Book · 2017 · Biography & Autobiography
A Mind at Play
How Claude Shannon Invented the Information Age
Why people recommend it
A Mind at Play by Jimmy Soni and Rob Goodman is a comprehensive biography detailing the life, work, and legacy of Claude Shannon, the father of information theory. On The Tim Ferriss Show in an episode titled Max Levchin, PayPal and Affirm — The Path from The Soviet Union to Building broadcast on June 9, 2026, guest Max Levchin recommended this biography during his interview with Tim Ferriss. Levchin brought up the publication while discussing intellectual influences and remarkable historical figures in technology and mathematics. He explicitly described the volume as a great book that chronicles the extraordinary contributions and brilliant mind of Claude Shannon, whose foundational work shaped modern digital communication and computing. By highlighting this biography, Levchin drew attention to the fascinating life of a pioneering thinker, offering listeners a compelling recommendation for exploring the origins of the digital age through the lens of one of its most important architects.
Who recommended it
- Max Levchin Recommended
Max Levchin — 1 mention
“There's a great book called A Mind at Play, which is Claude Shannon's biography.”