Books Recommended by Ryan Holiday
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The Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects
Giorgio Vasari
Source: "A friend and peer of Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Raphael Titian and all the other great minds of the Renaissance sat down in 1550 and wrote biographical sketches of the people he knew or had influenced him." - Ryan Holiday
1 recommenderTotto-Chan
The Little Girl at the Window
Tetsuko Kuroyanagi
Source: "Has sold something like 5 million copies in Japan alone (an insane number). Totto-Chan is a special figure in modern Japanese culture—she is a celebrity on par with Oprah or Ellen." - Ryan Holiday
1 recommenderLetters to His Son on the Art of Becoming a Man of the World and a Gentleman
The Earl of Chesterfield
Source: "[The author] wrote his letters to his illegitimate son, tutoring him on how to learn, how to think, how to act, how to deal with important people. I don’t agree with all his advice but most of it is great." - Ryan Holiday
1 recommenderLetters from a Self-Made Merchant to His Son
George Horace Lorimer
Source: "The (supposedly) preserved correspondence between Old Gorgon Graham, a self-made millionaire in Chicago, and his son who is coming of age and entering the family business." - Ryan Holiday
1 recommenderBoyd
The Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of War
Robert Coram
Source: "Probably the greatest post-WWII military strategist; he developed the F-15 and F-16, revolutionized ground tactics in war and covertly designed the US battle plans for the Gulf War." - Ryan Holiday
2 recommenders- 2 recommenders
Meditations
Marcus Aurelius
Source: "The private thoughts of the most powerful man in the world, admonishing himself on how to be better, more just, more immune to temptation, wiser." - Ryan Holiday
Sherman
Soldier, Realist, American
B. H. Liddell Hart
Source: "This was someone I knew little about before I read the book, and by the end of it found myself referencing and thinking of him constantly." - Ryan Holiday
1 recommenderSex on the Brain
The Biological Differences Between Men and Women
Deborah Blum
Source: "One of the better books on evolutionary biology that focuses almost entirely on the biological and psychological differences between men and women." - Ryan Holiday
1 recommenderTitan
The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr.
Ron Chernow
Source: "I found Rockefeller to be strangely stoic, incredibly resilient, and, despite his reputation as a robber baron, humble and compassionate." - Ryan Holiday
The Road
Cormac McCarthy
Source: "Read it when you have kids. When I finished this book, [I] walked into my son's room when he was asleep, sat on the floor, and I just wept." - Ryan Holiday
Bird by Bird
Some Instructions on Writing and Life
Anne Lamott
Source: "Ostensibly about the art of writing, but really it too is about life and how to tackle the problems, temptations and opportunities life throws at us." - Ryan Holiday
The Moral Sayings Of Publius Syrus
A Roman Slave (1855)
Publius Syrus
Source: "A Syrian slave in the first century BC, Publius Syrus is a fountain of quick, helpful wisdom that you cannot help but recall and apply to your life." - Ryan Holiday
1 recommenderMan's Search for Meaning
Viktor E. Frankl
Source: "Looks at how we find purpose by dedicating ourselves to a cause, learning to love and finding a meaning to our suffering." - Ryan Holiday
36 recommendersAniela GregorekBryan JohnsonChelsea HandlerChip ConleyDaniel PinkDave ElitchDavid BlaineDustin MoskovitzEmma WatsonEsther PerelEv WilliamsFedor HolzJim KwikJimmy FallonJocko WillinkJordan PetersonLex FridmanMaria PopovaMichael GervaisNaval RavikantRyan HolidaySam AltmanSimon SinekTerry CrewsTony RobbinsTuria PittPewDiePieShane ParrishMark MansonPhil JacksonTom BilyeuMichael HyattAlastair HumphreysSteve KerrRobin BlackPatrick Bet-DavidFragments
Heraclitus
Source: "A bit poetic. But those beautiful lines are really the same direct advice and timeless, perspective-changing observations." - Ryan Holiday
1 recommenderAverage Is Over
Powering America Beyond the Age of the Great Stagnation
Tyler Cowen
Source: "Changes how you see the future and help explain real pain points in our new economy–both good and bad." - Ryan Holiday
1 recommenderThe Epic of Gilgamesh
Anonymous
Source: "I read this on my honeymoon (probably the only person on the beach reading it, if I had to guess)." - Ryan Holiday
2 recommendersEndurance
Shackleton's Incredible Voyage
Alfred Lansing
Source: "This book (and his life) were living proof of his family motto: 'Fortitudine vincimus' (By endurance we conquer)." - Ryan Holiday
Tiny Beautiful Things
Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar
Cheryl Strayed
Source: "Contains some of the most cogent insights on life, pain, loss, love, success, youth that I have ever seen." - Ryan Holiday
The Moral Animal
Why We Are, the Way We Are
Robert Wright
Source: "The definitive beginner text on evolutionary psychology and one of the easiest to get into." - Ryan Holiday
2 recommenders
FAQ
Where can people find Ryan Holiday book recommendations?
You can find a comprehensive list of Ryan Holiday book recommendations on our website, Most Recommended Books. We curate extensive book lists featuring Ryan's top picks from various genres including nonfiction books, fiction books, history nonfiction, and philosophy books. Each recommendation links directly to Amazon where you can read reviews and get more information about the books. To enhance your ryan reading journey, we show curated selections that reflect his deep engagement with literature.
What holiday book does Ryan Holiday's reading list typically include?
Ryan's reading list usually encompasses a wide range of genres, with a strong emphasis on philosophy books and history nonfiction. On our website, we present reading lists that cover his favorite reads from his experience through the times. For avid readers interested in Ryan's perspective, our lists offer a valuable resource for finding compelling titles.
How often does Ryan Holiday update his book recommendations?
Ryan Holiday updates his book recommendations periodically throughout the year. He often adds new titles to his list, reflecting his latest reads and interests. By checking back on our site frequently, you'll stay informed about his latest and most favored book recommendations. We offer a free trial period during which you can receive notifications about updates to Ryan Holiday's book lists.
What are some of the top books that Ryan Holiday recommends?
The top books that Ryan Holiday recommends range from profound philosophy to gripping history and powerful fiction. He recommends books that have had a significant impact on his thinking and writing. On our site, each book includes Amazon reviews to give you a sense of other readers' experiences with ryanholiday's suggested literature.
Can I get Ryan Holiday books on your site?
While we don't sell books directly, we feature all of the Ryan Holiday books with links to purchase them on Amazon. From his well-known works to the latest releases, you're just one click away from adding his influential titles to your personal collection.
I heard Ryan Holiday includes Blinkist summaries in his book reading lists. Is that true?
Ryan Holiday has mentioned the use of Blinkist in his reading process, which provides concise summaries of books. Our website does not provide Blinkist summaries, but we share Ryan Holiday book recommendations, and through our platform, you can access full versions of each book on Amazon. This way, you can experience the books in their entirety or look for summaries elsewhere if you prefer.
What criteria are used for selecting books for the Ryan Holiday book lists?
Selection for the Ryan Holiday book lists is grounded on a few key criteria: the goodreads rating of a book, its relevancy to Ryan's personal philosophy and learning quest, as well as the collective amazon reviews from other readers. The recommendations reflect both Ryan Holiday's favorite reads and books that align with his intellectual pursuits in his own writing journey.
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