Books Recommended by Boyan Slat

"Not the End of the World by @_HannahRitchie Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the current state of the world’s environmental problems and how to solve them in a constructive way."

"1491 by @CharlesCMann Societies in pre-Columbian Americas were far more complex, technologically advanced, and populous than most people realize. A book brimming with mind-blowing facts."

"Beyond by @SWalkerBEYOND I’ve read quite a number of books on the Apollo project but was curious to learn more about the other side of the Space Race. Super interesting to see the pros and cons of the USA’s well-planned, risk-averse mindset vs the USSR’s more gung-ho approach."

"7 Powers by @hamiltonhelmer Breaks down all the different ways companies can create competitive advantages in a highly structured and clear-headed way. Recommended for every entrepreneur."

"How Big Things Get Done by @BentFlyvbjerg About 92% of projects are not delivered on time or within budget. This book teaches you about the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them."

"Billions and Billions by Carl Sagan In my view, few voices are more sorely missed than Sagan’s. While some topics discussed (e.g., the ozone layer) are dated, the lessons in this book remain highly relevant to solving today’s problems."

"The Ancestor’s Tale by @RichardDawkins I don’t think I truly understood evolution until I started reading Richard’s books about a decade ago. This might be his best—I learned something new about life on nearly every page."

"When the Heavens Went on Sale by @ashleevance Few things inspire me more than stories of founders doing ambitious things. This book tells the stories of Planet Labs, Rocket Lab, Astra, and Firefly in a gripping way."

"Everything Is Predictable by @tomchivers Those who work closely with me know that I’m a big advocate for Bayesian reasoning, so of course I had to read this. I then bought 10 copies to keep on my desk for whenever I end up in Bayesian vs. frequentist arguments."

"My Inventions by Nikola Tesla Although I’ve read a Tesla biography before, this autobiography gave me a better understanding of his personality and an even greater appreciation for how accurate many of his predictions about the future were."

"Wasteland by @olifranklin While many environmental books feel like they’re pushing an agenda, I appreciated the objective tone of this one. It takes the reader on a global tour of how humanity deals with its waste, from landfills to wastewater treatment plants."

"How the Mind Works by @sapinker Steven is one of my all-time favorite authors, yet there were still a few of his older books I hadn’t read. I once again learned a ton about psychology and human nature."

"1493 by @CharlesCMann I think I’ve already recommended all of this author’s other books, but that won’t stop me from recommending this one too. The unintended consequences of the Columbian Exchange lead to endlessly fascinating stories."

"Into the Jingle Jangle Jangle by Joel Gion I’ve long been a fan of the psychedelic rock band The Brian Jonestown Massacre. This memoir by its legendary tambourine player is extremely chaotic and very funny at the same time."

"The Vital Question (about the origin of life) is one of the most exciting books I’ve ever read. I really hope that, one day, someone makes a @Kurz_Gesagt-style animation video explaining his theory so that these ideas can reach a broader audience."