At the end of every year, Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and a recognized lover of reading, shares an annual list of books he considers ideal for closing the year. This year, as 2024 draws to a close, Gates has presented four titles that he believes help to understand the world around us, with an additional “bonus track” for tennis lovers.
Making Sense of the World
Bill Gates noted that his list includes thought-provoking reads that tackle the impact of technology, society, and history, including themes ranging from artificial intelligence and technology to moving biographies. He stated that all four books he recommended are, in one way or another, about making sense of the world around you, reflecting the times of rapid changes we live in, according to Fortune.
Gates explained on his personal blog that he did not plan a unifying theme for this list, affirming that the premise was not intentional. He admitted that the recurring theme of making sense of the world during transformational periods wasn’t intentional but acknowledged that it is natural to seek readings that help to understand the present.
The List
The first book on Bill Gates’ list is An Unfinished Love Story by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Bill Gates, an admirer of Doris Kearns Goodwin, confessed not knowing much about her personal life until reading this book. In An Unfinished Love Story, Doris Kearns Goodwin, a Pulitzer Prize winner, recounts her relationship with her late husband, Richard (Dick) Goodwin. Richard Goodwin was a speechwriter and advisor to Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. Bill Gates said: “Doris is such a talented writer that the chapters about her love story are just as engaging and enlightening as the chapters about the Kennedy assassination and the Vietnam War,” as quoted by Fortune.
The second book on the list is The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. Bill Gates recommends this book for anyone raising or working with children today. The Anxious Generation examines how childhoods have shifted from play-based experiences to phone-based ones, discussing the impact on emotional development, according to Fortune.
Jonathan Haidt points out that the transition from an outdoor play-based childhood to a childhood dominated by mobile phones has caused an unprecedented mental health crisis. Bill Gates stated that today’s digitally native generation has grown up spending more time consuming TikTok videos or watching Twitch live streamers than playing outside. He considers The Anxious Generation a “must-read” for anyone interacting daily with today’s youth, including parents and teachers.
Bill Gates praised Jonathan Haidt’s ability to go beyond describing the problem and offer practical solutions that could reverse this situation. He appreciates that The Anxious Generation not only outlines the problem but also offers practical solutions.
The third book Gates recommends is Engineering in Plain Sight by Grady Hillhouse. Bill Gates encourages readers to dive into this book to explore everyday engineering. Grady Hillhouse’s book delves into the devices that enable modern lifestyles and how they work.
According to Bill Gates, people often pass by marvels of modern society that go unnoticed. He stated that Grady Hillhouse removes the mystery from everyday necessities like cell phone towers and explains what we would lose if they stopped working. Gates said: “It’s the kind of read that will reward your curiosity and answer questions you didn’t even know you had,” as quoted by Fortune.
The fourth book on Bill Gates’ list is The Coming Wave: Technology, Power, and the 21st Century’s Greatest Dilemma by Mustafa Suleyman. Bill Gates highlights this book for its comprehensive understanding of how artificial intelligence and other scientific advances, like gene editing, are set to reshape society. He considers The Coming Wave a key read for anyone curious about the future of artificial intelligence, stating it is “the best explanation I’ve seen so far about how artificial intelligence will transform all aspects of society,” according to Fortune.
In The Coming Wave, Mustafa Suleyman discusses the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence and other scientific advances, analyzing their transformative potential as well as the risks they entail. After leaving Google, Mustafa Suleyman founded his next AI startup, Inflection AI, and has been a vocal advocate for regulating artificial intelligence. Bill Gates said: “If you want to understand the rise of AI, this is the best book to read,” as quoted by Fortune. He highlighted the book’s focus on ethical issues and the need to prepare for a future where technology plays an even more central role.
In addition to the four books, Bill Gates added a “bonus track” for tennis lovers: Federer by Doris Henkel. Federer is a hefty and pricey book that provides a detailed retrospective of tennis legend Roger Federer’s life and career, filled with exclusive photographs and insights that will delight any fan of the sport. Bill Gates warned that it is not a book for everyone, as its high price and weight make it an exclusive item. However, he considered it an ideal gift for fans of Roger Federer or tennis in general.
Bill Gates said he wasn’t surprised to find these four books rewarding to read in the past year due to today’s turbulent events. He added that it’s natural to seek readings that help to understand the present during times of rapid changes.
