Category: Book List (Author)

When I first discovered Ryan Holiday in 2014, he was a marketer, not a philosopher. He talked about the media industry and about growth hacking, and his job was director of marketing at American Apparel. But in that year, he also published The Obstacle Is the Way, his first book talking about Stoic philosophy, and I, like many others, thought that was a lot more interesting. If you’re looking for a full list of all Ryan Holiday books before and after his big career shift, you’ve come to the right place!

Ryan Holiday was born in 1987 in California. After graduating from high school, he gave college a go but dropped out when he was 19. Holiday then worked with author Tucker Max, and apprenticed under Robert Greene while the latter wrote The 50th Law. Thanks to his success in drumming up media buzz for both of them, he then landed his gig at American Apparel at the incredibly young age of 20.

Around the time, Holiday managed to leverage his publishing connections and marketing experience into his first book deal. Trust Me, I’m Lying became a Wall Street Journal bestseller and opened the door for him to write more books. Somewhat stepping into the footsteps of his mentor Robert Greene, he has since pivoted to deeper, more existential topics, Stoic philosophy in particular.

Nowadays, Holiday is mostly known for making the ancient philosophy from Greece accessible to a broad, modern-day audience. This happens not just through his books but also the Daily Stoic website, which offers courses, a free daily email, videos, articles, and a lot more.

Personally, I’ll be the first to admit that Ryan Holiday is one of my favorite authors of all time. As such, we’ve summarized most of his books here on Four Minute Books. Today, we’ll dig into our 1,000-book-summary lineup and compile all Ryan Holiday books for you. We’ll sort them chronologically, by popularity, and we’ll even suggest the best reading order for you.

To easily navigate this list, use the below table of contents. Click on any book or section to jump right to it. For each title, we’ve included a one-sentence-summary of the book, three key takeaways, an image of the cover, and our favorite quote. We’ll also tell you why we think you should read the book, and we’ll link to our summary or more information about it.

If you want to dive deeper into any given book, simply click the “Read on Four Minute Books” button or use one of our Amazon affiliate links to buy a copy for yourself, thus supporting the site at no extra cost to you. Alright, let’s get Stoic, shall we? Here goes the full list of Ryan Holiday books!

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All Ryan Holiday Books (in Chronological Order)

1. Trust Me, I’m Lying (2012)

Favorite Quote

“When intelligent people read, they ask themselves a simple question: What do I plan to do with this information?” — Ryan Holiday

The Book in One Sentence

Trust Me, I’m Lying is a marketer’s take on how influential blogs have become, why that’s something to worry about, and which broken dynamics govern the internet today, including his own confessions of how he gamed that very system to successfully generate press for his clients.

Why should you read it?

When I read this book, I was just getting started in my career as a writer. I found it both shocking and helpful. Shocking, as in, “Wow, this is what people are willing to do nowadays just to get clicks.” Helpful as in, “Okay, so these are some of the smart ways to get clicks.” This book will help you level up your online marketing game. At the same time, it will show you where the ethical limits of playing this game are. Whether you’re interested in a behind-the-scenes of modern media or want to become a better marketer, this book is for you.

Key Takeaways

1. A blog is a business. Always.
2. Blogs will publish crap as long as it turns heads.
3. The blogging industry is the new stage for public witch hunts.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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2. Growth Hacker Marketing (2013)

Favorite Quote

“The end goal of every growth hacker is to build a self-perpetuating marketing machine that reaches millions by itself.” — Ryan Holiday

The Book in One Sentence

Growth Hacker Marketing explains the 4-step framework today’s startups use to remove the barrier between marketing and product development, thus making the product itself the best way to get new and more customers.

Why should you read it?

If you’re trying to build anything digital, a product, a service, a community, read this book. It’s a short but incredibly enlightening read. Using case studies like AirBnB, Dropbox, and many others of the fastest-growing companies ever, this book will give you a condensed framework of what it takes to go viral and keep growing organically from there.

Key Takeaways

1. Marketing for startups today is different than it was 20 years ago.
2. Target one small but focused group of customers first.
3. Make your product go viral by turning customers into marketers.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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3. The Obstacle Is the Way (2014)

Favorite Quote

“The obstacle in the path becomes the path. Never forget, within every obstacle is an opportunity to improve our condition.” — Ryan Holiday

The Book in One Sentence

The Obstacle Is the Way is a modern take on the ancient philosophy of Stoicism, which helps you endure the struggles of life with grace and resilience by drawing lessons from ancient heroes, former presidents, modern actors, athletes, and how they turned adversity into success thanks to the power of perception, action, and will.

Why should you read it?

This is the book that put Holiday on the map as a serious modern-day philosopher. It’s also used by CEOs, NFL players, and military leaders to weather hard times and overcome adversity. If you want a blueprint for sticking with important things even when the world seems to be against you, read this one.

Key Takeaways

1. Imagine you’re advising yourself as a friend to keep an objective perspective.
2. Large obstacles have large weaknesses — identify them and use them to overcome even the biggest challenge.
3. Use your will to accept what you cannot change and change the things you can.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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4. Ego Is the Enemy (2016)

Favorite Quote

“Impressing people is utterly different from being truly impressive.” — Ryan Holiday

The Book in One Sentence

Ego Is The Enemy reveals why a tendency that’s hardwired into our brains — the belief that the world revolves around us and us alone — keeps holding us back from living the very life it dreams up for us, including what we can do to overcome our ego, be kinder to others and ourselves, and achieve true greatness.

Why should you read it?

One of the downsides of social media is that ego, if we think of it like a disease, has become rampant. It’s so easy to indulge your every whim nowadays. Angry at your delivery man? Yell at the company on Twitter. Feel like ranting about politics? Blast it out on your Facebook wall. But it’s not good to give in to our every impulse. In fact, it hurts us more than it helps, especially in the long run. If you ask yourself honestly whether you struggle with your ego and find the answer is yes, grab this book.

Key Takeaways

1. Be a perpetual student. It’ll keep you modest.
2. Don’t hog tasks at work. Be a team player.
3. Reflect honestly on your performance when you get surprising results.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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5. The Daily Stoic (2016)

Favorite Quote

“Control your perceptions. Direct your actions properly. Willingly accept what’s outside your control.” — Ryan Holiday

The Book in One Sentence

The Daily Stoic is a year-long compilation of short, daily meditations from ancient Stoic philosophers like Seneca, Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and others, teaching you equanimity, resilience, and perseverance via the three Stoic disciplines of perception, action, and will.

Why should you read it?

I have read this book every year for five years in a row. It’s that good and, more importantly, that easy. A page a day. That’s all it takes. You have time to read a page a day. I know you do. Everyone does. This is also the best intro to Stoicism and, perhaps, Ryan Holiday’s work in that field. I would recommend this book to anyone. It’s one of my all-time favorites.

Key Takeaways

1. Perception gives purpose to your thoughts, actions, and ultimately everything you do.
2. We can change the course of our life by actively choosing our actions instead of just reacting to our impulses.
3. Will is our internal power for perseverance, ready to give us hope when everything else fails.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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6. Perennial Seller (2017)

Favorite Quote

“People claim to want to do something that matters, yet they measure themselves against things that don’t, and track their progress not in years but in microseconds. They want to make something timeless, but they focus instead on immediate payoffs and instant gratification.” — Ryan Holiday

The Book in One Sentence

Perennial Seller explains how to conceive, create, and market a piece of creative work with staying power and the potential to become a classic, leaning on countless examples from the worlds of business, art, music, and literature to show you that “burn bright and fast” isn’t the only way to find creative success in the modern age.

Why should you read it?

If you’re trying to succeed in business, especially with a creative project, this might be one of the best books you can read. I loved it for its refreshing, long-term view. “Make something worth making. Something that can stand the test of time.” This book will help you do that, and that, in turn, will make the job of marketing your thing a lot easier. I think this is Ryan’s most underrated book.

Key Takeaways

1. A perennial seller increases in value over time and, therefore, does not depend on hype or contemporary trends to succeed.
2. Marketing a perennial seller starts before it is even made because, ultimately, it must market itself.
3. Your platform is like a batting cage that increases the likelihood of hitting a home run, and you must build it before you need it.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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7. The Daily Stoic Journal (2017)

Favorite Quote

“By seeing each day and each situation as a kind of training exercise, the stakes suddenly become a lot lower. The way you interpret your own mistakes and the mistakes of others is suddenly a lot more generous.” — Ryan Holiday

The Book in One Sentence

The Daily Stoic Journal is a companion workbook to The Daily Stoic, offering time and space for daily morning and evening reflections on timeless pieces of wisdom from ancient Stoic philosophers.

Why should you read it?

I would recommend getting this after you read The Daily Stoic, assuming you liked it. Journaling on each daily entry might be a bit much if it’s your first go around, especially if you don’t know anything about Stoicism yet. But for the second time, it’ll deepen the experience, and you’ll reflect more about how you can apply the lessons to your own life. Also, the book offers both a morning and evening reflection, and I used it for two years in a row: One year, I did the mornings, the next, I journaled at night.

Key Takeaways

1. The point of philosophy is to take action, not to think or theorize about its tenets.
2. Stoic ideas aren’t commandments but invitations to try something new.
3. Reflecting every morning helps you prepare for the day ahead; reflecting at night helps you learn from your mistakes.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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8. Conspiracy (2018)

Favorite Quote

“It always takes longer than expected, per Hofstadter’s Law, even when—and this is the critical part—one takes Hofstadter’s Law into account.” – Ryan Holiday

The Book in One Sentence

Conspiracy is an account of Peter Thiel’s quest to take down Gawker Media, a blog and journalistic organization many considered predatory, exploitative, and unethical, for outing him as gay, which he accomplished nearly a decade later by funding former wrestler Hulk Hogan’s lawsuit against the company over an illegally obtained and published sex tape.

Why should you read it?

This is a sort of follow-on to Trust Me, I’m Lying. Holiday was fascinated with the whole Thiel vs. Gawker situation, and so he used his media experience to dive deep. While this book is a good read for anyone who works in marketing, journalism, or public relations, it’s also an interesting case study of “money is power.” We all pick up a lot of ideas about this concept from movies and TV, but this is a real-world account of someone ultra-wealthy using their money and influence to bend the world to their will, and that makes for a both fascinating and cautionary tale.

Key Takeaways

1. Conspiracies come in 3 phases: the planning, the doing, and the aftermath.
2. Sometimes, the worst thing you can do in the face of a media backlash is to try and contain it, thus only making it worse.
3. Don’t wait to act on small threats, because once they grow into big ones, it might be too late to do anything about them.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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9. Stillness Is the Key (2019)

Favorite Quote

“Stillness is what aims the archer’s arrow. It inspires new ideas. It sharpens perspective and illuminates connections.” — Ryan Holiday

The Book in One Sentence

Stillness Is the Key will show you how to harness the power of slowing down your body and mind for less distractions, better self-control, and, above all, a happier and more peaceful life.

Why should you read it?

The world seems to spin a little faster every year. Information arrives more quickly and more frequently. Social media content gets shorter, and our attention spans erode in lockstep with it. At some point, the best thing you can do is not to keep up with the trend but to turn the whole thing off. “Hey, I’m human! I live on earth. I can step outside and touch the dirt, and that’s real!” It’s scary how many of us need this realization on a regular basis. This book will help you get that and then some, bringing peace and quiet back to your busy brain.

Key Takeaways

1. No matter what kind of crisis you might be in, slowing down will make it a bit easier to get through it.
2. If you want more peace and clarity of mind, allow more silence into your life.
3. To be at your best every day, work in moderation, and embrace your need to sleep.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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10. Lives of the Stoics (2020)

Favorite Quote

“There is no better definition of a Stoic: to have but not want, to enjoy without needing.” — Ryan Holiday

The Book in One Sentence

Lives of the Stoics is a deep dive into the experiences and beliefs of some of the earliest philosophers  in history, particularly the advocators and followers of the four big Stoic virtues: courage, discipline, justice, and wisdom.

Why should you read it?

If you want to know more about the people behind Stoicism and the story of how it initially came about, this is a good book. How well did the philosophers live up to their teachings? Who came up with which Stoic practice? Think of this as an interesting biography of not one but a group of inspiring people, specked with many useful lessons for your own life along the way.

Key Takeaways

1. Stoicism came about as a result of extreme hardship. 
2. Not everyone who followed Stoicism lived up to its standards. 
3. Marcus Aurelius was a Roman whose practice of Stoicism helped him lead with compassion and humility.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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11. Courage Is Calling (2021)

Favorite Quote

“There is nothing worth doing that is not scary. There is no one who has achieved greatness without wrestling with their own doubts, anxieties, limitations, and demons.” — Ryan Holiday

The Book in One Sentence

Courage Is Calling will show you how to act with courage in any life situation by analyzing the actions taken in difficult situations by some of history’s leading figures, drawing conclusions about what makes someone courageous and how to become a braver person day-by-day, step-by-step.

Why should you read it?

In Joseph Campbell’s “hero’s journey” framework, a fundamental rule is that the hero always rejects the initial call prompting her to go on an adventure. Even for heroes, courage isn’t easy! If you feel like you know what you’re meant to do in life but can’t find the guts to take the leap, this book will inspire you to step up.

Key Takeaways

1. To be brave implies stepping forward in the face of danger instead of stepping back. 
2. Fear is amplified by vagueness, so fight it with rationality and a clear mind.
3. Courage is a virtue gained from repeated, small acts of bravery.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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12. The Boy Who Would Be King (2021)

Favorite Quote

“It doesn’t matter if you’re tired or well-rested. It doesn’t matter if it’s hard or easy. If you’re cold or warm. What counts, whether you’re a kid or a king or anything in between, is that you do the right thing.” — Ryan Holiday

The Book in One Sentence

The Boy Who Would Be King is a fable telling the story of a young Marcus Aurelius, a boy who didn’t want to be king but decided to step up to the task fate had presented him with.

Why should you read it?

This is a great book to teach children good values, but it’s also a nice primer and reminder of why Stoicism is worth studying in the first place. If you need some inspiration to persevere in a difficult situation, this book might offer the renewed energy you seek.

Key Takeaways

1. We don’t control what happens to us, but we control how we respond to it.
2. The best king is rarely the person who most wants to be king.
3. You’ll never feel ready to step into your biggest dream, so you might as well start with what you’ve got.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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13. The Girl Who Would Be Free (2022)

Favorite Quote

“If any part of this artistic choice is upsetting to you, well, let us remind you of one of Epictetus’s greatest quotes: ‘If someone succeeds in provoking you, realize that your mind is complicit in the provocation. Which is why it is essential that we not respond impulsively to impressions; take a moment before reacting, and you will find it easier to remain in control.’” — Ryan Holiday

The Book in One Sentence

The Girl Who Would Be Free is a fictionalized retelling of famous slave-turned-philosopher Epictetus’ life story, who not only managed to drop the shackles of slavery but later inspired millions through his example and ideas.

Why should you read it?

If you don’t find Marcus Aurelius’ story as inspiring because he started off wealthy and privileged, maybe Epictetus’ story will be more up your alley. He went through a different, some might say “truer” kind of hardship, and it makes his responses all the more inspiring. I like that Holiday chose to make Epictetus a girl for the book. It’s well in line with the Stoic spirit, and if you want to know exactly why, well, then you’ll have to flick through this short children’s book.

Key Takeaways

1. True freedom lies in the mind and in the mind alone.
2. Being rich is not about having a lot, it’s about desiring little.
3. Show the world what you believe in with your actions, not your words.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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14. Discipline Is Destiny (2022)

Favorite Quote

“You don’t have to always be amazing. You do always have to show up. What matters is sticking around for the next at bat.” — Ryan Holiday

The Book in One Sentence

Discipline Is Destiny is a three-part manual to master and implement the Stoic virtue of temperance, aka discipline, in your life, thus improving your body, mind, and spirit.

Why should you read it?

We think of disciplined people as grim ascetics, but actually, being disciplined all the time is not the point. The point is to make better decisions that will leave you happier in the long run — and those can start in surprisingly small ways. Skip dessert. Choose not to get a second soda. Refuse the urge to check your email. This book will show you that discipline is not only attainable but conducive to happiness. It will give you a more positive perception of something we think is “annoying but necessary.”

Key Takeaways

1. Controlling your body is the first step of mastering self-discipline, and it can happen in many small ways.
2. Only a moderate mind can be happy, and directing your brain is a lifelong job.
3. Discipline is about actualization, not isolation, so stay kind to yourself and others.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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Ryan Holiday Books by Popularity

Wondering which Ryan Holiday books are the most popular? Here’s a short reorder of the list based on the total number of Amazon ratings, ranked from most to least.

1. The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living (⭐️ 24,000+ Ratings ⭐️)
2. The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph (⭐️ 14,100+ Ratings ⭐️)
3. Ego Is the Enemy: The Fight to Master Our Greatest Opponent (⭐️ 10,500+ Ratings ⭐️)
4. Stillness Is the Key: An Ancient Strategy for Modern Life (⭐️ 6,000+ Ratings ⭐️)
5. Courage Is Calling: Fortune Favours the Brave (⭐️ 3,100+ Ratings ⭐️)
6. Lives of the Stoics: The Art of Living from Zeno to Marcus Aurelius (⭐️ 2,200+ Ratings ⭐️)
7. The Daily Stoic Journal: 366 Days of Writing and Reflection on the Art of Living (⭐️ 1,900+ Ratings ⭐️)
8. Growth Hacker Marketing: A Primer on the Future of PR, Marketing and Advertising (⭐️ 1,700+ Ratings ⭐️)
9. Trust Me I’m Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator (⭐️ 1,300+ Ratings ⭐️)
10. Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker, and the Anatomy of Intrigue (⭐️ 730+ Ratings ⭐️)
11. The Boy Who Would Be King: A Fable About Marcus Aurelius (⭐️ 720+ Ratings ⭐️)
12. Discipline Is Destiny: The Power of Self-Control (⭐️ 680+ Ratings ⭐️)
13. Perennial Seller: The Art of Making and Marketing Work that Lasts (⭐️ 600+ Ratings ⭐️)
14. The Girl Who Would Be Free: A Fable About Epictetus (⭐️ 70+ Ratings ⭐️)

Ryan Holiday’s books have sold over five million copies to date. Clearly, his work has stood the test of time. I think it is fitting that The Daily Stoic, which is the best entry into his writing and Stoic philosophy, if you ask me, has become his most popular title over time.

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In What Order Should You Read Ryan Holiday’s Books?

Which of Ryan Holiday’s books should you read first? If you ask us, here’s the order in which reading his books makes the most logical sense based on their topics. Let’s start with his books about Stoicism, as that’s his main focus.

1. The Daily Stoic: This is the easiest intro to Stoicism all around. At just one page per day, it’s also a manageable read for almost anyone.
2. The Daily Stoic Journal: As I said before, I think this is a great add-on for your second read of The Daily Stoic, adding a layer of depth and personal application through your short, daily journal entries.
3. The Obstacle Is the Way: After using The Daily Stoic as a primer, I think it makes sense to go deeper via Ryan’s original trilogy on Stoicism, and this is the book that started it all.
4. Ego Is the Enemy: Learning how to overcome obstacles is great. Learning how to show humility when you fail to do so is a necessary next step — and part of the process of persevering to begin with.
5. Stillness Is the Key: Everything works better when you’re calm. This book will help you find your center and decide, equipped with both humility and determination, what to do next.
6. Lives of the Stoics: Now that you’ve spent quite some time with Stoicism already, it’ll be nice to fill in some of the backstory and context via this multi-biography of its most important figures.
7. The Boy Who Would Be King: Time for a break! You’ll flick through this children’s book in no time yet find more and a new kind of inspiration to further pursue Stoic ideals.
8. The Girl Who Would Be Free: And again, even more lightweight yet meaningful inspiration.
9. Courage Is Calling: The reason I kept these next two books for last is that they are only two out of four, covering the four cardinal stoic values of courage, discipline, justice, and wisdom. So if you start these last, perhaps by the time you’re done with them, the rest will have been released, and you can read all four books in order.
10. Discipline Is Destiny: This is the next out of the four books in the “Stoic Virtues” series. Courage gets you going. Discipline keeps you going. Plus, almost everyone struggles with this skill.

For Ryan Holiday’s books about media and marketing, we recommend the following order:

1. Perennial Seller: Like I said, I think this is Ryan’s most underrated book. It’s a great template for making great creative work with the power to last.
2. Growth Hacker Marketing: Once you’ve made a great thing, you still need to promote it. Perennial Seller covers some of that, but this short read is full of actionable steps. It’s also an end-to-end framework you can implement for your launch campaign, so it’s the perfect follow-up.
3. Trust Me, I’m Lying: Ryan’s first book has more tips and tactics for marketers, but it also contains a lot of backstory on the media industry in general, so it makes sense to read this later when you’re hopefully enjoying some material success from the thing you’ve made and shipped.
4. Conspiracy: This book is even more specific than Trust Me, I’m Lying, so unless you have an acute interest in the Thiel vs. Gawker situation, it’s more of an optional add-on.

While I think all of Ryan’s books so far are worth reading, especially the ones on Stoicism, if you just pick the first one in each category here, you’ll be off to a great start. Then, the rest is up to you!

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Conclusion

Ryan Holiday is a kind, compassionate man. He’s also an excellent thinker and perhaps the #1 proponent of Stoicism alive today. His writing is encouraging, inspiring, and yet down-to-earth. As a longtime fan and reader, I can wholeheartedly recommend that you check out his work, and I hope our complete list of Ryan Holiday books will help you do just that.

By the way, for a little sneak peek, we’ve discovered that Ryan’s next three, upcoming books are tentatively titled The Daily Dad, Just Do the Right Thing, and Wisdom Takes Work.

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Other Book Lists by Author

Looking for more books by the world’s most celebrated authors? Here are all of the book lists by author we’ve curated for you:

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Other Book Lists by Topic

Looking for more of the best books on various topics? Here are all the book lists we’ve made for you so far:

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Rachel Hollis is an American self-help author, speaker, and blogger. Born in 1983, the quirky Californian and mother of four eventually went viral on Instagram after posting a photo of herself in a bikini showing the stretch marks from her pregnancies. In 2018, she published Girl, Wash Your Face, an inspiring, you-can-do-it call to action aimed primarily at helping women take charge of their lives. The book became a #1 New York Times bestseller, and if you’re looking for what else Hollis has published, this complete list of Rachel Hollis books is the exact right place!

Besides her writing, which includes forays into fiction and cookbooks, Hollis also started a lifestyle brand with her then-husband, Dave, called The Hollis Company. The pair also launched a podcast, Rise Together, which was initially about marriage advice but later pivoted into more general health and wellbeing topics. The show has crossed over 100 million downloads.

Sadly, after 16 years and raising four children together, the couple announced their divorce in 2020 which, if you’re running a business together, isn’t without complications. Dave now runs the podcast alone, it seems, and Rachel has rebranded Hollis Co. into Start Today. The separation attracted criticism not least because the couple portrayed itself as happy and positive until the end.

Finally, Hollis faced some controversies over both plagiarizing famous quotes on her Instagram and later over a TikTok video in which she compared herself to women like Harriet Tubman, Frida Kahlo, and others — over the critique from a fan that she shared she had a twice-weekly toilet cleaner. But as they say: Don’t judge a book by its cover! Clearly, Hollis isn’t perfect, but her honesty and willingness to share her flaws is also part of why she was able to attract such a large fanbase in the first place.

While we’ve mainly summarized her non-fiction titles as part of our 1,000+ book summary–roster, we decided to also compile the rest of her work for you. As such, in this list, you’ll find all Rachel Hollis books by category (non-fiction, fiction, cookbook), popularity, and in what we think is the best reading order.

You can easily navigate this list by clicking on whichever section interests you the most in the below table of contents. For each book, we’ve included an image of the cover, a 1-sentence-summary, and our favorite quote. We will also share our most important takeaways and why you might want to read the book yourself.

If you want to dive deeper into any book, click the “Read on Four Minute Books” or “Learn More” button or use one of our Amazon affiliate links to buy a copy for yourself. Alright, let’s check out the full lineup of Rachel Hollis books!

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Non-Fiction Rachel Hollis Books (in Chronological Order)

1. Girl Wash Your Face (2018)

Favorite Quote

“You, and only you, are ultimately responsible for who you become and how happy you are.” — Rachel Hollis

The Book in One Sentence

Girl, Wash Your Face inspires women to take their lives into their own hands and make their dreams happen, no matter how discouraged they may feel at the moment.

Why should you read it?

We all have limiting beliefs that hold us back. “I’m ugly, and that will never change.” “I’m a terrible mom.” “I will never be good enough to be a leader.” This book will help you systematically tackle and destroy some of those beliefs so you can move forward with your life in a positive, spirited way. Hollis lists 20 particular lies we tell ourselves, and there’s a high chance that at least some of them have affected you in one way or another. If you can overcome at least one limiting belief thanks to this book, you’ll be glad you have read it!

Key Takeaways

1. Build the habit of keeping your promises to yourself because breaking them pulls you down.
2. Rather than fighting the river of chaotic home life, learn to embrace it.
3. Visualize your dreams and focus on them in detail to stay motivated to make them happen.

If you want to learn more, you can read our four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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2. Girl, Stop Apologizing (2019)

Favorite Quote

“A goal is a dream with its work boots on.” — Rachel Hollis

The Book in One Sentence

Girl, Stop Apologizing is an inspirational book for women everywhere to start living up to their potential and stop apologizing for following their dreams.

Why should you read it?

This book is a call to action for women to stop apologizing for what they truly want and start going after it. In three parts, Hollis will help you let go of common excuses, like “I’m not a goal-getter” or “What will others think?”, show you better behaviors to adopt, like no longer asking for permission, and teach you some of the skills you’ll need along the way, like planning, confidence, and persistence. If you know you’ve been hiding from your best life, this book will get you to shed your cocoon and finally take flight.

Key Takeaways

1. Women shouldn’t apologize for their desire to be ambitious and do great things. 
2. Stop making excuses for not starting on the path toward achieving your goals. 
3. Intentionally build the habits, skills, and foundation for your success to see your dreams become reality. 

If you want to learn more, you can read our four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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3. Didn’t See That Coming (2020)

Favorite Quote

“I am willing to be the villain in someone else’s story if it means I can be the hero of my own.” — Rachel Hollis

The Book in One Sentence

Didn’t See That Coming is a three-part manual for processing feelings of grief, loss, fear, and anger, based on the author’s own experiences with death, divorce, and the loss of foster children she cared for.

Why should you read it?

If you’re struggling with one of life’s tougher blows, be it a chronic disease, the loss of a loved one, or your relationship gone awry, this book might provide some relief. Life sends us all to rock bottom sometime or other, and no matter what that might look like for you, eventually, you’ll have to pick yourself up and piece yourself back together. That’s what this book is for. Starting from the dramatic event, Hollis will show you what to do today, tomorrow, and forever. A good read for anyone going through a really hard time.

Key Takeaways

1. Your suffering is not to be questioned — it is to be accepted.
2. It takes time to find a new perspective, but you’ll know when to try one.
3. Try to find joy in the small things even when life sucks.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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Fiction Rachel Hollis Books (in Chronological Order)

4. Party Girl (2014)

Favorite Quote

“People treat you with as much, or as little respect as you allow them to.” — Rachel Hollis

The Book in One Sentence

Party Girl is the story of small-town Texan Landon Brinkley, who moves to Hollywood to plan events for the movie world’s elite but soon discovers that, beneath all the glitz and glam of million-dollar parties, there lies a dark secret, forcing her to decide between her morals and her career.

Why should you read it?

Whether you feel in over your head in your career, like a fish on land in the world of dating, or simply in the mood for a fun yet educational romance novel, this book is for you. Party Girl will show you that it’s okay to live life at your own pace, and that, sooner or later, we’ll all have to decide whether we want to live up to society’s expectations or our own.

Key Takeaways

1. The only way to figure out if you’re up for your next career challenge is to try.
2. There’s a difference between a boss and a bully, and it’s on you to hold your leaders accountable to it.
3. Staying true to yourself won’t always be an easy decision, but it is often the most important one we can make.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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5. Party Girl’s First Date (2015)

Favorite Quote

“Our wild differences are probably why we get along so well.” — Rachel Hollis

The Book in One Sentence

Party Girl’s First Date is a follow-on novella to Party Girl, exploring the beginnings of a beautiful relationship which, ironically, started on a first date gone horribly wrong.

Why should you read it?

If you’ve ever done the big dance around the all-important, “official” first date, this one’s for you. Like many of us, Landon and Brody find themselves in the space between “dating” and “not dating,” and even though they’re attracted to one another, things aren’t as simple as they should be — and their first date won’t help. Have you found yourself stuck in this weird in-between zone before? Ever had a terrible first date? You’ll find this one both funny and relatable.

Key Takeaways

1. All “firsts” are special, but few are worth getting totally stressed and paralyzed about.
2. Talk, talk, talk — in relationships, communication is everything.
3. Something good can follow from a bad first date.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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6. Sweet Girl (2015)

Favorite Quote

“Failing is much easier to go through if no one is there to see it.” — Rachel Hollis

The Book in One Sentence

Sweet Girl follows the story of aspiring pastry chef Max Jennings, who needs to overcome not just the cutthroat competition and harsh criticism surrounding her as she works for a world-famous baker but also her own past so she can live up to her potential and perhaps even find love along the way.

Why should you read it?

Are you dragging around an event from your past that just won’t let you move on and pursue a different future? In that case, you’ll relate to Max’ story. Like all of us, she must learn to let go, to trust herself, and to forgive herself — sometimes within the same week. This book will show you how to do just that, wrapped in a fun, romantic, inspiring story.

Key Takeaways

1. You’re not alone, and though it might not feel like it, there’s always someone close by whom you can trust.
2. Every opportunity is different and won’t repeat in the same way, so sometimes, you just have to take the leap.
3. No matter what anyone says, it’s never too late to forgive yourself.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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7. Smart Girl (2016)

Favorite Quote

“Two half people don’t make a whole. You’ve got to be completely whole on your own before you can be one half of anything.” — Rachel Hollis

The Book in One Sentence

Smart Girl details designer Miko Jin’s seemingly hopeless journey to find true love — just like the kind she always reads about in her favorite novels — except that, when her dream guy shows up in real life, the events that follow are nothing like those out of a book — but perhaps, for Miko to learn to finally stand up for herself, that’s exactly what she needs.

Why should you read it?

If you have a crush on someone and don’t know what to do, you might want to pick up this book. Miko’s story will teach you when to persist and when to give up. It’ll also show you that, more important than any crush, is to know yourself — because otherwise, you’ll waste tons of time chasing someone who was never right for you to begin with.

Key Takeaways

1. Love makes us do crazy things, but they’re all part of the game.
2. Fall in love with someone, but don’t fall so deep that you forget yourself altogether.
3. True love cannot be rushed.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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Rachel Hollis Cookbooks (in Chronological Order)

8. Upscale Downhome (2016)

Favorite Quote

“You will never find peace unless you feel truly comfortable being exactly who you are.” — Rachel Hollis

The Book in One Sentence

Upscale Downhome is a cookbook that’ll help you present impressive-looking food on a low budget, reimagining classic recipes with new twists, from snacks to dips and drinks, mains, and desserts, all wowing your guests without breaking your bank.

Why should you read it?

Looking for recipes that’ll impress your friends and family without costing a fortune? Look no further. Hollis has managed to put new spins on old classics that make pigs in blankets look like haute-cuisine hors d’oeuvre, and it’s great fun to make a lot out of a little.

Key Takeaways

1. You’re always hosting — because there’s no such thing as making “just some meat loaf.”
2. Focusing a dish around one “splurge element” will allow you to make something look impressive without spending a lot of money on a long list of ingredients.
3. Little cups, bowls, and glasses make it easy to portion appetizers and desserts and have a high-end feel to them, even if they’re cheap.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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9. Real Life Dinners (2018)

Favorite Quote

“No matter how crazy my life gets, a good dinner makes me feel like we’re going to be okay.” — Rachel Hollis

The Book in One Sentence

Real Life Dinners presents a collection of recipes that’ll fit into your busy everyday life, defying the chaos of getting your kids ready for school and making sure your wife doesn’t eat the table after she returns from work, all while giving you that powerful, satisfying feeling of taking care of your loved ones with great food they’ll enjoy and thank you for.

Why should you read it?

Asking yourself “What should I make for a quick dinner?” for the millionth time and coming up short? Real Life Dinners will provide new answers to an age-old question. More than just giving you new ideas, though, the book will give you recipes you can actually cook amidst a hectic schedule. If you need less fancy suggestions that take forever and aren’t easily thrown together on a Tuesday night after a long workday, this cookbook is for you.

Key Takeaways

1. Real life is chaotic, and your cooking should fit into that mess, not rely on getting rid of it.
2. A good dinner can be a daily grounding experience, providing hope and resilience on top of nourishment.
3. Dinner holds a special place in our lives, and it should, as it’s where old relationships deepen and new ones begin.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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Rachel Hollis Books by Popularity

Want to know which Rachel Hollis books are the most popular? Here’s a short reorder of the list based on the total number of Amazon ratings, ranked from most to least.

1. Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be (⭐️ 27,300+ Ratings ⭐️)
2. Girl, Stop Apologizing: A Shame-Free Plan for Embracing and Achieving Your Goals (⭐️ 14,300+ Ratings ⭐️)
3. Didn’t See That Coming: Putting Life Back Together When Your World Falls Apart (⭐️ 6,000+ Ratings ⭐️)
4. Party Girl (⭐️ 1,900+ Ratings ⭐️)
5. Sweet Girl (⭐️ 900+ Ratings ⭐️)
6. Smart Girl (⭐️ 800+ Ratings ⭐️)
7. Real Life Dinners: Fun, Fresh, Fast Dinners from the Creator of the Chic Site (⭐️ 600+ Ratings ⭐️)
8. Party Girl’s First Date (⭐️ 260+ Ratings ⭐️)
9. Upscale Downhome: Family Recipes, All Gussied Up (⭐️ 220+ Ratings ⭐️)

As is often the case, Hollis’ prior books started selling well after her big breakthrough, which came with Girl, Wash Your Face. In 2018, it was the second-most bought book on Amazon and has sold 4.5 million copies to date.

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In What Order Should You Read Rachel Hollis’s Books?

Which of Rachel Hollis’s books should you read first? Here’s the order we think makes the most sense:

1. Girl, Wash Your Face. Since this is her defining work and most popular title by far, it makes sense to start here. It’s also super empowering. Like I said, we all have limiting beliefs, and I’m sure you’ll smash at least one or two of them to pieces thanks to this book.
2. Girl, Stop Apologizing. With a few less limiting beliefs, you can finally start giving your best shot at what you truly want out of life. This book will help you do just that, not just with more internal work but also by forming new habits and skills that’ll be useful on your journey towards accomplishing your dreams.
3. Didn’t See That Coming. Accomplishing anything worthwhile takes time. This book is for the train wrecks — and there will be train wrecks — that happen along the way. It’ll show you how to pick yourself up and move on after even the most devastating setbacks.
4. Real Life Dinners. One way to overcome tough days is to remember that life goes on. And what better to remind you of that than a delicious, nourishing dinner? This book will make dinner a daily grounding exercise in your life.
5. Upscale Downhome. Once you’ve got your spring back in your step, this fun, on-a-budget cookbook will add further recipes to your roster. It’ll even show you how to make simple food look astonishing for guests, friends, and family.
6. Party Girl. If you’re mainly into non-fiction, obviously, Rachel’s fiction section is optional. That said, her novels and novellas are fun and inspiring. They each come with some profound life lessons. This one will show you that there’s more to life than work, and that sometimes, staying true to yourself is more important than accomplishing a goal.
7. Party Girl’s First Date. Since this is a short story providing more context on the events of Party Girl, it just makes sense to read it right afterwards. The lesson? Even if something goes wrong at first, it can still become something beautiful.
8. Sweet Girl. Beyond yet another love story about a strong heroine who doesn’t quite fit the mold, this book will provide a lesson in perseverance. It’ll also remind you to let go of the past. No matter what happened, it’s never too late to forgive ourselves for something that’s been holding us back.
9. Smart Girl. There’s book-smart, and there’s life-smart. As the protagonist of this books learns the difference between the two, she’ll also show you how to put yourself first, and that love isn’t something we need to give ourselves up completely for. It’s a you-focused book, and since that is where Hollis’ books started, it makes sense to end on that note as well.

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Conclusion

As with almost any artist, Rachel Hollis has both fans and detractors. Some say her no-BS, you-get-what-you-work-for approach is exactly what we need, others say she is perpetuating stereotypes. And we? We say you should pick up one of her books and find out for yourself, and we hope this conclusive list of Rachel Hollis books will help you do just that.

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Other Book Lists by Author

Looking for more books by the world’s most celebrated authors? Here are all of the book lists by the author we’ve curated for you:

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Other Book Lists by Topic

Looking for more of the best books on various topics? Here are all the book lists we’ve made for you so far:

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Michael Pollan is one of the world’s premier researchers on food and its socio-cultural impacts alive today. Born in 1955, Pollan has been writing books about food for over 30 years. He’s been a regular contributor to the New York Times since 1987, and more than half of his ten books have made the paper’s bestseller list. If you’re looking for the full list of Michael Pollan books, you’ve come to the right place!

Pollans research covers why we eat, how we eat, how we grow and breed what we eat, as well as why we might ingest certain substances, like alcohol, caffeine, or drugs. Next to his books, Pollan is often featured in documentaries, such as Food, Inc., which examines the damage done by corporate farming, or How to Change Your Mind, a Netflix series about the impacts and lessons we can learn from psychedelics. He also teaches a Masterclass about intentional eating.

We’ve already summarized several of Pollan’s books as part of our 1,000+ summary catalog here on Four Minute Books, and today, we’ll compile all Michael Pollan books in order of both publication and popularity for you. We’ll even included a section recommending which one you should read first.

You can easily navigate this list by clicking on whichever section interests you the most in the below table of contents. In addition, we’ve included an image of the cover of each book, a 1-sentence-summary, and our favorite quote. We’ll also share our most important takeaways and why you might want to read the book yourself.

If you want to dive deeper into any book, click the “Read on Four Minute Books” button or use one of our Amazon affiliate links to buy a copy. So, without further ado, here’s the complete list of Michael Pollan books!

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All Michael Pollan Books (in Chronological Order)

1. Second Nature (1991)

Favorite Quote

“Tree planting is always a utopian enterprise, a wager on a future the planter doesn’t necessarily expect to witness.” — Michael Pollan

The Book in One Sentence

Second Nature is a collection of essays arranged in the order of the four seasons, revealing the lessons Michael Pollan learned while trying to cultivate and master the garden of his old dairy farm in Connecticut, providing new insight on our relationships with Earth, nature, and its many inhabitants.

Why should you read it?

If you have a garden, want one, or simply feel bad for knowing so little about plants, nature, and our roots in the wilderness (pun intended), this book is perfect for you. Through Pollan’s explorations and research, you’ll deepen and reassess your relationship with nature and gain a better understanding of where plant domestication ends and the planet takes over.

Key Takeaways

1. While both gardening and time in nature play a significant role in our lives, the borders between the two are blurring.
2. Some plant species, like roses, have become so attuned to our care that they can no longer survive in the wild.
3. Planting a tree is an act of defiance, hope, and optimism, as you likely won’t be around to see it “grow up.”

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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2. A Place of My Own (1997)

Favorite Quote

“Unlike any other form of thought, daydreaming is its own reward.” — Michael Pollan

The Book in One Sentence

A Place of My Own documents the story of Michael Pollan’s two-and-a-half-year journey to build a small hut on his property by himself, interweaving his trials and triumphs with lessons from history’s greatest builders, thus showing us the connection between the world of the material and the creative human spirit.

Why should you read it?

While it’s not exactly an IKEA instruction manual, this book will help you with any construction or even creative project you’re currently pursuing — if only by encouraging you to not give up. That said, if you’re an architect or enjoy buildings and their design, you’ll also gain a lot from Pollan’s visits to the past’s great builders. As the book’s Amazon description so perfectly puts it, “A Place of My Own is for anyone who has ever wondered how the walls around us take shape—and how we might shape them ourselves.”

Key Takeaways

1. We should value daydreaming more and engage in it as a standalone activity, for it activates our creativity and brings us joy.
2. A place of your own, especially one you’ve built yourself, can be a great refuge from the loud modern world.
3. Building things will sharpen your senses, which will pay off countless times over the course of your life.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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3. The Botany of Desire (2001)

Favorite Quote

“Plants are nature’s alchemists, expert at transforming water, soil and sunlight into an array of precious substances, many of them beyond the ability of human beings to conceive, much less manufacture.” — Michael Pollan

The Book in One Sentence

The Botany of Desire describes how, contrary to popular belief, we might not be using plants as much as plants use us, getting humans to ensure their survival, thanks to appealing to our desires for beauty, sweetness, intoxication, and control.

Why should you read it?

Since the book maps four distinct plants to four distinct human desires — the apple for sweetness, the tulip for beauty, cannabis for intoxication, and the potato for control — if you have an interest in either plant or human phenomenon, you’ll likely enjoy this read. Interspersed with a mix of science and history, you’ll learn more about how our brains react to certain plants, as well as why they’ve become such popular staples in our consumption. A fascinating read from the view of plants!

Key Takeaways

1. Plants use humans and animals to reproduce and spread across the world because they can’t move.
2. Our brain contains a place that’s specifically designed to respond to cannabis.
3. Monoculture farming makes whatever plant you’re growing extremely vulnerable, so instead of more, you might end up with less!

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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4. The Omnivore’s Dilemma (2006)

Favorite Quote

“Eating’s not a bad way to get to know a place.” — Michael Pollan

The Book in One Sentence

The Omnivore’s Dilemma explains the range of food choices we face today using four meals on a spectrum from highly processed to entirely self-gathered, thus teaching us how the industrial revolution changed the way we eat, why organic food isn’t necessarily better, what truly natural food looks like, and which options we have in making the tradeoff between fast, delicious, cheap, ethical, sustainable, and environmentally friendly meals.

Why should you read it?

This is Pollan’s seminal work and probably most popular book. If you’re wondering what it looks like behind the scenes of fast food, what the hype about “organic” is all about, where you can really get “green” food, and which parts of our food experience we should always control ourselves, this one’s for you. You’ll learn to be more mindful of what you eat and why, and you’ll learn to better navigate the paradoxical choices we’re forced to make each day as we decide what to eat.

Key Takeaways

1. Corn is the root of the problem.
2. Organic often doesn’t mean what you think it does.
3. Buy local to win on every level.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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5. In Defense of Food (2008)

Favorite Quote

“Don’t eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food.” — Michael Pollan

The Book in One Sentence

In Defense of Food describes the decline of natural eating in exchange for diets driven by science and nutritional data, how this decline has ruined our health, and what we can do to return to food as a simple, cultural, natural aspect of life.

Why should you read it?

Do you feel lost at all the calorie, ingredient, and myriad other labels stuck on food nowadays? The In Defense of Food is for you. In the book, Pollan argues that we have “over-scienced” food and that the more we focus on nutrients, supplements, and daily intake values, the worse our food choices seem to get. If you want a simpler diet, this book is for you.

Key Takeaways

1. Thanks to one greedy senator you now talk about nutrients instead of foods.
2. Instead of making us healthier, our obsessive focus on nutrients has made us sick.
3. Choose foods that are simple, natural, and don’t make bold claims.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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6. Food Rules (2009)

Favorite Quote

“Use the apple test: If you’re not hungry enough to eat an apple, you’re not hungry.” — Michael Pollan

The Book in One Sentence

Food Rules is an eater’s handbook outlining a complete food regimen in just three simple rules: eat natural, non-processed foods, mostly plants, and not too much of any of it.

Why should you read it?

For an easy entry into Pollan’s world, this 64-rule book condensing his previous work is perfect. In three parts, it breaks down his mantra from In Defense of Food, “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants,” into actionable everyday tips. If you struggle with deciding what you eat, this is a great place to start.

Key Takeaways

1. Don’t make meat your main course for most meals.
2. Natural foods almost always beat processed ones.
3. Never eat until you’re bursting at the seams — moderation is key.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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7. Cooked (2013)

Favorite Quote

“For is there any practice less selfish, any labor less alienated, any time less wasted, than preparing something delicious and nourishing for people you love?” — Michael Pollan

The Book in One Sentence

Cooked is a historical exploration of the four primary elements we use to transform our food, from fire to water, air, and earth, celebrating traditional cooking methods while showing you practical ways to improve your eating habits and prepare more of your own food.

Why should you read it?

For anyone looking to get back into cooking after a dry spell of too much take-out and delivery, this is a great read. It doesn’t just include recipes and cooking tips but also reveals some ancient yet efficient and delicious ways of preparing food that you’ve never heard of before.

Key Takeaways

1. Statistically speaking, the less you cook, the more unhealthy your diet is.
2. Bread is more nutritious than the sum of its parts.
3. Alcohol is enjoyed by many in the animal kingdom, not just humans.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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8. How to Change Your Mind (2018)

Favorite Quote

“Normal waking consciousness feels perfectly transparent, and yet it is less a window on reality than the product of our imaginations — a kind of controlled hallucination.” — Michael Pollan

The Book in One Sentence

How to Change Your Mind reveals new evidence on psychedelics, confirming their power to cure mental illness, ease depression and addiction, and help people die more peacefully. 

Why should you read it?

Are you curious about psychedelics? Have you perhaps even experimented with them? Then this is the book for you. It’s all about conscious-altering substances and how we can use them for good rather than just crying, “This should be illegal!” Also an interesting read for anyone who’s into alternative medicine or plainly loves their cup of coffee in the morning.

Key Takeaways

1. Mexican Indian tribes have been using mushrooms containing psilocybin as a healing agent for centuries.   
2. During a hallucinatory experience, the brain is more interconnected so that memory, emotion, and visual information all interact.  
3. Early tests suggest that psychedelics could be more effective than pharmaceuticals in treating depression.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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9. Caffeine (2020)

Favorite Quote

“We tend to moralize addiction, but is it really a bad thing to be dependent on a plant that you have easy access to, can afford, that isn’t ruining your life, and is giving you some benefit?” — Michael Pollan

The Book in One Sentence

Caffeine is a two-hour audiobook tackling the history of the most commonly used drug in the world, tracing it from its origins to its global availability and daily use by billions of people today, all while asking important questions about our addiction to this substance, and whether it might actually be productive.

Why should you read it?

If you drink coffee every day or even just a few times a week, you should listen to this Audible exclusive. It’s a 2-hour listen about the history of everyone’s favorite beverage. You’ll learn how caffeine became not just our default addiction but also why we’re all accepting and condoning it. If you’re curious about the results of a three-month no-caffeine experiment, you’ll also want to hear Pollan’s results after doing just that.

Key Takeaways

1. Set a limit for your daily caffeine intake.
2. Many people are almost always caffeinated to some degree, and though we consider this normal, it’s actually an altered state of consciousness.
3. Besides its potentially negative effect on your sleep, coffee has few downsides but many benefits.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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10. This Is Your Mind on Plants (2021)

Favorite Quote

“Sometimes the best way to show your respect for something is to just leave it alone.” — Michael Pollan

The Book in One Sentence

This Is Your Mind on Plants is an analysis of three conscious-altering substances — opium, caffeine and mescaline — which humans have been using for thousands of years, as well as how their effects have shaped our bodies, culture, and history, showing that, beyond arguing about their legalities, we must understand their potential to help us connect with both nature and ourselves in new ways.

Why should you read it?

If psychoactive plants seem mysteriously attractive to you, you should check out this book. Pollan wants to continue the conversation started in How to Change Your Mind, arguing for safe and productive use of psycho-effective plants. Whether you’re already sold on them or just curious about why they’re so taboo, this book will teach you a thing or two.

Key Takeaways

1. Coffee is a powerful substance that has the potential to be both good and bad for you.
2. You can brew your own opium tea in your house, but it’s not as strong, nor advisable to do so.
3. Mescaline can seriously impact the way you view life and your surroundings.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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Michael Pollan Books by Popularity

Want to know which Michael Pollan books are the most popular? Here’s a short reorder of the list based on the total number of Amazon ratings, ranked from most to least.

1. How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence (⭐️ 6,800+ Ratings ⭐️)
2. The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals (⭐️ 3,700+ Ratings ⭐️)
3. This Is Your Mind on Plants (⭐️ 2,800+ Ratings ⭐️)
4. In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto (⭐️ 2,700+ Ratings ⭐️)
5. Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual (⭐️ 2,500+ Ratings ⭐️)
6. The Botany of Desire: A Plant’s-Eye View of the World (⭐️ 1,400+ Ratings ⭐️)
7. Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation (⭐️ 1,300+ Ratings ⭐️)
8. Second Nature: A Gardener’s Education (⭐️ 500+ Ratings ⭐️)
9. A Place of My Own: The Architecture of Daydreams (⭐️ 300+ Ratings ⭐️)
10. Caffeine: How Caffeine Created the Modern World (⭐️ 90+ Ratings ⭐️)

Given these thousands of ratings plus hundreds of thousands more on Goodreads, we can safely assume that Michael Pollan has sold at least a million of his books, probably several. No matter which one you’ll pick, you’re guaranteed to learn something new about food!

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In What Order Should You Read Michael Pollan’s Books?

Which of Michael Pollan’s books should you read first? If you ask us, here’s the order in which reading his books makes the most logical sense based on their topics:

1. The Omnivore’s Dilemma: This is Pollan’s most popular and perhaps impactful book, so if you end up reading only one, make it this one. It’ll also walk you through the history of where our food has been and is coming from, setting you up well for developing a deeper understanding of food going forward.
2. In Defense of Food: After getting a grasp on food history and the broad categories of suppliers, it makes sense to look around and ask: Where are we now? And where we are is in a situation where we “over-science” food. This book will show you the current problem with how we look at food right now and suggest simpler ways going forward.
3. Cooked: Next, on top of the simple, “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants,” diet Pollan suggests in In Defense of Food, you’ll need to learn how to transform those simple foods with heat, air, earth, and water, for a bit more variety in your diet.
4. Food Rules: This book will be a great summary of the above, condensing everything you’ve learned so far into 64 simple rules for intentional, healthy, and fun eating. If you stop here, you’ll still have gotten a lot out of Pollan’s work.
5. The Botany of Desire: Now, if you still want more from here, you can dive deeper into the intricacies of why we are attracted to certain foods more so than others. This book will explain our desires for sweetness, beauty, intoxication, and control, and show you how we try to satisfy them through various foods.
6. This Is Your Mind on Plants: Some of the most fascinating foods are conscious-altering substances. Now we’re going beyond food as a means to fill our bellies and into food as performance- or life-experience-enhancers. This book will provide an overview of opium, caffeine and mescaline specifically and is a great setup for what’s next.
7. Caffeine: I’m not sure how much overlap this audio-only title has with the caffeine sections in This Is Your Mind on Plants, but at two hours, it’s a rather short listen compared to a whole book. Since this is most likely the conscious-altering substance you’re most familiar with, it might be worth listening to this as an add-on or potentially even before This Is Your Mind on Plants in case you’re hesitant to dive deeper into the drug subject at first.
8. How to Change Your Mind: Now that you’re familiar with the basics of psychoactive substances, perhaps this broader look at how they can help us positively transform our lives will fall on more receptive ears — or eyes, in this case 🙂
9. Second Nature: Where Pollan’s journey started is where yours should end. His first book was about gardening but also the garden as a concept, an extension, containment, and often replacement for nature. It’s the kind of thing we might look at differently while using conscious-altering substances, but the book is also an open, expansive look at life in general, which makes it a good place to start winding down your journey through Michael Pollan’s bookshelf.
10. A Place of My Own: Finally, after roaming through the world of food and plants, it’s time to come home. To return to yourself. To quiet. To a shed in your garden, perhaps — and that’s exactly what Pollan is building and musing about in this book. It’ll make you feel calm and inspired, and it’ll be a great note to end on yet keep reflecting on everything you’ve learned from Michael Pollan’s books!

Alright, that’s the best order to read all Michael Pollan books in — if you ask us, anyway! Of course, if you’re only interested in a specific topic, you can start wherever you want.

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Conclusion

Michael Pollan’s writing is both positive and realistic. He encourages us to stay curious about food and keep trying new things but also to remember our roots and honor nature’s intentions. His books are enlightening yet sometimes shocking, and they force us to ask ourselves some tough questions around why and what we eat. We hope this list will help you pick a vegetable, plant, or meal to learn more about, and then dive into the according Michael Pollan book!

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Other Book Lists by Author

Looking for more books by the world’s most celebrated authors? Here are all of the book lists by author we’ve curated for you:

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Other Book Lists by Topic

Looking for more of the best books on various topics? Here are all the book lists by topic we’ve made for you so far:

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Most people think of Robert Greene as some sort of modern-day Machiavelli, an evil prince sitting in his castle, laughing maniacally as he sells more and more books to people telling them how they can take advantage of others. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Greene is a zen practitioner. Watch one interview with him, and you’ll see he’s actually a calm, reserved, all-around nice guy who just happens to love history and research. If you’re looking for the results of that work, a full list of Robert Greene books, this is the right place!

Greene was born in LA in 1959 and, after attaining a BA in classical studies, held over 60 different jobs (!) before becoming an author, including being a translator, editor, construction worker, and Hollywood screenwriter. In 1995, he pitched a book packager an idea about power while working at an art school in Italy, and that idea eventually became The 48 Laws of Power, his breakout success.

Greene’s books deal with topics like power, strategy, psychology, business, seduction, and relationships. Generally, they’re all about how to understand and work with the human mind, whether it’s our own or that of others. They have sold millions of copies and are often quoted by celebrities, especially musicians and rappers, like 50 Cent, Jay-Z, or even Michael Jackson. 

So far, we’ve summarized 4 of Greene’s 7 books as part of our 1,000+ summary catalog here on Four Minute Books, and today, we’ll compile them all for you in order of both publication and popularity. We’ve even included a section recommending in which order you should read Robert Greene’s books.

You can easily navigate this list by clicking on whichever section interests you the most in the below table of contents. For each book, we’ll share an image of the cover, a 1-sentence-summary, and our favorite quote. We’ll also highlight the most important takeaways and why you might want to read the book yourself.

If you want to dive deeper into any book, click the “Learn More” or “Read on Four Minute Books” button or use one of our Amazon affiliate links to buy a copy. Alright, let’s get into the full catalog of Robert Greene books!

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All Robert Greene Books (in Chronological Order)

1. The 48 Laws of Power (1998)

Favorite Quote

“Powerful people impress and intimidate by saying less. The more you say, the more likely you are to say something foolish.” — Robert Greene

The Book in One Sentence

The 48 Laws of Power draws on many of history’s most famous power quarrels to show you what power looks like, how you can get it, what to do to defend yourself against the power of others, and, most importantly, how to use it well and keep it.

Why should you read it?

Co-authored with book packager Joost Elffers, this is Greene’s seminal work. Each law comes with a chapter and a story, many including famous people from history, thus really making the laws come to life. If you struggle with navigating society, if you get rejected a lot and feel like doors keep closing in your face, read this book. It will help you better understand humans. It will also show you how to get things done by getting others to cooperate with you. Literally an empowering book.

Key Takeaways

1. Always make superiors look smarter than you.
2. Confuse competitors by acting unpredictably.
3. Don’t force others to do what you want, seduce them instead.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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2. The Art of Seduction (2001)

Favorite Quote

“When our emotions are engaged, we often have trouble seeing things as they are.” — Robert Greene

The Book in One Sentence

The Art of Seduction is a template for persuading anyone, whether it’s a business contact, a political adversary, or a romantic partner, to act in your best interest.

Why should you read it?

This isn’t just a book for bros looking for dating advice. It’s a compelling manual on getting others to see eye-to-eye with you. If you’re fighting for a good cause, why wouldn’t you try to convince as many other people as you can to join in? Thanks to the nine patterns and character types Greene outlines, this book will also make it easier for you to identify how you best convince others. If you’ve recently failed to get what you want in a big way, try reading this book as a first step to learning from that failure.

Key Takeaways

1. The most important trait all seducers share is that they constantly surprise us.
2. Seductive characters fall into nine categories, depending on which seduction technique they primarily use.
3. There are nine anti-seductive behaviors you should become aware of and try to avoid.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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3. The 33 Strategies of War (2006)

Favorite Quote

“Grand strategy is the art of looking beyond the present battle and calculating ahead. Focus on your ultimate goal and plot to reach it.” — Robert Greene

The Book in One Sentence

The 33 Strategies of War outlines principles and tactics one can use in life, business, and, yes, actual war, to overcome their enemies and achieve their goals.

Why should you read it?

If your job, hobby, or some other aspect of your life feels like a struggle, this book might help. In 33 strategies across five sections, from self-directed to organizational, defensive, offensive, and unconventional warfare, you’ll learn from countless historic examples what to do in which situation. The book deals both with inner and outer enemies, so it is valuable both as a self-help manual as well as a tool to better navigate society and its many demands.

Key Takeaways

1. Clearly identify your opponent, even if it’s just an inner one, so you can declare war on them.
2. Never lose your presence of mind, no matter how tumultuous events become.
3. Pick your battles so you can manage your resources well.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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4. The 50th Law (2009)

Favorite Quote

“Your fears are a kind of prison that confines you within a limited range of action. The less you fear, the more power you will have and the more fully you will live.” — Robert Greene

The Book in One Sentence

The 50th Law is a semi-autobiographical book tracing 50 Cent’s early days as a hustler and musician through ten factors of fearlessness, supplementing each of 50 Cent’s guidelines with lessons, anecdotes, and examples from historical figures like Sun Tzu, Abraham Lincoln, James Baldwin, and many others.

Why should you read it?

Co-authored with Curtis Jackson aka rapper 50 Cent, this book will inspire you to break the mold and chart your own path in life by recounting 50 Cent’s story. In addition, it’ll teach you how to be fearless via ten factors 50 considered particularly important to his meteoric ascent to hip-hop fame. If you’re trying to do something big, especially in the arts, this book is for you.

Key Takeaways

1. Always strive to maintain a sense of realism and see things for what they are.
2. Stay connected to your environment and aim to know it well at all times.
3. Honor the process — mastery takes time.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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5. Mastery (2012)

Favorite Quote

“Become who you are by learning who you are.” — Robert Greene

The Book in One Sentence

Mastery debunks the myth of talent and shows you there are proven steps you can take to achieve mastery in a discipline of your own choosing, by analyzing the paths of some of history’s most famous masters, such as Einstein, Darwin, and Da Vinci.

Why should you read it?

This might be Greene’s best book. It uses the same kind of writing and research but takes a less power-focused approach. It’s not about people vs. people, it’s about becoming your best self. This book will help you find your calling, be brutally honest about what it’ll take to become a master, find the right mentors, and then embrace your originality until you succeed.

Key Takeaways

1. Trust your gut to find the right discipline to master.
2. Take an apprenticeship and get paid to learn.
3. Once you complete your apprenticeship, challenge everything you have learned.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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6. The Laws of Human Nature (2018)

Favorite Quote

“Rationality is the ability to counteract emotional effects, to think instead of react. It does not come naturally; it is a power we must cultivate, but in doing so we realize our greatest potential.” — Robert Greene

The Book in One Sentence

The Laws of Human Nature helps you understand why people do what they do and how you can use both your own psychological flaws and those of others to your advantage at work, in relationships, and in life.

Why should you read it?

Rather than trying to achieve a particular outcome, like seducing others or accumulating power, this book is a culmination and curation of everything Greene has learned over more than 20 years of research into human behavior. In 18 laws, you’ll learn how to see behind the masks people wear, why opinions are so hard to let go of, what it takes to not sabotage your own efforts, and a lot more. A great, broad read and some of Greene’s finest work.

Key Takeaways

1. It’s usually not other people that stop us from succeeding, but ourselves. To combat this, we must stay positive.
2. Each of us has both a feminine and a masculine side, and we must accept both to be our best self.
3. A cycle of four trends shapes human generations, and there’s a high chance yours is influenced by one as well.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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7. The Daily Laws (2021)

Favorite Quote

“Embrace your strangeness. Identify what makes you different. Fuse those things together and become an anomaly.” — Robert Greene

The Book in One Sentence

The Daily Laws is a collection of 365 short laws grouped into 12 themes, serving as daily reminders for you to reconnect to reality, reverse bad behaviors, and seize your destiny.

Why should you read it?

If you want an easy entry into Greene’s work or simply struggle to read a lot on the regular, this is the perfect book for you. Each daily entry is short and takes no more than a minute or so to read. You’ll get to know yourself better while simultaneously improving how you relate to and work with others. If you like The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday, you’ll love this book.

Key Takeaways

1. Take time to study human nature to understand yourself and people fully.
2. Know your task and purpose in life.
3. The most dangerous thing in the modern world is people, not animals or some other natural phenomenon.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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Robert Greene Books by Popularity

Want to know which Robert Greene books are the most popular? Here’s a short reorder of the list based on the total number of Amazon ratings, ranked from most to least.

1. The 48 Laws of Power (⭐️ 55,000+ Ratings ⭐️)
2. The Laws of Human Nature (⭐️ 10,600+ Ratings ⭐️)
3. The Art of Seduction (⭐️ 8,700+ Ratings ⭐️)
4. Mastery (⭐️ 5,000+ Ratings ⭐️)
5. The 50th Law (⭐️ 4,100+ Ratings ⭐️)
6. The 33 Strategies of War (⭐️ 3,800+ Ratings ⭐️)
7. The Daily Laws: 366 Meditations on Power, Seduction, Mastery, Strategy, and Human Nature (⭐️ 2,400+ Ratings ⭐️)

As you might expect, Greene’s first, smash-hit book, The 48 Laws of Power, remains his most popular. With over two million copies sold of that one alone, many others of his titles have also become New York Times and other bestsellers. Fun-fact: The book is also popular with prison inmates, so much so that some prisons in the US have actually banned it.

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In What Order Should You Read Robert Greene’s Books?

Which of Robert Greene’s books should you read first? If you ask us, here’s the order in which reading his books makes the most logical sense based on their topics:

1. The 48 Laws of Power: This book is a broad enough collection of life lessons to provide value in almost any context. It is also Greene’s seminal and most famous work, so if you only read one book of his, make it this one.
2. The Laws of Human Nature: Published 20 years after his first, this book is an excellent compendium on everything Greene has learned in between the two. It is also generally applicable to human behavior on all levels, and with just 18 laws, it’s easy to keep an overview of. A great follow-up!
3. Mastery: Going from Greene’s more externally focused laws of power, relationships, and society, this book will teach you how to consistently apply his lessons in your own life as you chart your own, unique path to mastery. It’s his best outside of the 48 laws, we think.
4. The 50th Law: Once you have discipline, you’ll still need courage and confidence. That’s what this book will provide, along with an account of 50 Cent’s underdog-to-big-shot story. 
5. The Art of Seduction: This and the next book are more like add-ons, diving deeper into certain aspects already covered in The 48 Laws of Power. This one will help you communicate your ideas and mission efficiently and get others to support you.
6. The 33 Strategies of War: This one might help you knock out the competition, but it is also one of Greene’s most criticized works in terms of quality. Browse it, pick a few helpful tips, and then see if you want to read it in full.
7. The Daily Laws: Depending on your approach, you might want to read this book either last or first. If you’ve read everything else from Greene and loved it, this book will be a great way to recap everything with short, daily reminders. If you haven’t read anything from Greene yet and find The 48 Laws of Power too unapproachable, this book might provide a better entry into his world, as it’s the most lightweight format he offers on his body of laws.

If you’re only interested in a specific topic or idea, you can start with whichever one of Greene’s books appeals to you the most. Whatever you choose, we’re confident you’ll learn something new and, when in doubt, start with his most popular work first!

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Conclusion

Robert Greene is one of the most celebrated business and self-help authors in pop culture today. Full of examples from both history and the recent past, there’s always a new story to find in his work, and he’s a master of understanding power dynamics. We hope this list will help you pick a book and start decoding human behavior!

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Other Book Lists by Author

Looking for more books by the world’s most celebrated authors? Here are all of the book lists by the author we’ve curated for you:

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Other Book Lists by Topic

Looking for more of the best books on various topics? Here are all the book lists by topic we’ve made for you so far:

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Jordan Peterson is one of the most famous psychologists, philosophers, and intellectuals alive today. While you may know him from his multi-million-copy bestseller 12 Rules for Life, his viral Youtube video in which he argues with students about gender pronouns, or his controversial views on various topics shared on his Youtube channel, a few short years ago, Peterson was just an ordinary college professor. If you’re looking for all Jordan Peterson books, both the ones he wrote and the ones he recommends, you’ve come to the right place!

Peterson was born in 1962 in Alberta, Canada. After a childhood that left him disillusioned with both religion and politics, Peterson turned more to psychology and philosophy. Still, he completed his degree in political science, adding another BA in psychology on top afterwards. He also holds a PhD in clinical psychology and has since taught at both Harvard and the University of Toronto.

Nowadays, post Youtube- and bestseller-fame, Peterson advocates for reason, meaning, and other conservative values through his Youtube channel with over five million subscribers, a podcast, and frequent media appearances. To give you an overview of all books written and recommended by Jordan Peterson, we dug into our index of over 1,000 book summaries and the web. Since Peterson has only published three books, we’ve decided to list those by publication date, then move on to some of the top and most important books he recommends.

You can easily navigate this list by clicking on whichever section interests you the most in the below table of contents. For each book, we’ve included an image of the cover, a one-sentence-summary, and our favorite quote. We will also share our most important takeaways and why you might want to read the book yourself.

If you want to dive deeper into any book, click the “Read on Four Minute Books” or “Learn More” button or use one of our Amazon affiliate links to buy a copy. Okay, here we go! Let’s get to know the full range of Jordan Peterson books!

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All Jordan Peterson Books (in Chronological Order)

1. Maps of Meaning (1999)

Favorite Quote

“The purpose of life is to find a mode of being that’s so meaningful that the fact that life is suffering is no longer relevant.” ― Jordan Peterson

The Book in One Sentence

Maps of Meaning draws on 13 years of research in the fields of mythology, religion, literature, philosophy, and psychology, to explain how humans form beliefs, why those beliefs often lead to social conflict, and what we might do to come up with a better, universal system of morality.

Why should you read it?

If you struggle to understand some of your friends’, family’s, or colleagues’ beliefs, especially if they’re inspired by religion or ideology, this book is for you. It’s also a good read for any marketer or storyteller who wants to get better at making a compelling case for others to take action and change their lives. If you’re looking for a book that’ll help you make sense of how we make sense of things, this one’s for you!

Key Takeaways

1. Science and myth are different, so we should look at them separately.
2. The stories in mythology can be a great help to us in making sense of life, especially when it’s full of suffering.
3. Real or not, myths are often full of wisdom and offer concrete advice to better our lives.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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2. 12 Rules for Life (2018)

Favorite Quote

“It’s all very well to think the meaning of life is happiness, but what happens when you’re unhappy? Happiness is a great side effect. When it comes, accept it gratefully. But it’s fleeting and unpredictable.” — Jordan Peterson

The Book in One Sentence

12 Rules for Life is a stern, story-based, and entertaining self-help manual for young people that lays out simple principles that can help us become more disciplined, behave better, act with integrity, and balance our lives while enjoying them as much as we can.

Why should you read it?

Based on a Quora answer that went viral, this book might not be Peterson’s magnum opus, but with over five million copies sold, it is his most popular work by far. This book is quickly becoming a self-help classic. It is easily understandable, holds plenty of engaging stories, and yet offers simple, distinct advice for improving your life. The rules are easy to remember, and the book is fun to read. If you like self-help books in any shape or form, this one’s a must-read!

Key Takeaways

1. Sweep in front of your own door before pointing out the street is dirty.
2. Treat yourself like a child you’re responsible for.
3. Aim to do what is meaningful, not convenient.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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3. Beyond Order (2021)

Favorite Quote

“A certain amount of creativity and rebellion must be tolerated — or welcomed, depending on your point of view — to maintain the process of regeneration. Every rule was once a creative act, breaking other rules.” — Jordan Peterson

The Book in One Sentence

Beyond Order identifies 12 (more) rules to live by that will allow us to embrace the chaos we struggle with every day, showing us that too much order can be just as much of a problem as too little.

Why should you read it?

If you enjoyed 12 Rules for Life, this is the follow-on to get. Also, if you like self-help books in general but more (or also) appreciate “anti” self-help books, like The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, for example, you’ll like this one. If you struggle to navigate the narrow line between order and chaos, read this book.

Key Takeaways

1. Have an image of the person you want to be, then do everything you can to become that person. 
2. Find ways to incorporate beauty into your everyday life. 
3. Try to express gratitude even when you are suffering. 

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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The 5 Most Important Books Recommended by Jordan Peterson

For this section, we took 5 of the 15 top books Peterson found “particularly influential,” as per his own website. He even posted a longer list of over 100 recommendations there too, which you can dive into if you feel like it. But the below ones seem to be some of the most important, so they’ll make for a great place to start.

4. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky (1866)

Favorite Quote

“To go wrong in one’s own way is better than to go right in someone else’s.” — Fyodor Dostoevsky

The Book in One Sentence

Crime and Punishment explores the moral dilemmas of Rodion Raskolnikov, a poor student who plans to murder a corrupt pawnbroker in order to obtain her riches, but who quickly finds out that theory and practice are very different when it comes to ethics and morality.

Why should you read it?

Instead of droning on about why you shouldn’t do bad things, this book offers something much better: a concrete story. It’s a classic for a reason. If you’ve ever felt tempted by fate to do something unscrupulous, this book is for you.

Key Takeaways

1. Empathy is a crucial part of being human.
2. It’s hard to change our inner lives, but we can consistently make amends for our mistakes.
3. Remorse leads to amends which lead to growth and character — therefore, remorse is a critical function of our psyche!

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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5. Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche (1886)

Favorite Quote

“He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.” — Friedrich Nietzsche

The Book in One Sentence

Beyond Good and Evil is a classic of philosophy, asserting that humans do not simply fall into the two categories of good and evil but have the potential for both, and that we must constantly confront this potential in order to stay moral, virtuous beings.

Why should you read it?

If you want a manageable entry into Nietzsche’s philosophy, this is a good pick. This book will show you that life truly is not black and white, and that we must consistently monitor our potential for the negative in order to keep it at bay. If you’re tired of “it’s X person/group’s fault” assertions by the media and others and crave a deeper understanding of why people do things, read this book.

Key Takeaways

1. Human morality is culturally constructed rather than inherently true.
2. A belief in nothing at all would be more dangerous than holding false beliefs.
3. Moral systems generally curtail humans’ universal desire for power by elevating the group over the individual.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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6. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (1932)

Favorite Quote

“Words can be like X-rays if you use them properly – they’ll go through anything. You read and you’re pierced.” — Aldous Huxley

The Book in One Sentence

Brave New World presents a futuristic society engineered perfectly around capitalism and scientific efficiency, in which everyone is happy, conform, and content — but only at first glance.

Why should you read it?

This book explores the negative sides of utopia, an ostensibly prosperous world in which everyone appears to be content and satisfied but that, below the surface, has a lot of problems. Sound familiar? If you’re questioning our shiny, Instagram-happy world, get a copy of this book.

Key Takeaways

1. If the world were perfect and everything was easy, nothing would have any meaning.
2. We hate not fitting in more than anything else, and yet, we’ll never all be the same.
3. True happiness and suffering are two sides of the same coin — we can’t have one without the other.
   

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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7. Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl (1946)

Favorite Quote

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” — Viktor Frankl

The Book in One Sentence

Man’s Search for Meaning details holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl’s horrifying experiences in Nazi concentration camps, along with his psychological approach of logotherapy, which is also what helped him survive and shows you how you can – and must – find meaning in your life.

Why should you read it?

If you’re going through difficult times, this book will help you persist. It’s also a good read for anyone who wants to peek behind the curtain of national socialism in Germany in the 1930s and 40s or who wants to learn about the atrocities committed in the Nazi’s concentration camps. If you’re looking for a light in the dark, read this book.

Key Takeaways

1. Sometimes the only way to survive is to surrender to death.
2. Your life has its own meaning and it’s up to you to find it.
3. Use paradoxical intention to make your fears go away.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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8. 1984 by George Orwell (1949)

Favorite Quote

“Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.” — George Orwell

The Book in One Sentence

1984 is the story of a young man questioning the system that keeps his futuristic but dystopian society afloat, and the chaos that quickly ensues once he gives in to his natural curiosity and desire to be free.

Why should you read it?

If you enjoy books in a dystopian setting that challenge our structure of society, then you’ll be an instant fan of Orwell’s. This classic is a good reminder of what can happen when governments go too far. If you’re worried about freedom and sovereignty, this is a great book for you.

Key Takeaways

1. The most powerful way to either control or empower humans is language.
2. Freedom is the ability to say what’s true, to say what you think, and to make your own choices.
3. Totalitarian governments succeed when they turn off our individuality via gaslighting.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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Jordan Peterson Books by Popularity

Since Peterson has only written three books so far, this list is easy and quick to assemble:

1. 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos (⭐️ 59,600+ Ratings ⭐️)
2. Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life (⭐️ 14,400+ Ratings ⭐️)
3. Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief (⭐️ 3,000+ Ratings ⭐️)

Actually, he’s written one more: An ABC of Childhood Tragedy. This book is a short collection of dark poems, one for each letter of the alphabet, outlining how various (fictitious) children found their demise through bad deeds or influences. The book is based on Peterson’s work as a clinical psychologist and opens a window into the darkness of the human psyche. The book came out in October 2022 and has 50+ ratings, but Peterson has deleted all his videos and promotions of it, so we’re not sure he wants it to be sold. He might be removing it from circulation soon. Hence, we excluded it from this list.

At five million copies sold, 12 Rules for Life is Peterson’s most popular book by far.

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In What Order Should You Read Jordan Peterson’s Books?

Which of Jordan Peterson’s books should you read first? If you ask us, here’s the order in which reading his books makes the most sense based on their topics, popularity, and connection with each other:

1. 12 Rules for Life: Since this is Peterson’s most popular and also most approachable book, it makes sense to start with this one first. If you only read one, make it this one.
2. Beyond Order: As a direct follow-on to 12 Rules for Life, it makes sense to keep going with the next 12 rules. Also, this book is the black “chaos” to 12 Rules for Life’s white “order,” so the two balance each other nicely.
3. Maps of Meaning: This book is written in a much more academic tone and thus harder to access language-wise. It’s also a special topic with many complex interrelations, so it’s not for everyone. Try the audiobook, perhaps, that one was really popular when it was released in 2018!

Yes, Peterson is a direct person with lots of opinions. But if you’re looking for books that include foundational life strategies for personal growth and will help you develop empathy for others, his works are a great start!

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Conclusion

Reactions to Jordan Peterson range from “he saved my life” to “total crook.” He’s a controversial figure, for sure, but from where we sit, we think he has good intentions. We hope you found this list helpful and that you’ll find a good pick to get familiar with his work and ideas.

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Other Book Lists by Author

Looking for more books by the world’s most celebrated authors? Here are all of the book lists by the author we’ve curated for you:

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Other Book Lists by Topic

Looking for more of the best books on various topics? Here are all the book lists we’ve made for you so far:

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Walter Isaacson might be the best and most celebrated biographer alive today. His books detailing the lives of Albert Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, Steve Jobs, and others feel more like novels than boring lists of facts and accomplishments. Perhaps it is no wonder then that his biography of Leonardo da Vinci is being made into a Hollywood movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio! For now though, we’ll have to make do with his excellent writing, and if you’re looking for a full list of Walter Isaacson books, you’ve come to the right place!

Isaacson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1952. He enjoyed an excellent education and graduated both from Harvard and Pembroke College in Oxford. Isaacson started his writing career at The Sunday Times in London, eventually becoming Time magazine’s editor in 1996. After a brief period as CNN’s chairman and CEO in the early 2000s, he became president of the non-profit organization Aspen Institute, a position he held for 15 years. Currently, Isaacson is a professor of history at Tulane University in his hometown, New Orleans — next to writing books, of course.

Walter Isaacson has been publishing books for almost 40 years, but his big breakthrough came with his biography of Steve Jobs, released in 2011, shortly after the legendary Apple founder’s sad and early death. Based on more than 40 direct interviews with the billionaire genius behind the Apple II, the Mac, and the iPhone, Isaacson’s book broke all sales records for biographies, selling well over three million copies in the first four years alone.

So far, we’ve summarized over 1,000 books here at Four Minute Books, most of Isaacson’s works among them. Today, we’d like to give you a comprehensive overview of his writings. For each title, we’ve listed a one-sentence summary, our favorite quote, three key takeaways, and a few reasons why you might want to read a particular book yourself.

You can easily navigate this list by clicking on whichever section interests you the most in the table of contents below. If you want to dive deeper into any book, click the “Read on Four Minute Books” or “Learn More” button or use one of our Amazon affiliate links to buy a copy, thus supporting us at no extra cost to you.

Okay, ready for some amazing biographies of great, fascinating people? Let’s get into Walter Isaacson’s books!

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All Walter Isaacson Books (in Chronological Order)

1. The Wise Men (1986)

Favorite Quote

“In their time, they operated largely behind the scenes, little known by the public. But they achieved great things: the shaping of a world order; the creation of international institutions; the forging of a lasting peace in a perilous time.” — Walter Isaacson

The Book in One Sentence

The Wise Men is part biography, part gripping historic tale, telling the stories of six key, underrated, often behind-the-scenes statesmen who decisively contributed to America’s prosperity post-WWII both as individuals and through their interconnected actions.

Why should you read it?

If you like stories about unsung heroes and underrated personalities that, for some reason or other, ended up mostly behind the scenes where others took the credit, this book is for you. It’s a fascinating door into the world of the elites, but also into what they struggle with, and how they try to ethically and nobly navigate an environment that often wants to seduce them into corruption. Plus, it’s a great behind-the-scenes look of America during the Cold War, and how some of the policies that still heavily influence its strategical direction today came into being back then.

Key Takeaways

1. Like people, nation’s make decisions on a case-by-case basis — it’s just that the process is even more chaotic than in humans.
2. Leaders should hold their governments accountable, push them to act honorably, and demand clear perspectives after the inevitable clashes of ideas.
3. It’s important to think hard about policy, draw fine distinctions, and not over-simplify foreign guidelines.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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2. Kissinger (1992)

Favorite Quote

“If I had to choose between justice and disorder on the one hand, and injustice and order on the other, I would always choose the latter.” — Henry Kissinger

The Book in One Sentence

Kissinger is a well-written account of Nobel Peace Prize winner Henry Kissinger’s public life and career, retelling his achievements from a balanced perspective while also offering a glimpse into his personal life.

Why should you read it?

If you want to be a leader, especially in politics, this book is for you. Kissinger is an inspiring individual, but he’s also a realist, knowing it takes compromise, communication, and balance to get things done on a global stage. Learning about his story and how he navigated highly sensitive situations will give you a better sense of how to balance your own goals with those of other people, and why the most important words are sometimes those you don’t say. A great read for anyone interested in history, politics, or, well, Henry Kissinger.

Key Takeaways

1. Most politicians are idealists, but Kissinger is a realist, and that helped him have a greater impact.
2. Being in a position of power will always force you to make uncomfortable decisions.
3. Kissinger received the Nobel Peace Prize for negotiating a ceasefire in the Vietnam War, but the decision was controversial.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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3. Benjamin Franklin (2003)

Favorite Quote

“Knowledge is obtained rather by the use of the ear than of the tongue.” — Benjamin Franklin

The Book in One Sentence

Benjamin Franklin: An American Life takes a thorough look at the life of one of the most influential humans that ever lived and explains how he could achieve such greatness in so many different fields and areas.

Why should you read it?

By both collecting and commenting on Franklin’s achievements in various fields, Isaacson sheds some light on how one individual can not just be creative but succeed with their creations in more than one arena. If you’re an artist, entrepreneur, or simply interested in America’s founding story, this book is for you.

Key Takeaways

1. Benjamin Franklin was a self-improvement nerd.
2. If you really want to learn something, you’ll find a way.
3. Don’t be afraid to be 20 years ahead of your time.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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4. Einstein (2007)

Favorite Quote

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is.” — Albert Einstein

The Book in One Sentence

Einstein: His Life and Universe takes a close look at the life of Albert Einstein, covering how his childhood shaped him, what his biggest discoveries and personal struggles were, and how his focus changed in later years but how, through it all, his genius never faded, including up to his very last days.

Why should you read it?

Half biography, half lessons for living a good life, this book will inspire you to chart your own path in life. Some of Einstein’s theories were proven right 100 years later, once we finally had the technology to collect the evidence he already knew would be there. But when he formulated them, they weren’t all just immediately accepted. If you want to learn how to persist against the odds, read this book.

Key Takeaways

1. Einstein always preserved his sense of childhood curiosity, which is a key part of his success.
2. He did not get his Nobel prize for his theory of relativity.
3. Your journey through life never stops, until you die.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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5. American Sketches (2009)

Favorite Quote

“There should be an honored place in history for statesmen whose ideas turned out to be right.” — Walter Isaacson

The Book in One Sentence

American Sketches is a collection of essays profiling noteworthy Americans, written by biographer Walter Isaacson over his own illustrious career as a journalist and writer, tied together via personal reflections on his professional journey.

Why should you read it?

If you are looking for some simple, snapshot biographies of significant figures in history, this book is for you. You’ll find inspiration from various people’s stories as well as insight into Isaacson’s own life and interesting career. Especially if you want to be a writer or journalist, don’t skip this one.

Key Takeaways

1. History is shaped by people, not mysterious anonymous forces.
2. The people who change history are usually led by a core value or quality that drives them to make their impact in a specific way.
3. Creativity is more important than intellect.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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6. Steve Jobs (2011)

Favorite Quote

“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones, who do.” — Steve Jobs

The Book in One Sentence

Steve Jobs is the most detailed and accurate account of the life of the man who created Apple, the most valuable technology company in the world.

Why should you read it?

If you appreciate and admire Steve Jobs and his accomplishments, this is a book worth reading. It’s also reminder to “think different,” to go all-in on creativity and try to make something people will love — even if they might not know that they need it yet. This is a must-read for anyone aspiring to do any kind of entrepreneurial project.

Key Takeaways

1. Steve Jobs’s team invented a name for his most important skill, the reality distortion field.
2. The Apple name was chosen for a very specific reason.
3. Apple didn’t make Steve Jobs a billionaire, Pixar did.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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7. The Innovators (2014)

Favorite Quote

“Progress comes not only in great leaps but also from hundreds of small steps.” — Walter Isaacson

The Book in One Sentence

The Innovators walks you through the history of the digital revolution, showing how it was a combined effort of many creative minds over decades that enabled us to go from huge, clunky machines to the fast, globally connected devices in our pockets today.

Why should you read it?

The more familiar you are with what it was like to listen to music before smartphones and Spotify, the more you’ll appreciate the ubiquity of music we have today. The same is true for all kinds of technology, and in this book, you’ll learn how we made it into the computer, software, and then online age in the first place. Starting all the way from the beginning, Isaacson brilliantly connects the stories of brilliant minds, showing you what it takes to truly push humanity forward.

Key Takeaways

1. The first programmer was a woman, and her program was a result of math and poetry.
2. Hippies and hackers made the computer personal.
3. The internet was a combined effort of universities, the military, and private companies.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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8. Leonardo da Vinci (2017)

Favorite Quote

“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.” — Leonardo da Vinci

The Book in One Sentence

Leonardo Da Vinci is Walter Isaacson’s account of the life of one of the most brilliant artists, thinkers, and innovators who ever lived.

Why should you read it?

Da Vinci might be the person with the single-biggest impact on humanity, especially considering how much of it happened across different fields, from biology to art to architecture. This is a human worth learning about, and especially if you’re an artist or are pursuing creative endeavors, you’ll benefit a lot from Isaacson’s wonderfully complete picture of a man who died over 500 years ago.

Key Takeaways

1. Da Vinci elevated the status of artists as thinkers and innovators.
2. Try to transfer your interests to your projects, even if they seem completely unrelated.
3. Prepare your biggest ideas in a way that allows them to be published once you’re gone.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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9. The Code Breaker (2021)

Favorite Quote

“The power to control our species’ genetic future is awesome and terrifying. Deciding how to handle it may be the biggest challenge we have ever faced.” — Jennifer Doudna

The Book in One Sentence

The Code Breaker details the life of Nobel Prize winner Jennifer Doudna, who embarked on — and successfully completed — a journey to invent a tool that allows us to edit the human genetic code and thus will change our lives, health, and future generations forever.

Why should you read it?

If you’re both fascinated and a little scared by what it might mean for us to be able to edit our own genetic code, read this book. Knowledge is the best antidote to fear, and in this read, you’ll learn about the origins of this humanity-shaping discovery. Plus, if you’re into science, chemistry, biology, and human performance, you’ll also get a lot out of this read.

Key Takeaways

1. Doudna and Charpentier discovered a potential cure for cancer.
2. CRISPR technology can help us cure diseases, but it comes with an ethical cost.
3. This emerging technology could lead to biohacking and have some pretty serious implications.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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Walter Isaacson Books by Popularity

If you’re wondering which of Isaacson’s books are the most popular, here, we’ve listed them all for you based on their number of Amazon ratings.

1. Steve Jobs (⭐️ 12,900+ Ratings ⭐️)
2. The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race (⭐️ 11,300+ Ratings ⭐️)
3. Leonardo da Vinci (⭐️ 6,600+ Ratings ⭐️)
4. Einstein: His Life and Universe (⭐️ 3,700+ Ratings ⭐️)
5. Benjamin Franklin: An American Life (⭐️ 2,600+ Ratings ⭐️)
6. The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution (⭐️ 2,500+ Ratings ⭐️)
7. The Wise Men: Six Friends and the World They Made (⭐️ 500+ Ratings ⭐️)
8. Kissinger: A Biography (⭐️ 200+ Ratings ⭐️)
9. American Sketches: Great Leaders, Creative Thinkers, and Heroes of a Hurricane (⭐️ 100+ Ratings ⭐️)

With his Steve Jobs biography selling over three million copies alone, and the others combined selling millions more, Walter Isaacson is one of the most successful authors today, with a net worth of supposedly over $20 million. His books are incredibly well researched, inspiring, and enlightening.

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In What Order Should You Read Walter Isaacson’s Books?

Which of Isaacson’s books should you read first? What’s the best order to read them all in? Well, honestly, given they are mostly biographies of individual people, the answer is clear: The best of Isaacson’s books to read first is the one about the person who fascinates you the most. That said, for anyone who’s at a loss which one to pick, we recommend going in chronological order of the time in which Isaacson’s subjects lived and created.

1. Leonardo da Vinci: Starting in 1452 with who may have been the first true polymath in history, this is where Isaacson’s journey to chronicle the world’s most impactful people begins.
2. Benjamin Franklin: Jumping around 200 years to the American Revolution, Franklin trod in Da Vinci’s footsteps — maybe not in the sense that he also picked up a brush, but in the sense that he masterminded many innovative breakthroughs across a variety of fields. 
3. Einstein: Born in 1879, the crazy-haired theoretical physicist made most of his contributions in the first half of the 20th century, including his theory of both general and special relativity.
4. The Wise Men: Overlapping between both Einstein and Kissinger, the “Wise Men” were six highly influential leaders in American politics between the 1930s and 1960s. 
5. Kissinger: Born in 1923 with his peak impact happening in the 1970s during the Vietnam War, Kissinger was a man with a fascinating combination of both strengths and weaknesses, both of which Isaacson analyzed in detail throughout this book.
6. Steve Jobs: A kid of the 50s, Jobs first shone brightly in the 80s with the invention of the Apple II, and then again in the early 2000s with what might be his biggest gift to the world: the iPhone.
7. The Code Breaker: Doudna won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020 for her 2012 CRISPR gene-editing discovery. The book ends with her work in fighting coronavirus and is thus pretty up to date!
8. The Innovators: Since this is a compendium of everyone involved in bringing about the modern computer, it begins in the 1800s and ends around the time of the early internet. It’s a great way to round out the cast of individual, shining characters from Isaacson’s other books while learning about what might be the most important invention of the 20th (and 21st) century.
9. American Sketches: Depending on your preference, you might want to read this essay collection either first or last. First if you want to get an overview of Isaacson’s writing style and subjects first, last if you want to round out everything you’ve learned with some additional takes on more significant people from history.

Walter Isaacson books are just a great addition to your reading list all around. Whichever one you’ll choose first, it won’t fail to both entertain and educate.

Conclusion

Walter Isaacson is the most celebrated biographer alive today, and if you ask us, for good reason. His books are absolute page-turners, combining the tension and excitement of a great novel with pure facts about some of the most interesting humans’ lives. It’s always a good time to pick up an Isaacson book when it comes to learning something new — and you’ll get a big heaping of inspiration on top for free. We hope this list will help you pick a title and get started!

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Other Book Lists by Author

Looking for more books by the world’s most celebrated authors? Here are all of the book lists by the author we’ve curated for you:

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Other Book Lists by Topic

Looking for more of the best books on various topics? Here are all the book lists we’ve made for you so far:

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Ray Dalio is an investor and philanthropist, born in 1949 in New York City. With a net worth of around $20 billion, Dalio is one of the top 100 richest people in the world. The founder and longtime CEO of Bridgewater, the world’s largest hedge fund, Dalio has pioneered many financial innovations and techniques, many of which have become industry standard in the 40 years since the company’s founding. In his later years, he started publishing his writing, and if you’re looking for a full list of Ray Dalio books, you’ve come to the right place!

From his early days as a golf caddie for Wall Street professionals, Dalio has come a long way. He started investing at the age of 12, when he bought some shares of Northeast Airlines and, by pure luck, tripled his money. He’s been hooked ever since. Growing his company, however, wasn’t always easy. In the 80s, Dalio sized up the economy wrong and paid for it dearly. He had to let go all of his employees and borrow money from his parents for rent.

Eventually, however, the Harvard MBA managed to turn things around and grew Bridgewater into the world’s largest hedge fund with over $100 billion in assets under management. As part of his “second half of life” giving back phase, Dalio has become a philanthropist, giving away billions of dollars and signing Warren Buffett’s giving pledge, vowing to donate most of his money  to charitable causes after he dies.

He also began sharing his many lessons about life, business, and investing, first in Tony Robbins’ book Money, in which he outlined his “All Seasons” portfolio allocation strategy, then through his project and eponymous book called Principles, which shares a philosophy for success and happiness in life and work.

Since Dalio has also published several fascinating reads about the economy, politics, and how the world at large works, we thought we’d collect and list all Ray Dalio books for you. We’ve summarized over 1,000 summaries to date, and Ray’s book Principles is one of our (and our readers’) all-time favorites. 

This list is sorted both by order of publication and popularity. You can easily navigate it by clicking on whichever section interests you the most in the table of contents below. For each of Ray Dalio’s books, we’ve included an image of the cover, a 1-sentence-summary, and our favorite quote. We’ve also listed our most interesting takeaways and why you might want to read the book yourself, as well as what order to read them in if you’re trying to read them all!

If you want to dive deeper into any book, click the “Read on Four Minute Books” button or use one of our Amazon affiliate links to buy a copy. Alright, now let’s look at the full list of Ray Dalio books!

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All Ray Dalio Books (in Chronological Order)

1. Economic Principles (2015)

Favorite Quote

“The economy works like a simple machine, but many people don’t understand it, or they don’t agree on how it works, and this has led to a lot of needless economic suffering.” — Ray Dalio

The Book in One Sentence

Economic Principles is a three-part compendium on how the global economy works, what role debt plays in this free market system, and how policy makers can use the tools at their disposal to ensure the people of their nations enjoy productivity growth and prosperity.

Why should you read it?

As you can tell from the “cover” of this book, this is not a title that was ever officially published. It was an early, free, PDF draft version of what would later become three distinct works: How the Economic Machine Works, Principles for Navigating Big Debt Crises, and Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order. That said, this humble attempt by Ray to share his wisdom on the economy is still a whopping 300 pages long, and while the original PDF is no longer available on Ray Dalio’s official Economic Principles site, you can still find it online.

However, since parts two and three are already available as standalone works, the main reason you might want to read this one is probably How the Economic Machine Works, and that is basically just the transcript of a wonderful, animated, 30-minute Youtube video Ray already released in 2012. Both the video and text explain how, by combining graphic representations of the short-term debt cycle, long-term debt cycle, and productivity growth, we can see where the world economy is headed. If you want to understand markets, study macroeconomics, or be a better investor, this video and book might be for you.

Key Takeaways

1. The economy is the sum of all transactions made in society.
2. One person’s spending is another person’s income, and therefore, spending drives the economy.
3. If debt rises faster than income, and income rises faster than productivity, that’s when things go wrong.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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2. Principles (2017)

Favorite Quote

“My painful mistakes shifted me from having a perspective of ‘I know I’m right’ to having one of ‘How do I know I’m right?’” — Ray Dalio

The Book in One Sentence

Principles outlines and breaks down the set of rules for work and life billionaire investor Ray Dalio, CEO of the world’s largest hedge fund, has acquired throughout his 40-year career in finance.

Why should you read it?

This book might be one of the best examples that, when you read a book, you can acquire the wisdom of an entire human lifetime in just a few hours. In three parts, Dalio tells his personal story, the principles for living a good life he’s learned as part of living that story, and the lessons he’s won through much pain and reflection about how people can work together to achieve great success. If you want to build more systems in your life and understand the well-oiled machines powering big companies, read this book.

Key Takeaways

1. Principles are powerful weapons in the fight against flawed thinking.
2. Radical truth and transparency are two of Ray’s most important ideas.
3. Great businesses use principles to create environments where the best ideas win.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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3. Principles for Navigatig Big Debt Crises (2018)

Favorite Quote

“Buying something you can’t afford means spending more than you make. You’re not just borrowing from your lender; you are borrowing from your future self.” — Ray Dalio

The Book in One Sentence

Principles for Navigating Big Debt Crises is a complete, macroeconomic education in three parts, explaining the archetype of the big debt cycle, giving detailed case studies of historic inflation and debt crises, and sharing 48 more examples from history for anyone wanting to learn how to navigate times of economic turmoil.

Why should you read it?

With unlimited money printing and skyrocketing debt running rampant for almost all nations across the globe, Ray pulled back the curtain on the research and analysis process at Bridgewater. This 450+ page tome explains how debt has both made and broken nations and governments in the past, and if you want to learn how scenarios much similar to the ones we’re in today have, can, and will play out, this is a must read. Dalio covers the archetypal big debt cycle in just 50 pages, with the remainder of the book dedicated to detailed case studies of the German debt and hyperinflation crisis in the 1920s, the US debt crisis leading up to World War II, and the financial crisis of 2008.

Ray originally gave away the book for free through his email list, and you can still find it on the principles website. Alternatively, you can buy a nice hardcover or Kindle version on Amazon which, for a big book like this, is always a good idea, I find.

Key Takeaways

1. Crisis and debt cycles are inevitable due to human nature.
2. A big part of economic depressions is people discovering that what they thought was wealth was actually never really there.
3. Debt isn’t necessarily bad, and in the long run, debt crises usually fade in the face of rising productivity.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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4. Principles for Success (2019)

Favorite Quote

“Unless you want to have a life that is directed by others and boxes you in, you need to decide for yourself what to do and you need to have the courage to do it.” — Ray Dalio

The Book in One Sentence

Principles for Success is an illustrated, shortened version of Dalio’s key life lessons that resulted in the unconven­tional principles which helped him become one of the world’s most suc­cessful people, including the 5-step evolutionary loop built around setting goals, learning from your mistakes, and collaborating with others to produce exceptional results.

Why should you read it?

This is the perfect, short, easy entry into Ray’s world of principles. Designed like a children’s book, it allows you to follow Dalio’s journey step by step and learn the same lessons he learned along the way. The illustrations are fun, and the takeaways powerful yet simple. I would recommend this to almost anyone, including teenagers. Dalio has also turned this into another animated, 30-minute Youtube video series, and it’s fantastic in that format as well.

Key Takeaways

1. Pain + reflection = progress.
2. Use the 5-step evolutionary loop to keep striving for better.
3. Think for yourself while being radically open-minded.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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5. Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order (2021)

Favorite Quote

“No system of government, no economic system, no currency, and no empire lasts forever, yet almost everyone is surprised and ruined when they fail.” — Ray Dalio

The Book in One Sentence

Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order explains how, historically, empires have risen and fallen through a combination of financial, educational, economic, and geopolitical factors, and how nation states can allocate their resources in order to move through this big cycle gracefully and without hurting one another.

Why should you read it?

Another three-part mega guide to global affairs, this book brings all of Dalio’s previous analysis on the economy, productivity, and debt cycles together. The first part explains “how the world works” and how nations become successful through a combination of money, credit, debt, and economic activity while ensuring inner societal order. In part two, Ray provides three case studies, outlining how the Dutch, British, and US empires, including their currencies, became world powers — and then lost that status. The third part takes a look at the future, particularly with regards to the latest rising power, China, and its relations to the US.

If you want to know what is going on in global markets, why we have certain geopolitical tensions right now, and where the world is headed, read this fantastic book. Oh, and as you might have guessed already at this point, Ray made an animated video about this too. It’s 43 minutes long but absolutely worth the watch.

Key Takeaways

1. Global superpowers start with a focus on improving education which, following a long series of steps, will lead to that nation’s currency increasing in value.
2. The life cycle of an empire usually lasts 80 years and consists of three phases: the rise, the top, and the decline.
3. Right now, the US is declining, while China is on the rise — but the future is not decided yet.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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6. Principles: Your Guided Journal (2022)

Favorite Quote

“If you recognize that the way to be great is to focus on improving, giving and receiving criticism should be motivating and welcomed.” — Ray Dalio

The Book in One Sentence

Principles: Your Guided Journal is a customized learning journey aimed at helping you discover your own, unique life principles while overcoming, learning from, and getting the most out of your mistakes.

Why should you read it?

Full of easy, quick self-assessments and fun, digitally extendable exercises, this book is an interactive experience. Ray will take you by the hand, walk you through his process, and provide the space for you to apply it to your own life situation. If you want a quick, actionable way of both mastering and implementing Dalio’s principles, this book is for you.

Key Takeaways

1. Getting what you want out of life depends on mastering the 5-step evolutionary loop.
2. Your two biggest barriers in life are your ego and your blind spots.
3. Some changes you can’t anticipate — but you can always design your behavior around them after they happen.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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Ray Dalio Books by Popularity

Want to know which Ray Dalio books are the most popular? Here’s a short reorder of the list based on the total number of Amazon ratings, ranked from most to least.

1. Principles: Life and Work (⭐️ 12,200+ Ratings ⭐️)
2. Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order: Why Nations Succeed and Fail (⭐️ 5,200+ Ratings ⭐️)
3. Principles for Success (⭐️ 1,300+ Ratings ⭐️)
4. Principles for Navigating Big Debt Crises (⭐️ 1,000+ Ratings ⭐️)
5. Economic Principles (⭐️ 200+ Ratings ⭐️)
6. Principles: Your Guided Journal (Create Your Own Principles to Get the Work and Life You Want) (⭐️ 20+ Ratings ⭐️)

I can’t think of anyone who more qualifies as a role model for success yet presents their learnings so humbly and calmly. If you watch some interviews with him, you can clearly tell Ray is an introvert who’s just sharing his message because he thinks it’s important. He’s a good guy with the heart in the right place, and the fact that he’s sold more than five million books shows that people really support him and want him (and thus themselves) to win.

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In What Order Should You Read Ray Dalio’s Books?

Which of ‘s books should you read first? If you ask us, here’s the order in which reading his books makes the most logical sense based on their topics:

1. Principles for Success: Since Ray wrote this book for his grandchildren, it is by far the easiest to understand and start with. If you enjoy this, it’s a great sign you should dive deeper.
2. Principles: This is Ray’s seminal book, and while it’s long, it comes with a lot of pointers and help to make it skimmable. So even if you don’t read it in full the first time around, this will dramatically improve your decision-making and work relationships.
3. Principles: Your Guided Journal: After understanding what principles are and which ones Ray has discovered, it’s time to find your own! What better way to do that than through some daily writing as part of this tour de force of self-awareness, full of useful exercises and insightful quotes.
4. Economic Principles: If you’re interested in Ray’s insights on money, finance, and the economy on top of what life advice he can offer, this is a good primer to start with to understand the basics of how markets, transactions, productivity, and their global interrelations work.
5. Principles for Navigating Big Debt Crises: Once you know how the economy works in principle, it’s time to get a grasp on what happens when it breaks. With its detailed case studies of historic inflation crises and recessions, this book is the perfect way to do just that.
6. Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order: Finally, it’s time to put everything together and get a full picture of what happens as empires rise and fall, given the complex web of markets, free trade, currencies, wars, and global politics. With this, you’ll also understand what’s happening right now on the world stage, and why China and US relations are rather tense these days.

Whether you want to master how the economy works or get some solid advice for your life and work, you could do far worse than reading Ray Dalio’s books. All of them are incredibly well-researched, generous, and simple enough to understand despite their complex topics. Start with his most lightweight book, Principles for Success, then climb the ladder from there!

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Conclusion

Ray Dalio is one of the richest people in the world today. His writings are helpful, informative, and inspiring. We hope this list will help you pick your favorite and get started!

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Other Book Lists by Author

Looking for more books by the world’s most celebrated authors? Here are all of the book lists by the author we’ve curated for you:

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Other Book Lists by Topic

Looking for more of the best books on various topics? Here are all the book lists we’ve made for you so far:

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Peter Thiel is a German-American entrepreneur and investor. You might know the billionaire with a net worth of over $7 billion as the co-founder of PayPal, co-founder of big data technology company Palantir, or the first outside investor into Facebook, buying a 10% stake of the company for $500,000 in 2004, which would eventually net him over $1 billion. If you’re looking for a comprehensive list of Peter Thiel books, be it the ones he wrote, recommended, or that were written about him, you’re in the right place!

Thiel was born in 1967 in Frankfurt, Germany. When he was just one year old, his parents emigrated to the United States, eventually settling in California, where Thiel went to a strict high school but excelled academically, specifically in math. Thiel was “a nerd,” reading lots of science fiction and playing Dungeons & Dragons in his spare time. He read The Lord of the Rings over ten times and would eventually name many of his companies after items or places from the series, most famously Palantir Technologies (a palantir is a magical orb in which one can see events happening elsewhere, in the past, or even the future).

Thiel later went to Stanford and got a doctorate in law, but he only briefly worked in law and finance before starting PayPal in 1999, which went public in 2002 and sold to eBay for $1.5 billion only eight months later. He used his $55 million proceeds to really kick off his venture capital investing career and has made early investments into many famous companies since. He also taught a class about startups at Stanford in 2012, the notes of which went on to become his now famous book Zero to One.

To give you an overview of all books by, about, and recommended by Thiel, we dug into our index of over 1,000 book summaries and the web. Since Thiel has only published two books, we’ve decided to list those by date of publication, then move on to books about him and the ones he recommends.

You can easily navigate this list by clicking on whichever section interests you the most in the below table of contents. For each book, we’ve included an image of the cover, a 1-sentence-summary, and our favorite quote. We will also share our most important takeaways and why you might want to read the book yourself.

If you want to dive deeper into any book, click the “Read on Four Minute Books” or “Learn More” button or use one of our Amazon affiliate links to buy a copy for yourself. Alright, let’s dive into the world of Peter Thiel books!

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All Peter Thiel Books (in Chronological Order)

1. The Diversity Myth (1995)

Favorite Quote

“How can one be certain that liberation from one particular form of oppression will not give way to another, more grotesque and hideous than the first?” – Peter Thiel

The Book in One Sentence

The Diversity Myth argues that a focus on political correctness and multiculturalism has had a detrimental impact on academic achievements in the United States, suppressing ideas instead of engendering them and using moral arguments to silence anyone who disagrees this approach.

Why should you read it?

This is a book Thiel co-authored with David O. Sacks, most likely after observing the evolution of diversity and multiculturalism at Stanford during his own time there as a student. The core argument, while presented to an extreme, is that inclusion and diversity, rather than the virtuous aspirations they should be, have become excuses to stop thinking, reduce expectations, and not ask any questions. Using Stanford as a specific example with global impact and consequences, the authors pull from many sources to show a lot of bad is done in the name of good, and what we can do to rectify these issues. If you’re skeptical about the long-term impacts of political correctness and “diversity at all costs,” this book is for you.

Key Takeaways

1. 1. Classics are classics for a reason and should not be removed light-heartedly from academic curricula.
   2. When you allow people so satisfy assignments any way they want, they’ll just choose the path of least effort.
   3. By making the silencing of disagreeing voices look like a legit academic activity, multiculturalism actually leads to less learning, not more.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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2. Zero to One (2014)

Favorite Quote

“Brilliant thinking is rare, but courage is in even shorter supply than genius.” – Peter Thiel

The Book in One Sentence

Zero to One is an inside look at Peter Thiel’s philosophy and strategy for making your startup a success by looking at the lessons he learned from founding and selling PayPal, investing in Facebook and becoming a billionaire in the process.

Why should you read it?

If you want to make it in business, be it as a solo creator, small business owner, or the CEO of the next unicorn startup, read this book. It’s full of uncommon sense, thoughtful industry analysis, and calls to action to focus on what matters most. The basic idea is that, rather than slightly improving the status quo, you’ll disrupt the market altogether, be it by creating a new segment of it or making something that’s 100x better than what we’ve known before. This is a radical, eye-opening book, and if you have even the slightest inclination to be an entrepreneur, you need to learn how to go from zero to one.

Key Takeaways

1. The biggest leaps in progress are vertical, not horizontal.
2. Monopolies are good, for both business and society.
3. Founders need a vision to take their business from zero to one.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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All Books About Peter Thiel (Written by Other Authors, by Date of Publication)

3. Conspiracy by Ryan Holiday (2018)

Favorite Quote

“It always takes longer than expected, per Hofstadter’s Law, even when—and this is the critical part—one takes Hofstadter’s Law into account.” – Ryan Holiday

The Book in One Sentence

Conspiracy is an account of Peter Thiel’s quest to take down Gawker Media, a blog and journalistic organization many might have considered predatory, exploitative, and unethical, for outing him as gay, which he accomplished nearly a decade later by funding former wrestler Hulk Hogan’s lawsuit against the company over an illegally obtained and published sex tape.

Why should you read it?

There’s that saying that “money is power,” but we rarely get a full, behind-the-scenes account of just how much or what that might look like in practice. In the TV show Billions, billionaire Bobby Axelrod provides many examples, but those are all fictional. If you want a real account of what’s possible when you’re mega-rich, this book might be for you. It’s about how to wield money and influence, why even for a billionaire, not all doors magically open, and what makes good and ethical journalism. If you work in the media or want to see how billionaires exert their power behind the scenes, this book is for you.

Key Takeaways

1. Conspiracies come in 3 phases: the planning, the doing, and the aftermath.
2. Sometimes, the worst thing you can do in the face of a media backlash is to try and contain it, thus only making it worse.
3. Don’t wait to act on small threats, because once they grow into big ones, it might be too late to do anything about them.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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4. The Contrarian by Max Chafkin (2021)

Favorite Quote

“Girard’s big idea—which Thiel would internalize and adopt as a guiding principle, both in investing and in life—was that people are motivated, at their core, by a desire to imitate one another.” – Max Chafkin

The Book in One Sentence

The Contrarian is a biography of Peter Thiel as well as an account of the history of Silicon valley and how one of its most prominent and powerful players ended up shaping it.

Why should you read it?

This is the only biography of Thiel available at this stage. Chafkin had access to Thiel, albeit in limited capacity, and also did a lot of research to make up for it. While some praise Chafkin’s attempts to not just describe Thiel’s journey but interpret it, including what his true beliefs and motives are, others say the book paints Thiel in a bad light, revealing more about the author’s thoughts than the subject’s. There are some hidden gems and good anecdotes in this book, but take its more speculative assertions with a grain of salt. If you want a biography of Peter Thiel, this is the book for you.

Key Takeaways

1. While advocating for radical technological progress, Thiel may have encouraged a culture in which said progress often comes at the expense of society.
2. Thiel was good at school but unpopular, causing him to develop a disdain for people and, perhaps, society in general.
3. When you’re rich, almost anything is possible, and you’ll get away with many things average people can’t do.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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5. The Founders by Jimmy Soni (2022)

Favorite Quote

“Both in the foreground and behind the scenes, PayPal’s alumni have built, funded, or counseled nearly every Silicon Valley company of consequence for the last two decades.” – Jimmy Soni

The Book in One Sentence

The Founders is a conclusive origin story of PayPal and the people behind it, often dubbed “the PayPal mafia,” many of which would later go on to become Silicon Valley’s most influential investors, power brokers, and multi-time entrepreneurs.

Why should you read it?

If you’re curious how some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs, like Reid Hoffman, owner and CEO of LinkedIn, Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, and of course Peter Thiel found their beginnings and went on to shape the course of Silicon Valley and the world of technology, this book is the one to go for. Soni outlines the history of PayPal, the sale of which made most of its employees rich, in chess-style chapters, going into detail about each member of “the PayPal Mafia” and their journey. A fascinating read for anyone who’s trying to succeed in business!

Key Takeaways

1. To succeed as a united business post a merger, you have to find more in common with one another than you can find differences.
2. Not all of Silicon Valley’s cultural values are bad, but some have gone off track over the years.
3. A small group who sticks together relentlessly can achieve a lot more than a large group of loose connections.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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The 5 Most Important Books Recommended by Peter Thiel (in Order of Publication)

For this section, we took the top 5 most commonly mentioned books by websites listing Thiel’s most recommended books. For more books Peter suggests, you can check out Most Recommended Books, Kevin Rooke, or Goodbooks.io.

6. The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien (1954)

Favorite Quote

“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.” – J.R.R. Tolkien

The Book in One Sentence

The Lord of the Rings is the journey of Frodo, a Hobbit, who must take the One Ring, an evil device crafted by dark lord Sauron to enslave the world, into the depths of Mordor, Sauron’s dominion, in order to destroy it and liberate the many peoples of Middle Earth.

Why should you read it?

Do I really need to make a case for this? The Lord of the Rings is one of the most popular books (and movie trilogies) of all time, one of history’s greatest stories, and should be mandatory reading in all high schools, if you ask me — not for the genius of its insight or its prose, both of which are excellent, but for how well it conveys the importance of kindness, adventure, and friendship. This is a book anyone should at least try to read at least once in their lives.

Key Takeaways

1. You never know what you can do until you go out into the world and try to do something.
2. Friendship is the strongest bond in the world.
3. Not all those who wander are lost.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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7. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand (1957)

Favorite Quote

“If you don’t know, the thing to do is not to get scared, but to learn.” – Ayn Rand

The Book in One Sentence

Atlas Shrugged is a literary classic of philosophy, disguised as an action-packed thriller in which railroad and steel magnates fight against increased regulation and “looters,” people trying to exploit the productivity of their businesses for their own gain, unsure whether or not they should follow the lead of a mysterious “John Galt,” rallying business owners to abandon their current, defunct society and form their own.

Why should you read it?

This is another classic of modern literature, and, thankfully, instead of presenting dry economic arguments, it wraps all of its lessons into a single, riveting story. Whether you want to build a big business, worry about where civilization is headed, or want to learn more about the complicated interrelations of politics, economics, and philosophy, this book is a must-read.

Key Takeaways

1. Your only moral obligation in life is to be happy.
2. The mind determines everything: Where it is, productivity and happiness can flourish, and where it is not, only darkness will grow.
3. Never compromise on your principles.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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8. The Sovereign Individual by James Dale Davidson & William Rees-Mogg (1997)

Favorite Quote

“To dare a thought is to risk being wrong.” – James Dale Davidson & William Rees-Mogg

The Book in One Sentence

The Sovereign Individual jumps into the future and presents a new world where life moves into the online environment, where the cyber-economy rules and governments are struggling to control people like they used to, all through a revolution more powerful than anything we’ve seen before.

Why should you read it?

If you are worried about the power of governments and wondering where and how much of our lives the nations we live in will or aim to control, this might be a good read for you. The book explains the world’s move into a global, ever-on, online economy and the consequences that has for our individuality, sovereignty, privacy, and more. If you find cryptocurrency fascinating, have concerns about privacy while browsing the web or using social media, or prefer to own things rather than just rent them, this book will be right up your alley.

Key Takeaways

1. Technology is already shaping a new world where we communicate 24/7 and filter our information and news outlets.
2. We will have to reorganize ourselves in the new technology era, as our dependence on governments decreases significantly.
3. People are already expressing their wishes to be ruled by morality, sustainability, and a no-violence, free state.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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9. The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz (2014)

Favorite Quote

“The only thing that prepares you to run a company is running a company.” – Ben Horowitz

The Book in One Sentence

The Hard Thing About Hard Things is an inside look at the tough decisions and lonely times all CEOs face, before showing you what it takes to build a great organization and become a world-class leader.

Why should you read it?

This is one of the most recommended books by CEOs and entrepreneurs of all kinds, and it is for good reason: The book somewhat prepares you for the thing no one can prepare for: Running a company. Talking about the struggles of leadership, what it takes to be a good CEO, and how to build a company that not just survives its first few years but lasts for decades and centuries, this book is a good “get your head on straight” read for any aspiring entrepreneur but also for managers and leaders in any capacity.

Key Takeaways

1. The CEO should be the first one to shout when shit hits the fan.
2. There are 2 types of CEOs, strategic and practical.
3. Great CEOs must learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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10. Originals by Adam Grant (2016)

Favorite Quote

“Being original doesn’t require being first. It just means being different and better.” – Adam Grant

The Book in One Sentence

Originals re-defines what being creative means by using many specific examples of how persistence, procrastination, transparency, critical thinking and perspective can be brought together to change the world.

Why should you read it?

This book is just chock full of creative inspiration. The sheer number of examples is ridiculous, and you’ll find yourself feeling uplifted and positive by the time you’re done reading a few pages. If you want to do better work or succeed as a creative, give this one a chance. A good place to start is Adam’s Originals quiz, which will tell you something new about your creative capacities in just a few minutes.

Key Takeaways

1. Producing great ideas is a matter of quantity.
2. Procrastinate on purpose to trigger the Zeigarnik effect.
3. Repeat yourself and find common reference points to make your crazy ideas more familiar.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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Peter Thiel Books by Popularity

Since Thiel has only written two books and we don’t want to compare apples to oranges by including books from other authors here, we’ll keep it simple:

The most popular book by Peter Thiel is Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future. The book has over 15,000 ratings on Amazon (4.5 ⭐️) and has sold more than 1.25 million copies.

If you want to start with Thiel’s most popular book, look no further! Zero to One is the way to go.

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In What Order Should You Read Peter Thiel’s Books?

The only and #1 must-read book by Peter Thiel is Zero to One. Thiel himself has claimed that he regrets some of the things he wrote in The Diversity Myth, and all the other books are just about him or titles he recommends. For those, you can start with whichever book seems most interesting to you, but they’re all optional, really.

The one read you shouldn’t miss is Zero to One. It’s a phenomenal book about business, startups, technology, the future, and, frankly, being a good person. Read that first, then decide what’s next!

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Conclusion

Peter Thiel has greatly shaped the world we live in today. His work as a 17-year board member of Facebook alone has impacted billions of social media users, and his funds, charities, and other businesses all continue to grow and direct resources to some of our world’s most pressing problems. Thiel has also become more politically active and vocal in recent years, but while many criticize his political views, I think the most interesting things we can learn from him are about business, technology, and innovation.

If you want to build a business, change the world, or simply think like no one else around you can, I highly recommend you read Zero to One and try to understand how Thiel’s mind works. I hope our unconventional list of Peter Thiel books will help you in that regard. What are you waiting for? The future is yours to build!

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Other Book Lists by Author

Looking for more books by the world’s most celebrated authors? Here are all of the book lists by the author we’ve curated for you:

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Other Book Lists by Topic

Looking for more of the best books on various topics? Here are all the book lists we’ve made for you so far:

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The first time I heard about Tim Ferriss was from my statistics professor (of all people!) in 2013. Back then, the American entrepreneur and author’s 4-Hour Chef had just come out, and his original #1 New York Times bestseller The 4-Hour Workweek was still going strong. If you want a full overview of all Tim Ferriss books, look no further! This is the right place.

Ferriss was born in 1977, grew up in East Hampton, New York, and struggled to finish his degree in East Asian Studies at Princeton. After college, he briefly worked in sales before starting his own supplement company, BrainQUICKEN, which he eventually automated to the point of having to work only 4 hours a week — hence the title and content of his first book.

Since selling the company, Ferriss has published five books, all of them bestsellers. He also became an angel investor, notably investing in companies like Uber, Evernote, and Shopify. He was also part of an early group pioneering the “interviewing famous people” podcast concept, and his Tim Ferriss Show has garnered over 900 million downloads to date.

We still need one of his five books as part of our 1,000-summary roster here on Four Minute Books, but we’ve decided to compile all Tim Ferriss books in order of both publication and popularity for you in the meantime. We even included a section recommending which one you should read first.

You can easily navigate this list by clicking on whichever section interests you the most in the below table of contents. For each book, we’ve included an image of the cover, a 1-sentence-summary, and our favorite quote. We will also share our most important takeaways and why you might want to read the book yourself.

If you want to dive deeper into any book, click the “Read on Four Minute Books” button or use one of our Amazon affiliate links to buy a copy for yourself. So, without further ado, here’s the complete list of Tim Ferriss books!

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All Tim Ferriss Books (in Chronological Order)

1. The 4-Hour Workweek (2007)

Favorite Quote

“Doing something unimportant well does not make it important.” – Tim Ferriss

The Book in One Sentence

The 4-Hour Workweek is the step-by-step blueprint to free yourself from the shackles of a corporate job, create a business to fund the lifestyle of your dreams, and live life like a millionaire, without actually having to be one.

Why should you read it?

This book is all about optimizing your work so you can spend your life doing whatever is meaningful to you. More than just full of productivity hacks, however, it explains the process of starting a company from scratch, carefully guiding you every step of the way. It’ll show you what mistakes to avoid, how to test ideas cheaply, and how to not end up down a rabbit hole you don’t want to be in. Tim will help you identify what you want from work, eliminate the areas you cannot live with, and automate what you can. If you’re not yet fully satisfied with your career, read this book.

Key Takeaways

1. Be effective, not efficient.
2. Validate all of your business ideas.
3. Charge a premium to make your life easier.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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2. The 4-Hour Body (2010)

Favorite Quote

“The decent method you follow is better than the perfect method you quit.” – Tim Ferriss

The Book in One Sentence

The 4-Hour Body is a complete guide to hacking your health, helping you achieve anything from rapid fat loss and quick muscle gain to better sleep, sex, and extreme athletic performance.

Why should you read it?

There is a wealth of information in this book, and it has helped people lose weight, get stronger, and run faster. Personally, I used the book to try a new diet, cure a Vitamin D deficiency, and bring my testosterone to healthier levels. This book is about getting the maximum benefit from the minimum input – but that ‘minimum input’ will still require effort and dedication. Don’t think of this as a book that you need to read from cover to cover. You can use it to optimize just one small part of your health, then set it aside and come back later if you want to tackle another area of your fitness. If there’s anything you want to change about your health, I’d recommend this book.

Key Takeaways

1. Make managing your health too simple rather than too complicated.
2. Start tracking data points of things you want to improve.
3. A Harajuku Moment is what really helps you commit to making changes.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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3. The 4-Hour Chef (2012)

Favorite Quote

“When you have the best and tastiest ingredients, you can cook very simply and the food will be extraordinary because it tastes like what it is.” – Tim Ferriss

The Book in One Sentence

The 4-Hour Chef is not just a cookbook but a choose-your-own-adventure guide to the world of rapid learning, breaking down what it takes to learn and master any skill quickly, using lots of delicious recipes as examples.

Why should you read it?

The 4-Hour Chef is a guide on how to maximize your potential in life while having the most possible fun. It’s a speed-learning book that uses cooking as its main example. The first 100 pages are dedicated to “meta-learning,” and that might be the most fascinating section of the book. More than just making you a star in the kitchen, it’ll show you how to shine in other areas of your life. If you want to learn new things faster, this book will help you crack the code and take your learning ability to new levels.

Key Takeaways

1. What you learn is always more important than how specifically you’re trying to master it. Eliminate everything you don’t need, and you’re halfway there!
2. Use the “DiSSS” framework to learn anything: Deconstruct, Select, Sequence, and create real Stakes.
3. To remember what you learn, use the acronym “CaFE:” Compress, frequently practice, and encode your knowledge.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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4. Tools of Titans (2016)

Favorite Quote

“The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion.” – Tim Ferriss

The Book in One Sentence

Tools Of Titans is a massive compendium of everything Tim Ferriss has learned about health, wealth, and wisdom from interviewing over 200 world-class performers on his podcast, The Tim Ferriss Show.

Why should you read it?

If you know your field, what you need help with, or even some of the experts Tim has interviewed and want to pick individual people’s brains, Tools Of Titans is a great go-to resource. The book gathers the best ideas from over 200 of his podcast interviews, sorted by people. If you want to flourish in your personal development, health, starting a business, or your investments, then this book is highly recommended. 

Key Takeaways

1. There is no formulaic path to health, wealth, or wisdom.
2. One of the first things you should learn to combat is peer pressure.
3. You can only be creative if your life offers you the space to be creative in.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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5. Tribe of Mentors (2017)

Favorite Quote

“Often, all that stands between you and what you want is a better set of questions.” – Tim Ferriss

The Book in One Sentence

Tribe Of Mentors is a collection of over 100 mini-interviews in which some of the world’s most successful people share their ideas about habits, learning, money, relationships, failure, success, and life.

Why should you read it?

This is described as a ‘choose-your-own-adventure’ book, but it’s better than that. It’s a ‘flip-to-a-random-page-and-learn-something’ book, perfect for reading in short, daily doses. However, you can just as well filter the advice strategically if you want to come up with a more elaborate plan. If you are curious about some of the habits and preferences of successful people, chasing a certain, big goal, or want to create the life of your dreams, this book is for you.

Key Takeaways

1. Failure holds a lot of chances if you look for them.
2. Learning to say no in new ways helps you make a long-term habit of it.
3. Always check why you should not take someone’s advice, then decide if you’ll listen.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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Tim Ferriss Books by Popularity

Want to know which Tim Ferriss books are the most popular? Here’s a short reorder of the list based on the total number of Amazon ratings, ranked from most to least.

1. The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich (⭐️ 19,100+ Ratings ⭐️)
2. Tools Of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers (⭐️ 7,700+ Ratings ⭐️)
3. The 4-Hour Body: An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat-Loss, Incredible Sex, and Becoming Superhuman (⭐️ 6,600+ Ratings ⭐️)
4. Tribe Of Mentors: Short Life Advice from the Best in the World  (⭐️ 3,100+ Ratings ⭐️)
5. The 4-Hour Chef: The Simple Path to Cooking Like a Pro, Learning Anything, and Living the Good Life (⭐️ 2,800+ Ratings ⭐️)

The 4-Hour Workweek alone has sold over 2.1 million copies, and I’m sure the others have sold more than another million combined. As of 2022, Tim Ferriss has an estimated net worth of over $100 million, mostly thanks to some of his very successful, early startup investments. Regardless of his wealth, however, Tim always puts a ton of research and effort into his books, which makes him a must-read non-fiction author.

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In What Order Should You Read Tim Ferriss’s Books?

Which of Tim Ferriss’s books should you read first? If you ask us, here’s the order in which reading his books makes the most logical sense based on their topics:

1. The 4-Hour Workweek: This book is written for all those who are delaying their life and happiness until retirement. Why not live right now?. In this book, Ferriss will show you how to reap the rewards of working without waiting until the end of your career. It is also his seminal book and thus worth starting with.
2. The 4-Hour Body: After your work, why not figure out your health next? In this book, you’ll find the collective knowledge of dozens of doctors and elite athletes, and the results of thousands of hours of jaw-dropping personal experimentation. Pick a habit to build or problem to solve, and go!
3. The 4-Hour Chef: Once you’ve learned how to thrive at work and stay healthy, it’s a good time to learn how to learn anything! Read the first 100 pages to master accelerated learning of any skill, then enjoy the practical cooking and recipe tips.
4. Tools Of Titans: Since this is more of a collection of tips for when you need inspiration or to solve a specific problem, it makes sense to keep this on your shelf and go back to it as you need it. If you use it at the right moments, the many tips, tools, and tactics shared by Tim’s interviewees can help you answer life’s most challenging questions, achieve extraordinary results, and transform your life.
5. Tribe Of Mentors: This is a shorter, more inspiration-focused version of Tools Of Titans, and thus also worth keeping on your shelf and pulling out on occasion. Tim went out to ask 100 people for their advice when he turned 40 and found himself a bit directionless, and the resulting, short little quotes and tips never fail to inspire.

No matter which of these Tim Ferris books you pick first, you can expect exceptional ideas on how to better yourself and live a more fulfilling life.

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Conclusion

Tim Ferriss is one of the world’s most influential voices today. His books help us improve ourselves in the best way possible — and then we can go out and help others! Whatever area of life interests you the most, be it work, health, or learning new things, pick one of his books, browse it a bit, and see what new ideas you will find. We hope this list will help you make a choice and get started!

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Other Book Lists by Author

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Simon Sinek is one of the most influential American authors and inspirational speakers alive today. Born on October 9, 1973, in Wimbledon in the United Kingdom, you most likely know him from his TED talk with over 60 million views. If you’re looking for a full list of all Simon Sinek books, you’ve come to the right place.

In said talk, Sinek shared the main idea from his 2009 bestselling book, Start With Why (2009). Drawing three concentric circles on a whiteboard, he explained that the best leaders and organizations inspire others to take action by communicating first why they do what they do, then how they do it, then what — and most people and businesses do it the other way around! The success of the talk and book created a massive ripple effect around the world and catapulted him to near-overnight fame. Sinek is now one of the best-selling authors and key authorities on leadership and business.

Sinek lives in the US and holds a B.A. in cultural anthropology from Brandeis University. He later pursued Law at London’s City University but left and instead studied advertising, beginning his writing career at ad agencies Euro RSCG and Ogilvy & Mather. Now he runs his own business.

Simon is known to be a diehard optimist who believes in everyone’s ability to build a great future together. Sinek’s “Just Cause,” a concept he introduced in The Infinite Game (2018), is “to build a world in which the vast majority of people wake up inspired, feel safe at work and return home fulfilled at the end of the day.” That is his mission, and his personal WHY for that mission is “to inspire people to do what inspires them so that together we can each change our world for the better.”

So far, Sinek has written five books, many of them bestsellers. Leaders Eat Last (2014) landed on both the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller list. You can already find 3 of his 5 books in our 1,000-summary index here on Four Minute Books, but we thought we’d compile all of them for you, ranked by both publication date and popularity. We’ve even included a section where we recommend which one you should read first.

You can easily navigate this list by clicking on whichever section interests you the most in the below table of contents. For each of Sinek’s books, we’ve included an image of the cover, a 1-sentence-summary, and our favorite quote. We’ll also share our most important takeaways and why you might want to read the book yourself.

If you want to dive deeper into any given book, simply click the “Read on Four Minute Books” button or use one of our Amazon affiliate links to buy a copy for yourself. Without further ado, here’s the full list of Simon Sinek books!

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All Simon Sinek Books (in Chronological Order)

1. Start With Why (2009)

Favorite Quote

“People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.” — Simon Sinek

The Book in One Sentence

Start With Why is Simon Sinek’s mission to help others do work which inspires them and uses real-world examples of great leaders to show you how they communicate and how you can adapt their mindset to inspire others yourself.

Why should you read it?

If you want to do better work, further your career, or become a great leader, this book is for you. It’ll teach you how to inspire action in others. This book will help you find your WHY and HOW, giving you detailed explanations, case studies, and instructions on how to identify and embrace a powerful cause and mission. By the end of this, you’ll have a simple, concise formulation of your mission and purpose, usually no more than a sentence or two. Powerful stuff!

Key Takeaways

1. 1. If you want to inspire others, always communicate your why first.
   2. Excited employees are the best resource for any business.
   3. You don’t need sleazy sales tactics when you start with why.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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2. Leaders Eat Last (2014)

Favorite Quote

“It is not the genius at the top giving directions that makes people great. It is great people that make the guy at the top look like a genius.” — Simon Sinek

The Book in One Sentence

Leaders Eat Last teaches you where the need for leadership comes from historically, what the consequences of bad leadership are, and how you can be a good leader in the modern world.

Why should you read it?

In this book, Sinek takes our understanding of organizations and why (or why not) they succeed to the next level. More than just knowing what makes good and bad leadership, you’ll get new perspectives on how people think in general. If you are looking for a book that takes a very human approach at leadership, a book that will not just tell you how to lead but how to become better as a person, you should read this book.

Key Takeaways

1. Safety means progress.
2. Responsibility means actually caring about people.
3. Technology has turned us into performance addicts.

If you want to learn more, you can read our free four-minute summary or get a copy for yourself.

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3. Together Is Better (2016)

Favorite Quote

“Working hard for something we don’t care about is called stress. Working hard for something we love is called passion.” — Simon Sinek

The Book in One Sentence

Together Is Better is a wonderful, uplifting story about change, growing up, and staying young at heart while not forgetting about the people around us, ideal to get some daily inspiration, say thanks to someone you admire, or give as a gift to someone you love.

Why should you read it?

Sinek wrote this book as a gift to those who want to inspire other people. It’s also for people who want to thank those who have inspired them. The book contains a simple story in just a few pages and pictures, but one that has a profound lesson and impact. It draws on the simplicity and effectiveness of children’s books. This little book is designed to uplift and make people smile. You can keep it for yourself to read, but it also works really well if you give it to someone you are grateful to and for.

Key Takeaways

1. It takes courage to ask for help, not to try and do everything by yourself.
2. A team is not a group of people that work together. A team is a group of people that trust each other.
3. When we fight against something, we’ll focus on what we hate. When we fight for something, we’ll focus on what we love.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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4. Find Your Why (2017)

Favorite Quote

“Fulfillment is a right and not a privilege.” — Simon Sinek

The Book in One Sentence

Find Your Why is an actionable guide to discovering your mission in life, figuring out how you can live it on a daily basis, and sharing it with the world.

Why should you read it?

If you liked Start With Why, Find Your Why is a good addendum and extension. It’s more practical, with lots of exercises and real-world scenarios, so if you liked the message of Start With Why but felt stuck in applying it to your own life, this book may be the solution. Besides outlining the process for individuals, the book also includes ideas for team workshops and businesses, which rounds it all out nicely.

Key Takeaways

1. You can find your WHY by going through events from your past that had a big impact on you.
2. Knowing HOW you work will allow you to live your WHY as best as possible.
3. After you’ve figured out your purpose in life, share it whenever you get a chance.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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5. The Infinite Game (2019)

Favorite Quote

“Our lives are finite, but life is infinite. We are the finite players in the infinite game of life. We come and go, we’re born and we die, and life still continues with us or without us.” — Simon Sinek

The Book in One Sentence

The Infinite Game explains that the world of work and business is an infinite game that requires a long-term mindset, and it will show you how to acquire this mindset and use it to advance your cause, support others, and win in life by being ethical, positive, and service-oriented.

Why should you read it?

This book will show you that poor businesses and leaders only focus on tomorrow, whereas great companies and teams focus on the next generation. It will instill a long-term perspective in you and help you build a healthy organization or contribute to one. Any leader that seeks to create a legacy will find this book eye-opening and extremely helpful. If you are looking to make a true impact through your work and leave a lasting legacy, this book is for you.

Key Takeaways

1. Infinite games are all around us.
2. To succeed in the infinite game of business, one must have a Just Cause.
3. There is no winning in an infinite game. The best we can do is to set ourselves and others up well so we can keep playing.

If you want to learn more, you can click below or get a copy for yourself.

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Simon Sinek Books by Popularity

Want to know which Simon Sinek books are the most popular? Here’s a short reorder of the list based on the total number of Amazon ratings, ranked from most to least.

1. Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action (⭐️ 26,000+ Ratings ⭐️)
2. Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t (⭐️ 11,400+ Ratings ⭐️)
3. The Infinite Game (⭐️ 5,700+ Ratings ⭐️)
4. Find Your Why: A Practical Guide for Discovering Purpose for You and Your Team (⭐️ 3,700+ Ratings ⭐️)
5. Together Is Better (⭐️ 2,100+ Ratings ⭐️)

Sinek’s books have sold millions of copies. Start With Why has sold over one million units alone. Aside from his great advocacy in leadership, Sinek has used the success of his books to build The Optimism Company, a business aimed at making the world (and its organizations) a place where people believe good, do good, and help others. 

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In What Order Should You Read Simon Sinek’s Books?

Which of Simon Sinek’s books should you read first? If you ask us, here’s the order in which reading his books makes the most logical sense based on their topics:

1. Start With Why: This book will show you the core concept holding all of Sinek’s work together, and it’ll help you understand your inner, powerful, driving force. The Golden Circle lies at the heart of every remarkable organization and revolutionary movement. It all starts with WHY.
2. Find Your Why: This book will help you identify your personal WHY, now that you understand the concept. It’ll also show you how to bring it to life both in your career and your life.
3. Leaders Eat Last: This one will bring your understanding of WHY to the next level when it comes to your work and career. It shows you that, to be a great leader, you must understand your organization’s WHY, and the book will help you not just do that but also use this knowledge to spur your company on to success.
4. The Infinite Game: In this book, Sinek will show you how to apply the ideas from James P. Carse’s Finite and Infinite Games to topics of business and leadership. It’ll help you take a long-term view without being swayed by short-term adversities. Learn to create an epic legacy in the infinite game of life!
5. Together Is Better: This small book is a token of gratitude, ideal as a gift for family and team members, but also inspiring to read through for yourself! It is full of inspiration, reminding you that it’s okay to ask for help — and also help others discover their own courage. It’s a charming story about change and growing up while staying young at heart. A nice pick-me-up on any given day!

And? Do you already know which of Sinek’s books you’ll read first? We hope this list will help you decide. Regardless of which one you’ll pick up first, you’re bound to find some inspiration. All of Sinek’s books are made to inspire you so that you may inspire others in turn.

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Conclusion

Simon Sinek’s writing is always uplifting, insightful, and forward-looking. You could do worse than to read a bunch (or even all) of his books. We hope this list will help you pick your favorite and get started! Happy reading!

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Other Book Lists by Author

Looking for more books by the world’s most celebrated authors? Here are all of the book lists by author we’ve curated for you:

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Other Book Lists by Topic

Looking for more of the best books on various topics? Here are all the book lists we’ve made for you so far:

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