Chamath Palihapitiya (born 3 September 1976) is a Sri Lankan-American entrepreneur and venture capitalist. He is the co-founder of Social+Capital Partnership, a venture capital firm, and was an early executive at Facebook.
He also founded The Primary School, a non-profit organization that provides free primary education to children in low-income communities.
Palihapitiya was born in Sri Lanka and immigrated to Canada with his family at the age of six. He graduated from the University of Waterloo with a degree in electrical engineering.
After working in various jobs in the tech industry, he joined Facebook in 2007 as its vice president of user growth, product marketing, and international expansion. Palihapitiya helped grow Facebook from 100 million to 1 billion users in just four years.
Here are some recommended books by Chamath Palihapitiya.
Adult Children of Alcoholics by Janet G. Woititz
Janet G. Woititz’s Adult Children of Alcoholics is a groundbreaking book that sheds light on the often hidden effects of growing up in an alcoholic home.
Woititz’s book offers hope and understanding to adult children of alcoholics, showing them that they are not alone and that they can overcome the challenges they face.
Woititz’s book has helped countless adults understand their own experiences and find healing from their past. If you are the child of an alcoholic, this book is a must-read.
Americana by Bhu Srinivasan
Americana by Bhu Srinivasan is a book about the author’s journey across America.
The book chronicles his travels from coast to coast and includes stops in some of the most iconic cities in the country. Along the way, Srinivasan explores the history and culture of America and shares his own insights and observations about what it means to be American.
Americana is both a personal account of one man’s experience of America and a broader look at the country itself. It is an insightful and thought-provoking read that will leave you with a new appreciation for the United States.
Barbarians at the Gate by Bryan Burrough
In “Barbarians at the Gate: The Fall of RJR Nabisco”, Bryan Burroughs chronicles the battle for control of the tobacco and food giant RJR Nabisco. He tells the story of how a group of Wall Street raiders, led by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., launched a hostile takeover bid for the company in 1988.
The battle culminated in a record-breaking $25 billion leveraged buyout that left RJR Nabisco saddled with debt. The story is a fascinating look at the greed and excess of the 1980s on Wall Street.
Disruptor by Arwen Elys Dayton
Arwen Elys Dayton’s Disruptor is a novel about a teenage girl who discovers she has the ability to manipulate time.
What if you could change the time? What if you could go back and fix your mistakes? That’s the premise of Arwen Elys Dayton’s novel, Disruptor. The story follows 16-year-old Scout, who discovers she has the power to manipulate time.
At first, she uses her gift to fix small things, like preventing her little brother from getting hurt. But when Scout’s best friend is killed in a car accident, she realizes that she can do more than just change the past—she can also save lives.
With her newfound power, Scout sets out to prevent accidents and disasters before they happen. But as she tries to change the world, Scout quickly learns that manipulating time comes with its own set of risks.
Fermat’s Enigma by Simon Singh
In his book, Fermat’s Enigma, Simon Singh tells the story of one of the most famous problems in mathematics. Pierre de Fermat was a French mathematician who lived in the 17th century.
He is best known for his work on algebra and geometry. In 1637, Fermat wrote a short note in the margin of a book that he was reading.
In this note, he claimed to have found proof for a certain mathematical statement. However, he did not write down this proof, and it has never been found. This statement is now known as Fermat’s Last Theorem.
Over the next few centuries, many mathematicians tried to prove this theorem, but all of them failed. Finally, in 1995, a British mathematician named Andrew Wiles succeeded in proving the theorem.
Liar’s Poker by Michael Lewis
In his book Liar’s Poker, “Michael Lewis” describes the culture of Wall Street in the 1980s.
He tells stories of the people who worked there and how they made their money. He also describes the risks that they took and the consequences that followed.
René Girard’s Mimetic Theory by Wolfgang Palaver
In his book, Ren Girard’s Mimetic Theory, Wolfgang Palaver explores the French philosopher and literary critic’s theories on mimesis, or imitation. Girard believed that humans are constantly imitating one another in an attempt to achieve a sense of identity.
This results in a never-ending cycle of desire and envy, leading to conflict. Palaver examines how Girard’s theories can be applied to literature, film, and other forms of art. He also discusses the implications of Girard’s work for our understanding of human nature.
The Great Mental Models by Shane Parrish
In his book, “The Great Mental Models”, Shane Parrish explores the cognitive biases that prevent us from making sound decisions. He then provides strategies for overcoming these biases.
Parrish begins by explaining that our brains are wired to take shortcuts when making decisions. This often leads to suboptimal outcomes. For example, we may fail to properly consider all of the available evidence when making a decision. Or, we may give too much weight to information that confirms our existing beliefs.
Parrish provides several helpful mental models for avoiding these pitfalls. For instance, he recommends using the scientific method to critically examine our beliefs.
He also advocates for “thinking in probabilities” rather than certainties. This allows us to account for uncertainty and make more informed decisions.
The Professor, the Banker, and the Suicide King by Michael Craig
When three professional poker players sit down at a private game in Las Vegas, they have no idea that their evening will end in tragedy. But by the time the sun comes up, one of them will be dead and the other two will be changed forever.
Michael Craig’s “The Professor, the Banker, and the Suicide King” is the story of what happens when ordinary people are thrust into an extraordinary situation. It’s a tale of greed and betrayal, of courage and cowardice, and ultimately, hope.
Craig brings readers inside the world of high-stakes poker, where fortunes can be won or lost in a single hand. He introduces us to some of the most colorful characters in the game, including Johnny Chan, Amarillo Slim Preston, and Doyle Brunson.
Wanting by Luke Burgis
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