5 mins

9 Books From Elon Musk’s Reading List For Every True American

When he's not pioneering space travel, Elon Musk reads a lot. Here are 9 book recommendations that every real American should check out.
by Rob Gillham | 2023-09-14

Since Elon Musk took the reigns of Twitter, he’s made his patriotic political alignments clear by publicly endorsing gun rights, defending free speech, and opposing big government.

As a true patriot, it’s important to educate yourself on the ideas that Musk thinks are worth knowing about – fortunately for us, he’s recommended hundreds of books, from universally acclaimed classics like The Lord of the Rings to groundbreaking non-fiction titles.

But let’s face it. Not everyone has the luxury of digesting books every day. In fact, research has revealed most Americans only carve out 17 minutes daily for reading.

This is where Blinkist comes in. The award-winning app breaks down extensive non-fiction books into a summary you can enjoy in just 15 minutes. Plus, the app’s audio feature allows you to learn on the go.

Are ready to learn what Musk thinks real patriots should be reading? Let’s get started.

The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith

The Wealth of Nations

The Wealth of Nations


by Adam Smith
  1. 11 min reading time
  2. audio version available

Every true conservative should dive into Adam Smith’s masterpiece, The Wealth of Nations. Its top-notch influence on economic theory is undeniable. Unraveling the secrets behind nations’ wealth, Smith pitches that individual freedom in an unregulated market is the real deal— a catapult to national prosperity.

Superintelligence by Nick Bostrom

Superintelligence

Superintelligence


by Nick Bostrom
  1. 18 min reading time
  2. audio version available

Time and again, Musk has sounded alarm bells on unchecked AI, cautioning via a 2014 tweet that AI could be “potentially more dangerous than nukes.” So, any American keen on understanding AI’s risks should promptly delve into Superintelligence. This enlightening book by Nick Bostrom explores how a machine outsmarting a human could alter mankind.

Human Compatible by Stuart Russell

Human Compatible

Human Compatible


by Stuart Russell
  1. 22 min reading time
  2. audio version available

Looking to safeguard your family and nation from Artificial Intelligence? Human Compatible highlights Musk’s frequently echoed warning: our AI innovations could be humanity’s final major act. The book boldly illuminates the impending catastrophe we’re driving toward and deliberates on critical steps to avert it.

Zero to One by Peter Thiel with Blake Masters

Zero to One

Zero to One


by Peter Thiel, Blake Masters
  1. 26 min reading time
  2. audio version available

Endorsed by Musk, Zero to One is a must-read for sharp American minds, revealing how companies can future-proof their startups. Drawing on personal insights, Peter Thiel supercharges core ideas with key lessons for thriving in a capitalist world.

Merchants of Doubt by Naomi Oreskes & Erik M. Conway

Merchants of Doubt

Merchants of Doubt


by Naomi Oreskes, Erik M. Conway
  1. 18 min reading time
  2. audio version available

This book is a must-read for any skeptic challenging the mainstream. Merchants of Doubt boldly deconstructs the media’s portrayal of critical scientific debates – such as environmental, smoking, and nuclear matters – unmasking how a handful of scientists have warped these discussions.

On War, by Carl von Clausewitz

On War

On War


by Carl von Clausewitz
  1. 20 min reading time
  2. audio version available

Carl von Clausewitz’s On War is an intensive exploration of warfare’s inner mechanics and its influence on policy. An essential read for any freedom-loving Americans, it offers a comprehensive insight into war, an integral element in protecting and promoting liberty.

The Big Picture by Sean M. Carroll

The Big Picture

The Big Picture


by Sean Carroll
  1. 18 min reading time
  2. audio version available

If you’re an American with a vision to reshape the nation, you must read The Big Picture. This book advocates for forward-thinking about humanity’s beginnings and champions science to decode these ideas. It brilliantly dissects life, consciousness, and the universe, urging readers to rethink key philosophical, physical, and biological theories via logical deduction.

The Art of War, by Sun Tzu

The Art of War (new version)

The Art of War (new version)


by Sun Tzu
  1. 11 min reading time
  2. audio version available

The Art of War, the infamous 5th-century BCE Chinese military guide, informed leadership strategies of global heavyweights like Mao Zedong and Douglas MacArthur. A must-read for every patriot, its tactics transcend warfare and offer insights applicable to all life aspects.

Understand What America Is Reading

With Blinkist, you can discover powerful ideas from conservative thinkers like Ben Shapiro, and Jordan Peterson or learn about the lives of Republican presidents, all from trending titles and 2022 bestsellers.

Blinkist has collections from the world’s CEOs, business leaders, and top thinkers.

The app has 6,500 books, spanning everything from politics to history, psychology to leadership. Plus, it’s always growing — 70 new books are added every month.

“There’s so much information in the world today, and it seems as if there is less time than ever before. Blinkist’s team of experts sifts through books for me to find the signal and avoid the noise.” –Aidan McCullen, Athlete & Media Personality

Blinkist is used by 26 million users people from around the world, who are using it to discover what the top nonfiction books have to say. From those millions of users, a large proportion are incredibly satisfied with the Blinkist experience, and they aren’t afraid to show it. In fact, Blinkist has over 94,000 5-star reviews on both Apple and Android app stores.

Want to discover the ideas from Elon Musk’s recommendations for yourself? Download the Blinkist app to get started.

Rob Gillham
About the writer
Rob Gillham

Originally from the north of England, Robin is an experienced journalist, editor, and writer. He has an incredibly specific knowledge of Russian cinema and wrote two dissertations about the Chernobyl nuclear disaster before HBO made it cool. He has travelled across Ukraine and is currently practicing how to cook the perfect blini.

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What is Blinkist?

Blinkist is an app that transforms key insights from great nonfiction books into quick, easy-to-understand highlights. The reality is – everyone loves reading, but no one has the time. Blinkist fills this learning gap and makes acquiring new knowledge effortless.

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