Books Recommended by Brian Armstrong
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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
A New Paradigm for Sustainable Success
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!
A True Story of Turning Followers into Leaders
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
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
The Evolution of a Reckless Upstart into a Visionary Leader
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
Managing Talent in the Networked Age
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
When Humans Transcend Biology
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
Violate Them at Your Own Risk
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
A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability
Steve Krug
Source: "A framework to simulate how customers experience your product, especially the moments of confusion." - Brian Armstrong
The Sovereign Individual
Mastering the Transition to the Information Age
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
Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't
Jim Collins
Source: "The scientific method can be applied to business. This book draws powerful lessons from data." - Brian Armstrong
The Network State
Balaji Srinivasan
Source: "[The author] is a visionary, and one of the most original thinkers of our time." - Brian Armstrong
Sperm Wars
Infidelity, Sexual Conflict, and Other Bedroom Battles
Robin Baker
Source: "Many human behaviors and feelings can be explained by evolutionary psychology." - Brian Armstrong
When I Say No, I Feel Guilty
Manuel J. Smith
Source: "Life is better when you only agree do the things you really want to do." - Brian Armstrong
"Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!"
Adventures of a Curious Character
Richard P. Feynman
Source: "A way to have a happy life. Remain curious and enjoy the journey." - Brian Armstrong
Strengths Based Leadership
Great Leaders, Teams, and Why People Follow
Tom Rath
Source: "Find what you’re good at, and focus there. I didn’t find this book particularly helpful." - Brian Armstrong
The God Delusion
Richard Dawkins
Source: "Many people believe simply based on how they grew up, without ever questioning." - Brian Armstrong
Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Source: "I’m reading this is as part of getting my private pilot’s license." - Brian Armstrong
The Outsiders
Source: "Stories about eight CEOs and how they mastered capital allocation." - Brian Armstrong
Made to Stick
Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
Chip Heath
Source: "How to make your message memorable so it will spread." - Brian Armstrong
Humans Need Not Apply
A Guide to Wealth and Work in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Jerry Kaplan
Source: "About how AI will take people’s jobs. I don’t think it argued that successfully." - Brian Armstrong
The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive
A Leadership Fable
Patrick Lencioni
Source: "About building teams, creating clarity in organizations, etc." - Brian Armstrong
The Pleasure of Finding Things Out
The Best Short Works of Richard P. Feynman
Richard P. Feynman
Source: "A collection of stories from physicist Richard Feynman." - Brian Armstrong
The Inmates Are Running the Asylum
Why High Tech Products Drive Us Crazy and How to Restore the Sanity
Alan Cooper
Source: "Products fail by trying to be all things to all people." - Brian Armstrong
Hackers & Painters
Big Ideas from the Computer Age
Paul Graham
Source: "A printed version of some of his essays." - Brian Armstrong
The Wright Brothers
David McCullough
Source: "A worthwhile read for all builders." - Brian Armstrong
The Changing World Order
Why Nations Succeed and Fail
Ray Dalio
Source: "A really well researched book." - Brian Armstrong
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6 books