Brian Armstrong Book Recommendations

Startups

Notes on Tech Startups and Venture Capital

by Chris Dixon

"A collection of insights about startups strategies." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

The Psychology of Achievement

by Brian Tracy

"You can create any life you want, and are not at the effect of your circumstances." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

Lying

by Sam Harris

"How [to live] life with radical honesty." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk

by Adele Faber

"Really about how to communicate with all people. I found this book quite helpful and it changed how I communicate." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

The Economics of Microfinance

by Beatriz Armendáriz

"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 (Source)

The Female Brain

by Louann Brizendine

"Was recommended to me by a female executive who suggested all male CEOs read it. It was quite good." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

When I Say No, I Feel Guilty

by Manuel J. Smith

"Life is better when you only agree do the things you really want to do." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive

A Leadership Fable

by Patrick Lencioni

"About building teams, creating clarity in organizations, etc." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

The Pleasure of Finding Things Out

The Best Short Works of Richard P. Feynman

by Richard P. Feynman

"A collection of stories from physicist Richard Feynman." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

Eisenhower in War and Peace

by Jean Edward Smith

"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 (Source)

Hackers & Painters

Big Ideas from the Computer Age

by Paul Graham

"A printed version of some of his essays." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

The Wright Brothers

by David McCullough

"A worthwhile read for all builders." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

The Outsiders

Eight Unconventional CEOs and Their Radically Rational Blueprint for Success

by William N. Thorndike

"Stories about eight CEOs and how they mastered capital allocation." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

The Inmates Are Running the Asylum

Why High Tech Products Drive Us Crazy and How to Restore the Sanity

by Alan Cooper

"Products fail by trying to be all things to all people." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

"Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!"

Adventures of a Curious Character

by Richard P. Feynman

"A way to have a happy life. Remain curious and enjoy the journey." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

The Sovereign Individual

Mastering the Transition to the Information Age

by James Dale Davidson

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

Sperm Wars

Infidelity, Sexual Conflict, and Other Bedroom Battles

by Robin Baker

"Many human behaviors and feelings can be explained by evolutionary psychology." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

Learning To Love Yourself

by Gay Hendricks

"Was a bit out there." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

Good to Great

Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't

by Jim Collins

"The scientific method can be applied to business. This book draws powerful lessons from data." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

Don't Make Me Think

A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability

by Steve Krug

"A framework to simulate how customers experience your product, especially the moments of confusion." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

Strengths Based Leadership

Great Leaders, Teams, and Why People Follow

by Tom Rath

"Find what you’re good at, and focus there. I didn’t find this book particularly helpful." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership

A New Paradigm for Sustainable Success

by Jim Dethmer

"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 (Source)

Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge

by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)/Aviation Supplies & Academics (ASA)

"I’m reading this is as part of getting my private pilot’s license." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

Made to Stick

Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die

by Chip Heath

"How to make your message memorable so it will spread." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

Turn the Ship Around!

A True Story of Turning Followers into Leaders

by L. David Marquet

"About enabling leaders in your organization written by the former U.S. Navy Captain of a nuclear submarine." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

High Output Management

by Andrew S. Grove

"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 (Source)

The Selfish Gene

by Richard Dawkins

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

Becoming Steve Jobs

The Evolution of a Reckless Upstart into a Visionary Leader

by Brent Schlender

"A biography of the famous Apple CEO. I read the Walter Isaacson biography last year, but found this one slightly better." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

Atlas Shrugged

by Ayn Rand

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

The Alliance

Managing Talent in the Networked Age

by Reid Hoffman

"I found the central concept to be pretty helpful, and it changed how we approach a few things at Coinbase." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

The Singularity Is Near

When Humans Transcend Biology

by Ray Kurzweil

"Many major problems, like education and disease, will be totally transformed by this in our lifetimes." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

The God Delusion

by Richard Dawkins

"Many people believe simply based on how they grew up, without ever questioning." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing

Violate Them at Your Own Risk

by Al Ries

"Most brands try to do and be too much, but the customer can only remember you for one thing." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

Ready Player One

by Ernest Cline

"A compelling picture of how VR might play out." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

Humans Need Not Apply

A Guide to Wealth and Work in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

by Jerry Kaplan

"About how AI will take people’s jobs. I don’t think it argued that successfully." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

The New One Minute Manager

by Ken Blanchard

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

High Growth Handbook

by Elad Gil

"[The author]'s advice has been key for Coinbase as we go through hypergrowth, from hiring executives to improving M&A." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

Loonshots

How to Nurture the Crazy Ideas That Win Wars, Cure Diseases, and Transform Industries

by Safi Bahcall

"Enjoyed reading [this book]." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

The Dip

A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick)

by Seth Godin

"Made me move to Silicon Valley and double down on being a tech entrepreneur." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

Shoe Dog

A Memoir by the Creator of Nike

by Phil Knight

"Memoir by the Nike founder and CEO." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

The Network State

How To Start a New Country

by Balaji Srinivasan

"[The author] is a visionary, and one of the most original thinkers of our time." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

Flash Boys

A Wall Street Revolt

by Michael Lewis

"An interesting book." - Brian Armstrong (Source)

The Changing World Order

Why Nations Succeed and Fail

by Ray Dalio

"A really well researched book." - Brian Armstrong (Source)