Since 2016, @a16z has regularly shared the team’s reading list. Here is a compilation of 10 excellent economics, business, and finance books they recommend.
a16z Reading List: 10 Excellent Books You Shouldn’t Miss
1. Broken Money
Author: @LynAldenContact
Summary: Broken Money provides readers with a deep understanding of currency and its history, covering both theoretical foundations and practical impacts.
2. Who Gets What ― and Why
Author: @shanesnow
Summary: Who Gets What—and Why reveals the hidden world of matching markets around us and teaches us how to identify good matches to make smarter, more confident decisions.
3. Smartcuts: How Hackers, Innovators, and Icons Accelerate Success
Author: @shanesnow
Summary: Smartcuts is a narrative journey that debunks old myths about success. It showcases how innovators and icons achieve extraordinary results through smarter work, providing methods that the rest of us can also learn from.
4. Economics in One Lesson
Author: Henry Hazlitt
Summary: Henry Hazlitt wrote Economics in One Lesson in 1946. This concise and inspiring book accurately exposes many economic fallacies that have almost become mainstream views today.
5. From Hoodies to Suits
Author: @AnneliseOsborne
Summary: From Hoodies to Suits bridges the gap between technology innovators and traditional finance professionals, offering an entertaining and insightful guide to implementing digital assets in institutional settings.
6. Way of the Turtle
Author: Curtis Faith
Summary: Way of the Turtle reveals the secrets behind the success of the “Turtle” trading system.
7. The Curious Culture of Economic Theory
Author: Ran Spiegler
Summary: This is a collection of essays that delves into the professional culture of contemporary economic theory, highlighting the major features of successful economic theories over the past twenty-five years.
8. Radical Markets
Authors: Eric Posner & @glenweyl
Summary: Radical Markets challenges traditional notions of markets, arguing that only by significantly expanding the scope of markets can we reduce inequality, restore robust economic growth, and resolve political conflicts.
9. The Model Thinker
Author: @Scott_E_Page
Summary: In The Model Thinker, social scientist Scott E. Page explores a range of mathematical, statistical, and computational models—from linear regression to random walks and beyond—that can enhance human endeavors in various fields.
10. The Inner Lives of Markets
Authors: @RFisman & @Tim_Org
Summary: This book reveals that the business revolution is not just an extension of technology; it actually involves the transformation of markets. It uncovers the blueprint of how we work, live, and shop, providing profound insights for improvement.
