Jimmy Soni, on Interviewing Elon Musk, Writing Biographies, Lessons from Peter Thiel, and The Art of Research

Seabiscuit: An American Legend tells the story of Seabiscuit, a racehorse who became an unlikely American icon during the Great Depression. With the help of Charles Howard, Tom Smith, and Red Pollard, Seabiscuit overcame numerous challenges to achieve remarkable success. The book is a testament to perseverance and the underdog spirit, set against the backdrop of a tumultuous era in American history.

A Night to Remember is a classic non-fiction book by Walter Lord that recounts the tragic story of the Titanic's sinking in 1912. The book is based on interviews with 63 survivors and provides a detailed, moment-by-moment account of the disaster. It explores the experiences of passengers and crew from different social classes, highlighting the human side of the tragedy.

The Redwall series by Brian Jacques is a collection of children's fantasy novels that follow the adventures of various anthropomorphic animals in and around Redwall Abbey and Mossflower Wood. The series is known for its blend of action, poetry, songs, and detailed descriptions of food and culture. It has been praised for its portrayal of strong female characters and its unique dialects for different species. The series includes 22 novels and two picture books, with the first book, 'Redwall,' published in 1986.

This book is an authorized biography that delves into the life of Elon Musk, from his tumultuous childhood in South Africa to his rise as a visionary entrepreneur in Silicon Valley. Ashlee Vance captures Musk's journey through his various ventures, including PayPal, SpaceX, Tesla, and SolarCity. The book examines Musk's unique personality, his insatiable drive, and his ability to thrive through hardship. It also explores the broader context of American innovation and the challenges of global competition, positioning Musk as a contemporary amalgam of legendary inventors and industrialists like Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Steve Jobs.

This book is a monumental biography of Robert Moses, who was the single most powerful man in New York City and State during his time. It explores how Moses accumulated and wielded power, shaping the city through his public works projects, including highways, bridges, and parks. The book delves into Moses's early life, his idealistic beginnings, and his transformation into a powerful figure who dominated New York's politics without ever being elected. It also highlights the social and environmental impacts of his projects and his eventual fall from power. The biography is renowned for its detailed and nuanced portrayal of power dynamics in urban politics.

This book offers a lively, blow-by-blow account of PayPal's death-defying beginnings and ferocious battles. It details how Elon Musk and Peter Thiel joined forces, the attempts by organized crime to ransack PayPal, and the fierce opposition from government bureaucrats and regulators. The book highlights the company's struggles, including its brink of insolvency and the eventual turnaround by Thiel and his team. It also warns about the hostile modern business environment and the threats posed by regulators, lawyers, and lobbyists to American entrepreneurship.

In 'Zero to One,' Peter Thiel argues that true innovation comes from creating something entirely new, going from 'zero to one,' rather than incrementally improving existing ideas. He emphasizes the importance of vertical progress through technology and the benefits of monopoly in driving innovation. Thiel also discusses the need for long-term planning, the importance of finding the right co-founders, and the power law in startup success. The book challenges conventional wisdom and encourages readers to think critically and aim big to build the future.

This book is both a memoir and a writing guide. It details Stephen King's life, from his childhood and early writing endeavors to his struggles with addiction and his near-fatal accident in 1999. The book is divided into sections that cover King's life ('C. V. '), the nature of writing ('What Writing Is'), writing mechanics ('Toolbox'), his advice on the craft ('On Writing'), and his recovery from the accident ('On Living: A Postscript'). King offers practical tips on writing, including the importance of vocabulary, grammar, and style, as well as the need for consistent writing routines and ruthless editing. He emphasizes that good writing comes from within, driven by curiosity, wonder, and emotional honesty rather than commercial motives.

Unbroken tells the extraordinary life story of Louis Zamperini, who gained national attention as a runner in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. During World War II, Zamperini survived a plane crash in the Pacific, drifted on a raft for weeks, and endured brutal treatment as a Japanese prisoner of war. The book chronicles his incredible endurance, inner strength, and eventual redemption after the war, including his struggles with PTSD and his finding solace in religion. Hillenbrand's narrative is enriched by extensive historical research and interviews with veterans and their families, providing a detailed account of the Pacific front during World War II and the personal experiences of those involved.

The Everything Store is a revealing and definitive biography of Amazon. com and its driven founder, Jeff Bezos. The book chronicles Amazon's journey from its humble beginnings as a mail-order book seller to its transformation into a global retail and technology giant. Brad Stone enjoyed unprecedented access to current and former Amazon employees and Bezos family members, providing a detailed, fly-on-the-wall account of life at Amazon. The book highlights Bezos's relentless pursuit of new markets, his innovative ventures such as the Kindle and cloud computing, and how he transformed retail in a manner comparable to Henry Ford's impact on manufacturing.