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Jack Dorsey's Reading List

Co-founder of Twitter and Square (Block); known for minimalist leadership, Zen practice, and giving away copies of The Checklist Manifesto.

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Society & Health (2026)

Books on race, environment, and diet/health that Dorsey has highlighted across interviews.

Source: twitter.com

Cover of Between the World and Me
Between the World and Me
Ta-Nehisi Coates · 2015 · Buy on Amazon
"A powerful exploration of race and history that Dorsey has identified as influential."
Cover of Whole Earth Discipline: Why Dense Cities, Nuclear Power, Transgenic Crops, Restored Wildlands, and Geoengineering Are Necessary
Whole Earth Discipline: Why Dense Cities, Nuclear Power, Transgenic Crops, Restored Wildlands, and Geoengineering Are Necessary
Stewart Brand · 2009 · Buy on Amazon
"Praised for its incredible perspective on environmentalism and urbanization."
Cover of The Plant Paradox
The Plant Paradox
Steven Gundry · 2017 · Buy on Amazon
"Insightful and comprehensive, particularly regarding diet and health."
Cover of Civilized to Death
Civilized to Death
Christopher Ryan · 2019 · Buy on Amazon
"A book that examines the costs of modern progress."

Creativity & Fiction (2026)

Novels and creativity manuals Dorsey has called major influences on his thinking and design sense.

Source: twitter.com

Cover of The Art Spirit
The Art Spirit
Robert Henri · 1923 · Buy on Amazon
"Credited with helping him succeed; explores creativity through the lens of an art student."
Cover of The Old Man and the Sea
The Old Man and the Sea
Ernest Hemingway · 1952 · Buy on Amazon
"A short classic he lists as a major influence."
Cover of The Master and Margarita
The Master and Margarita
Mikhail Bulgakov · 1967 · Buy on Amazon
"A surrealist novel he has included in his reading lists."
Cover of Ishmael
Ishmael
Daniel Quinn · 1992 · Buy on Amazon
"Described as incredible — a philosophical novel about civilization and nature."

Leadership & Business (2026)

Operating playbooks Dorsey hands out at Square/Block, including The Checklist Manifesto for new employees.

Source: twitter.com

Cover of The Score Takes Care of Itself
The Score Takes Care of Itself
Bill Walsh · 2009 · Buy on Amazon
"Frequently recommended; Bill Walsh on perfecting details and standard of performance."
Cover of The Checklist Manifesto
The Checklist Manifesto
Atul Gawande · 2009 · Buy on Amazon
"Vital tool for organizational success — Dorsey hands out copies to new Block employees."
Cover of Principles: Life and Work
Principles: Life and Work
Ray Dalio · 2017 · Buy on Amazon
"Focused specifically on the concepts of radical truth and radical transparency."
Cover of Becoming Steve Jobs
Becoming Steve Jobs
Brent Schlender · 2015 · Buy on Amazon
"An amazing read — acknowledged that Square would not exist without Jobs' work."
Cover of The Start-up of You
The Start-up of You
Reid Hoffman · 2012 · Buy on Amazon
"A guide to managing your career like a startup."

Philosophy & Mindfulness (2026)

Books on Zen, Stoicism, and meditation that Dorsey credits with shaping his leadership and inner discipline.

Source: twitter.com

Cover of Tao Te Ching
Tao Te Ching
Lao Tzu · -600 · Buy on Amazon
"One of the books that had the most significant influence on his life and leadership."
Cover of The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Sri Swami Satchidananda · 1978 · Buy on Amazon
"A favorite, reflecting his well-documented interest in meditation and discipline."
Cover of The Four Agreements
The Four Agreements
Don Miguel Ruiz · 1997 · Buy on Amazon
"A practical guide to personal freedom through four simple codes of conduct."
Cover of Meditations
Meditations
Marcus Aurelius · 180 · Buy on Amazon
"The classic Stoic text on self-discipline and perspective."
Cover of On Having No Head: Zen and the Rediscovery of the Obvious
On Having No Head: Zen and the Rediscovery of the Obvious
Douglas Harding · 1961 · Buy on Amazon
"A book Dorsey has noted finishing and finding valuable for mental clarity."

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