Brian Armstrong's Book Recommendations

"Was really ahead of it's time, a lot of original thinking (some really out there stuff too)."

"Took a fresh read of Sovereign Individual - was really ahead of it's time, a lot of original thinking (some really out there stuff too)"

"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."

"Many human behaviors and feelings can be explained by evolutionary psychology."

"Products fail by trying to be all things to all people."

"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."

"Really about how to communicate with all people. I found this book quite helpful and it changed how I communicate."

"The scientific method can be applied to business. This book draws powerful lessons from data."

"Was recommended to me by a female executive who suggested all male CEOs read it. It was quite good."

"Life is better when you only agree do the things you really want to do."

"A worthwhile read for all builders."

"A printed version of some of his essays."

"A compelling picture of how VR might play out."

"The author's advice has been key for Coinbase as we go through hypergrowth, from hiring executives to improving M&A."

"Most brands try to do and be too much, but the customer can only remember you for one thing."

"I found the central concept to be pretty helpful, and it changed how we approach a few things at Coinbase."

"Many people believe simply based on how they grew up, without ever questioning."

"Many major problems, like education and disease, will be totally transformed by this in our lifetimes."

"A framework to simulate how customers experience your product, especially the moments of confusion."

"A biography of the famous Apple CEO. I read the Walter Isaacson biography last year, but found this one slightly better."

"A way to have a happy life. Remain curious and enjoy the journey."

"Made me move to Silicon Valley and double down on being a tech entrepreneur."

"Memoir by the Nike founder and CEO."

"[The author] is a visionary, and one of the most original thinkers of our time."

"An interesting book."

"A really well researched book."

"Was a bit out there."

"Stories about eight CEOs and how they mastered capital allocation."

"Celebrate the creators in the world (even when they struggle). They may be more valuable than we think."

"I’m reading this is as part of getting my private pilot’s license."

"Find what you’re good at, and focus there. I didn’t find this book particularly helpful."

"Famous book about how our bodies are vehicles to replicate our genes (even though we occasionally defy them)."

"About enabling leaders in your organization written by the former U.S. Navy Captain of a nuclear submarine."

"About how AI will take people’s jobs. I don’t think it argued that successfully."

"I do agree that all networks tend toward centralization over time. Great book on this"

"Enjoyed this book, worth reading! Working Backwards: Insights, Stories, and Secrets from Inside Amazon"

"Best sci fi book i've read in a long long time. Has lots of real science/engineering in it. Incredible read."

"A collection of insights about startups strategies."

"How [to live] life with radical honesty."

"You can create any life you want, and are not at the effect of your circumstances."

"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."

"About building teams, creating clarity in organizations, etc."

"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."

"A collection of stories from physicist Richard Feynman."

"It was entertaining and easy to read, but I’m struggling to recall many of the lessons from it, which says something."