Sam Altman's Bookshelf
Books frequently recommended or referenced by Sam Altman. They are on spanning startups, first-principles science, resilience, and expansive thinking about the future.
1. First Principles & Physics Thinking
Foundational works that train first-principles reasoning, scientific worldview, and long-term progress thinking.
The Beginning of Infinity
Expands your belief in what progress can achieve; trains explanation-driven, first-principles thinking.
Superintelligence
Essential strategic thinking about advanced AI, safety, and civilization-scale consequences.
Einstein
A vivid portrait of curiosity and stubborn creativity behind scientific breakthroughs.
2. Startups & Building the Future
Practical and philosophical guides to innovation, monopoly creation, and scaling ambitious companies.
Zero to One
Teaches contrarian thinking and how to build something truly new instead of competing.
Blitzscaling: The Lightning-Fast Path to Building Massively Valuable Companies
A tactical handbook for hypergrowth when speed matters more than efficiency.
High Growth Handbook
Operator-level advice on hiring, scaling, and surviving late-stage startup chaos.
3. Resilience & Founder Psychology
Stories and philosophies that build endurance, clarity, and emotional strength under pressure.
Endurance
A legendary survival story often cited for leadership and grit in impossible situations.
Man's Search for Meaning
Shows how meaning creates psychological resilience through extreme adversity.
Meditations
Stoic reflections for calm, disciplined decision-making under uncertainty.