Updates

  1. Search groups its results by kind: people, companies, geographies, subjects, topics, books, funds, fund letters and papers.
  2. The Books table lists who recommended each book by name, and the browser tab names the section you are in.
  3. Feedback can take a screenshot of the page, or one you paste or choose, and opens in the corner beside Updates.
  4. Each rail button reopens its section where you left it, and Browse, Table and People show on every book and subject page.
  5. Filters grey out choices that hold nothing instead of hiding them, and Books › People filters by authors or recommenders.
  6. Feedback takes a subject line and up to three screenshots.
  7. Biographies are grouped by the person they are about: 41 new pages, from Abraham Lincoln to Lee Kuan Yew.
  8. Sport splits into 23 sports, and Religion into one topic per faith.
  9. Book lists show as cards: the cover, one recommendation quote and every recommender by name.
  10. Seventeen subjects that had two or three pages under different names now have one page each.
  11. Every page lists its Experts as authors and recommenders, with a link to them on the Experts tab.
  12. Economics, Financial history, Financial panics and Accounting are subjects of their own, with one page per financial crisis.
  13. Book, person and subject pages open inside the app, so the tabs stay in view.
  14. 996 more book covers, and photographs or logos for 227 more people and companies.
  15. Books › Browse shows every subject as cards, and the rail holds Fund letters, Papers, Experts, Books and Funds.
  16. Every topic over 150 books splits into narrower topics, each with a page of its own.

Send feedback

What is it?
Screenshots, up to 3 (optional)
or paste one with Ctrl+V

We use your email only to reply to you.
IE

Invention, engineering and space

Science

Books on how inventions and research labs come about, on materials, flight, rockets and spaceflight, and on future technologies.

46 books on Invention, engineering and space, recommended by 38 people including Patrick Collison and Bill Gates.

46 books · 42 experts

Start here

  1. Structures: Or Why Things Don't Fall DownJ. E. Gordon, 1981
  2. Crystal FireMichael Riordan, Lillian Hoddeson, 1997
  3. The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity EvolvesMatt Ridley, 2010
  4. How Innovation WorksMatt Ridley, 2020
  5. Genius MakersCade Metz, 2021

The best books on Invention, engineering and space 46

Structures: Or Why Things Don't Fall DownStructures: Or Why Things Don't Fall Down
T2 Structures: Or Why Things Don't Fall Down
J. E. Gordon · 1981
Why materials and structures hold; engineering reasoning made intuitive
Open Library
Recommended byElon Musk
Crystal FireCrystal Fire
T2 Crystal Fire
Michael Riordan, Lillian Hoddeson · 1997
The transistor at Bell Labs and the birth of the information age.
Open Library
Recommended byPatrick Collison
The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity EvolveThe Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves
T2 The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves
Matt Ridley · 2010
Matt Ridley's evolutionary argument that exchange and specialization are the deep engine of human progress — older than capitalism, older than agriculture. His data on long-run improvement in living standards is well-sourced; his dismissiveness toward environmental risks is the book's main weakness and worth holding separately from its core claim.
Open Library
“I really highly, highly recommend picking up Genome, The Red Queen, Origins of Virtue, The Rational Optimist, and The Evolution of Everything.”Naval Ravikant
Recommended byAndrew WilkinsonBill GatesFrank MartinMohnish PabraiNat EliasonNaval RavikantThomas GaynerMark Zuckerberg+5 more
How Innovation WorksHow Innovation Works
T2 How Innovation Works
Matt Ridley · 2020
Innovation as gradual recombination rather than invention.
Open Library
“It's a must-read for entrepreneurs and government officials who want to either be innovative themselves or foster innovation.”Naval Ravikant
Recommended byNaval RavikantBalaji S. Srinivasan
Genius MakersGenius Makers
T2 Genius Makers
Cade Metz · 2021
How deep learning found the GPU, the demand Nvidia was built on.
Open Library
Ignition!Ignition!
T3 Ignition!
John Drury Clark · 1972
Insider history of liquid rocket propellant development
Open Library
Recommended byElon Musk
Engineers' DreamsEngineers' Dreams
T4 Engineers' Dreams
Willy Ley · 1955
Open Library
Recommended byPatrick Collison
The Jet EngineThe Jet Engine
T4 The Jet Engine
Rolls Royce · 1966
Open Library
Recommended byPaul Graham
The New Science of Strong MaterialsThe New Science of Strong Materials
T4 The New Science of Strong Materials
J.E. Gordon · 1968
Open Library
Recommended byBill GatesMohnish Pabrai
The Right StuffThe Right Stuff
T4 The Right Stuff
Tom Wolfe · 1973
Open Library
“Wolfe's portrait of the Mercury astronauts and the competitive culture of early NASA is on Musk's list partly for its romanticization of risk-taking and partly as a study in what drove individuals to do things with extremely high probability of death. He has referenced the astronaut ethos when discussing how SpaceX recruits.”Elon Musk
Recommended byPatrick O'ShaughnessyRichard BransonElon MuskPeter Thiel
Modern Engineering for Design of Liquid PropModern Engineering for Design of Liquid Propellant Rocket Engines
T4 Modern Engineering for Design of Liquid Propellant Rocket Engines
Dieter K. Huzel · 1992
Open Library
Recommended byElon Musk
The Art of Doing Science and EngineeringThe Art of Doing Science and Engineering
T4 The Art of Doing Science and Engineering
Richard Hamming · 1996
Open Library
“Not for everyone but recommend for tech folks.”Keith Rabois
Recommended byPatrick CollisonBret VictorKeith Rabois
The Simple Science of Flight: From Insects tThe Simple Science of Flight: From Insects to Jumbo Jets
T4 The Simple Science of Flight: From Insects to Jumbo Jets
Henk Tennekes · 1997
Open Library
Recommended byPatrick Collison
The Pattern on the StoneThe Pattern on the Stone
T4 The Pattern on the Stone
William Daniel Hillis · 1998
Open Library
Recommended byStewart Brand
How to Invent Everything: A Survival Guide fHow to Invent Everything: A Survival Guide for the Stranded Time Traveler
T4 How to Invent Everything: A Survival Guide for the Stranded Time Traveler
Ryan North · 1999
Open Library
Recommended byBalaji S. Srinivasan
Moon Lander: How We Developed the Apollo LunMoon Lander: How We Developed the Apollo Lunar Module (Smithsonian History of Aviation and Spaceflight)
T4 Moon Lander: How We Developed the Apollo Lunar Module (Smithsonian History of Aviation and Spaceflight)
Thomas J. Kelly · 2001
Open Library
Recommended byPatrick Collison
Bicycling ScienceBicycling Science
T4 Bicycling Science
David Gordon Wilson · 2004
Open Library
Recommended byPatrick Collison
Simulation and Its DiscontentsSimulation and Its Discontents
T4 Simulation and Its Discontents
Sherry Turkle · 2009
Open Library
Recommended byPatrick CollisonBret Victor
xkcdxkcd
T4 xkcd
Randall Munroe · 2009
Open Library
Recommended byBill Gates
The Battery: How Portable Power Sparked a TeThe Battery: How Portable Power Sparked a Technological Revolution
T4 The Battery: How Portable Power Sparked a Technological Revolution
Henry Schlesinger · 2010
Open Library
Recommended byMohnish Pabrai
Where Good Ideas Come FromWhere Good Ideas Come From
T4 Where Good Ideas Come From
Steven Johnson · 2010
Open Library
Recommended byAndrew WilkinsonBill GatesMohnish PabraiTony HsiehGuy ProopsJames Altucher
BiopunkBiopunk
T4 Biopunk
Marcus Wohlsen · 2011
Open Library
Recommended byBalaji S. Srinivasan
Modernist CuisineModernist Cuisine
T4 Modernist Cuisine
Nathan Myhrvold · 2011
Open Library
Recommended byBill Gates
AbundanceAbundance
T4 Abundance
Peter Diamandis · 2012
Open Library
Recommended byBill GatesMorgan HouselRichard BransonSteve JurvetsonTim Ferriss
Singularity Rising: Surviving and Thriving iSingularity Rising: Surviving and Thriving in a Smarter, Richer, and More Dangerous World
T4 Singularity Rising: Surviving and Thriving in a Smarter, Richer, and More Dangerous World
James Daniel Miller · 2012
Open Library
Recommended byPatrick Collison
The Idea Factory: Bell Labs and the Great AgThe Idea Factory: Bell Labs and the Great Age of American Innovation
T4 The Idea Factory: Bell Labs and the Great Age of American Innovation
Jon Gertner · 2012
Bell Labs, and what a regulated network monopoly could afford to fund.
Open Library
Recommended byMohnish PabraiMark ZuckerbergPatrick CollisonRon Conway
An Astronaut's Guide to Life on EarthAn Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth
T4 An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth
Chris Hadfield · 2013
Open Library
Recommended bySatya Nadella
Stuff MattersStuff Matters
T4 Stuff Matters
Mark Miodownik · 2013
Open Library
Recommended byBill GatesPatrick Collison
The KnowledgeThe Knowledge
T4 The Knowledge
Lewis Dartnell · 2014
Open Library
Recommended byPatrick CollisonBalaji S. Srinivasan
Thing ExplainerThing Explainer
T4 Thing Explainer
Randall Munroe · 2015
Open Library
Recommended byBill GatesNaval Ravikant
The Age of Em: Work, Love and Life when Robo
T4 The Age of Em: Work, Love and Life when Robots Rule the Earth
Robin Hanson · 2016
Open Library
Recommended byPatrick Collison
Rocket MenRocket Men
T4 Rocket Men
Robert Kurson · 2018
Open Library
Recommended byKeith RaboisMorgan Housel
How ToHow To
T4 How To
Randall Munroe · 2019
Open Library
Recommended byBill Gates
Loonshots: How to Nurture the Crazy Ideas ThLoonshots: How to Nurture the Crazy Ideas That Win Wars, Cure Diseases, and Transform Industries
T4 Loonshots: How to Nurture the Crazy Ideas That Win Wars, Cure Diseases, and Transform Industries
Safi Bahcall · 2019
Open Library unreachable this run; edition OL28720236M seen in search only.
Open Library
Recommended byArianna HuffingtonBill GatesChangpeng ZhaoDaniel KahnemanKeith RaboisPacky McCormickSusan CainThe Rational Walk+2 more
The Case for SpaceThe Case for Space
T4 The Case for Space
Robert Zubrin · 2019
Open Library
Recommended byDelian Asparouhov
Think Like a Rocket ScientistThink Like a Rocket Scientist
T4 Think Like a Rocket Scientist
Ozan Varol · 2020
Open Library
Recommended byKeith RaboisSusan Cain
Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators: NAVWEPS 00-Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators: NAVWEPS 00-80T-80 (FAA Handbooks series)
T4 Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators: NAVWEPS 00-80T-80 (FAA Handbooks series)
unverified
Recommended byPatrick Collison
Airplane Performance Stability and ControlAirplane Performance Stability and Control
T4 Airplane Performance Stability and Control
unverified
Recommended byPatrick Collison
ConnectionsConnections
T4 Connections
unverified
Recommended byPatrick Collison
Imagined WorldsImagined Worlds
T4 Imagined Worlds
Freeman Dyson
unverified
Recommended byStewart Brand
Invention and InnovationInvention and Innovation
T4 Invention and Innovation
Vaclav Smil
unverified
Recommended byBill Gates
The Case for MarsThe Case for Mars
T4 The Case for Mars
unverified
Recommended byPatrick Collison
The Moon: Resources, Future Development and
T4 The Moon: Resources, Future Development and Settlement (Springer Praxis Books)
unverified
Recommended byPatrick Collison
The Overview Effect
T4 The Overview Effect
Frank White
unverified
Recommended byRichard Branson
Theoretical AerodynamicsTheoretical Aerodynamics
T4 Theoretical Aerodynamics
unverified
Recommended byPatrick Collison
What to Think About Machines That Think: TodWhat to Think About Machines That Think: Today's Leading Thinkers on the Age of Machine Intelligence
T4 What to Think About Machines That Think: Today's Leading Thinkers on the Age of Machine Intelligence
unverified
Recommended byPatrick Collison

Experts 42

The people who wrote this page's books, and the people who recommend them.

Authors 4

Matt Ridleywrote 2 books hereVaclav Smilwrote 1 book here
SB
Safi Bahcallwrote 1 book herePeter Diamandiswrote 1 book here

Recommenders 38

Patrick Collisonrecommends 19 books hereBill Gatesrecommends 11 books here
MP
Mohnish Pabrairecommends 5 books here
BS
Balaji S. Srinivasanrecommends 4 books hereElon Muskrecommends 4 books hereKeith Raboisrecommends 4 books hereNaval Ravikantrecommends 3 books hereRichard Bransonrecommends 3 books here
MH
Morgan Houselrecommends 2 books here
AW
Andrew Wilkinsonrecommends 2 books hereBret Victorrecommends 2 books hereMark Zuckerbergrecommends 2 books here
Show all 38
Stewart Brandrecommends 2 books hereSusan Cainrecommends 2 books here
RW
The Rational Walkrecommends 2 books hereTim Ferrissrecommends 2 books hereDaniel Kahnemanrecommends 1 book hereMarc Andreessenrecommends 1 book herePaul Grahamrecommends 1 book herePeter Thielrecommends 1 book here
TG
Thomas Gaynerrecommends 1 book hereAlfred Linrecommends 1 book here
AP
Anthony Pomplianorecommends 1 book hereArianna Huffingtonrecommends 1 book hereChangpeng Zhaorecommends 1 book here
DA
Delian Asparouhovrecommends 1 book here
FM
Frank Martinrecommends 1 book here
GP
Guy Proopsrecommends 1 book hereJames Altucherrecommends 1 book here
JA
John Arnoldrecommends 1 book here
NE
Nat Eliasonrecommends 1 book here
PM
Packy McCormickrecommends 1 book here
PO
Patrick O'Shaughnessyrecommends 1 book hereRon Conwayrecommends 1 book hereSatya Nadellarecommends 1 book hereSteve Jurvetsonrecommends 1 book hereTony Hsiehrecommends 1 book hereVinod Khoslarecommends 1 book here
See all 42 in the Experts tab →

More science: ← History and philosophy of science · Mathematics and Statistics → · All science