📘 Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder and CEO of Meta (formerly Facebook), is not only known for revolutionizing social media but also for his love of reading. Over the years, he has launched his annual “A Year of Books” challenge and publicly shared recommendations that shaped his thinking on leadership, technology, society, and ethics.
Here are 10 books Mark Zuckerberg recommends — and why they matter.
1. The End of Power by Moisés Naím
This book explores how power is shifting in the modern world — from governments to corporations to individuals. Zuckerberg has cited it as influential in understanding how social networks empower people but also create new responsibilities.
2. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
“It gives perspective on the arc of human history.”
Zuckerberg recommends this global bestseller for its sweeping overview of human development. It explores how societies, economies, and cultures evolved — helping him think about the long-term impact of technology on humanity.
3. The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas S. Kuhn
This classic examines how breakthroughs change paradigms in science. Zuckerberg finds it helpful in understanding how innovative ideas — like social networking — can disrupt existing systems.
4. Portfolios of the Poor by Daryl Collins, Jonathan Morduch, Stuart Rutherford, and Orlanda Ruthven
A deep dive into how low-income families manage money in emerging economies. Zuckerberg has praised it for offering insights into the challenges and resilience of billions of people, which aligns with his interest in global connectivity.
5. The Better Angels of Our Nature by Steven Pinker
Pinker’s work on the decline of violence throughout human history resonated with Zuckerberg’s optimism about progress and the potential of technology to improve society.
6. The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution by Walter Isaacson
From Ada Lovelace to Steve Jobs, this book traces the history of computing and innovation. Zuckerberg credits it as a source of inspiration for understanding teamwork, creativity, and technology’s transformative power.
7. Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull and Amy Wallace
The story of Pixar and its creative culture. Zuckerberg recommends it for leaders who want to foster innovation while managing talented teams and navigating challenges.
8. On Immunity: An Inoculation by Eula Biss
Zuckerberg has highlighted this book for its thoughtful approach to public health, ethics, and societal responsibility — topics that intersect with his work on global communication platforms.
9. The Lessons of History by Will Durant and Ariel Durant
A concise and compelling overview of patterns in human civilization. Zuckerberg has cited it as a source of perspective on long-term trends in society, culture, and human behavior.
10. Portfolios of the Poor by Daryl Collins et al. (Yes, it appears twice in his recommendations)
Zuckerberg often emphasizes revisiting lessons from books that matter most — and this one exemplifies learning from real-world challenges.
Final Thoughts
Mark Zuckerberg’s reading list reflects his curiosity about human nature, technology, and leadership. These books don’t just teach business or coding — they explore culture, society, and the ethics of progress.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a tech enthusiast, or simply curious about shaping the future responsibly, these books are a roadmap to thoughtful innovation and leadership.