The Six Books That Shaped Tim Cook

What shapes the mind of the man who leads one of the world's most influential technology companies? For Apple CEO Tim Cook, books have played a key developmental role.

6 Impactful Books

In a recent podcast interview with singer Dua Lipa, Cook highlighted six impactful books when asked which works influenced his thinking over the years.

His diverse selections ranged from Harper Lee's classic novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" to Nike founder Phil Knight's memoir "Shoe Dog."

Cook cited Lee's portrayal of racial injustice in the Depression-era South as a timeless story "for all of us."

He praised Knight's recounting of building a global footwear empire as "a book on life" rather than a business tome.

Not what you'd expect

The Apple chief also mentioned neurosurgeon Paul Kalanithi's memoir "When Breath Becomes Air," which explores illness and mortality.

"It's phenomenal," Cook remarked. Rounding out his picks were Malala Yousafzai's story of women's education activism and biographies charting the civil rights efforts of Martin Luther King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy.

From youth fiction to medical memoirs, Cook's choices underscore the array of narratives that helped guide his moral compass and leadership philosophy.

While running one of the country's highest-profile companies, Cook still makes time for impactful books like those that accompanied him on his journey.