Want to think like the world’s most ambitious entrepreneur? I’m cutting through the noise and giving you Elon Musk’s top book recommendations – straight from the man who’s redefining space travel, electric cars, and even our future on Mars.
No fluff. No “maybe you should read this.” Just 10 mind-blowing books that have shaped Musk’s vision and relentless drive to change the world.
These are the exact reads that helped him build Tesla, SpaceX, and a multi-billion-dollar empire. Ready to dive into the books that inspire one of the most innovative minds on the planet?
Let’s get started.
Why this List Matters
Ten hours a day. That’s how long teenage Musk spent reading sci-fi novels before he built real rockets.
His secret? Not reading what everyone else reads:
- The sci-fi novel that became SpaceX’s actual blueprint
- The physics textbook he used to self-teach rocket science
- Biographies that shaped his “first principles” thinking
Most billionaires read to learn business. Musk reads to reinvent industries.
These aren’t just books that inspired him. They’re the foundation of Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink. The difference between reading about electric cars and actually building them.
Time to see what’s inside his library.
Quick Overview
| Title | Category | Difficulty | Pages |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy | Fiction/Sci-Fi | Easy | 224 |
| Structures: Or Why Things Don’t Fall Down | Non-Fiction/Engineering | Moderate | 424 |
| Benjamin Franklin: An American Life | Biography | Moderate | 603 |
| Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies | Non-Fiction/AI | Moderate | 368 |
| Our Final Invention | Non-Fiction/AI | Moderate | 336 |
| The Lord of the Rings | Fiction/Fantasy | Easy | 1216 |
| Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future | Non-Fiction/Business | Moderate | 224 |
| Merchants of Doubt | Non-Fiction/Environment | Moderate | 368 |
| Howard Hughes: His Life and Madness | Biography | Advanced | 368 |
| Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future | Biography | Moderate | 400 |
Elon Musk Book Recommendation
1. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
This isn’t just another sci-fi novel – it’s the book Musk turned to during his darkest moments as an entrepreneur. He even named SpaceX’s Mars-bound spacecraft “Heart of Gold” after the ship in this book.
Why Musk Values It:
- Shows how humor and innovation can coexist in technology
- Demonstrates the importance of perspective in solving impossible problems
- Teaches that the most profound answers might seem absurd at first
The book’s most powerful message, which deeply influenced Musk’s approach to innovation, is that the universe is far more bizarre and full of possibilities than we imagine. Its mix of absurdity and deep philosophical insights mirrors Musk’s own approach to solving seemingly impossible challenges.
2. Structures: Or Why Things Don’t Fall Down by J.E. Gordon
This isn’t your typical engineering textbook. When Musk was learning to build rockets for SpaceX, this was one of his go-to resources. “It is really, really good if you want a primer on structural design,” Musk said in an interview.
Why Musk Values It:
- Explains complex engineering concepts without heavy mathematics
- Shows how structural principles apply to everything from rockets to living creatures
- Combines technical knowledge with practical applications
What makes this book particularly fascinating is its broad approach to structures. Gordon doesn’t just explain why buildings stand up – he explores everything from the design of bird wings to the engineering of ancient catapults.
This comprehensive view aligns perfectly with Musk’s cross-disciplinary approach to innovation.
3. Benjamin Franklin: An American Life by Walter Isaacson
“Franklin was pretty awesome,” Musk said in an interview, naming him as one of his personal heroes.
Why Musk Values It:
- Shows how Franklin built from nothing, just like Musk who started as “a runaway kid”
- Demonstrates how reading and self-education can fast-track success
- Reveals how solving everyday problems leads to revolutionary innovations
What makes this biography particularly relevant is how it mirrors Musk’s own approach to innovation. Franklin’s method of tackling ordinary issues to build a better society directly influenced Musk’s work at Tesla and SpaceX.
4. Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies by Nick Bostrom
This isn’t just another AI book – it’s the one that made Musk warn the world about artificial intelligence being “potentially more dangerous than nukes”.
Why Musk Values It:
- Provides a deep analysis of AI’s potential risks and rewards
- Shows why controlling superintelligent AI might be humanity’s biggest challenge
- Explores practical strategies for ensuring AI benefits humanity
What makes this book particularly crucial is its systematic breakdown of how superintelligent AI could emerge and what that means for humanity. Musk was so influenced by its message that it partly inspired his involvement in founding OpenAI.
5. Our Final Invention by James Barrat
Elon Musk has publicly warned about the dangers of AI, and Our Final Invention is one of the books that made him sound the alarm. Musk even tweeted that this is a “must-read” for anyone interested in artificial intelligence.
Why Musk Values It:
- Explores the existential risks of superintelligent AI
- Argues that AI could be humanity’s last invention if not properly controlled
- Provides real-world interviews with AI researchers, offering a grounded perspective
This book dives deep into the potential dangers of AI, painting a chilling picture of what could happen if artificial intelligence surpasses human control. Musk has repeatedly echoed Barrat’s concerns, emphasizing that we need to think carefully about how we develop and regulate AI before it’s too late.
6. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Yes, Elon Musk too draws inspiration from fantasy. The Lord of the Rings isn’t just a tale of hobbits and wizards for Musk – it’s a story about courage, resilience, and the determination to save the world against impossible odds.
Why Musk Values It:
- Sparks the idea that even the smallest person can change the course of history
- Inspires the belief that one individual can take on monumental challenges
- Reinforces Musk’s mission to “save humanity” through his ventures like SpaceX and Tesla
Musk has often spoken about how this epic fantasy shaped his worldview, particularly its themes of fighting against overwhelming forces to protect the future.
7. Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future by Peter Thiel
Elon Musk and Peter Thiel have a long history together, co-founding PayPal, so it’s no surprise that Zero to One is one of Musk’s top recommendations for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Why Musk Values It:
- Emphasizes creating something truly new rather than improving existing ideas
- Challenges conventional startup wisdom by advocating for monopolies over competition
- Provides a roadmap for building groundbreaking companies that shape the future
Thiel’s core philosophy of going from “zero to one” – creating something from nothing – resonates deeply with Musk’s own approach at Tesla and SpaceX. Both companies didn’t just improve on existing technologies; they pioneered entirely new industries.
8. Merchants of Doubt by Naomi Oreskes and Erik M. Conway
This book reveals how a small group of scientists, funded by powerful industries, systematically obscured the truth on issues ranging from tobacco to global warming.
Musk, who has long advocated for sustainable energy and warned about the consequences of climate inaction, sees this as a critical read for anyone who wants to understand the forces working against environmental progress.
9. Howard Hughes: His Life and Madness by Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele
Definitely want to make sure I don’t grow my fingernails too long and start peeing in jars,” Musk joked after reading this biography. But beneath the humor lies a serious reason why this book deeply resonates with him.
Why Musk Values It:
- Shows the thin line between genius and madness in visionary entrepreneurs
- Demonstrates how unchecked ambition can lead to both innovation and destruction
- Serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of isolation and paranoia
What makes this biography particularly fascinating is the eerie parallels between Hughes and Musk. Both are innovative entrepreneurs who revolutionized multiple industries – Hughes in aviation and film, Musk in electric cars and space. Both share a deep passion for aerospace and pushing technological boundaries.
But for Musk, this book serves as more than inspiration – it’s a warning. Hughes’ descent into paranoia and isolation offers crucial lessons about maintaining balance while pursuing ambitious goals. It’s a reminder that even the most brilliant minds need to stay grounded.
The book’s most powerful message is about the double-edged nature of obsessive drive – the same qualities that enable extraordinary achievement can also lead to downfall if left unchecked.
10. Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future by Ashlee Vance
This isn’t just another Silicon Valley success story – it’s the most detailed look into the mind of a man who wants to revolutionize transportation on Earth and beyond. Vance gained unprecedented access to Musk, his family, friends, and employees to create this compelling biography.
Why It’s Essential:
- Provides rare insights into Musk’s challenging childhood and early entrepreneurial days
- Reveals how he approaches problems with “first principles thinking”
- Shows his relentless work ethic, often working 100-hour weeks across multiple companies
What makes this biography particularly fascinating is its unvarnished look at both Musk’s brilliance and his flaws. From sleeping on factory floors to nearly losing both Tesla and SpaceX in 2008, the book shows the real cost of pursuing seemingly impossible goals