Most read Technology books

Having charted humanity's rise in Sapiens, Yuval Noah Harari turns from the past to the future. For most of history, humans struggled against famine, plague, and war; now, he argues, we have largely brought these ancient scourges under control and are setting ourselves new goals—immortality, bliss, and a god-like power to engineer life itself. Homo Deus asks what happens to a species that has run out of things to conquer except its own nature. Drawing on history, biology, and the study of intelligence, Harari examines how liberalism, humanism, and free will may give way to new creeds built on data and algorithms, and how biotechnology and artificial intelligence could split humanity or render most of it economically and politically irrelevant. Provocative and wide-ranging, this bestselling work of big-picture nonfiction is less a prediction than a set of urgent questions about where our newfound powers are taking us—and who will be left behind.

Stephen Hawking's landmark work of popular science explains the universe in plain language: where it came from, how it works, and where it may be going. From the Big Bang and the nature of space and time to black holes, the uncertainty principle, and the search for a single theory of everything, Hawking makes the deepest questions of modern physics accessible to readers with no scientific background.

Walter Isaacson's authorized biography of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, drawn from years of interviews with Jobs and those around him. It traces his rise, exile, and return, the products that reshaped whole industries, and the mercurial, perfectionist personality—and its cost—behind them.

This searing memoir exposes the personal and political fallout when unfettered power and a rotten company culture take hold. Sarah Wynn-Williams shares her experiences within Facebook, from its early rise to Mark Zuckerberg’s reaction to its role in Trump’s election, alongside the challenges of working motherhood in a high-pressure environment. It offers an eye-opening look at the global elite and how the leaders of Facebook became less responsible as they gained more power. Told in a sharp, candid voice, this book reveals why and how things have gone so horribly wrong in the past decade.

• morally grey
• betrayal

What if you tried to hit a baseball at near light speed? Or what if humanity faced a robot apocalypse? Randall Munroe, the creator of xkcd, uses science and humor to answer these wild questions. He explores bizarre 'what ifs' with hilarious, often explosive, results.

Theranos promised hundreds of tests from one drop of blood and reached a $9 billion valuation. Behind the claim, the technology failed, employees were threatened into silence, and patients relied on faulty results.

• morally grey
• betrayal

Yuval Noah Harari's "21 Lessons for the 21st Century" is your essential guide to understanding today's world. It cuts through the noise to examine the most significant global challenges we face, from political shifts and misinformation to environmental concerns. Harari offers clear insights to help you make sense of the issues shaping our collective future.

Yuval Noah Harari, author of Sapiens, returns with Nexus, a historical exploration of information networks and their impact on human civilization. From ancient times to the age of AI, Harari examines the connection between information, truth, and power. The book addresses humanity's self-destructive patterns and the critical decisions we face in our technologically advanced world.

Follow an IT manager with just ninety days to save a failing, over-budget IT initiative known as The Phoenix Project. This business novel explores the world of IT and DevOps, offering insights into how to help a business succeed. It's a story for anyone interested in the challenges and triumphs of modern technology management.

The key to living well in a high-tech world is to spend much less time using technology. Cal Newport proposes a minimalist approach: radically reduce online time and focus on a small set of carefully chosen activities.

In this nonfiction book, AI researchers Eliezer Yudkowsky and Nate Soares argue that building a superintelligent AI with today's techniques would end badly for humanity, however carefully the effort is run. Drawing on decades studying how smarter-than-human systems might think and act, the authors lay out why the field cannot yet make an AI reliably want what its creators want, walk through a detailed hypothetical scenario of an AI escaping human control, and set out what would need to change for humanity to survive the technology it is building.

Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt argues that a play-based childhood was swapped for a phone-based one in the space of a few years, and that the swap is the main driver behind the surge in teen anxiety, depression and self-harm that began around 2010. He proposes four norms for reversing it: no smartphone before high school, no social media before 16, phone-free schools, and far more unsupervised play.

Before SpaceX and Tesla were secure, a journalist spent thirty hours with Elon Musk and interviewed nearly three hundred others. This unauthorised biography follows him from Pretoria to Silicon Valley and counts the human cost of his demands.

Curious about the cosmos but short on time? Neil deGrasse Tyson makes understanding black holes, dark matter, and the Big Bang simple in this quick guide. It's the perfect way to get up to speed on the universe's biggest questions.

In a world overflowing with instant gratification, Dr. Anna Lembke explores the science behind our constant pursuit of pleasure and its inevitable link to pain. This book offers practical advice for finding a healthier balance, helping readers manage their dopamine levels to achieve greater contentment and genuine connection.

• mentor figure

In a world increasingly swayed by misinformation, Carl Sagan issues a vital call for scientific literacy. This book serves as a powerful defense of critical thinking, urging readers to distinguish between evidence-based science and the seductive allure of pseudoscience. Sagan explores historical examples of irrationality and warns of the dangers posed by contemporary myths to our freedoms.

This book provides a definitive account of the Chernobyl disaster, moving beyond myths to reveal the human stories behind the catastrophe. Journalist Adam Higginbotham spent over a decade interviewing survivors and sifting through declassified documents to reconstruct the events of April 26, 1986. It's a harrowing look at how secrecy and misinformation compounded one of the 20th century's worst technological failures.

• survival
• betrayal

This book explores the intricate development journeys of major video games like Uncharted 4, Halo Wars, and Destiny. It details the significant challenges and demands inherent in the design and production of these popular titles. Readers gain insight into the often-arduous process behind bringing virtual worlds to life.

A young libertarian programmer builds a hidden marketplace where anything can be sold, and it grows into a $1.2 billion business. Federal agents hunt for its owner, known only as Dread Pirate Roberts, while he orders a hit to stay hidden.

"Building a second brain is getting things done for the digital age. It's a ... productivity method for consuming, synthesizing, and remembering the vast amount of information we take in, allowing us to become more effective and creative and harness the unprecedented amount of technology we have at our disposal"--

Peter Thiel presents a compelling argument that genuine progress stems from creating entirely new ventures, rather than merely improving existing ones. He challenges the common belief that innovation is limited to tech, showing how new ideas can emerge across all sectors. This book encourages readers to cultivate independent thought and develop unique businesses that thrive by offering truly novel solutions.

An epic account of the decades-long battle to control microchip technology, the scarce resource on which the modern world depends.

This is the inspiring autobiography of A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, detailing his rise from humble beginnings in Rameswaram to becoming India's President. It covers his significant contributions to India's missile development and the nation's pursuit of technological self-sufficiency. The book offers a look into the life of a remarkable scientist and leader.

Feeling lost in math or science? This book offers practical advice to help you learn difficult subjects more effectively. Author Barbara Oakley shares her personal journey from struggling student to successful engineer, revealing techniques that anyone can use to improve their understanding of technical topics and approach problems with new confidence.

In the latest Eve Dallas mystery, three prominent individuals are found dead, each with a smile on their face. What initially seems like a string of suicides takes a sinister turn when autopsies reveal a disturbing secret. Eve must venture into the world of virtual reality to catch a killer who weaponizes the mind.

• morally grey

A scientist gets caught in a dangerous global plot involving eco-terrorists who want to cause destruction to draw attention to climate change. He must race against time to expose the truth before it's too late in this fast-paced thriller.

• quest
• survival

Chris Hadfield, the celebrated astronaut, invites you aboard for an extraordinary look at life beyond Earth. From his early days dreaming of space to commanding the International Space Station, Hadfield shares candid lessons on preparation, resilience, and finding wonder in the everyday. Discover how the mindset of an astronaut can help you navigate your own challenges and reach for the seemingly impossible.

• mentor figure
• survival

A high-powered executive finds his career and life threatened when a business meeting with his new boss takes a disastrous turn. Falsely accused of sexual harassment, he must race against time to uncover a dangerous corporate conspiracy before it destroys him. This legal thriller explores the treacherous landscape of power, deception, and the fight for justice in the modern workplace.

• morally grey
• betrayal

Explore the fundamental concepts of physics with Nobel laureate Richard Feynman. This book distills six of his famous Caltech lectures, covering topics from atoms to quantum mechanics. It's an accessible introduction to complex ideas, presented by one of the most brilliant scientific minds.

• mentor figure

When Nick receives a mysterious computer game called Erebos, he's drawn into an addictive world where online actions demand real-world consequences. As the game's tasks grow increasingly sinister, Nick finds his friendships and moral compass tested. He must decide how far he's willing to go to uncover Erebos's true intentions before reality and the game become indistinguishable.

• quest
• morally grey
• coming of age
• betrayal