4 books that bill gates read twice

Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft and one of the wealthiest individuals in the world, is a voracious reader. He is known for his love of books, and he often shares his reading list on his personal blog, Gates Notes. In fact, he has said that reading is one of his favorite ways to learn, and he tries to read at least one book every week. However, there are some books that have had a particularly profound impact on him, and he has even read them more than once. Here are four books that Bill Gates has read twice.

"The Better Angels of Our Nature" by Steven Pinker

"The Better Angels of Our Nature" by Steven Pinker is a fascinating exploration of violence throughout human history. Pinker argues that despite the perception that the world is becoming more violent, in fact, the opposite is true. He shows that violence has declined significantly over the centuries, and he examines the reasons behind this trend. Pinker cites factors such as the rise of nation-states, the growth of commerce, and the spread of education and literacy as contributing to the decline of violence.

Bill Gates has said that "The Better Angels of Our Nature" is one of the most important books he has ever read. He first read it in 2011 and was so impressed that he read it again in 2017. In a blog post, he wrote that the book "will give you a whole new perspective on the history of violence."

"The Road to Character" by David Brooks

"The Road to Character" by David Brooks is a thought-provoking exploration of what it means to live a fulfilling life. Brooks argues that we live in a culture that prizes individual achievement and personal success above all else, and that this emphasis has led to a decline in character. He suggests that we need to focus more on developing virtues such as humility, kindness, and honesty in order to live a truly meaningful life.

Bill Gates first read "The Road to Character" in 2015 and was so moved by it that he read it again in 2018. In a blog post, he wrote that the book "challenges us to rebalance the scales between our 'résumé virtues' (achieving wealth, fame, and status) and our 'eulogy virtues' (kindness, bravery, honesty, and faithfulness)."

"Shoe Dog" by Phil Knight

"Shoe Dog" by Phil Knight is the memoir of the founder of Nike, one of the world's most iconic brands. Knight recounts the early days of Nike, from its humble beginnings as Blue Ribbon Sports to its rise as a global powerhouse. He shares his personal struggles and triumphs, as well as the lessons he learned along the way.

Bill Gates first read "Shoe Dog" in 2016 and enjoyed it so much that he read it again in 2019. In a blog post, he wrote that the book "offers a rare and revealing look at the notoriously media-shy Knight, illuminating many of the business principles and practices he used to build Nike into one of the most successful companies in the world."

"The Great Influenza" by John M. Barry

"The Great Influenza" by John M. Barry is a gripping account of the 1918 flu pandemic, which killed an estimated 50 million people worldwide. Barry traces the origins of the pandemic, the attempts to contain it, and the devastating impact it had on society.

Bill Gates first read "The Great Influenza" in 2018 and was so fascinated by it that he read it again in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a blog post, he wrote that the book "is a sobering reminder that