Original author: a16z crypto
Original compilation: Elvin, Chaincatcher
In the spirit and regular tradition of sharing our reading, check out our latest Winter 2023 book list (games, movies, etc.), courtesy of the a16z crypto team. Here are some of the books we recently curated for the giveaway library at the 2nd Annual A16Z Crypto Founders Summit. This year, we also added personal notes to some of our Staff Picks books.
1. Company construction and organizational operation methods
The Art of Doing Science of Engineering: Learning to Learn by Richard Hamming
《Designing Data-Intensive Applications: The Big Ideas Behind Reliable, Scalable,and Maintainable Systems by Martin Kleppmann
This book is a very accessible yet comprehensive exploration of important ideas in distributed systems and is the first book I recommend to young systems engineers. Before introducing data models, system design, and the future of data systems , Kleppman begins with a detailed analysis of why distributed systems are difficult to build, maintain, and scale. While this book does not explicitly address blockchain, it will be useful for anyone looking to better understand the distributed systems needed to build with blockchain. Its a great foundation for engineers. - Sam Broner, engineer
Scaling People: Tactics for Management and Company Building by Claire Hughes Johnson
A Theory of Fun for Game Design by Raph Koster
Thinking in Systems: A Primer by Donella Meadows
《Think Faster,Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When Youre Put on the Spot by Matt Abrahams
Editor’s Note: Also see this related podcast where we discuss the book’s themes and how they apply to technology environments, including the crypto industry.
2. Builder biography, organization and innovation process
Chip War: The Fight for the Worlds Most Critical Technology by Chris Miller
A concise and thoughtful history of semiconductor manufacturing, from 1947 to 2022. This book will leave you wondering whats next by the end -- and leave us all (as founders, engineers, , technical experts, writers and participants) firmly occupy a place in the history of computer development. ——Eddy Lazzarin, Chief Technology Officer
The Making of Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes
One of my favorite nonfiction books has found new life with the Oppenheimer film. But theres more to the book than that: Beginning in the late 19th century, Rhodes It tells the story of the emergence of nuclear fission, the making and dropping of nuclear bombs, and their consequences. The book is extremely readable; Rhodes is also an excellent explainer of science. As for the founders: its all about discovery, building, and change world project. —Tim Sullivan, Editorial Partner
Skunk Works: A Personal Memoir of My Years at Lockheed by Ben Rich Leo Janos
How to Build a Car: The Autobiography of the Worlds Greatest Formula 1 Designer by Adrian Newey
This is the autobiography of legendary Formula 1 aerodynamicist Adrian Newey. This book gives an incredible look into the problem-solving mind of a great engineer. Newey describes how he and his team Circumvent the tight restrictions of Formula 1 and find extremely clever loopholes to defeat your opponents at minimal cost. A truly insightful story of innovation and courage in this cutthroat sport. The loophole Newey came up with , performance improvements and designs that directly shaped todays F1 racing cars and influenced everything from simple road cars to high-performance sports cars and electric vehicles. If youre interested in F1, its a total treat, but still very funny. —Sagar Dhawan, data scientist
Shoe Dog: A Memoir from the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight
Cant Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds by David Goggins
This is the incredible autobiographical story of David Goggins, one of only 36 black American Navy SEALs and an incredible endurance athlete. He was born with a hole in his heart and suffered from severe dyslexia. .His father was an abusive drug dealer. Despite these challenges, Goggins achieved amazing results both in the armed forces and in a career as an extreme endurance athlete. His message was simple yet powerful: If I could Do what I do when the odds seem against me and imagine what you can do. This is a book I tell every founder/CEO I work with to read.” —Jason Rosenthal, operating partner
Endurance: Shackletons Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing
3. Technology Trends, History, Open Source/Web3 Topics
The Cathedral the Bazaar: Musings On Linux And Open Source By An Accidental Revolutionary Author: Eric Raymond
The Evolution of Cooperation by Robert Axelrod
Seeing Like a State: How Certain Schemes to Improve the Human Condition Have Failed by James Scott
The Sovereign Individual: Mastering the Transition to the Information Age by James Dale Davidson Wiliam Rees-Mogg
The Inevitable: Understanding the 12 Technological Forces That Will Shape Our Future by Kevin Kelly
4. Science fiction novels and other related novels
The Invincible by Stanislaw Lem
This book, written in 1964, was one of the first science fiction novels to propose the concept of smart dust. Smart dust consists of nanomachines that are identical to each other and harmless on their own, but become super-intelligent when they form a clump. This idea of smart dust is very similar to blockchain. The novel itself is also a very gripping and high-quality science fiction novel. —Valeria Nikolaenko, Research Partner
Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson
《Tomorrow, and Tomorrow,and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
5. More creative inspiration categories
The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Ruben
《The Nolan Variations: The Movies, Mysteries,and Marvels of Christopher Nolan by Tom Shone
6. Some duplicate books in last year’s book list
The Company: A Short History of a Revolutionary Idea by John Micklethwait Adrian Woolrdige
《Empires of Light: Edison, Tesla, Westinghouse,and the Race to Electrify the World by Jill Jonnes
Designing An Internet by David Clark
The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs
《Coding Democracy: How Hackers Are Disrupting Power, Surveillance,and Authoritarianism” by Maureen Webb
Curated by Sonal Chokshi Brittney Burrows
