended 2x

Brilliant, but I think it raises an important question.

Brilliant, but I think it raises an important question.

Buy on Amazon β†’