Startup books recommended by founders and builders. 32 people, 79 books. Recommendation records: 99.
Every matching recommendation record appears here, grouped by person and book. Editorial starting points are on the collection overview.
Page 2 of 3 · Recommendation records on this page: 48.
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Blank describes it as the first insider view of how a decentralized company works.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
Steve Blank · accessed 2026-06-21 · accessed 2026-06-21
Official source · Official startup reading list
Steve Blank's official Books for Startups page names these titles in startup reading sections and includes direct guidance such as must-have, must-read, essential reading, useful read, or listed book guidance.
Blank calls the strategy books classics but timeless and explains why this one matters to market-type thinking.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
Steve Blank · accessed 2026-06-21 · accessed 2026-06-21
Official source · Official startup reading list
Steve Blank's official Books for Startups page names these titles in startup reading sections and includes direct guidance such as must-have, must-read, essential reading, useful read, or listed book guidance.
Blank includes The Innovator's DNA in the Must Read Books section.
The quote is taken word for word from the source.
Steve Blank · accessed 2026-06-21 · accessed 2026-06-21
Official source · Official startup reading list
Steve Blank's official Books for Startups page names these titles in startup reading sections and includes direct guidance such as must-have, must-read, essential reading, useful read, or listed book guidance.
Blank says he read the Christensen books as a handbook for startups trying to disrupt established companies.
The quote is taken word for word from the source.
Steve Blank · accessed 2026-06-21 · accessed 2026-06-21
Official source · Official startup reading list
Steve Blank's official Books for Startups page names these titles in startup reading sections and includes direct guidance such as must-have, must-read, essential reading, useful read, or listed book guidance.
Blank names The Marketing Playbook in his Strategy Books for Startups section.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
Steve Blank · accessed 2026-06-21 · accessed 2026-06-21
Official source · Official startup reading list
Steve Blank's official Books for Startups page names these titles in startup reading sections and includes direct guidance such as must-have, must-read, essential reading, useful read, or listed book guidance.
Blank recommends the book for large-company innovation and repeats it in enterprise innovation reading.
The quote is taken word for word from the source.
Steve Blank · accessed 2026-06-21 · accessed 2026-06-21
Official source · Official startup reading list
Steve Blank's official Books for Startups page names these titles in startup reading sections and includes direct guidance such as must-have, must-read, essential reading, useful read, or listed book guidance.
Blank notes Drucker's management-by-objective framing while discussing corporate innovation sources.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
Steve Blank · accessed 2026-06-21 · accessed 2026-06-21
Official source · Official startup reading list
Steve Blank's official Books for Startups page names these titles in startup reading sections and includes direct guidance such as must-have, must-read, essential reading, useful read, or listed book guidance.
Blank connects Schumpeter's book to creative destruction and entrepreneurship.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
Steve Blank · accessed 2026-06-21 · accessed 2026-06-21
Official source · Official startup reading list
Steve Blank's official Books for Startups page names these titles in startup reading sections and includes direct guidance such as must-have, must-read, essential reading, useful read, or listed book guidance.
The title appears in the Reading List section attributed to Fadell in Build; the source is a secondary transcription rather than a verbatim excerpt for this individual list item.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
Lanre Dahunsi · 2022-06-07 · accessed 2026-08-10
Article · Secondary transcription of book reading list
This page transcribes the Reading List section from Tony Fadell's Build and introduces it as a list of books and articles that helped Fadell, his friends, and mentors. Google Books independently identifies a Reading List section in Build.
The transcribed Reading List includes Crisis Tales: Five Rules for Coping with Crises in Business, Politics, and Life among the books and articles Tony Fadell says helped him, his friends, and mentors.
The title appears in the Reading List section attributed to Fadell in Build; the source is a secondary transcription rather than a verbatim excerpt for this individual list item.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
Lanre Dahunsi · 2022-06-07 · accessed 2026-08-10
Article · Secondary transcription of book reading list
This page transcribes the Reading List section from Tony Fadell's Build and introduces it as a list of books and articles that helped Fadell, his friends, and mentors. Google Books independently identifies a Reading List section in Build.
The title appears in the Reading List section attributed to Fadell in Build; the source is a secondary transcription rather than a verbatim excerpt for this individual list item.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
Lanre Dahunsi · 2022-06-07 · accessed 2026-08-10
Article · Secondary transcription of book reading list
This page transcribes the Reading List section from Tony Fadell's Build and introduces it as a list of books and articles that helped Fadell, his friends, and mentors. Google Books independently identifies a Reading List section in Build.
The transcribed Reading List includes How to Decide: Simple Tools for Making Better Choices among the books and articles Tony Fadell says helped him, his friends, and mentors.
The title appears in the Reading List section attributed to Fadell in Build; the source is a secondary transcription rather than a verbatim excerpt for this individual list item.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
Lanre Dahunsi · 2022-06-07 · accessed 2026-08-10
Article · Secondary transcription of book reading list
This page transcribes the Reading List section from Tony Fadell's Build and introduces it as a list of books and articles that helped Fadell, his friends, and mentors. Google Books independently identifies a Reading List section in Build.
The transcribed Reading List includes Super Founders: What Data Reveals About Billion-Dollar Startups among the books and articles Tony Fadell says helped him, his friends, and mentors.
The title appears in the Reading List section attributed to Fadell in Build; the source is a secondary transcription rather than a verbatim excerpt for this individual list item.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
Lanre Dahunsi · 2022-06-07 · accessed 2026-08-10
Article · Secondary transcription of book reading list
This page transcribes the Reading List section from Tony Fadell's Build and introduces it as a list of books and articles that helped Fadell, his friends, and mentors. Google Books independently identifies a Reading List section in Build.
The title appears in the Reading List section attributed to Fadell in Build; the source is a secondary transcription rather than a verbatim excerpt for this individual list item.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
Lanre Dahunsi · 2022-06-07 · accessed 2026-08-10
Article · Secondary transcription of book reading list
This page transcribes the Reading List section from Tony Fadell's Build and introduces it as a list of books and articles that helped Fadell, his friends, and mentors. Google Books independently identifies a Reading List section in Build.
The title appears in the Reading List section attributed to Fadell in Build; the source is a secondary transcription rather than a verbatim excerpt for this individual list item.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
Lanre Dahunsi · 2022-06-07 · accessed 2026-08-10
Article · Secondary transcription of book reading list
This page transcribes the Reading List section from Tony Fadell's Build and introduces it as a list of books and articles that helped Fadell, his friends, and mentors. Google Books independently identifies a Reading List section in Build.
The transcribed Reading List includes The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't among the books and articles Tony Fadell says helped him, his friends, and mentors.
The title appears in the Reading List section attributed to Fadell in Build; the source is a secondary transcription rather than a verbatim excerpt for this individual list item.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
Lanre Dahunsi · 2022-06-07 · accessed 2026-08-10
Article · Secondary transcription of book reading list
This page transcribes the Reading List section from Tony Fadell's Build and introduces it as a list of books and articles that helped Fadell, his friends, and mentors. Google Books independently identifies a Reading List section in Build.
The transcribed Reading List includes The Perfect Thing: How the iPod Shuffles Commerce, Culture, and Coolness among the books and articles Tony Fadell says helped him, his friends, and mentors.
The title appears in the Reading List section attributed to Fadell in Build; the source is a secondary transcription rather than a verbatim excerpt for this individual list item.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
Lanre Dahunsi · 2022-06-07 · accessed 2026-08-10
Article · Secondary transcription of book reading list
This page transcribes the Reading List section from Tony Fadell's Build and introduces it as a list of books and articles that helped Fadell, his friends, and mentors. Google Books independently identifies a Reading List section in Build.
The transcribed Reading List includes Trillion Dollar Coach: The Leadership Playbook of Silicon Valley's Bill Campbell among the books and articles Tony Fadell says helped him, his friends, and mentors.
The title appears in the Reading List section attributed to Fadell in Build; the source is a secondary transcription rather than a verbatim excerpt for this individual list item.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
Lanre Dahunsi · 2022-06-07 · accessed 2026-08-10
Article · Secondary transcription of book reading list
This page transcribes the Reading List section from Tony Fadell's Build and introduces it as a list of books and articles that helped Fadell, his friends, and mentors. Google Books independently identifies a Reading List section in Build.
A Hacker News commenter transcribed Altman's Twitter AMA answer to a question about the best books he recommends for a young startup founder and listed Dealers of Lightning.
Evidence detailsSam Altman AMA transcript comment on recommended books for young startup founders
The title appears in the transcribed Twitter AMA answer to a question about the best books Altman recommends for a young startup founder.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
Hacker News / Algolia API · 2015-10-21 · accessed 2026-06-22
Comment · HN transcript of Twitter AMA answer
A Hacker News commenter transcribed Altman answering a Twitter AMA question about the best books he recommends for a young startup founder; Altman later confirmed the disputed Art of War in the Middle Ages title in the same thread.
A Hacker News commenter transcribed Altman's Twitter AMA answer to a question about the best books he recommends for a young startup founder and listed Solution Selling.
Evidence detailsSam Altman AMA transcript comment on recommended books for young startup founders
The title appears in the transcribed Twitter AMA answer to a question about the best books Altman recommends for a young startup founder.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
Hacker News / Algolia API · 2015-10-21 · accessed 2026-06-22
Comment · HN transcript of Twitter AMA answer
A Hacker News commenter transcribed Altman answering a Twitter AMA question about the best books he recommends for a young startup founder; Altman later confirmed the disputed Art of War in the Middle Ages title in the same thread.
A Hacker News commenter transcribed Altman's Twitter AMA answer to a question about the best books he recommends for a young startup founder and listed Winning.
Evidence detailsSam Altman AMA transcript comment on recommended books for young startup founders
The title appears in the transcribed Twitter AMA answer to a question about the best books Altman recommends for a young startup founder.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
Hacker News / Algolia API · 2015-10-21 · accessed 2026-06-22
Comment · HN transcript of Twitter AMA answer
A Hacker News commenter transcribed Altman answering a Twitter AMA question about the best books he recommends for a young startup founder; Altman later confirmed the disputed Art of War in the Middle Ages title in the same thread.
Evidence details6 books for your summer list--straight from my network
Hoffman published a LinkedIn summer reading list and included Eric Ries's Incorruptible.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
LinkedIn · 2026-06-17 · accessed 2026-06-22
Social post · LinkedIn summer reading list
Hoffman's LinkedIn article is authored by Reid Hoffman, says reading good books helps him navigate technological change, and lists Incorruptible as one of six books for the summer list.
Evidence details6 books for your summer list--straight from my network
Hoffman published a LinkedIn summer reading list and included Mark Pincus's Life at the Speed of Play.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
LinkedIn · 2026-06-17 · accessed 2026-06-22
Social post · LinkedIn summer reading list
Hoffman's LinkedIn article is authored by Reid Hoffman, says reading good books helps him navigate technological change, and lists Life at the Speed of Play as one of six books for the summer list.
The event is private, but since I was impressed by Michael's latest book, Play Nice But Win, I want to share some of my thoughts about it with a wider audience.
Evidence detailsWhy Mark Zuckerberg wants everyone to read about the lab that has won the most Nobel Prizes
Business Insider reported Zuckerberg's twenty-first A Year of Books pick and quoted his Facebook explanation for choosing The Idea Factory.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
Business Insider · 2015-11-09 · accessed 2026-06-20
Article · Reported Facebook book club recommendation
Business Insider reported that Zuckerberg chose The Idea Factory for A Year of Books and quoted his personal Facebook explanation about being interested in the people, questions, and environments that cause innovation.
Evidence detailsTim Draper: A Reading List to Inspire Entrepreneurs
In The Reading Lists interview, Draper was asked whether any additional books would make his reading list and answered with recommended or required Draper University books, including MBA in a Day.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
The Reading Lists · 2016-07-23 · accessed 2026-06-22
Interview · Reading-list interview
The interview asks, "Are there any books you haven't mentioned that you feel would make your reading list?" Draper answers that he has books recommended or required at Draper University and includes MBA in a Day by Steven Stralser.
Evidence detailsTim Draper: A Reading List to Inspire Entrepreneurs
In The Reading Lists interview, Draper was asked whether any additional books would make his reading list and answered with recommended or required Draper University books, including Viral Loop.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
The Reading Lists · 2016-07-23 · accessed 2026-06-22
Interview · Reading-list interview
The interview asks, "Are there any books you haven't mentioned that you feel would make your reading list?" Draper answers that he has books recommended or required at Draper University and includes Viral Loop by Adam L. Penenberg.
Evidence detailsBen Horowitz Transcript - The Tim Ferriss Show
Horowitz named The Black Jacobins when Tim Ferriss asked what books he would give a first-time founder dealing with company complexity.
The quote is taken word for word from the source.
Tim Ferriss · 2019-11-12 · accessed 2026-06-23
Transcript · Podcast transcript
In the transcript, Ferriss asks what books Horowitz would give a first-time founder; Horowitz says he has recommended The Black Jacobins for years and frames it as a leadership book.
The first-person impact-list answer names this book. It is one interview event shared with Deep Work, not another independent event or a favorite ranking.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
The CEO Library · undated · accessed 2026-10-02
Interview · Original written source
The first-person impact-list answer names this book. It is one interview event shared with Deep Work, not another independent event or a favorite ranking.
Friar’s own January 2023 post presents recent favorite books. This authored list is separate from her 2019 McKinsey planned-reading selection and 2023 Stanford contextual Range discussion.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
Sarah Friar / Medium · 2023-01-29 · accessed 2026-10-02
Article · Original written source
Friar’s own January 2023 post presents recent favorite books. This authored list is separate from her 2019 McKinsey planned-reading selection and 2023 Stanford contextual Range discussion.
Reading list · Official a16z attributed reading list
Only Jordan’s named contribution is used. He explicitly praises the leadership book and the technology history; other staff selections are not attributed to him.
Evidence detailsPraise for Disciplined Entrepreneurship Startup Tactics
Attributed publisher endorsement; no claim of an independent review or undisclosed payment arrangement.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
John Wiley & Sons · undated · accessed 2026-10-01
Book · Publisher endorsement
Original Wiley sample, PDF page 4, attributes an explicit recommendation to Randolph. The endorsement is undated; 2024 identifies the book edition, not the endorsement date. Paul Cheek is the author; Bill Aulet contributed the foreword.
Evidence detailsKen Griffin says young grads who are not interested in reading books about their field have 'picked the wrong career'
Business Insider reported Griffin's recommendation from an S&P Global interview about reading and career learning.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
Business Insider · 2025-06-25 · accessed 2026-06-20
Article · Reported interview recommendation
The article reports that Griffin named Good to Great as his book recommendation for anyone starting a career, attributes the interview context to S&P Global, and summarizes Griffin's reason as business-building lessons.
Great partnerships are what drive real change. So it’s wonderful that Partnering – Jean Oelwang’s brilliant new book on the power of partnership – has arrived.
Evidence detailsPartnering: The power of partnership
Branson introduced Jean Oelwang's book on the Virgin site in a close Virgin context: Oelwang was founding CEO and President of Virgin Unite, Branson had worked with her for years, and Branson was interviewed in the book.
The quote is taken word for word from the source.
Virgin · 2022-12-08 · accessed 2026-06-22
Article · Authored book note
Branson calls Partnering Jean Oelwang's brilliant new book and says it is a refreshing antidote to a disconnected and divided world; the source also discloses Oelwang's Virgin Unite role and Branson's long working relationship with her.
From The Greats
Steve Blank
