As you’ll see, each of these books has its unique lessons and played a pivotal role in the development of Jobs’ career and worldview. Perhaps this list contains your next life-changing book. Let’s see:
1. Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda
One of Steve Jobs' most cherished books was Autobiography of a Yogi, a spiritual classic by Paramahansa Yogananda. He even ordered 500 copies of this book to be given to each guest at his own memorial. Jobs first encountered this book during a trip to India, and it left a lasting imprint on his mind. He reread it each year afterward.
The book chronicles Yogananda’s spiritual journey and explores his meditation, yoga, and self-realization teachings. Jobs was deeply inspired by the book’s philosophy, particularly the idea of self-discovery and inner peace. The Autobiography of a Yogi resonated with Jobs' own search for meaning beyond the material world and helped him stay grounded during the most puzzling times in his career.
2. Only the Paranoid Survive by Andrew S. Grove
In Only the Paranoid Survive, Andrew S. Grove, former CEO of Intel, outlines how companies must constantly adapt to survive in an ever-changing world. This book’s central message is that businesses should always be alert to disruptive forces in their industries, a lesson that Jobs applied to Apple’s evolution.
The concept of “strategic inflection points” discussed in Grove’s book was one that Jobs utilized, particularly when Apple faced moments of crisis or opportunities for reinvention. For Jobs, staying paranoid about the competition and potential disruptions was essential to Apple's continued success. Here is our summary of Only the Paranoid Survive:
3. The Innovator’s Dilemma by Clayton Christensen
Clayton Christensen's The Innovator’s Dilemma was another crucial read for Jobs. The book explores why large, successful companies often fail to recognize and capitalize on disruptive innovations. It highlights how new technologies, which may initially seem inferior, can eventually replace established products and services. Jobs applied these principles when he pushed Apple to create the iPhone. By focusing on innovation and embracing the disruptive potential of smartphones, Jobs revolutionized the tech industry, much like the examples Christensen described. You can grab some recommendations for your business in our summary of the book:
4. Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism by Chogyam Trungpa
Here is another philosophical and spiritual guide from Jobs’ library. Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism by Chogyam Trungpa addresses the dangers of misusing spirituality for personal gain. It explores how people can become attached to spiritual practices and ideas, turning them into a form of ego-building rather than genuine enlightenment. Jobs, who had a deep interest in Eastern philosophy, was drawn to the book’s critique of spiritual materialism. It helped him confront his own ego and focus on more meaningful aspects of his life and work. His broader desire was to live a simple and authentic life.
5. 1984 by George Orwell
George Orwell's 1984 was a book that profoundly impacted Jobs' worldview, particularly in relation to the role of technology in society. The novel’s dystopian vision of a totalitarian regime controlling every aspect of life through surveillance and propaganda resonated with Jobs' concern about personal freedom and privacy. This theme is notably reflected in Apple’s famous 1984 commercial, which aired during the Super Bowl to launch the Macintosh. The ad positioned Apple as a revolutionary force challenging conformity and the monopolistic dominance of IBM. It clearly mirrored the anti-authoritarian themes of Orwell's novel.
Jobs saw himself as a disruptor, much like the protagonist in 1984. Today, Apple is known as a company that greatly appreciates users’ data.
6. Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
Moby-Dick by Herman Melville is another book that shaped Jobs' thinking, especially with its exploration of obsession, leadership, and the pursuit of a higher purpose. Jobs saw parallels between the relentless pursuit of the white whale in the novel and his own single-minded commitment to his vision for Apple. Ahab’s obsession with Moby-Dick can be seen as both an alarm and a reflection of Jobs’ own intensity in pursuing perfection and innovation.
7. Be Here Now by Ram Dass
Be Here Now by Ram Dass is a seminal work on spirituality, consciousness, and mindfulness. As you see, inner strength was a key part to Steve Jobs’ life. The book explores the importance of living in the present moment and letting go of attachments to the past or future. Jobs found great inspiration in this philosophy, which aligned with his Zen Buddhist practices and his focus on being fully immersed in the task at hand. Be Here Now book helped him cultivate mindfulness, which he applied not only in his personal life but also in the way he approached his work at Apple.
8. The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas S. Kuhn
In The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, Thomas S. Kuhn explores how scientific paradigms shift over time, with new theories replacing older ones in revolutionary ways. This book was essential reading for Jobs as it reinforced his belief in the necessity of innovation and change. Jobs saw Apple as a company that could initiate its own "paradigm shifts" in technology, similar to the breakthroughs Kuhn describes in the scientific world. The book influenced Jobs’ approach to product development, particularly his insistence on creating devices that would transform industries rather than simply improving upon existing models.
Steve Jobs was a keen reader whose favorite books shaped not only his personal philosophy but also his approach to business and leadership. This list will be extremely useful for the leaders of tomorrow, business owners, students, and those who want to make a change. By reflecting on the favorite books of Steve Jobs, we can gain deeper insights into the mind of the visionary who constantly sought to challenge the status quo and "think differently."
