There are very few entrepreneurs who fundamentally shift culture and society. Mark Zuckerberg will go down in history as one of them.
As the founder and CEO of the world’s most popular social networking site, Facebook — which he founded while still in college — Zuckerberg has created a dynamic place for conversation and connection. Though his career hasn’t been without controversy, he continues to be a sought-after thought leader, and stands as one of the richest people in the world.
This father of two and philanthropist is an active reader and often shares his must-reads widely. Though your chances of mimicking his success may be small, you can dive into some of his genius by giving these favorites a flip-through.
Here, the books that Facebook’s leader can’t put down:
The Structure of Scientific Revolutionsby Thomas S. Kuhn
Zuckerberg’s perspective on science is that it’s a constant force for good in the world — often investing in research and causes that advance this forward-thinking.
According to his Facebook post, this best-seller from Thomas S. Kuhn is an important digest for everyone: “It's a history of science book that explores the question of whether science and technology make consistent forward progress or whether progress comes in bursts related to other social forces... I think we'd all be better off if we invested more in science and acted on the results of research. I'm excited to explore this theme further.”
World Order by Henry Kissenger
If you’re a parent, you know first-hand how much life changes once you welcome your first child into the world. Zuckerberg experienced this shift and with it, came a new perspective and approach to life.
That’s why this book is one he recommends for everyone to read — regardless if they’re a mom or dad, or not: “It's about foreign relations and how we can build peaceful relationships throughout the world. This is important for creating the world we all want for our children, and that's what I'm thinking about these days."
Creativity Inc. by Ed Catmull
No matter what profession or industry you’ve decided to pursue, there are a few requirements for all workers. These include reliability, flexibility, and -- believe it or not -- creativity. Even jobs that may be less art or content-focused challenge professionals to bend their mind to problem-solve, or create solutions. To foster this dedication to innovation, Zuckerberg recommends this read, written by the founder of Pixar, discussing just that.
“His theory is that people are fundamentally creative, but many forces stand in the way of people being able to do their best work,” Zuckerberg shared. “I love reading first-hand accounts about how people build great companies like Pixar and nurture innovation and creativity. This should be inspiring to anyone looking to do the same, and hopefully there will be lessons we can apply to connecting the world!”
The Better Angels of Our Nature by Steven Pinker
Though there are more news reports discussing crimes these days, some people conclude that violence has actually declined throughout history. Zuckerberg was fascinated by this book from Steven Pinker — even if it took him awhile to digest.
As he shared, “Recent events might make it seem like violence and terrorism are more common than ever, so it's worth understanding that all violence -- even terrorism -- is actually decreasing over time. If we understand how we are achieving this, we can continue our path towards peace.”
The Idea Factory by Jon Gertner
Another book that zeroes-in on creativity is this best-seller from Jon Gertner. On a quest to create a dynamic workforce, company and planet, Zuckerberg turns to this page-turner to answer questions — and seek inspiration.
“I'm very interested in what causes innovation -- what kinds of people, questions and environments. This book explores that question by looking at Bell Labs, which was one of the most innovative labs in history,” he shared.
