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 1 of 3 · Recommendation records on this page: 48.
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Blank describes Ries's book while discussing Customer Development and Agile implementation.
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 recommends Biodesign for medical-device startups and notes its customer-discovery process.
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 Business Model Generation helps founders answer the business-model question intelligently and precisely.
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 startups disrupting regulated markets need to read The Fixer and Regulatory Hacking.
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 recommends Perez's book 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 names Testing Business Ideas in the entrepreneurial management stack 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 startups disrupting regulated markets need to read The Fixer and Regulatory Hacking.
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 recommends Wasserman's book in the Strategy Books for Startups 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 presents Value Proposition Design as Osterwalder's follow-on book for getting product/market fit right.
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.
In a separate Knowledge Project interview, Lütke explicitly names Parkinson's Law as a book he gives to his executives.
The quote is taken word for word from the source.
Farnam Street · Episode #152; date not listed on the transcript page · accessed 2026-09-27
Podcast · Knowledge Project interview transcript
The transcript states that one of the books Lütke gives his executives is Parkinson's Law and calls it an 80-page read. This independent primary source makes the recommendation explicit.
Evidence detailsTobi Lütke: The Skills AI Makes More Valuable
In the books segment of the 2026 Knowledge Project interview, Lütke returns to Parkinson's Law and praises it as a quick read.
The quote is taken word for word from the source.
The Knowledge Project · 2026-09-15 · accessed 2026-09-27
Video · Official Knowledge Project interview recording
Direct captions around 01:01:54–01:04:23: Lütke names Parkinson's Law among books he returns to and calls it a quick read. Book identity is matched to Open Library work OL722672W.
Blank includes Crossing the Chasm 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 lists Horowitz's book as CEO Build-phase reading for the transition from search to company building.
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 The Hard Thing About Hard Things 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.
Evidence detailsThe Tim Ferriss Show Transcripts: Drew Houston
Houston named the book when Tim Ferriss asked what three to five books would form the core of his reading list for smart nontechnical undergraduates.
The quote is taken word for word from the source.
Tim Ferriss · 2018-08-29 · accessed 2026-06-23
Transcript · Podcast transcript
In response to Ferriss's core-reading-list question, Houston names The Hard Thing About Hard Things as a favorite book about the experience of running a company.
Evidence detailsTen classic books that define tech
Conservative paraphrase of the recommender’s own positive reading selection; no exact quote asserted.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
Andrew Chen · undated · accessed 2026-10-01
Article · Personal recommended classics list
Own page explicitly introduces recommended classics and lists this title; visible publication date unavailable, retained undated. Explicitly excluded newer books are not imported.
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.
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 The Score Takes Care of Itself.
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 details25 books recommended by Marc Andreessen
An attributed recommendation list published by his venture firm. Catalog wording is a citation, not a direct quotation from Andreessen.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
a16z · 2026-07-30 · accessed 2026-09-30
Reading list · Official a16z attributed reading list
The official note explicitly attributes the recommendations to Marc Andreessen. The attached list image was inspected directly; this title appears in that image. Publication date confirmed in page JSON-LD.
Evidence detailsBen Horowitz Transcript - The Tim Ferriss Show
Horowitz recommended The Lean Startup for small-company founders in the Tim Ferriss transcript.
The quote is taken word for word from the source.
Tim Ferriss · 2019-11-12 · accessed 2026-06-23
Transcript · Podcast transcript
In response to a books-for-founders question, Horowitz says Eric Ries's The Lean Startup is great for a little company and explains its fundamental startup lessons.
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.
Current updated reading-list item. Canonical book credits preserve all three authors.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
Keith Rabois · undated · accessed 2026-10-01
Article · Own updated reading list
Originally posted March 22, 2015; current list is updated without a verified update date. Existing canonical credits retain Bill Walsh, Steve Jamison and Craig Walsh, although the list abbreviates the author credit.
Grove publicly praised Christensen's book in technology-management settings; this row is a reported recommendation because the source reports Grove's statement rather than providing a primary transcript.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
The New Yorker · 2012-05-14 · accessed 2026-06-21
Article · Reported conference recommendation
The New Yorker reports that Grove held up The Innovator's Dilemma at COMDEX and called it the most important book he had read in ten years.
Blank names Getting Real as web-focused startup reading.
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.
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 Endurance.
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 Zero to One.
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 detailsTobi Lütke: The Skills AI Makes More Valuable
Lütke names The Managerial Revolution as the first James Burnham book in this recurring nonfiction list; he describes Burnham's books as fantastic and extremely relevant.
The quote is taken word for word from the source.
The Knowledge Project · 2026-09-15 · accessed 2026-09-27
Video · Official Knowledge Project interview recording
Direct captions around 01:01:54–01:04:23 identify The Managerial Revolution as Burnham's first book in the sequence. Book identity and 1941 publication metadata are matched to Open Library work OL3272673W.
A first-person reading list in his 2022 update, focused on understanding political and institutional history. Inclusion records his selection; it does not endorse the book’s arguments.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
Andreessen’s authored update lists the two James Burnham books together with an explicit positive assessment in the Books section. Catalog wording is a citation paraphrase.
Doris is such a talented writer that the chapters about her love story are just as engaging and enlightening as the chapters about the Kennedy assassination and the Vietnam War.
Evidence detailsSome of my all-time favorite books
Gates included Team of Rivals in his 2022 all-time favorite books list.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
Gates Notes · 2022 · accessed 2026-06-22
Article · Gates Notes reading list
The first-party Gates Notes page presents these titles as Bill Gates all-time favorite books for holiday 2022; the catalog text is a summary rather than a verbatim quote.
The subject of this 2014 book by international-relations scholar Archie Brown made it an especially relevant read during the recent U.S. presidential election.
Evidence detailsBill Gates Picked These Books as the Best of 2016
Gates selected The Myth of the Strong Leader as one of his top reads of 2016, with TIME summarizing why its leadership argument was relevant that year.
This text documents what the source says, but it is not verified as a word-for-word quote.
TIME · 2016-12-05 · accessed 2026-06-22
Article · TIME report of Gates Notes list
TIME reports that Gates selected five top reads of 2016 from Gates Notes and identifies The Myth of the Strong Leader by Archie Brown as one of the picks.
Blank includes Blue Ocean Strategy 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 lists Dealing with Darwin alongside Geoffrey Moore's technology-market books.
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 names Do More Faster 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 says to read it for the sources of innovation.
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 lists Inside the Tornado alongside Geoffrey Moore's technology-market books.
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 lists Davidow's technology-marketing book in the strategy 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 names Talking to Humans in the entrepreneurial management stack 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.
From The Greats
Steve Blank
