List of Top Books Recommended by Bill Gates
- I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life
- When Breathe Becomes Air
- Seveneves
- Sustainable Materials with Both Eyes Open
- Interventions: A Life in War and Peace
- Epic Measures: One Doctor, Seven Billion Patients
- Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
- Should we eat meat?
- The Vital Question
It’s said that leaders read. Bill Gates, who is one of the world’s richest men, doesn’t shy away from reading. Rather he reads more than 50 books each year. But very few books reach to the top list Bill Gates recommends at the end of the year. In this article, we will talk about the books list you can read which Bill Gates personally recommended.
Grab a cup of coffee and let’s get started.
#1 – I Contain Multitudes
The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life by Ed Young
Book Review
This book stands at the number one position in Bill Gates’ recommended book list. Bill Gates mentioned that this book is so beautifully written that it will mesmerize the readers with the real “grander view of life” and not “with simplistic explanations”.
Key Takeaways
There are two key points that everyone would take away from this book –
- It will help you understand the ecosystem quite well.
- Knowledge of human microbes will help you magnify your health.
#2 – When Breathe Becomes Air
by Paul Kalanithi
Book Review
This book is in the second position in the recommendation list. During his last days, Paul wrote this mind-blowing book on the meaning of life, the brief life we live in, and why it is important to have a purpose. Bill Gates remarked that he was spellbound by the tenacity the writer showed by writing this book while the latter was dying.
Key Takeaways
If something we all can learn from this book is the significance of a well-lived life. We need to realize that life is short and shorter than we think. We should live a meaningful life and should never take life for granted.
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#3 – Seveneves
by Neal Stephenson
Book Review
Few books take you to a new dimension of thinking and change your perspective altogether. Well, your search ends here. This book will teach you how to change your paradigm about life and why it’s important to think about everything from perspective. Imagine if the world would end two years from now, would you prioritize the same set of tasks that you did before knowing the collapse of the world?
Key Takeaways
If you think short term, you will only experience instant panic and frustration. However, if you allow yourself to think through long term perspectives, you may change your mind.
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#4 – Sustainable Materials with Both Eyes Open
by Julian M. Allwood and Jonathan M. Cullen
Book Review
If you have ever wondered about recycling and reusing and couldn’t figure out which is better and why this book will throw light that will illuminate your mind. When we throw away the car or the refrigerator, how much we can still reuse and give a total reshape.
Key Takeaways
This book will teach you why reusing is better than recycling and why recycling takes more energy than reusing and will teach you that the buildings, cars, steel can be reused unless they get affected by any natural calamity.
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#5 – Interventions: A Life in War and Peace
by Kofi Annan
Book Review
This book is completely different than the other books. It is about diplomacy. It’s about Kofi Annan’s work at the UN for 10 long years. This book could impress Bill Gates because it portrays a holistic picture of how Annan worked, how he arbitrated among member states and convinced them for world peace.
Key Takeaways
You will learn the nitty-gritty of arbitration at the UN and how a man could survive ten long years in a position of diplomacy. Plus the writing style is a big plus which will glue you to the book until you finish it.
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#6 – Epic Measures: One Doctor, Seven Billion Patients
by Jeremy Smith
Book Review
If you are ever interested in Chris Murray and his work, this is the book recommended by Bill Gates you should pick up. It is a revolutionary book about how everyone’s health is at threat and how we collectively change that. As per the author of the book Murray’s effort is incredible and it can be called a highly independent work.
Key Takeaways
If you read this book, you would know a lot about health and how empirical studies and new methods can reduce the burden of diseases and disabilities. This book recommended by Bill Gates is great for doctors, political members, even for private citizens.
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#7 – Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
by Yuval Noah Harrari
Book Review
As human beings, we didn’t just drop out of the ocean on one sunny day. We evolved. We matured. And if someone would sit with you and tell you how you have become this “home-sapiens”, would you not lend your ears in inquiry? This book recommended by Bill Gates is exactly that. The author weaves our history in so beautiful manner that you can’t put it down.
Key Takeaways
This book doesn’t have any best take-away. Why? Because this book is one of the best books you would ever read (yes in entirety). And Bill Gates promised you that you will read this cover to cover.
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#8 – Should we eat meat?
By Vaclav Smil
Book Review
This book is for everybody – from vegan to carnivores. If you eat meat or don’t eat meat, you need to know should you at all eat meat! As per Gates, this is the most comprehensive book on the subject since the author covers the subject from all angles. You may not agree with everything, but to be aware of what you’re putting into your body is an essential thing to look at.
Key Takeaways
The best part of this book is its comprehensive discussion of whether you should eat meat or not. After reading this book you may continue eating meat or remain vegan, but this book recommended by Bill Gates will certainly make you think.
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#9 – The Vital Question
by Nick Lane
Book Review
This book will help you look at the origins of cellular life. And this book not only talks about plain theory; with each theory the author presents data points that support the theory. You will also know about the evolution of Eukaryotes and how the use of energy in cells has been evolved.
Key Takeaways
The best takeaway of this book is the author himself and because he has written the book. According to Bill Gates, the author is so transparent about what he knows and what he doesn’t know, you wouldn’t be in confusion about what to believe in.
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