The book I’ve read the most. It’s also my first recommendation for those wanting an intro to Stoicism. I find it neat to see what Marcus Aurelius, the last good emperor of Rome and most powerful man in the world, was thinking about on a daily basis.

Few books have changed my life like this one. These 12 rules will really make you think and evaluate your life in a meaningful way. I recommend it to everyone and it is easily one of the books I talk most about.

My gold standard for leadership education. As a former coach, I can’t recommend this book enough to coaches, athletes, and everyone else not in those two categories. Jocko Willink will set you straight.

This book is a really neat read. Seneca wrote a bunch of letters on life advice to his friend while nearing the end of his own life. It reads like a friend writing to you in a way and makes for a unique experience in Stoicism.

My all time favorite biography. Ron Chernow is an amazing writer and Ulysses S. Grant is probably my favorite character in history. Highly recommend learning about his life.

Another great biography from Ron Chernow. George Washington is one of the most significant characters in American history and everyone should take the time to learn about the life of the father of our country.

Everyone knows the musical, but this is the book that inspired the musical. It tells the story of Alexander Hamilton in much better depth and I highly recommend it for those looking to round out their knowledge on the founding era.

This is a great supplemental piece to Seneca’s letters. It’s much shorter but has some really great passages in it. Definitely one you should check out if you are interested in Stoicism.

If you are interested in the mysteries and connections of ancient civilizations you will love this book. I find this stuff incredibly fascinating and Graham Hancock does a great job walking you through an intriguing hypothesis.

This story about Achilles and the Trojan War is one of my absolute favorites. The book introduces much more of the connection with the gods than any of the tv representations. Not an easy read, but worth it.

This is a great read on psychology and where we think we find happiness in life. I feel like there’s a lot of books in this kind of field out there but I highly recommend going with this one. Well worth the read.

A tremendous story of building your life up out of nothing. I can’t recommend learning about the life of Frederick Douglass enough and this book would be a great start. He is an excellent study of character for those interested.

Easily my favorite Robert Greene book. He does a great job breaking down rules to building/maintaining strong relationships. Yes, it’s through the lens of power, but it’s easy to see how you can apply these rules to your life.

This is the third pillar of the main Stoicism texts. A former slave, Epictetus is one of the best teachers you could find for yourself. This book is written like a teacher talking to you and really brings the attention towards you.

Another one that I think should be mandatory reading. This is Viktor Frankl’s account of living in a Nazi concentration camp. It’s heavy material but really offers great perspective from what was an obviously tragic experience.

Malcolm Gladwell is one of the best authors out there. He has a really great collection of books but I highly recommend you start with this one. I think it’s the most interesting of all his work.

This is Cicero’s writings on the subject of Duty. It really is a great read and will make you think about the role duty plays in your life. It’s something I feel we’ve lost touch with and is great to put more focus on.

Another good collection of Cicero’s writings. You get a little more variety in this as it touches on three subjects which helps keep you more engaged.

This book offers a great education on the basics of how economics work. Thomas Sowell is an unparalleled mind in this field and can definitely help you understand a topic like this. Should be mandatory reading.

A tremendous story of building your life up out of nothing. I can’t recommend learning about the life of Frederick Douglass enough and this book would be a great start. He is an excellent study of character for those interested.

Another great biography from Ron Chernow. George Washington is one of the most significant characters in American history and everyone should take the time to learn about the life of the father of our country.

My all time favorite biography. Ron Chernow is an amazing writer and Ulysses S. Grant is probably my favorite character in history. Highly recommend learning about his life.

Everyone knows the musical, but this is the book that inspired the musical. It tells the story of Alexander Hamilton in much better depth and I highly recommend it for those looking to round out their knowledge on the founding era.

I won’t lie, I’m a math guy so Alan Turing is a really interesting character to me. If you’re not into math it could be tough, but his story about cracking the Nazi Enigma code is such an amazing read.

In my opinion, Calvin Coolidge may be the most underrated president in U.S. history. There, I said it. Now you should get the book and find out why I think that.

I’m not sure who would dishonor Cicero by putting this on the clearance rack, but hey, I’ll take it. This was a great read. It was really cool to see how Cicero managed the conflicts in Roman power with Caesar and others.

Okay, so I’m really a math guy. This one is an even tougher read if you’re not a math person because there’s a lot of math jargon but the story of John Nash is so unique. The movie is good too I guess.

A lot of people don’t know who the father of the American Navy is but he sure had an interesting life. John Paul Jones is someone you may not need to know about but still makes for a great character study.

It’s tough because there is so little known, much less written, about people who lived so long ago. Even Socrates. But this does as good of a job as possible talking about his life and how he impacted the study of philosophy.

Baseball fans will love this biography on Roberto Clemente. He was one of the most talented players to take the field and his life ended in a tragic plane accident.

For those sports fans out there. Vince Lombardi is one of the greatest figures in NFL history and was certainly icon to read about. Definitely recommend for football fans.

The book I’ve read the most. It’s also my first recommendation for those wanting an intro to Stoicism. I find it neat to see what Marcus Aurelius, the last good emperor of Rome and most powerful man in the world, was thinking about on a daily basis.

This book is a really neat read. Seneca wrote a bunch of letters on life advice to his friend while nearing the end of his own life. It reads like a friend writing to you in a way and makes for a unique experience in Stoicism.

This is the third pillar of the main Stoicism texts. A former slave, Epictetus is one of the best teachers you could find for yourself. This book is written like a teacher talking to you and really brings the attention towards you.

Another one that I think should be mandatory reading. This is Viktor Frankl’s account of living in a Nazi concentration camp. It’s heavy material but really offers great perspective from what was an obviously tragic experience.

A great daily reader for those practicing Stoics out there. Every day you get a nice, quick lesson to reflect on. It’s such a good way to keep up with your studies and to inject the principles of Stoicism into your life.

I prefer to read the original texts, but if you would like more of a commentary on Stoicism then definitely check this out. It goes through many of the core philosophical ideas and explains them really well.

This is a great supplemental piece to Seneca’s letters. It’s much shorter but has some really great passages in it. Definitely one you should check out if you are interested in Stoicism.

One of the lesser known Stoic authors. Given that, he still offers some unique insights that you don’t get from the other authors. I’d recommend picking this up after going through the other books.

This little book is a good supplement to one of the key ideas coming from Stoicism. I don’t find it a necessary read, but this as well as Holiday’s other books like it are a great addition to the Stoicism lineup.

Dealing with financial responsibility, I think this book should be required reading for every individual. Even if you think you’ve gotten everything figured out, it’s worth going through just to make sure you didn’t miss anything.

Gerg Gigerenzer does a great job talking about risk and decision making. This one talks about how we should trust our gut feelings more than we think. Isn’t your gut telling you to pick this up now?

Few books have changed my life like this one. These 12 rules will really make you think and evaluate your life in a meaningful way. I recommend it to everyone and it is easily one of the books I talk most about.

I’ll admit, I did not enjoy this as much the original 12 Rules, but it’s still good. You can read this one on it’s own too. It’s more geared towards getting you out of routine and helping you explore more of life’s unknown.

This is a great read on psychology and where we think we find happiness in life. I feel like there’s a lot of books in this kind of field out there but I highly recommend going with this one. Well worth the read.

Neuroplasticity. ‘Nuff said. Actually though, this is a great book about the science and theory behind the best way to build habits. Certainly a cool read if that sounds up your alley.

I thought this was a really interesting dive into mental health. This definitely will make you think deeper about the topic of mental health and I would for sure recommend this to nearly everyone out there.

1) I love the title.
2) It actually has some decent advice on things that may help you make some meaningful changes in life. It’s short and easy.

This is a unique story on how meditation can make a meaningful impact in your life. Dan Harris had a relatively large public breakdown on air and he estimated that adding meditation to his life makes him 10% happier.

If you are interested to learn what the daily routines were like for some of the most famous and well known names in history were like, look no further. Got a little old after a bit but still was interesting.

This is a light, fun introduction into mindfulness. I highly recommend the practice of mindfulness and this could serve as a great guide to get you into it.

Any of Robert Greene’s books can be read on their own but it is a good supplement to 48 Laws of Power. It has a lot of similar content to it, but is great to reinforce many of the lessons.

Easily my favorite Robert Greene book. He does a great job breaking down rules to building/maintaining strong relationships. Yes, it’s through the lens of power, but it’s easy to see how you can apply these rules to your life.

It may sound stupid but this is actually a great book. It has a few really great lessons wrapped into a neat fictional story about mice and people looking for cheese. It’s cute.

This is a really interesting book for those who are not mathematically inclined. It takes four key mathematical reasoning methods and talks about how we can appropriately use them in life. Worthwhile knowledge.

Gigerenzer does such a good job of explaining how to properly understand statistics in our daily lives in a way everyone can keep up with. As someone who has a statistics degree, I can’t recommend this book enough.

This is more of a practical suggestion that leads to a certain kind of spiritual well-being. It’s a neat little book to go through, especially if you have some cleaning up to do.

Another classic. This one has a much more personal feel than anything else on this list. If nothing else on this list sounds up your alley, you should definitely get this one.

The book I’ve read the most. It’s also my first recommendation for those wanting an intro to Stoicism. I find it neat to see what Marcus Aurelius, the last good emperor of Rome and most powerful man in the world, was thinking about on a daily basis.

One of C.S. Lewis’s most well known pieces. I enjoyed it, as it was the first commentary on Christianity that I picked up. I would definitely add this to your list of exploratory reading.

This is Cicero’s writings on the subject of Duty. It really is a great read and will make you think about the role duty plays in your life. It’s something I feel we’ve lost touch with and is great to put more focus on.

While I cannot say I agree with Christopher Hitchens any longer, he definitely has left a lasting mark. If you want a challenge to your faith I would direct you to this.

A classic. It’s also really easy to work though and I highly recommend it. There’s probably some lines you’ll recognize too. “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

This book is a really neat read. Seneca wrote a bunch of letters on life advice to his friend while nearing the end of his own life. It reads like a friend writing to you in a way and makes for a unique experience in Stoicism.

Another one that I think should be mandatory reading. This is Viktor Frankl’s account of living in a Nazi concentration camp. It’s heavy material but really offers great perspective from what was an obviously tragic experience.

Another good collection of Cicero’s writings. You get a little more variety in this as it touches on three subjects which helps keep you more engaged.

I prefer to read the original texts, but if you would like more of a commentary on Stoicism then definitely check this out. It goes through many of the core philosophical ideas and explains them really well.

This is the third pillar of the main Stoicism texts. A former slave, Epictetus is one of the best teachers you could find for yourself. This book is written like a teacher talking to you and really brings the attention towards you.

This is a great supplemental piece to Seneca’s letters. It’s much shorter but has some really great passages in it. Definitely one you should check out if you are interested in Stoicism.

This is a really interesting take on the idea of God. I would recommend this book as a way to challenge your current beliefs. There are parts that aren’t easy to get through but it’s certainly thought provoking.

This little book is a good supplement to one of the key ideas coming from Stoicism. I don’t find it a necessary read, but this as well as Holiday’s other books like it are a great addition to the Stoicism lineup.

Machiavelli’s prized work. It’s definitely a great piece to offer up some somewhat contrary opinions of other authors in this list. Makes for a good balance and will surely be thought provoking.

Another great work by Thich Nhat Hanh. However, this is much more in depth and a harder read. It’s good if you are really ready to do some thinking.

This is one of the first books I picked up. I really like it because it prompts you to think about your own personal philosophies. Highly recommend this as a way to start being more introspective.

It’s hard to recommend this as Hitchens can be really hard to read, but this is basically his account on approaching death. It’s super unique but definitely not good if you prefer lighter, more casual reading.

If you start looking into Buddhism, and the practice of mindfulness in particular, you will inevitably run into Thich Nhat Hanh. He’s a great teacher and you will like his work.

A great daily reader for those practicing Stoics out there. Every day you get a nice, quick lesson to reflect on. It’s such a good way to keep up with your studies and to inject the principles of Stoicism into your life.

This may be the toughest read I’ve ever taken on. I cannot easily recommend this book, but it’s extremely interesting and in depth. It really gives great background on Jordan Peterson’s entire body of work.

This is a light, fun introduction into mindfulness. I highly recommend the practice of mindfulness and this could serve as a great guide to get you into it.

Richard Dawkins is another prominent atheist and this book is also a good challenge to one’s faith. He’s a bit much for me now but still worth a read if you’re interested in this field.

One of the lesser known Stoic authors. Given that, he still offers some unique insights that you don’t get from the other authors. I’d recommend picking this up after going through the other books.

A quick book that anyone should be able to get through relatively fast. It’s a good intro into thinking more philosophically and reflecting on life. Try it out.

Here’s another one that will poke at your faith. I promise I’m not trying to sway you one way or another, but Sam Harris is another who makes some tough arguments to think about.

I thought this book made a really compelling case for intelligent design. There are parts where it gets bogged down in the historical record, but it really is well worth the read.

My gold standard for leadership education. As a former coach, I can’t recommend this book enough to coaches, athletes, and everyone else not in those two categories. Jocko Willink will set you straight.

The sequel to Extreme Ownership. As soon as you’re done reading that, pick this one up. It is written as a response or a follow up to the first book and should not be skipped or read in isolation.

This is such a great read about how the U.S. mishandled the Vietnam war. It’s also a tremendous case study in leadership. For a real life example of how to not lead, this is the book you want.

Easily my favorite Robert Greene book. He does a great job breaking down rules to building/maintaining strong relationships. Yes, it’s through the lens of power, but it’s easy to see how you can apply these rules to your life.

Any of Robert Greene’s books can be read on their own but it is a good supplement to 48 Laws of Power. It has a lot of similar content to it, but is great to reinforce many of the lessons.

You need to read this if you are in a position of leadership. It has changed the way I look at the process and goal of talent acquisition and should be on the top of your list, especially if you are running a business.

Great lessons in leadership can be drawn from military history. Probably not a great read for the average person due to the subject matter but is still worth a read if you like thinking strategically.

I won’t recommend this to everyone as it’s written in the context of Frederick the Great’s rule in Prussia. But there are certainly some good lessons to be had if you can parse through his command instructions.

Nuts and bolts from Jocko Willink. It’s meant to reinforce his main book Extreme Ownership but can be read standalone. It definitely get’s right to the point on how you can implement many of his lesosns in your life.

For those who like leadership in a sports context, look no further. It’s definitely an easier read than others in this list and probably one that more people, especially coaches, will be able to connect with.

Fair warning, this can be a long read if you aren’t into the nuts and bolts of military campaigns. There are great lessons here but it’s probably not one for the average person. Look at the other Robert Greene books first.

I will not recommend this unless you are into military history. Jocko Willink has some great commentary on this book, specifically about the idea of the indirect approach. I would go to him as this could be a bit of a drag for most readers.

This one might feel odd to readers, as you have no need to learn how to become a master swordsman, but hidden in this book are some great ideas on leadership. Specifically, the idea of “The Way”.

Machiavelli’s prized work. It’s definitely a great piece to offer up some somewhat contrary opinions of other authors in this list. Makes for a good balance and will surely be thought provoking.

Everyone knows this title. It’s an easy read, but I would recommend to take it slow and try to really think about how some of the lessons could apply to you. After all, you do need to “know thyself” right?

Another classic. This one has a much more personal feel than anything else on this list. If nothing else on this list sounds up your alley, you should definitely get this one.

I definitely recommend this as a means to evaluate yourself. It sets a really good template for how to appropriately and effectively compare yourself to meaningful and high standards.

As if you can’t get enough Jocko. Not a necessary read but always makes a good supplement to his other stuff.

This is seriously one of my favorite topics. There are so many fascinating structures that were built in ancient times that were designed around a connection to the stars (The Great Pyramids in Giza, Stonehenge, and more).

This book takes you through some really interesting thoughts on how certain aspects of cultures came to be. I got it because the premise sounded neat and it sure lived up to the hype.

Not to be a debbie downer but this book is about how civilizations collapsed. Sounds bleak, but it a great descriptive piece on how various societies throughout world history simply fell apart. Definitely recommend it for the history buffs out there.

If you are interested in the mysteries and connections of ancient civilizations you will love this book. I find this stuff incredibly fascinating and Graham Hancock does a great job walking you through an intriguing hypothesis.

If you liked Fingerprints of the Gods this is a great follow up. Hancock expands on his hypothesis and takes you further in depth on the incredible similarities in various cultures and the history of our world.

Paul Johnson takes you through a handful of historical figures and describes what made them stand out. It’s a good general survey of human character but in a historical context.

This is a really great synopsis on human history for those who are looking for a one stop shop. You won’t get the same kind of depth as you would elsewhere but Harari does a great job taking you through the development of the human race.

Homo Deus is a great follow up to Sapiens. It is more forward looking but builds on the history examined in the first book. I’m not sure I would read it on it’s own though. Definitely read the first book for a better experience.

A classic in literature. George Orwell had an unparalleled understanding of his times and it’s eerie to see some of the things he wrote about a long time ago coming to life in present day. A must read.

Another great piece of work from George Orwell. It’s an extremely easy read but at the same time contains a great depth of understanding about societal issues.

This is the book that got me back into reading. Paulo Coelho is amazing and this book in particular is a fantastic read. Maybe it can inspire you the way it did me.

This story about Achilles and the Trojan War is one of my absolute favorites. The book introduces much more of the connection with the gods than any of the tv representations. Not an easy read, but worth it.

I was recommended this book a long time before I decided to get it and am happy I did. Great themes about getting old, the loss of youth, and ego.

This is a fun tale that comes from ancient times and is worth reading from a historical standpoint. Our society was built on stories like this. May as well try to understand them.

This is a hard one to recommend as it makes you think “What am I reading?” half the time, but it has some interesting themes to it. It’s worth a shot though since Dostoyevsky is one of the great authors in history.