I have a fixation with films about or using digital technology: my work in this area is about trying to grasp the impacts of technological change on the world in which we live. In writing about The Social Network, I was gripped by the idea that a group of college kids could create something so contagious and monstrous as Facebook. More recently, I’ve been exploring the impacts of data on our understanding and management of sport. I’m also working on a long-term project about Pixar, a long-term fascination. I just love the idea that the films we and our children watch started out with a bunch of computer scientists, playing around with polygons.
Levy is the great Silicon Valley insider-reporter, a tech fan who gets close to the action while remaining clear-sighted and critical about his subjects: inevitably, his weighty book about Mark Zuckerberg’s rise and subsequent travails was indispensable for my own work.
Like the film and its topic, Levy’s book is partly inspiring, frequently troubling, but overall offers an insightful vision of how and why Facebook defined and shaped the first part of the new century. It’s also a reminder of how, if anything, The Social Network was overly nice in its depiction of Facebook’s founder.
'Levy portrays a tech company where no one is taking responsibility for what it has unleashed' Financial Times
'This fascinating book reveals the imperial ambitions of Facebook's founder' James Marriott, Sunday Times
'The inside story of how Facebook went from idealism to scandal' Laurence Dodds, Telegraph
Today, Facebook is nearly unrecognizable from the simple website Zuckerberg's first built from his dorm room in his Sophomore year. It has grown into a tech giant, the largest social media platform and one of the biggest companies in the world, with a valuation of more than $576 billion and almost 3 billion users.…
I’ve spent my career building products, scaling companies, and leading teams through the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. I know firsthand how challenging it is to take an idea and turn it into something real—whether that’s a product, a company, or a movement. The books on this list have shaped my approach to leadership, innovation, and resilience. They’ve helped me navigate tough decisions, build stronger teams, and think bigger. I’m passionate about sharing these insights because I believe great builders aren’t just born—they’re made. If you’re looking to create something meaningful, these books will push you, challenge you, and inspire you to build something great.
I don’t know a single great leader who hasn’t read this book. Andy Grove made me rethink what it means to be an effective manager. Before reading it, I thought leadership was about vision and execution—but this book drilled home that structure, process, and discipline are just as critical. His take on 1:1 meetings as a tool for coaching, not just updates, changed how I mentor.
This book is pure gold for scaling yourself as a leader. If you’re managing people and want to be more effective, this is one of the best books you’ll ever read.
The president of Silicon Valley's Intel Corporation sets forth the three basic ideas of his management philosophy and details numerous specific techniques to increase productivity in the manager's work and that of his colleagues and subordinates
Every person faces moments that test their strength, their identity, and their belief in what is possible. For me, those moments became the foundation of Mastering Intentions. These five books reflect the power of mindset, discipline, and self-awareness to transform challenge into clarity. They each carry a truth I live by: that you can rebuild from anything when you move with intention. Each of these authors has, in their own way, taught me how to align thought with action, faith with focus, and purpose with power. If you are navigating transition, rebuilding after loss, or simply ready to step into a new chapter, these books will help you rise stronger and more grounded than before.
This book is a practical and thoughtful guide for entrepreneurs who want to scale both a company and their leadership capacity.
Mochary blends systems, emotional intelligence, communication, and performance habits into a clear roadmap for becoming an effective and grounded leader. His teachings reinforce a belief I center my work around: structure creates clarity, and clarity creates growth.
A great leader is not someone who has all the answers. A great leader builds processes, empowers talent, and creates an environment where people succeed together.
This book is a reminder that leadership is earned through self-management, humility, and the discipline to improve every day.
Matt Mochary coaches the CEOs of many of the fastest-scaling technology companies in Silicon Valley. With The Great CEO Within, he shares his highly effective leadership and business-operating tools with any CEO or manager in the world. Learn how to efficiently scale your business from startup to corporation by implementing a system of accountability, effective problem-solving, and transparent feedback.
Becoming a great CEO requires training. For a founding CEO, there is precious little time to complete that training, especially at the helm of a rapidly growing company. Now you have the guidance you need in one book.
