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 Greatest Works of John Milton
Author: John Milton
Publisher: Fingerprint! Publishing
Date: Aug 25th, 2024
This collection compiles Milton's most influential works, including "Paradise Lost," "Paradise Regained," and "Samson Agonistes," showcasing his mastery of epic poetry and profound theological and philosophical insights.
The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious
Author: Carl Gustav Jung
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Date: Jan 1st, 1969
Jung explores the concept of archetypes and the collective unconscious, proposing that universal, primordial images and themes shape human experiences and cultural expressions.
Our Culture, What's Left of It: The Mandarins and the Masses
Author: Theodore Dalrymple
Publisher: Ivan R. Dee
Date: May 12th, 2005
Dalrymple critiques contemporary Western culture, arguing that the erosion of traditional values and intellectual standards has led to social and moral decline.
Symbols of Transformation
Author: C. G. Jung
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Date: Sep 1st, 1967
Jung delves into the symbolic and mythological underpinnings of human psychology, exploring how transformative symbols influence personal and collective unconscious processes.
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.
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 EMOTIONAL BRAIN: The Mysterious Underpinnings of Emotional Life
Author: Joseph Ledoux
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date: Nov 12th, 1996
Ledoux explores the neural mechanisms behind emotions, revealing how the brain processes and regulates emotional experiences and their impact on behavior.
History of Religious Ideas, Volume 1: From the Stone Age to the Eleusinian Mysteries
Author: Mircea Eliade
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Date: Feb 15th, 1979
Eliade traces the development of religious ideas from prehistoric times to the ancient Greek mysteries, examining the evolution of spiritual beliefs and practices across cultures.
The Big Sleep
Author: Raymond Chandler
Publisher: SANAGE PUBLISHING HOUSE LLP
Date: Jan 16th, 2023
Chandler's classic hardboiled detective novel introduces private investigator Philip Marlowe, who navigates a labyrinth of crime and corruption while solving a complex case in Los Angeles.
For Whom The Bell Tolls
Author: Ernest Hemingway
Publisher: Macmillan Collector's Library
Date: Jul 14th, 2016
Hemingway's novel follows Robert Jordan, an American dynamiter fighting in the Spanish Civil War, as he grapples with love, duty, and the brutal realities of war.
The Gulag Archipelago
Author: Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Publisher: Vintage Classics
Date: Dec 7th, 2023
Solzhenitsyn's monumental work exposes the brutal realities of the Soviet Union's forced labor camp system, drawing on personal experiences and historical documents to chronicle the suffering and resilience of prisoners.
Man's Search For Meaning
Author: Viktor E. Frankl,Viktor Frankl
Publisher: Rider
Date: Mar 17th, 2025
Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl's memoir has transcended its own genre by describing his experiences in Nazi death camps, all the while explaining his psychotherapeutic method, which involved identifying a purpose in life to feel positive about, and then immersively imagining that outcome.
The Madness of Crowds: Gender, Race and Identity
Author: Douglas Murray
Publisher: Bloomsbury Continuum
Date: Sep 17th, 2019
Murray critically examines contemporary social justice movements, discussing the complexities and controversies surrounding gender, race, and identity politics.
On the Genealogy of Morals and Ecce Homo
Author: Friedrich Nietzsche
Publisher: Vintage
Date: Apr 19th, 2010
Nietzsche's works explore the origins and development of moral concepts and offer a deeply personal reflection on his philosophy, critiquing contemporary values and championing individualism.
Flowers for Algernon
Author: Daniel Keyes
Publisher: Mariner Books Classics
Date: Apr 17th, 1995
Keyes' novel tells the poignant story of Charlie Gordon, a mentally disabled man who undergoes an experimental surgery to increase his intelligence, only to face unforeseen consequences.
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.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Author: Hunter S. Thompson
Publisher: Modern Library
Date: May 5th, 1998
Thompson's gonzo journalism classic recounts a drug-fueled journey to Las Vegas, blending surreal narrative and social critique to explore the dark side of the American Dream.
Myths Dreams and Mysteries
Author: Mircea Eliade
Publisher: NY
Date: Mar 17th, 1975
Eliade delves into the symbolic and psychological significance of myths, dreams, and religious experiences, examining their roles in shaping human consciousness and cultural identity.
Of Mice and Men
Author: John Steinbeck
Publisher: Penguin
Date: Jan 8th, 2002
Steinbeck's novella tells the poignant story of two displaced ranch workers, George and Lennie, who dream of owning their own land but face harsh realities during the Great Depression.
Progress: Ten Reasons to Look Forward to the Future
Author: Johan Norberg
Publisher: Oneworld Publications
Date: Oct 11th, 2016
Norberg presents a compelling case for optimism, highlighting advancements in health, wealth, safety, and freedom to argue that the world is steadily improving.
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.
Panzram A Journal of Murder
Author: Thomas E. Gaddis
Publisher: Amok Books
Date: Nov 1st, 2002
This biographical work presents the life and confessions of Carl Panzram, a serial killer and career criminal, offering a chilling insight into his psyche and the brutal conditions of early 20th-century prisons.
Don't Burn This Book: Thinking for Yourself in an Age of Unreason
Author: Dave Rubin
Publisher: Sentinel
Date: Apr 28th, 2020
Rubin encourages readers to embrace free thought and open dialogue, challenging prevailing cultural narratives and promoting intellectual independence.
Sometimes a Great Notion
Author: Ken Kesey
Publisher: Viking Press
Date: Jul 27th, 1964
Kesey's novel tells the story of the Stamper family, who run a logging business in Oregon, highlighting themes of individuality, family loyalty, and resistance against collective pressures.
How to Spend $75 Billion to Make the World a Better Place
Author: Bjørn Lomborg
Publisher: Copenhagen Consensus Center
Date: Jun 1st, 2013
Lomborg presents research-based proposals on how to effectively allocate resources to address global challenges such as poverty, health, and education, aiming to maximize the impact of philanthropic efforts.
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.
Fratricides
Author: nikos-kazantzakis
Publisher: Faber Faber Inc
Date: Mar 17th, 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.
Lord of the World
Author: Robert Hugh Benson
Publisher: Christian Classics
Date: Feb 5th, 2016
This prophetic early 20th-century novel imagines a dystopian future where secularism has taken over society, leading to the rise of a totalitarian world government and a final, apocalyptic struggle between good and evil.