Books Recommended by Brian Armstrong
Eisenhower in War and Peace
Jean Edward Smith
Source: "Biography about the general who led the European allied forces in World War II (arguably, saving the free world) who later became president of the United States." - Brian Armstrong
The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership
Jim Dethmer
Source: "Discusses a way of approaching work where you are curious, eager to learn, and open, instead of focusing on blame, criticism, and commitment to being right." - Brian Armstrong
High Output Management
Andrew S. Grove
Source: "Surprisingly, I found I was already using many of the management ideas in this book (1:1, OKRs, etc) which is a testament to just how influential this book is." - Brian Armstrong
Turn the Ship Around!
L. David Marquet
Source: "About enabling leaders in your organization written by the former U.S. Navy Captain of a nuclear submarine." - Brian Armstrong
The Economics of Microfinance
Beatriz Armendáriz
Source: "Much of this book was too dense, but it describes what works (and doesn’t work) when giving small loans to people in developing countries." - Brian Armstrong
Atlas Shrugged
Ayn Rand
Source: "Celebrate the creators in the world (even when they struggle). They may be more valuable than we think." - Brian Armstrong
The New One Minute Manager
Ken Blanchard
Source: "It was entertaining and easy to read, but I’m struggling to recall many of the lessons from it, which says something." - Brian Armstrong
Becoming Steve Jobs
Brent Schlender
Source: "A biography of the famous Apple CEO. I read the Walter Isaacson biography last year, but found this one slightly better." - Brian Armstrong
The Female Brain
Louann Brizendine
Source: "Was recommended to me by a female executive who suggested all male CEOs read it. It was quite good." - Brian Armstrong
High Growth Handbook
Elad Gil
Source: "[The author]'s advice has been key for Coinbase as we go through hypergrowth, from hiring executives to improving M&A." - Brian Armstrong
The Alliance
Reid Hoffman
Source: "I found the central concept to be pretty helpful, and it changed how we approach a few things at Coinbase." - Brian Armstrong
The Selfish Gene
Richard Dawkins
Source: "Famous book about how our bodies are vehicles to replicate our genes (even though we occasionally defy them)." - Brian Armstrong
The Singularity Is Near
Ray Kurzweil
Source: "Many major problems, like education and disease, will be totally transformed by this in our lifetimes." - Brian Armstrong
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk
Adele Faber
Source: "Really about how to communicate with all people. I found this book quite helpful and it changed how I communicate." - Brian Armstrong
The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing
Al Ries
Source: "Most brands try to do and be too much, but the customer can only remember you for one thing." - Brian Armstrong
The Psychology of Achievement
Brian Tracy
Source: "You can create any life you want, and are not at the effect of your circumstances." - Brian Armstrong
Don't Make Me Think
Steve Krug
Source: "A framework to simulate how customers experience your product, especially the moments of confusion." - Brian Armstrong
The Dip
Seth Godin
Source: "Made me move to Silicon Valley and double down on being a tech entrepreneur." - Brian Armstrong
The Sovereign Individual
James Dale Davidson
Source: "Was really ahead of it's time, a lot of original thinking (some really out there stuff too)." - Brian Armstrong
Good to Great
Jim Collins
Source: "The scientific method can be applied to business. This book draws powerful lessons from data." - Brian Armstrong
