03 Jun 2025
6 MIN READ
Elon Musk's Book Recommendations: 10 Books That Changed His Life
Elon Musk is a name synonymous with invention. From launching Tesla to building rockets at SpaceX, he's become a symbol of futuristic ambition. But behind every company, ideas shape a mind, and Musk says he was “raised by books.” His reading list is more than casual inspiration; it's a roadmap of how he thinks.
Books that shaped Elon Musk’s ideas on AI, space, and innovation
The CEO of SpaceX shared a list of his most-read books, which have inspired his innovations in space, tech, and business. Hands-on experience on his journey and how books have shaped who he is today.
Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies (Nick Bostrom)
Superintelligence extensively addresses the potential challenges posed by the rise of computational intelligence. This book raises the question of what might unfold when artificial intelligence surpasses human intelligence. The book by Nick Bostrom is well-written and philosophically explores the positive and negative aspects of artificial intelligence, a topic that is more relevant in today’s world.
Benjamin Franklin: An American Life (Walter Isaacson)
Franklin wasn’t just a founding father. He was a self-made entrepreneur, inventor, and diplomat. This biography tells the story of how a runaway apprentice became one of America’s greatest minds. Musk admires Franklin’s versatility and grit, calling him one of his heroes for building himself up from nothing. It’s a book about turning ideas into action, and one that mirrors Musk’s journey.
Einstein: His Life and Universe (Walter Isaacson)
Another biographical work by Walter Isaacson that perfectly captures Einstein’s scientific imagination and the rebellious nature of his personality. Einstein: His Life and Universe explores the narrative of how a creative and struggling father unlocks the mysteries of the atom and the universe. Musk has shared how he was influenced by the biography of theoretical physicist Albert Einstein to the extent that it reflects in the vision for his companies.
Howard Hughes: His Life and Madness (Donald L. Barlett & James B. Steele)
A “cautionary tale” on the legacy of business tycoon Howard Hughes, who was known to be a billionaire, world-renowned aviator, actor, and industry magnate. The book was initially published with the title Empire: The Life, Legend, and Madness of Howard Hughes. It explores the narrative of how his fortunes are believed to have come from his father's tool company and, later, from the Hughes Aircraft Company. The book has been adapted into a major motion picture titled The Aviator, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and directed by Martin Scorsese.
Structures: Or Why Things Don’t Fall Down (J.E. Gordon)
A book credited with inspiring Musk to learn and read the science behind SpaceX. He had shared in an interview that the book is ideal for discovering a primer on structural design. It breaks down the engineering to its simplest form, removing technical jargon and communicating its founding principles in accessible, witty prose.
The Foundation Trilogy (Isaac Asimov)
A book that has inspired Musk to learn that civilizations move in cycles, as shared in an interview with The Guardian. The Foundation trilogy is a classic science fiction novel, comprising three series: Foundation, Foundation and Empire, and Second Foundation. The notion of humanity extending life beyond Earth has inspired the Apple TV+ series of the same name, Foundation.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams)
In an interview, Musk mentioned The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy as a key book that has shaped his views on space and many other topics. The book has guided him to a greater understanding of the universe and the question of life's meaning. A book is an adventurous account of two human beings who survive the Earth’s senseless destruction and their adventures in space and time as they attempt to discover the meaning of life.
Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future (Peter Thiel & Blake Masters)
Zero to One is based on the notes from Thiel's 2012 class at Stanford University, which centered on the need for unique thinking among startup founders. Fortunately, Peter Thiel, the PayPal co-founder, has been praised by his colleague, Musk, and has been reviewed as a fascinating exploration of the process of building super successful companies. The book explores new inventions and delves into how one can find singular ways to create new things.
Our Final Invention: Artificial Intelligence and the End of the Human Era (James Barrat)
This book explores the chilling potential of AI to outthink and outmaneuver humanity. Barrat argues that without careful oversight, AI could develop goals misaligned with ours, becoming a threat to human existence. Musk called it one of five books everyone should read about the future, reinforcing his view that unchecked AI is one of the greatest dangers we face.
Ignition! (John Drury Clark)
For anyone interested in the chemistry and chaos of early rocketry, this book is a gem. Written by a real rocket scientist, it details the explosive and dangerous history of building liquid rocket fuels. Musk loved its technical depth and humor, and it’s been a source of inspiration for SpaceX engineers.
Warning: it’s not for the faint of heart or those with a short attention span.
Why these Elon Musk book recommendations matter
These aren’t just casual reads. Each of these books that Elon Musk recommends reflects a piece of his vision, including space colonization, sustainable energy, AI safety, or entrepreneurial drive. Reading them is like stepping into his mind for a few hours and seeing how ideas evolve into world-changing actions.
People also ask
What books does Elon Musk recommend?
He recommends a mix of science fiction, biographies, AI philosophy, and engineering books, many of which shaped his ideas at Tesla and SpaceX.
What is Elon Musk's reading habit?
Musk has said he grew up reading for more than 10 hours a day. He considers books one of his primary teachers.
Does Elon Musk love reading?
Yes. Musk says his love for reading was stronger than any formal education he received. Books were his first source of knowledge.
What is Elon Musk's favourite subject?
Physics and computer science were his favorites, and his companies still reflect both.
What did Elon Musk study?
He earned dual degrees in physics and economics from the University of Pennsylvania before briefly enrolling at Stanford for a PhD in physics.