Jordan Peterson is a Canadian clinical psychologist, cultural critic, and professor of psychology, widely known for his influence on modern discussions of psychology, philosophy, and society. He gained prominence through his now-famous YouTube channel, which features his university lectures, interviews, and a variety of personal and professional advice sessions. Peterson's bestselling book, "12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos," synthesizes his personal, clinical, and scholarly insights into practical advice, drawing on a range of influences from ancient texts to modern literature.
❝The purpose of life is finding the largest burden that you can bear and bearing it.❞ — Jordan Peterson
Peterson is an avid reader and often emphasizes the importance of literature and writing in understanding human psychology and societal structures. His lectures and writings are steeped in references to classic literature, religious texts, and philosophical works, demonstrating his deep engagement with various sources of wisdom throughout his career. This breadth of reading underpins his controversial but often insightful commentary on life, responsibility, and personal development.
Jordan Peterson's Favorite Books
Last Updated: June 2024
The Rise and Fall of American Growth: The U.S. Standard of Living since the Civil War
Author: Robert J. Gordon
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Date: Jan 12th, 2016
This comprehensive analysis examines the unparalleled economic growth in America from 1870 to 1970 and explores why this rapid growth was a unique episode unlikely to be repeated, assessing the challenges facing the U.S. economy today.
The Symbolic Life: Miscellaneous Writings
Author: C. G. Jung
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Date: Feb 1st, 1977
This collection of Jung's essays and lectures covers a wide range of topics, including the symbolic dimensions of human experience, the process of individuation, and the interplay between the conscious and unconscious mind.
Affective Neuroscience: The Foundations of Human and Animal Emotions
Author: Jaak Panksepp
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Date: Aug 15th, 1998
Panksepp explores the neural mechanisms underlying emotions in humans and animals, providing a foundational understanding of affective neuroscience and its implications for psychology and psychiatry.
Notice: Undefined offset: 1022 in
/var/www/ryan/data/www/vipreads.com/vip.php on line
103
Notice: Undefined offset: 999 in
/var/www/ryan/data/www/vipreads.com/vip.php on line
103
Notice: Undefined offset: 1032 in
/var/www/ryan/data/www/vipreads.com/vip.php on line
103
Earth in Human Hands: Shaping Our Planet's Future
Author: David Grinspoon
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Date: Dec 6th, 2016
Grinspoon explores humanity's role as a planetary force, examining our impact on Earth and advocating for a conscious and responsible approach to shaping the planet's future.
Notice: Undefined offset: 1057 in
/var/www/ryan/data/www/vipreads.com/vip.php on line
103
Notice: Undefined offset: 565 in
/var/www/ryan/data/www/vipreads.com/vip.php on line
103
The Maltese Falcon
Author: Dashiell Hammett
Publisher: Sanage Publishing House Llp
Date: Dec 20th, 2022
Hammett's classic noir novel follows private detective Sam Spade as he becomes entangled in a dangerous quest for a priceless statuette, navigating a web of deceit and betrayal.
Notice: Undefined offset: 938 in
/var/www/ryan/data/www/vipreads.com/vip.php on line
103
Notice: Undefined offset: 1010 in
/var/www/ryan/data/www/vipreads.com/vip.php on line
103
The Master and Margarita
Author: Mikhail Bulgakov
Publisher: Penguin Classics
Date: May 3rd, 2016
Mikhail Bulgakov's fantastical, satirical novel features the Devil visiting Soviet Russia, intertwining the lives of Margarita, her beloved Master who is an oppressed writer, and historical figures, ultimately exploring themes of good and evil, love, and redemption.
Notice: Undefined offset: 1038 in
/var/www/ryan/data/www/vipreads.com/vip.php on line
103
The Antichrist
Author: Friedrich Nietzsche
Publisher: GENERAL PRESS
Date: Sep 20th, 2019
Nietzsche's provocative work critiques Christianity and its moral framework, advocating for a reevaluation of values and the embrace of a more life-affirming philosophy.
Notice: Undefined offset: 1023 in
/var/www/ryan/data/www/vipreads.com/vip.php on line
103
Fratricides
Author: nikos-kazantzakis
Publisher: Faber Faber Inc
Date: Jan 22nd, 2025
Kazantzakis' novel portrays the brutal realities of the Greek Civil War, depicting the internal and external conflicts faced by individuals torn between ideological loyalties and familial bonds.
Notice: Undefined offset: 978 in
/var/www/ryan/data/www/vipreads.com/vip.php on line
103
Notice: Undefined offset: 984 in
/var/www/ryan/data/www/vipreads.com/vip.php on line
103
Notice: Undefined offset: 959 in
/var/www/ryan/data/www/vipreads.com/vip.php on line
103
Notice: Undefined offset: 1037 in
/var/www/ryan/data/www/vipreads.com/vip.php on line
103
The Old Man And The Sea
Author: Ernest Hemingway
Publisher: Scribner
Date: Jun 10th, 1996
This novella tells the story of Santiago, an aging fisherman who engages in an epic struggle to catch a giant marlin, symbolizing themes of perseverance, pride, and the human condition.
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat: And Other Clinical Tales
Author: Oliver Sacks
Publisher: Everyman's Library
Date: Oct 3rd, 2023
Sacks presents a series of fascinating case studies of patients with neurological disorders, offering insights into the complexities of the human brain and the profound effects of neurological impairments on identity and perception.
The Denial of Death
Author: Ernest Becker
Publisher: The Free Press
Date: Jan 22nd, 1973
Becker's Pulitzer Prize-winning work examines the role of death in human psychology, arguing that much of human behavior is driven by an unconscious fear of mortality and the desire to achieve symbolic immortality.
Man's Search for Meaning
Author: Viktor E. Frankl
Publisher: Beacon Press
Date: Jun 1st, 2006
Frankl's memoir and psychological exploration discusses his experiences in Nazi concentration camps and introduces logotherapy, a therapeutic approach centered on finding purpose in life.
East of Eden
Author: John Steinbeck
Publisher: Viking
Date: Jun 1st, 2003
John Steinbeck's sweeping saga of the Trask and Hamilton families in the Salinas Valley of California, exploring themes of sin and redemption with biblical parallels, particularly the rivalry of brothers, mirroring the story of Cain and Abel.
The House of God
Author: Samuel Shem
Publisher: Berkley
Date: Sep 7th, 2010
This satirical novel depicts the experiences of medical interns at a fictional hospital, offering a darkly humorous critique of the medical profession and the dehumanizing effects of the healthcare system.
Notice: Undefined offset: 1030 in
/var/www/ryan/data/www/vipreads.com/vip.php on line
103