Books Recommended by Patrick Collison
The Billion-Dollar Molecule
The Quest for the Perfect Drug
Barry Werth
Source: "Lots about entrepreneurship, science, pharmacology, risk, importance of work ethic, management practices, fundraising, and the impressive depth of US capital markets." - Patrick Collison
Talent
How to Identify Energizers, Creatives, and Winners Around the World
Tyler Cowen
Source: "They've seen how undergrad & grad programs, academic departments, YC, startups, Apple, and Pioneer do talent selection." - Patrick Collison
Freedom's Forge
How American Business Produced Victory in World War II
Arthur Herman
Source: "About the logistical efforts -- led mostly by high school dropouts and immigrants -- that yielded the Arsenal of Democracy." - Patrick Collison
Reasons and Persons
Derek Parfit
Source: "I don't totally agree, but I think it's a really interesting modern take on moral philosophy." - Patrick Collison
Scientific Freedom
The Elixir of Civilization
Donald W. Braben
Source: "One of the best [books putting forth different visions for how science can be structured]." - Patrick Collison
A Culture of Growth
The Origins of the Modern Economy
Joel Mokyr
Source: "All of [this author’s] work is great, but [this book] in particular really stands out to me." - Patrick Collison
Electronic Payment Systems for E-Commerce
Donal O'Mahony
Source: "Our childhood home in Limerick was previously inhabited by one of the authors of this book." - Patrick Collison
The Book of Dust
The Secret Commonwealth
Philip Pullman
Source: "Going to own up to being very excited that there's a new Philip Pullman book." - Patrick Collison
Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs
Harold Abelson
Source: "In the aggregate [with other programming books] hugely shaped me." - Patrick Collison
Paradigms of Artificial Intelligence Programming
Case Studies in Common Lisp
Peter Norvig
Source: "In the aggregate [with other programming books] hugely shaped me." - Patrick Collison
The C Programming Language
Brian W. Kernighan
Source: "In the aggregate [with other programming books] hugely shaped me." - Patrick Collison
Modern Operating Systems
Andrew S Tanenbaum
Source: "In the aggregate [with other programming books] hugely shaped me." - Patrick Collison
Organizing Genius
The Secrets of Creative Collaboration
Warren Bennis
Source: "Talks a bit about this phenomenon of a really productive small group." - Patrick Collison
Perspective on McKinsey
Marvin Bower
Source: "Can’t shake the feeling that a consultant wrote this book." - Patrick Collison
A Shot to Save the World
The Inside Story of the Life-or-Death Race for a COVID-19 Vaccine
Gregory Zuckerman
Source: "[This book], about the creation of the COVID vaccines, is terrific." - Patrick Collison
The Power Law
Venture Capital and the Making of the New Future
Sebastian Mallaby
Source: "By far the best book I've read on the sector." - Patrick Collison
The Inner Game of Tennis
The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance
W. Timothy Gallwey
Source: "A really good book that I very highly recommend." - Patrick Collison
Masters of Doom
How Two Guys Created an Empire and Transformed Pop Culture
David Kushner
Source: "One of my favorite books about building software." - Patrick Collison
Eugene Braunwald and the Rise of Modern Medicine
Thomas H. Lee
Source: "Very good (And Eugene Kleiner's first cousin!)." - Patrick Collison
Business Adventures
Twelve Classic Tales from the World of Wall Street
John Brooks
Source: Patrick Collison labeled this book "substantially above average."
FAQ
Did Patrick Collison recommend all these books?
Not necessarily. This book list has Patrick Collison must-read recommendations, but it also has a mix of mentions and suggestions.
How do you know Patrick Collison mentioned these books?
Every suggestion made by Patrick Collison is validated by our editors. You can find the sources to the recommendations linked next to the books.
Did Patrick Collison actually create this list?
No. This reading list was curated by our editors based on confirmed mentions from Patrick Collison, the sources are made available under each recommendation.
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