Successful people are a great source of book recommendations. By learning from their choice of books, you can gain insight into how their minds work, and what made them so successful in the first place.
One such example is none other than Duncan Jones. He’s a famous filmmaker and also David Bowie’s son. Duncan has frequently noted that his father was “a beast of a reader.” So it’s no surprise that he picked up his dad’s love of reading.
The best books recommended by Duncan Jones include insights into movies, gripping fiction, and non-fiction books about the way the world works.
In this article, you’ll learn more about the best books recommended by Duncan Jones.
Who is Duncan Jones?
Duncan Jones is a British film director, producer, and screenwriter. Many know him for his work in science fiction and fantasy films. He was born on May 30, 1971, in London, England, and is the son of musician David Bowie and his first wife Angie Bowie.
Jones studied philosophy at the College of Wooster in Ohio, United States, and later obtained a degree in directing from the London Film School. His first indie move was Moon. Jones directed many sci-fi films such as Source Code, Warcraft, and Mute.
Moon won the Michael Powell Award for Best British Feature Film at the 63rd Edinburgh International Film Festival and Source Code was a box office success and received positive reviews from critics.
He also directed an episode on the series Black Mirror. In addition to working as a director, Duncan Jones has also worked as a video game designer. His interests include video games, reading, and Marvel and DC comic books.
Books that Duncan Jones recommends
The books on this list are by no means the only book recommendations by Duncan Jones. He also said he includes his father’s favorites as well on interviews and podcasts.
Slaine – Pat Mills
Slaine by Pat Mills is a graphic novel. It tells the story of a Celtic warrior and his adventures in a world of magic. The artwork is vivid and the storytelling is dynamic. This is a great choice if you’re interested in epic fantasy. You can see how it may have been an influence on Duncan Jones’ craft.
Making Moon – Simon Ward
In this book, you can receive insight into the time of the making of Jones’ indie movie Moon. It includes concept art, photographs, and interviews with the crew and cast. Making Moon is a great choice for anyone looking into delving deep into the creative process.
Masters of Doom – David Kushner
This is another non-fiction book on the list. It explores the story of John Carmack and John Romero as they create the groundbreaking game Doom. It gives the reader insights into the earlier days of the video game industry.
Be sure to check it out if you’re interested in both video games and the creative process.
Hawksmoor – Peter Ackroyd
This is the first novel on the list. Peter Ackroyd’s Hawksmoor is really a cross between different genres. It includes historical fiction, a detective story, and gothic horror. It follows the story of detectives investigating murders and the architect Nicholas Dryer.
It’s a great piece of fiction for those who are interested in crime stories and horrors.
Indiana Jones: The Ultimate Guide – Jim Luceno
It’s no surprise that a book like this is one of Jones’ favorites. It provides a deeper look into the novels, films, comic books, and video games of the world of Indiana Jones.
If you’re a fan of Indiana Jones, this is a perfect read. It’s full of additional information and the history of the beloved adventurer.
River Out of Eden – Richard Dawkins
River Out of Eden offers a comprehensive approach to the history of the earth and the science of evolution. Dawkins makes complex scientific terms very easy to understand for the reader.
Dawkins emphasizes that the story of evolution is powerful and inspiring. By understanding our place in the history of life, we can then better appreciate the beauty and diversity of the natural world.
If you’re interested in science evolution, or other books by Richard Dawkins, reading this book will be an eye-opening experience on the mysteries of the earth.
Warcraft: Behind the Dark Portal – Daniel Wallace
This is yet another look at a behind-the-scenes aspect of Jones’ own movie. It includes all the added information such as set photographs, concept art, and cast and crew interviews. It provides the reader with a deeper perspective of filmmaking.
Warcraft is great if you’re interested in how films are made and if you’re a fan of the original film as well as other sci-fi books.
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FAQ
What movies has Duncan Jones directed?
As a film director, Duncan Jones has directed multiple science fiction and fantasy films such as Moon, Source Code, Warcraft, and Mute.
What is Duncan Jones’ favorite book?
Duncan Jones stated that The Outsider by Colin Wilson is one of his favorite books.
Has Duncan Jones written a book?
Duncan Jones has actually worked on Madi, with the illustrator Alex De Campi which is a graphic novel.
What is the David Bowie Book Club?
Duncan Jones started the David Bowie Book Club in honor of his late father. Every month, he invites people to read and discuss a book on the online book club from his father’s top 100 books such as George Orwell’s work on social media.
