Since taking over Apple’s reigns back in 2011, Tim Cook has overseen the company make great strides in user privacy, renewable energy, labor-friendly manufacturing, and environmental preservation. While known for keeping his private life private, Cook’s offered a glimpse into his literary influences through interviews and leadership engagements over the years.

When asked about his reading habits by the Washington Post, Cook responded, “I tend to like nonfiction and particularly reading about people and how they lived and how they fought, and what motivated them and their philosophy and so forth.” Among the figures he’s long taken interest in is liberal legend Bobby Kennedy, whose biography made his list of favorites.

Find a selection of reading recommendations from Apple CEO Tim Cook below, and complement with the book lists of Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Warren Buffett, and Richard Branson.


Competing Against Time by George Jr. Stalk

One of Cook’s all-time favorite books, which he’s been known to hand out to colleagues and new hires.

Bobby Kennedy: The Making of a Liberal Icon by Larry Tye

Mohandas K. Gandhi, Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments With Truth by Mahatma Gandhi

March (Trilogy) by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin

“My hope is that everyone reads this, and I would love to see the day that it is required reading in every school.” -TC

Trillion Dollar Coach: The Leadership Playbook of Silicon Valley’s Bill Campbell by Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg &Alan Eagle 

Trillion Dollar Coach has captured his tireless spirit so future generations can learn from one our industry’s greatest leaders.” -TC

Full Force: Why The World Works Better When Girls Go To School by Malala Fund

“People around the world came to know Malala first as a strong and inspiring spokesperson, a visionary for girls’ education and a clear-eyed advocate for the economic potential of women unleashed. This report underscores another critical component of Malala Fund’s transformative mission. Through rigorous, diligent and life-changing research and insights like those contained in this report, they are driving gender equity in education forward at the grassroots.” -TC

(via Washington Post & Malala Fund)

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