“my college life was shaped by snow crash with probably the thing that really put him on the map and i read that there was like a dog-eared version of it hanging around one of the offices…”
Why: It shaped his software engineering life and presents a hilarious, consumerist satirical version of the future.
Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson Guest on The Tim Ferriss Show#869: Max Levchin, PayPal and Affirm — The Path from The Soviet Union to Building Multi-Billion Dollar Companies (Plus: Real-World Socialism vs. Capitalism)
“I am sure it's in your list and everyone's list, but you should read, if you haven't read it, if you're trying to start a business, you should read Influence by Cialdini because that is probably the most important social science book published in the last 50 years.”
Why: It is the most important social science book published in the last 50 years.
Influence by Robert B. Cialdini Guest on The Tim Ferriss Show#869: Max Levchin, PayPal and Affirm — The Path from The Soviet Union to Building Multi-Billion Dollar Companies (Plus: Real-World Socialism vs. Capitalism)
“And one that I've still not read, I'm very embarrassed to say this, is The Master and Margarita. Missing out. Yeah. So this is now on my to-do list.”
Why: It is a brilliant portrayal of Homo Sovieticus and the insanity of living in a socialist paradise, and it is hilarious and amazing.
The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov Guest on The Tim Ferriss Show#869: Max Levchin, PayPal and Affirm — The Path from The Soviet Union to Building Multi-Billion Dollar Companies (Plus: Real-World Socialism vs. Capitalism)
“Titan is a huge one. So Titan is probably the one that's closest to business advice.”
Titan by Ron Chernow Guest on The Tim Ferriss Show#869: Max Levchin, PayPal and Affirm — The Path from The Soviet Union to Building Multi-Billion Dollar Companies (Plus: Real-World Socialism vs. Capitalism)
“Yeah, Snow Crash basically presented an alternative to Neuromancer. Neuromancer was this dark dystopian. Also, by the way, first book I read when I came to the US.”
Why: It was part of discovering science fiction and finding a community of lifelong friends.
Neuromancer by William Gibson Guest on The Tim Ferriss Show#869: Max Levchin, PayPal and Affirm — The Path from The Soviet Union to Building Multi-Billion Dollar Companies (Plus: Real-World Socialism vs. Capitalism)
“Something I always wondered is that we all had Cryptonomicon as required reading. So I want you to explain that. I love that book.”
Why: It is an incredible, prescient read that felt like it was describing the early PayPal team.
Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson Guest on The Tim Ferriss Show#869: Max Levchin, PayPal and Affirm — The Path from The Soviet Union to Building Multi-Billion Dollar Companies (Plus: Real-World Socialism vs. Capitalism)
“There's this book called Seven Powers by Hamilton Hemler. If you haven't read it, it's a really worthwhile distillation of what it takes to build a competitively lasting business.”
Why: It is a worthwhile distillation of what it takes to build a competitively lasting business.
7 Powers by Hamilton Helmer Guest on The Tim Ferriss Show#869: Max Levchin, PayPal and Affirm — The Path from The Soviet Union to Building Multi-Billion Dollar Companies (Plus: Real-World Socialism vs. Capitalism)
“Another good book that is off the beaten path, but a great one called A Failure of Nerve. It's a book about leadership.”
Why: It teaches you how to tolerate stress, handle pressure, and remain a differentiated leader without becoming a tyrant.
A Failure of Nerve by Edwin H. Friedman Guest on The Tim Ferriss Show#869: Max Levchin, PayPal and Affirm — The Path from The Soviet Union to Building Multi-Billion Dollar Companies (Plus: Real-World Socialism vs. Capitalism)
“There's a great book called A Mind at Play, which is Claude Shannon's biography.”
Why: It depicts Claude Shannon as a platonic ideal of brilliance and playfulness.
A Mind at Play by Jimmy Soni Guest on The Tim Ferriss Show#869: Max Levchin, PayPal and Affirm — The Path from The Soviet Union to Building Multi-Billion Dollar Companies (Plus: Real-World Socialism vs. Capitalism)