On 27/8, the Microsoft founder appeared on the South Korean program You Quiz on the Block, chatting with MC Yoo Jae Suk and comedian Jo Se Ho. Gates shared insights into his daily life and recommended impactful books, all previously featured on his blog, Gates Notes.
Here are the books he mentioned, one of which has been translated into Vietnamese:
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Bill Gates recommends summer reading in 2022, including "How the World Really Works" by Vaclav Smil. Photo: Gates Notes |
Bill Gates recommends summer reading in 2022, including "How the World Really Works" by Vaclav Smil. Photo: Gates Notes
Factfulness
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The Vietnamese edition, translated by Tran Thi Kim Chi and Ha Kim Ngan, was published by Tre Publishing House in 2019. Photo: Tre Publishing House |
The Vietnamese edition, translated by Tran Thi Kim Chi and Ha Kim Ngan, was published by Tre Publishing House in 2019. Photo: Tre Publishing House
In 2018, Gates praised this book on his blog, noting its fresh perspective. The author, Professor Hans Rosling, was a global health expert, renowned speaker, and friend of Gates. Rosling, who passed away in 2017 at age 69, left the final parts of the book to be completed by his son, Ola, and daughter-in-law, Anna.
Rosling argues that 10 instincts often distort our understanding of global trends. He highlights how fear can skew our news intake toward negativity, and how isolated statistics, divorced from historical context, can mislead. Rosling emphasizes that everyone, even when making educated guesses, operates with biases, preventing them from recognizing global progress.
Gates agrees with Rosling, emphasizing humanity's continuous advancement. According to Amazon, Gates called Factfulness one of the most important books he's read, a "must-read guide to understanding the world."
How the World Really Works
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"How the World Really Works" was published in 2022. Photo: Viking |
"How the World Really Works" was published in 2022. Photo: Viking
Published in 2022, this book is by scientist Vaclav Smil, now 82. Smil, one of Gates' favorite authors, has written over 50 academic books on complex topics like energy, manufacturing, maritime transport, and agriculture.
On his blog, Gates described "How the World Really Works" as a culmination of Smil's decades of research. Smil explains seven fundamental realities governing human survival and prosperity, including energy, food production, the physical world, and globalization.
Gates noted Smil's strong, evidence-based opinions, calling the book "an engaging and accessible read that provides essential groundwork for addressing the world's toughest challenges."
The Better Angels of Our Nature
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The cover of "The Better Angels of Our Nature." Photo: Amazon |
The cover of "The Better Angels of Our Nature." Photo: Amazon
In 2011, Gates called psychologist Steven Pinker's book, published the same year, the best he'd ever read. Pinker, now 71, paints a picture of a world becoming less violent and more humane.
Using psychological and historical insights, Pinker argues that increased awareness and sensitivity to violence have reduced aggression, a trend spanning millennia. He notes that since the Enlightenment, governments have moved away from barbaric punishments, and the 65 years following World War II have seen less international conflict, particularly with the rise of human rights awareness.
Gates commented: "Pinker's ideas can offer guidance for building peaceful societies, going beyond economics. Some African countries, where murder rates remain high, could learn from developed nations. 'The Better Angels of Our Nature' explores crucial ideas, such as the foundation of morality and the decline of violence rooted in empathy, reinforced by norms, rules, and laws."
Bill Gates, 70, born in Seattle, dropped out of Harvard in 1975. That same year, he and Paul Allen founded Microsoft in Albuquerque, New Mexico. From 1975 to 2014, he held key roles: CEO, Chairman, and Chief Software Architect. A Forbes billionaire since 1987, he was the world's richest person for 13 consecutive years (1995-2007). In 2011, Forbes named him one of the world's five most powerful people. He also holds honorary doctorates from universities worldwide.
Beyond business, Gates is a renowned philanthropist. In 2000, he and his former wife, Melinda French Gates, established the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the world's largest private charitable foundation, supporting numerous social, health, and education projects. They divorced in 2021.
Phuong Thao (Chosun Biz, Gates Notes)
