Dick Costolo's Book Recommendations (Updated for 2026)

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1

Straw Dogs: Thoughts on Humans and Other Animals

JOHN GRAY

4.0

A radical work of philosophy, which sets out to challenge our most cherished assumptions about what it means to be human. From Plato to Christianity, from the Enlightenment to Nietzsche and Marx, the Western tradition has been based on arrogant and erroneous beliefs about human beings and their place in the world. Philosophies such as liberalism and Marxism think of humankind as a species whose de

Recommended by Dick Costolo, Nassim Nicholas Taleb, and Mark Lynas.

Dick Costolo

Former CEO/Twitter

@mikeindustries Read this excellent opposing view (of pinker generally and his previous book specifically) by John Gray (english philosopher, author of the fantastic "straw dogs, thoughts on humans and other animals") https://t.co/9TpPeKhyD7 [source]

Mark Lynas

What I like about the book is the anti-humanism. The rejection of this idea we all have, that humanity is at the centre of the cosmos, which is a post-Christian thing. John Gray is an unreconstructed pessimist, particularly on environmental issues. [source]

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2

Big Bang Disruption: Strategy in the Age of Devastating Innovation

Larry Downes, Paul Nunes

3.9

Free navigation apps on smartphones wreaked havoc for the makers of standalone GPS devices. Airbnb and other resource sharing services are undermining hotels. Uber, SideCar and Lyft are reinventing the heavily regulated taxi and limousine industry.

These are just a few of hundreds of examples of Big Bang Disruptions—new products and services that enter the market better and cheaper than establishe

Recommended by Dick Costolo, Michael Dell, Gary Shapiro, and 2 others.

Dick Costolo

Former CEO/Twitter

Everything you need from business school in one very direct book. Big Bang Disruption elegantly and simply identifies why innovation happens in some new companies and how you can embrace and harness this new way of thinking. [source]

Michael Dell

CEO/Dell Computers

Downes and Nunes provide some very thought-provoking guidance to existing businesses about how to compete, innovate, and win in this new world of the disruptive startup. [source]

Gary Shapiro

Wow! Big Bang Disruption beautifully captures how technology has changed the speed and cycle of innovation. It is a primer on dizzying change in many industries and a strategy manual for any entrepreneur or CEO who must understand disruptive innovation to survive and prosper. A compelling must-read! [source]

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3

A Curious Mind: The Secret to a Bigger Life

Brian Grazer, Charles Fishman

3.7

From Academy Award–winning producer Brian Grazer and acclaimed business journalist Charles Fishman comes the New York Times bestselling, brilliantly entertaining peek into the weekly “curiosity conversations” that have inspired Grazer to create some of America’s favorite and iconic movies and television shows—from 24 to A Beautiful Mind.

For decades, film and TV producer Brian Grazer has scheduled

Recommended by Eric Schmidt, Sheryl Sandberg, Angela Duckworth, and 4 others.

Dick Costolo

Former CEO/Twitter

Curiosity leads to insights and fuels the creative process – and nobody knows more about curiosity than Brian Grazer. In his delightful book, A Curious Mind, we get to see that curiously creative process in action. [source]

Eric Schmidt

CEO/Google

To have a great life, you need to be curious. Curiosity is what makes us human and moves our world forward. Brian Grazer tells this story in an exceptional way and demonstrates how everyone can tap into curiosity to live a bigger life. [source]

Sheryl Sandberg

COO/Facebook

A powerful tribute to the ways innovation and disruptive thinking stem from a common trait: curiosity. Because the little girl who asks ‘Why is the sky blue?’ becomes the woman who can change the world. [source]

4

Peak Performance: Elevate Your Game, Avoid Burnout, and Thrive with the New Science of Success

Brad Stulberg, Steve Magness

4.4

Preview Summary

A few common principles drive performance, regardless of the field or the task at hand. Whether someone is trying to qualify for the Olympics, break ground in mathematical theory or craft an artistic masterpiece, many of the practices that lead to great success are the same. In Peak Performance, Brad Stulberg, a former McKinsey and Company consultant and journalist who covers health and the scienc

Recommended by Arianna Huffington, Dick Costolo, Dustin Moskovitz, and 7 others.

Dick Costolo

Former CEO/Twitter

So much in this book resonates with me. With practical advice for performance in the workplace or on the playing field, Brad and Steve meticulously deliver a comprehensive understanding of peak performance and howto achieve it. [source]

Arianna Huffington

Founder/The Huffington Post

An essential playbook for success, happiness, and getting the most out of ourselves. [source]

Dustin Moskovitz

Co-founder/Facebook and Asana

Sharpen the saw. [source]

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5

Choose Yourself

James Altucher

4.1

The world is changing. Markets have crashed. Jobs have disappeared. Industries have been disrupted and are being remade before our eyes. Everything we aspired to for “security,” everything we thought was “safe,” no longer is: College. Employment. Retirement. Government. It’s all crumbling down. In every part of society, the middlemen are being pushed out of the picture. No longer is someone coming

Recommended by Dick Costolo and Michael Lazerow.

Dick Costolo

Former CEO/Twitter

What I like about James and his book is you can tell he came from a roller coaster. He chose his own path to success without knowing the outcome. And what happens to him later - well... [source]

Michael Lazerow

James is one of the most successful and content people I know. [source]