Books Recommended by Ray Dalio
Destined for War
Can America and China Escape Thucydides's Trap?
Graham Allison
Source: "Reminds us that over the last 500 years there have been 16 times in which there has been [...] an empire challenging another. In 12 of those cases there have been wars." - Ray Dalio
Steve Jobs
Walter Isaacson
Source: "I noticed a number of similarities between [Steve Jobs and I], especially when [the author] quoted Jobs’s own words. [...] but to be clear, I didn’t think that Bridgewater or I held a candle to Apple and Jobs." - Ray Dalio
Keeping At It
The Quest for Sound Money and Good Government
Paul A. Volcker
Source: "[The author] is an American hero who has seen more and done more to shape the world economy than anyone else over the last 50 years. [This book] is a must read." - Ray Dalio
The Meaning of Human Existence
Edward O. Wilson
Source: "Surmises that between one million and two million years ago, [...] the brain evolved in ways supporting cooperation so man could hunt and do other activities." - Ray Dalio
Einstein
His Life and Universe
Walter Isaacson
Source: "I read [this book and "Benjamin Franklin"] and probed [Walter Isaacson] about them to try to glean what characteristics they had in common." - Ray Dalio
Benjamin Franklin
An American Life
Walter Isaacson
Source: "I read [this book and "Einstein"] and probed [Walter Isaacson] about them to try to glean what characteristics they had in common." - Ray Dalio
Strength in Stillness
The Power of Transcendental Meditation
Bob Roth
Source: "Masterfully distills the essence of [Transcendental Meditation] so that anyone can understand how it works—and why they should learn it." - Ray Dalio
Tribe of Mentors
Short Life Advice from the Best in the World
Tim Ferriss
Source: "I love [this book] because it’s essentially a collection of great principles from people who have accomplished great things." - Ray Dalio
Accidental Presidents
Eight Men Who Changed America
Jared Cohen
Source: "Provides me a valuable and entertaining view of past presidents during analogous difficult times." - Ray Dalio
The Role of the Individual in History
Georgii Valentinovich Plekhanov
Source: “[One of the books that] showed how the same things happened over and over again throughout history." - Ray Dalio
What It Takes
Lessons in the Pursuit of Excellence
Stephen A. Schwarzman
Source: "The real story of what it takes from a man who could turn dreams into realities." - Ray Dalio
No Rules Rules
Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention
Reed Hastings
Source: "[The author], his people, and his culture are all of star quality. I recommend his book." - Ray Dalio
The Lessons of History
Will & Ariel Durant
Source: "This is the Durants. They were maybe the greatest historians of all time." - Ray Dalio
Beyond Religion
Ethics for a Whole World
Dalai Lama
Source: "If you’re interested in learning more [about the Dalai Lama's thinking]." - Ray Dalio
The Spiritual Brain
A Neuroscientist's Case for the Existence of the Soul
Mario Beauregard
Source: "I recommended [this book to the Dalai Lama] (which I also recommend to you)." - Ray Dalio
The Fountainhead
Ayn Rand
Source: "Regarding economics, if you haven’t read [this author] lately, I suggest that you do." - Ray Dalio
Atlas Shrugged
Ayn Rand
Source: "Regarding economics, if you haven’t read [this author] lately, I suggest that you do." - Ray Dalio
The Power of Habit
Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
Charles Duhigg
Source: "Fantastic. I got [this book] and I gave it to everyone in my company." - Ray Dalio
River Out of Eden
A Darwinian View of Life
Richard Dawkins
Source: "Another very short book on evolution. It just really puts things in perspective." - Ray Dalio
Trailblazer
The Power of Business as the Greatest Platform for Change
Marc Benioff
Source: "The gold standard on how to use business as a platform for change." - Ray Dalio
FAQ
Did Ray Dalio recommend every book here?
Not necessarily. This book list has Ray Dalio must-read recommendations, but it also has a mix of mentions and suggestions.
How do you know for good that Ray Dalio mentioned these recommended books?
Every suggestion made by Ray Dalio is validated by our editors. You can find the sources to the recommendations linked next to the books.
Did investor Ray Dalio actually create this book reading list?
No. This reading list was curated by our editors based on confirmed mentions from Ray Dalio, the sources are made available under each recommendation.
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