Bill Gates

“Atul Gawande shows how simple checklists save lives. The lessons extend far beyond medicine.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“Shines a light on the real successes of aid.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2012.”

“A major disappointment. I found the authors’ analysis vague and simplistic.”

“More recently, I’ve gained a lot from reading a diverse set of books and authors including Under a White Sky by Elizabeth Kolbert, On Immunity by Eula Biss, The Gene by Siddhartha Mukherjee, and Eradication by Nancy Stepan.”

“A quick, condensed tour of [Jimmy Carter]’s fascinating life.”

“As I was reading about Rocky, I couldn’t help but think about Nick Lane’s excellent book The Vital Question.”

“I came away with new insights into the multifaceted cultural and family dynamics that contribute to poverty.”

“I would say to anyone who likes tennis as much as I do, you have to read [this book].”

“Summer’s almost over. If you have time to sneak in another book or two – here are a few I recommend.”

“There is no author whose books I look forward to more than Vaclav Smil.”

“Read this book and you’ll never look at a pencil or razor the same way.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“My favorite [Vaclav Smil] book.”

“On the surface it’s about math, but it’s really about how much math plays into our daily lives without our even knowing it.”

“I did find his historical analysis, which makes up the bulk of the book, utterly fascinating.”

“Helped me see microorganisms in a whole new light.”

“Examines the various predictions that have been made in the past and are still being made about energy use.”

“Vaclav Smil’s books are always phenomenal.”

“Summer’s almost over. If you have time to sneak in another book or two – here are a few I recommend.”

“Summer’s almost over. If you have time to sneak in another book or two – here are a few I recommend.”

“Summer’s almost over. If you have time to sneak in another book or two – here are a few I recommend.”

“Matt Richtel’s fascinating book about the immune system”

“More recently, I’ve gained a lot from reading a diverse set of books and authors including Under a White Sky by Elizabeth Kolbert, On Immunity by Eula Biss, The Gene by Siddhartha Mukherjee, and Eradication by Nancy Stepan.”

“This book has nothing to do with viruses or pandemics. But it is surprisingly relevant for these times. @exlarson provides a brilliant and gripping account of another era of widespread anxiety: the years 1940 and 1941.”

“Understanding how the connections in our brains give rise to consciousness and our ability to learn may help lead to great breakthroughs in the way we solve the world’s hardest problems. This is one of the most fascinating books I read this year.”

“I put Towles’s A Gentleman in Moscow on my summer books list back in 2019”

“More recently, I’ve gained a lot from reading a diverse set of books and authors including Under a White Sky by Elizabeth Kolbert, On Immunity by Eula Biss, The Gene by Siddhartha Mukherjee, and Eradication by Nancy Stepan.”

“I read every book by Edgar Rice Burroughs and Robert Heinlein.”

“How could a company as big and successful as GE fail? I’ve been thinking about that question for several years, and Lights Out finally gave me many of the answers I was seeking. The authors give you an unflinching look at the mistakes and missteps made by GE’s leadership. If you’re in any kind of leadership role—whether at a company, a non-profit, or somewhere else—there’s a lot you can learn here.”

“I am almost always interested in books about American presidents, and I especially loved A Promised Land. The memoir covers his early career up through the mission that killed Osama bin Laden in 2011. President Obama is unusually honest about his experience in the White House, including how isolating it is to be the person who ultimately calls the shots. It’s a fascinating look at what it’s like to steer a country through challenging times.”

“Like many white people, I’ve tried to deepen my understanding of systemic racism in recent months. Alexander’s book offers an eye-opening look into how the criminal justice system unfairly targets communities of color, and especially Black communities.”

“This book is truly uplifting. It documents a story of remarkable scientific innovation and how it has improved the lives of almost all cystic fibrosis patients and their families. This story is especially meaningful to me because I know families who’ve benefited from the new medicines described in this book. I suspect we’ll see many more books like this in the coming years, as biomedical miracles emerge from labs at an ever-greater pace.”

“For years, I was a skeptic about meditation. Now I do it as often as I can—three times a week, if time allows. Andy’s book and the app he created, Headspace, are what made me a convert. Andy, a former Buddhist monk, offers lots of helpful metaphors to explain potentially tricky concepts in meditation. At a time when we all could use a few minutes to de-stress and re-focus each day, this is a great place to start.”

“If you’re looking to work on a new skill, you could do worse than learning to memorize things. Foer is a science writer who got interested in how memory works, and why some people seem to have an amazing ability to recall facts. He takes you inside the U.S. Memory Championship—yes, that’s a real thing—and introduces you to the techniques that, amazingly, allowed him to win the contest one year.”

“All three of the Rosie novels made me laugh out loud. They’re about a genetics professor with Asperger’s Syndrome who (in the first book) goes looking for a wife and then (in the second and third books) starts a family. Ultimately the story is about getting inside the mind and heart of someone a lot of people see as odd, and discovering that he isn’t really that different from anybody else. Melinda got me started on these books, and I’m glad she did.”

“In her memoir The Best We Could Do, for example, Thi Bui gains a new appreciation for what her parents—who survived the Vietnam War—went through. It’s a deeply personal book that explores what it means to be a parent and a refugee.”

“You will rip through it in three hours, tops. But you’ll wish it went on longer, because it’s funny and smart as hell. I must have read Melinda a dozen hilarious passages out loud.”

“Finally, I love the way that former NASA engineer Randall Munroe turns offbeat science lessons into super-engaging comics. The two books of his that I’ve read and highly recommend are What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions, and XKCD Volume 0.”

“Finally, I love the way that former NASA engineer Randall Munroe turns offbeat science lessons into super-engaging comics. The two books of his that I’ve read and highly recommend are What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions, and XKCD Volume 0.”

“Vaclav Smil is one of my favorite thinkers, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on his new book about the growth of *everything*.”

“I’ve read a lot of books about history over the years, and These Truths by Jill Lepore is the most honest and unflinching account of the American story I’ve ever seen. It’s also one of the most beautifully written.”

“When I first met @dsengeh in 2011, I was blown away by his intellect, his ambition, and his sense of humor. His new book is a must-read for anyone who wants to help create a truly inclusive world. https://b-gat.es/40WpcKk”

“I’m excited to see @devisridhar‘s book in paperback. Her way of thinking about preparing for the next pandemic is one we should all pay attention to.”

“Recently I was telling a friend about Weather for Dummies. This was not unusual—it’s actually one of the first books I recommend to anyone who wants to understand the weather and how it’s affected by climate change.”

“Although it’s intended as a textbook for a college-level course, it’s quite accessible for anyone who’s motivated to learn about how the Earth’s climate works.”

“Part of the joy of reading it is that you get into subjects you probably learned about in elementary school—like plate tectonics and volcanoes—but in way more depth, which makes them even more interesting.”

“I appreciate this book for two reasons: because it’s fascinating on its own, and because it introduced me to John Renton as a teacher. After reading Planet Earth, I watched his series of video lectures, Nature of Earth: An Introduction to Geology, on The Great Courses.”

“And I recently read Mukherjee’s newest book, The Song of the Cell, which is about how understanding cells is key to improving human health.”

“An email from my younger self. In 2008 I wanted a bunch of science textbooks.”

“An email from my younger self. In 2008 I wanted a bunch of science textbooks.”

“An email from my younger self. In 2008 I wanted a bunch of science textbooks.”

“An email from my younger self. In 2008 I wanted a bunch of science textbooks.”

“An email from my younger self. In 2008 I wanted a bunch of science textbooks.”

“An email from my younger self. In 2008 I wanted a bunch of science textbooks.”

“An email from my younger self. In 2008 I wanted a bunch of science textbooks.”

“An email from my younger self. In 2008 I wanted a bunch of science textbooks.”

“An email from my younger self. In 2008 I wanted a bunch of science textbooks.”

“An email from my younger self. In 2008 I wanted a bunch of science textbooks.”

“An email from my younger self. In 2008 I wanted a bunch of science textbooks.”

“An email from my younger self. In 2008 I wanted a bunch of science textbooks.”

“An email from my younger self. In 2008 I wanted a bunch of science textbooks.”

“An email from my younger self. In 2008 I wanted a bunch of science textbooks.”

“An email from my younger self. In 2008 I wanted a bunch of science textbooks.”

“An email from my younger self. In 2008 I wanted a bunch of science textbooks.”

“This book made me think about what life with super intelligent robots might look like—and whether we’ll treat these kinds of machines as pieces of technology or as something more.”

“O’Farrell has built her story on two facts we know to be true about “The Bard”: his son Hamnet died at the age of 11, and a couple years later, Shakespeare wrote a tragedy called Hamlet. I especially enjoyed reading about his wife, Anne, who is imagined here as an almost supernatural figure.”

“I read a lot of great books this year—including John Doerr’s latest about climate change”

“If you read Numbers Don’t Lie and like it, you might also enjoy Vaclav’s latest book Grand Transitions.”

“This is the kind of novel you’ll think and talk about for a long time after you finish it. The plot is a bit hard to explain, because it involves six inter-related stories that take place centuries apart (including one I particularly loved about a young American doctor on a sailing ship in the South Pacific in the mid-1800s). But if you’re in the mood for a really compelling tale about the best and worst of humanity, I think you’ll find yourself as engrossed in it as I was.”

“Banerjee and Duflo won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences last year, and they’re two of the smartest economists working today. Fortunately for us, they’re also very good at making economics accessible to the average person. Their newest book takes on inequality and political divisions by focusing on policy debates that are at the forefront in wealthy countries like the United States.”

“I also have Randall’s latest book, How To: Absurd Scientific Advice for Common Real-World Problems, on my bookshelf and hope to read it soon.”

“This book definitely earned my admiration—and tears”

“I didn’t love The Last Lecture or Tuesdays with Morrie.”

“I didn’t love The Last Lecture or Tuesdays with Morrie”

“As a creator of successful companies, Eli Broad has few equals, and [this book] clearly shows why.”

“Has charted a course for making the most of the opportunities created by technology while also facing up to the hard questions.”

“I’d recommend [John Doerr]’s book for anyone interested in becoming a better manager.”

“A super fun read about how a boy from the suburbs of Dublin grew up to become a world-famous rock star and philanthropist.”

“A fascinating look at how science develops and how human curiosity has evolved over the millennia.”

“If someone wants to understand what happened during what they call the 'Great Panic,' this is one of the books they should be read.”

“Looks at five countries—Singapore, Canada, Finland, China, and Australia—where students are doing significantly better on global assessments than students in the U.S.”

“Raises some fundamental and surprising questions about the quality of U.S. undergraduate education.”

“A moving look at how incarceration changes relationships.”

“The book I had been waiting for. I can’t recommend it highly enough.”

“Even if you don’t read many inspirational books, try this is one.”

“I couldn’t put down this thriller with a tragic ending.”

“If you want to read an unvarnished, first-hand account of life in one of India’s slums you should pick up [this book].”

“Explores the different sides of a complicated man.”

“If you have seen Eddie’s stuff and you like it [...] I promise you’ll love this book.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2012.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2019.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2012.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2018.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2012.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2018.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2019.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2012.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2012.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2018.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2013.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2012.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2012.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2019.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2012.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2012.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2012.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2018.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2012.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2012.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2012.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2012.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“List of books Bill Gates read in 2011.”

“Trevor Noah’s funny and moving account of growing up in South Africa.”

“Explains how things we can’t touch are reshaping the economy.”

“Builds a persuasive case that many non-traditional students, such as working adults, parents and those at risk of dropping out, are not well served by traditional institutions.”

“Shows just how difficult it is going to be to improve education.”

“Points out [why comparisons of the US] with the decline of the Roman Empire fall short.”

“If you’re going to read one book about modern China in the period after Mao, then this is the book you should read.”

“I thought I was pretty good at teaching myself—until I read [this book]. Her ability to learn on her own blows mine right out of the water.”

“Gives a great sense of how hard it was to get KIPP going and how intense the focus on good teaching is.”

“Looks at current efforts to use technology for online learning and to measure achievement.”

“A highly readable account for anyone who wants to know more about [Chris Murray]’s work and why it matters.”

“Gave me a better sense of what it is like to be very poor in this country than anything else I have read.”

“A fantastic book, and I hope a lot of people read it.”

“Helps you appreciate that physics is pretty basic stuff.”

“If you want to learn about why human welfare overall has gone up so much over time, you should read [this book].”

“Gives as clear and as numeric a picture as is possible of how humans have altered the biosphere.”

“The amazing story of the eradication of smallpox.”

“A good read for anyone who wants to understand what actually determines whether a developing economy will succeed.”

“For anybody who wants to understand the complexities of the role of the Secretary General, this book is an illuminating read.”

“The amazing story of Jim Grant, whose influence in making vaccines widely available in the developing world is credited with saving the lives of 25 million children.”

“Peter Buffett writes about the values he absorbed growing up as one of three children of Warren Buffett and the late Susan Buffett.”

“Despite being a work of fiction, it offered fresh insight that made me rethink parts of [Abraham Lincoln's] life.”

“[I] gained a new appreciation for all the materials that make modern life possible.”

“Everything you wanted to know about blood.”

“Provides a roadmap for eliminating hunger in the world.”

“Lifelong learners will appreciate this book about the history of everything.”

“Influenced the decision that Melinda and I made to make polio eradication the top priority of the foundation, as well as my own personal priority.”

“Does a great job of bringing alive the complexities of poor people’s lives.”

“Makes a strong case that a lot of GDP measurements we thought were accurate are far from it.”

“Offers amazing tips on preparing kids for college, a career, and life.”

“Gave me insights about leadership.”

“An entire book about the development and impact of gas turbines and diesel engines.”

“Makes the case for why the U.S. health care system needed reform and how Obamacare sets out to fix the problems.”

“I can’t think of anyone better equipped to present a clear-eyed analysis of this subject than Vaclav Smil.”

“The former Treasury Secretary's front-row view of the financial crisis.”

“Argues that schools can and must improve dramatically without additional resources – even, despite budget cuts.”

“An excellent book about another key factor: how we make stuff.”

“A compilation of forty-plus years’ worth of coverage of Warren [Buffett] by the writers of Fortune.”

“I mostly agree with their message that the answers to America’s economic challenges are to be found in its past.”

“Gave me new perspective on why so many big challenges get bogged down in political battles rather than being focused on problem-solving.”

“Mostly about globalization, but there is also a larger story here that touches on business and philanthropy more broadly.”

“How Teddy Roosevelt and William Taft changed America.”

“Amanda’s story is personal, filled with moments of anguish, grief and love but she also tries to draw attention to what she discovers is a flawed health care system.”

“Explains the energy transitions that have driven social, economic and technological change worldwide over time.”

“If you want to read just one book about malaria, [this book] is probably the best choice.”

“About something I’m also keenly interested in—the polarization we’re seeing in the U.S., Europe, and other places.”

“On the short list of books that I recommend to people.”

“Melinda thought I would love [this book]. She was right.”

“I’ve told everyone at our foundation that I think it is worth taking the time to read [this book].”

“An engaging, well-illustrated science textbook offering compelling answers to big questions, from how the universe formed to what causes earthquakes.”

“A biography of Norman Borlaug, a brilliant agricultural scientist who [...] saved a billion people from starvation.”

“An entertaining narrative weaving together the clever characters, incremental innovations and historical context behind the steam engines that gave birth to our modern world.”

“Most people think strength is a positive quality in a leader, but this book proves them wrong.”

“For anyone who wants to learn about the science of seeds and the challenges faced by farmers.”

“A recapitulation of the history of materials told in an interesting and approachable way.”

“A series of dialogues between Hiroshi—founder of the Internet company Rakuten—and his father, Ryoichi, a respected economist and author.”

“Quite comprehensive in looking at many different kinds of energy.”

“It got me thinking about my own motivations and limitations in new ways.”

“[Melinda and I] enjoyed [this book] so much that we invited Graeme to come to Seattle to talk to us about it.”

“About predictions in many domains besides politics.”

“Makes a compelling case that all this [human] activity is leading to the sixth mass extinction in the Earth’s history.”

“This thrilling story about a double agent lived up to the hype.”

“I recommend this book to anyone who reads nonfiction. It is very well written and full of great insights.”

“My family loved reading this book together.”

“Explains why some nations flourish in tough times.”

“An economist explores a controversial subject: teacher accountability.”

“For a basic understanding of where education money comes from and how it gets spent.”

“Looks at college costs in the context of the larger economy, and offers suggestions for policy to increase access.”

“Made me think about how we have had to overcome some deeply ingrained behaviors in order to develop a modern, interconnected society.”

“I didn't actually read Catcher in the Rye until I was 13 and you know ever since then I've said that's my favorite book”

“[Edgar] Rice Burroughs wrote a martian series and I read that”

“My second favorite book is the book by John Knowles called A Separate Peace and that's a phenomenal book”

“My new favorite book of all time.”

“This is one of the most unusual novels I’ve read in years. The Overstory follows the lives of nine people and examines their connection with trees. Some of the characters come together over the course of the book, while others stay on their own. Even though the book takes a pretty extreme view towards the need to protect forests, I was moved by each character’s passion for their cause and finished the book eager to learn more about trees.”

“A guide to worrying in the 21st century.”

“This is one of the best business books I’ve read in several years. Iger does a terrific job explaining what it’s really like to be the CEO of a large company. Whether you’re looking for business insights or just an entertaining read, I think anyone would enjoy his stories about overseeing Disney during one of the most transformative times in its history.”

“a fun read even if you aren’t a sci-fi fan. I finished the whole thing in one weekend.”

“I would say this even if I weren’t married to the author: [this book] is a terrific read.”