If you’re in need of a good book suggestion, why not pick up one of...
Reads with Ravi@readswithravi
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Mar 31, 2024
~8 min read
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If you’re in need of a good book suggestion, why not pick up one of Joe Rogan’s favorite books. It covers a wide range of topics and has been recommended multiple times on the JRE podcast.
These books have helped shape Rogan’s worldview.
25 books recommended by @joerogan 🧵
These books have helped shape Rogan’s worldview.
25 books recommended by @joerogan 🧵
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1) Breath by James Nestor
This book is awesome. Most people have no idea how to do breathing exercises and how beneficial they are.
I learned a lot from his book and I’ve been using the methods I learned from his book and I can tell you there are absolutely some real benefits to be had from this.
This book is awesome. Most people have no idea how to do breathing exercises and how beneficial they are.
I learned a lot from his book and I’ve been using the methods I learned from his book and I can tell you there are absolutely some real benefits to be had from this.
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2) The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt
I really can’t recommend this book enough. It’s one of the best and most insightful books I’ve ever read.
This book is just amazing for helping you recognize errors in thinking and personal biases that we all experience. It really gets to the roots of what makes people happy and unhappy rather than being some sort of a positive thinking, motivational book. Just outstanding stuff that you can really apply in day-to-day life.
I really can’t recommend this book enough. It’s one of the best and most insightful books I’ve ever read.
This book is just amazing for helping you recognize errors in thinking and personal biases that we all experience. It really gets to the roots of what makes people happy and unhappy rather than being some sort of a positive thinking, motivational book. Just outstanding stuff that you can really apply in day-to-day life.
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3) The Immortality Key by Brian C. Muraresku
The culmination of a 12-year obsession into the mystery of the ancient Greeks and their use of psychedelics to find God. It’s a mind blower of a discussion.
The culmination of a 12-year obsession into the mystery of the ancient Greeks and their use of psychedelics to find God. It’s a mind blower of a discussion.
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4) Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
I really enjoying “Sapiens” by Yuval Noah Harari. It really puts in perspective how bizarre human beings are. It’s an awesome overview of our species. It’s really good.
I really enjoying “Sapiens” by Yuval Noah Harari. It really puts in perspective how bizarre human beings are. It’s an awesome overview of our species. It’s really good.
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5) The Terminal List by Jack Carr
The great and powerful Jack Carr is a really amazing writer.
You want an awesome story about a navy SEAL? Get one written by an actual SEAL. There’s no substitute. And in Jack’s case, he’s a real student of the genre. I’m blown away by how compelling these books are, and Jack couldn’t be a nicer, cooler guy.
He also recommends True Believer and Son Savage by Jack Carr.
The great and powerful Jack Carr is a really amazing writer.
You want an awesome story about a navy SEAL? Get one written by an actual SEAL. There’s no substitute. And in Jack’s case, he’s a real student of the genre. I’m blown away by how compelling these books are, and Jack couldn’t be a nicer, cooler guy.
He also recommends True Believer and Son Savage by Jack Carr.
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6) Empire of the Summer Moon by S. C. Gwynne
It's a fantastic book, there is so much good stuff in there. It was so sad and so gripping and so riveting.
We all know that a lot of horrific things happened in the time where the settlers started making their way across the plains and headed west, but God you just did such a fantastic job of sort of bringing it to life. I mean the horrors of it all. I knew that kind of stuff had taken place, but I'd really never read it so graphically depicted.
It's a fantastic book, there is so much good stuff in there. It was so sad and so gripping and so riveting.
We all know that a lot of horrific things happened in the time where the settlers started making their way across the plains and headed west, but God you just did such a fantastic job of sort of bringing it to life. I mean the horrors of it all. I knew that kind of stuff had taken place, but I'd really never read it so graphically depicted.
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7) Ladies and Gentlemen, Lenny Bruce!! by Albert Goldman
Required reading for aspiring stand ups. I’ve had this book for 25 years. A genuine classic.
Required reading for aspiring stand ups. I’ve had this book for 25 years. A genuine classic.
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8) Black Elk by Joe Jackson
My obsession with Native American history books continues, and with “Black Elk” I’ve found my favorite one yet. It was written in 1932 with notes that the author took from listening to the words of Black Elk as translated to English by his son.
Black Elk was an Oglala Lakota Medicine Man and his stories are absolutely incredible. Definitely feels the most authentic of all the books I’ve gotten into so far, because it’s the actual words of a man who lived this life, told while he was alive.
My obsession with Native American history books continues, and with “Black Elk” I’ve found my favorite one yet. It was written in 1932 with notes that the author took from listening to the words of Black Elk as translated to English by his son.
Black Elk was an Oglala Lakota Medicine Man and his stories are absolutely incredible. Definitely feels the most authentic of all the books I’ve gotten into so far, because it’s the actual words of a man who lived this life, told while he was alive.
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9) Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
It's really wild when you think about how long that guy lived and how applicable some of his thoughts are today.
It's really wild when you think about how long that guy lived and how applicable some of his thoughts are today.
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10) The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
“The War of Art” is my favorite motivational book. It cuts through the bullshit of procrastination and gives you the tools and the inspiration to get moving and to create.
I used to keep a stack of them in the studio to hand out to guests. I haven’t picked it up in a while, and since I’m always looking for fuel to get more out of my life, I decided to grab the audio book. It’s as awesome and useful as I remember. I can’t recommend it enough.
“The War of Art” is my favorite motivational book. It cuts through the bullshit of procrastination and gives you the tools and the inspiration to get moving and to create.
I used to keep a stack of them in the studio to hand out to guests. I haven’t picked it up in a while, and since I’m always looking for fuel to get more out of my life, I decided to grab the audio book. It’s as awesome and useful as I remember. I can’t recommend it enough.
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11) Chaos by Tom O’Neill
I can’t recommend this book enough, it’s an INSANE story that took Tom O’Neill 20 years to write.
I can’t recommend this book enough, it’s an INSANE story that took Tom O’Neill 20 years to write.
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12) Fingerprints of the Gods by Graham Hancock
Graham Hancock has influenced my views on history more than anybody ever. In Fingerprints of the Gods, Hancock theorizes that a previously unknown ancient civilization was much older and far more advanced than we’ve been led to believe was possible.
A cataclysmic event erased them from history and a few survivors traveled the world to spread their knowledge to civilizations in Egypt and the Americas. Recounting his extensive travels to megalithic sites, Hancock attempts to solve this mystery using maps, ancient myths and astronomy. Recent discoveries continue to move back the timeline of ancient history.
Graham Hancock has influenced my views on history more than anybody ever. In Fingerprints of the Gods, Hancock theorizes that a previously unknown ancient civilization was much older and far more advanced than we’ve been led to believe was possible.
A cataclysmic event erased them from history and a few survivors traveled the world to spread their knowledge to civilizations in Egypt and the Americas. Recounting his extensive travels to megalithic sites, Hancock attempts to solve this mystery using maps, ancient myths and astronomy. Recent discoveries continue to move back the timeline of ancient history.
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13) Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins
This book will change your fucking life. It’s time to go to war with yourself.
Rogan says Never Finished is as good if not better than the first book.
This book will change your fucking life. It’s time to go to war with yourself.
Rogan says Never Finished is as good if not better than the first book.
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14) Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell
Gladwell is one of Rogan’s favorite authors and three of his books appear on this reading list (Outliers and The Tipping Point being the other two).
In Talking to Strangers, Gladwell examines high profile cases from the news where an interaction between people who don’t know each other goes wrong. He argues that people don’t know how to talk to strangers which often leads to misunderstanding and unnecessary conflict.
Gladwell is one of Rogan’s favorite authors and three of his books appear on this reading list (Outliers and The Tipping Point being the other two).
In Talking to Strangers, Gladwell examines high profile cases from the news where an interaction between people who don’t know each other goes wrong. He argues that people don’t know how to talk to strangers which often leads to misunderstanding and unnecessary conflict.
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15) Food of the Gods by Terence McKenna
McKenna was an ethnobotanist and psychonaut who greatly influenced my views on psychedelics and consciousness.
In Food of the Gods, he explores the role that plants, drugs and altered states of consciousness have played throughout human history.
His underlying message is that humans need to revive their historical relationship with psychoactive plants in order to avoid destroying the planet and themselves.
McKenna was an ethnobotanist and psychonaut who greatly influenced my views on psychedelics and consciousness.
In Food of the Gods, he explores the role that plants, drugs and altered states of consciousness have played throughout human history.
His underlying message is that humans need to revive their historical relationship with psychoactive plants in order to avoid destroying the planet and themselves.
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16) Stealing Fire by Steven Kotler
It’s an excellent book on the power of meditation and alternate states of consciousness on performance.
It’s an excellent book on the power of meditation and alternate states of consciousness on performance.
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17) The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi
Musashi has been a constant source of inspiration for me for most of my life. The Book of Five Rings is, in my opinion, one of the most valuable things anyone has ever written.
Musashi has been a constant source of inspiration for me for most of my life. The Book of Five Rings is, in my opinion, one of the most valuable things anyone has ever written.
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18) The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday
I’m a work in progress. I’m sure I will always be. Being a human is a weird thing; we are a complicated compilation of thoughts and feelings carried around by a body that requires constant maintenance and attention just to have enough energy to do the things we enjoy.
One of the things that I’ve found that improves my perspective is reading about how other interesting people approach this weirdness, and @RyanHoliday did a great job of compiling some very powerful and interesting thoughts in his book, “The Obstacle Is The Way.”
I feel like it’s one I’m going to go over often. There’s some great stuff in here.
I’m a work in progress. I’m sure I will always be. Being a human is a weird thing; we are a complicated compilation of thoughts and feelings carried around by a body that requires constant maintenance and attention just to have enough energy to do the things we enjoy.
One of the things that I’ve found that improves my perspective is reading about how other interesting people approach this weirdness, and @RyanHoliday did a great job of compiling some very powerful and interesting thoughts in his book, “The Obstacle Is The Way.”
I feel like it’s one I’m going to go over often. There’s some great stuff in here.
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19) A Hunter-Gatherer’s Guide to the 21st Century by Heather Heying and Bret Weinstein
A fantastic book by two amazing and brilliant friends.
A fantastic book by two amazing and brilliant friends.
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20) The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
This is my favorite guidebook to getting my mind on track.
One of the most powerful tools for managing mindset that I’ve ever found. I’m making a concerted effort to make this something I think about all the time.
This is my favorite guidebook to getting my mind on track.
One of the most powerful tools for managing mindset that I’ve ever found. I’m making a concerted effort to make this something I think about all the time.
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21) American Buffalo by Steven Rinella
It’s an excellent look at the complicated story of the Buffalo in the North America, as well as the history of the Native Americans who hunted them.
It’s also really complex look at the conflicted feelings of someone who loves wildlife but also hunts. I really enjoyed it.
It’s an excellent look at the complicated story of the Buffalo in the North America, as well as the history of the Native Americans who hunted them.
It’s also really complex look at the conflicted feelings of someone who loves wildlife but also hunts. I really enjoyed it.
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22) Zen in the Art of Archery by Eugen Herrigel
Finding the common themes that archery shares with martial arts, pool and stand-up comedy in this book. Getting to that place where you completely get out of your own way requires a shitload of work and focus. Massive dedication and thought to achieve the mind of no mind.
Finding the common themes that archery shares with martial arts, pool and stand-up comedy in this book. Getting to that place where you completely get out of your own way requires a shitload of work and focus. Massive dedication and thought to achieve the mind of no mind.
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23) In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom by Yeomni Park
Yeonmi Park shines a light not just into the darkest corners of life in North Korea, describing the deprivation and deception she endured and which millions of North Korean people continue to endure to this day, but also onto her own most painful and difficult memories.
She tells with bravery and dignity and confronts her past with a startling resilience. In spite of everything, she has never stopped being proud of where she is from, and never stopped striving for a better life.
Park’s testimony is heartbreaking and unimaginable, but never without hope. This is the human spirit at its most indomitable.
Yeonmi Park shines a light not just into the darkest corners of life in North Korea, describing the deprivation and deception she endured and which millions of North Korean people continue to endure to this day, but also onto her own most painful and difficult memories.
She tells with bravery and dignity and confronts her past with a startling resilience. In spite of everything, she has never stopped being proud of where she is from, and never stopped striving for a better life.
Park’s testimony is heartbreaking and unimaginable, but never without hope. This is the human spirit at its most indomitable.
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24) Playing Off the Rail by David McCumber
This is my all-time favorite book on the game of pool. It’s brilliantly written by David McCumber, and it came out in 1996 right when my obsession with playing was in full bloom. I’ve read it cover to cover several times.
David, and a high-level player named Tony Annigoni traveled across the country gambling against the best players they could find and documenting their adventures. I met Tony shortly after the book came out and we became friends. He was an intense, highly intelligent, and well-read man who fell in love with pool as a young kid and never let go of it. We played pool many nights together and he beat my ass and taught me some very valuable lessons. The challenge of the game was a never ending, relentlessly attractive puzzle to him, and when he was on he was as good as any of the top professionals.
This is my all-time favorite book on the game of pool. It’s brilliantly written by David McCumber, and it came out in 1996 right when my obsession with playing was in full bloom. I’ve read it cover to cover several times.
David, and a high-level player named Tony Annigoni traveled across the country gambling against the best players they could find and documenting their adventures. I met Tony shortly after the book came out and we became friends. He was an intense, highly intelligent, and well-read man who fell in love with pool as a young kid and never let go of it. We played pool many nights together and he beat my ass and taught me some very valuable lessons. The challenge of the game was a never ending, relentlessly attractive puzzle to him, and when he was on he was as good as any of the top professionals.
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25) Hacking Darwin by Jamie Metzl
I had a great time talking to the brilliant Jamie Metzl, author of “Hacking Darwin”.
The future is going to be VERY weird. Check his book out, it’s excellent.
I had a great time talking to the brilliant Jamie Metzl, author of “Hacking Darwin”.
The future is going to be VERY weird. Check his book out, it’s excellent.
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@JamieMetzl Thank you for going through the thread. Follow me at @readswithravi for more book learning, reviews, and lessons. Teach or share with others what you learn, that's how we grow.
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