Silicon Valley Non-Fiction

Tuesday, February 28th 2023

Silicon Valley is known as the global hub of the technology industry, and has inspired a number of popular non-fiction books. Here are some of the most prominent:

  1. "The Soul of a New Machine" by Tracy Kidder: Published in 1981, this Pulitzer Prize-winning book follows a team of engineers at Data General as they race to build a new computer in time to compete with their rivals at IBM. The book is a classic of the genre, and is widely regarded as one of the best books ever written about the process of creating technology.

  2. "The New New Thing" by Michael Lewis: Lewis is one of the most popular non-fiction authors of the last few decades, and this book is one of his most famous. It tells the story of Jim Clark, the founder of Netscape, and his subsequent ventures in Silicon Valley. The book is notable for its insights into the culture and personalities of the tech industry.

  3. "Steve Jobs" by Walter Isaacson: This biography of the Apple co-founder and CEO was published shortly after his death in 2011, and became an instant classic. Isaacson had unprecedented access to Jobs during his final years, and the book is based on hundreds of hours of interviews with the man himself, as well as with family members, friends, and colleagues.

  4. "The Everything Store" by Brad Stone: This book tells the story of Jeff Bezos and Amazon, one of the most successful and influential companies of the modern era. Stone details the company's rise from an online bookstore to a global behemoth, and provides insights into Bezos's leadership style and business philosophy.

  5. "Valley of Genius" by Adam Fisher: This book takes a sweeping look at the history of Silicon Valley, from its roots in the counterculture of the 1960s to its current status as the epicenter of the tech industry. The book is based on hundreds of interviews with industry insiders, and provides a detailed and colorful portrait of one of the most fascinating places in the world.