One of tech and media's most influential investment bankers shares the 21 books that he read in 2018

Summary: "How a new understanding of warfare can help the military fight today’s conflicts more effectively."

Summary: "A colorful and revealing portrait of the rise of India’s new billionaire class in a radically unequal society."

Summary: "The historic quest to rekindle the human exploration and colonization of space led by two rivals and their vast fortunes, egos, and visions of space as the next entrepreneurial frontier."

Summary: "Legendary venture capitalist John Doerr reveals how the goal-setting system of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) has helped tech giants from Intel to Google achieve explosive growth—and how it can help any organization thrive."

Summary: "A brilliant recasting of the turning points in world history, including the one we're living through, as a collision between old power hierarchies and new social networks."

Summary: "In his rich and nuanced portrait of the remarkable, elusive Rothschild family, Oxford scholar and bestselling author Niall Ferguson uncovers the secrets behind the family's phenomenal economic success."

Summary: "Big data entrepreneur Allen Gannett overturns the mythology around creative genius, and reveals the science and secrets behind achieving breakout commercial success in any field."

Summary: "In Silicon States, renowned futurist and celebrated international think-tank leader Lucie Greene offers an unparalleled look at the players, promises, and potential problems of Big Tech. Through interviews with corporate leaders, influential venture capitalists, scholars, journalists, activists, and more, Greene explores the tension inherent in Silicon Valley’s global influence."

Summary from the website: "A lovingly written and illustrated children's primer on Bitcoin from Algorithm to Zero knowledge proof."

Yes, it's a children's book.

Summary: "Stick and stones break bones. Words kill."

This one is fiction.

Summary: "The legendary investor shows how to identify and master the cycles that govern the markets."

Summary: "From an internationally acclaimed economist, a provocative call to jump-start economic growth by aggressively overhauling liberal democracy."

Summary: "A history of the transformation of Verizon and the telecommunications industry told through the eyes of founding CEO Ivan Seidenberg and his leadership team, with highlights and commentary from bestselling global leadership guru Ram Charan."

Summary: "How would you like to have the mind, body, and spirit of someone half your age, and add more years to your life? Or have people stare in disbelief when they discover how old you really are? How would you like to become...ageless?"

Summary: "In this landmark biography of Winston Churchill based on extensive new material, the true genius of the man, statesman and leader can finally be fully seen and understood—by the bestselling, award-winning author of Napoleon and The Storm of War. "

Summary: "Tracing the extraordinary trajectory of the great Roman emperor’s life, Goldsworthy covers not only the great Roman emperor’s accomplishments as charismatic orator, conquering general, and powerful dictator but also lesser-known chapters during which he was high priest of an exotic cult, captive of pirates, seducer not only of Cleopatra but also of the wives of his two main political rivals, and rebel condemned by his own country. Ultimately, Goldsworthy realizes the full complexity of Caesar’s character and shows why his political and military leadership continues to resonate some two thousand years later."

Summary: "For readers of Atul Gawande, Andrew Solomon, and Anne Lamott, this inspiring, exquisitely observed memoir finds hope and beauty in the face of insurmountable odds as an idealistic young neurosurgeon attempts to answer the question What makes a life worth living?"

This one is actually a presentation Brooks gave at the Aspen Ideas Festival on what comes after you've achieved success. You can watch it here. He included it as a book, though.

Summary: "Jewish Libya collects the work of scholars who explore the community’s history, its literature and dialect, topography and cuisine, and the difficult negotiation of trauma and memory. In shedding new light on this now-fragmented culture and society, this collection commemorates and celebrates vital elements of Libyan Jewish heritage and encourages a lively intergenerational exchange among the many Jews of Libyan origin worldwide."

Bourkoff said he read one this "in honor and memory" of his late uncle.

Summary: "This third edition of an international bestseller...details how its powerful insights on motivation, conflict, and collaboration can benefit organizations as well as individuals."

"I try to re-read this every year as I find its lessons always relevant," Bourkoff wrote in the letter.