Most Impactful ★★★
These are the books that have most deeply influenced my worldview and personal ethics thus far. I revisit each of them regularly.
The Beginning of Infinity
Hands down the best book I've read. The Beginning of Infinity explains the deepest theories we know, across physics, philosophy, and science, in a precise, bulletproof way. My favorite is Deutsch' account of our best theory of knowledge: Critical Rationalism. The most impressive part of the book is its optimistic and empowering undertone. Since the Enlightenment, humanity has entered a phase of open-ended progress, where all problems not forbidden by the laws of nature can be solved. Truly epic and electrifying.
Awareness
This is the clearest and most accessible account of non-dualistic philosophy I've read. It explains the mind as a useful but fallible tool, something to experience and utilize rather than identify with. It's not overly intellectual and also not annoyingly vague. Unlike more mystical books like The Power of Now, this one is practical and direct, using short, powerful statements repeated in different contexts. "Waking up" to the insight that the mind is not an adversary is essential for good mental health.
Man's Search for Meaning
This is my favorite account of existentialist philosophy, the view that life has no inherent meaning but that we can create our own through the choices we make. Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl survived years in Nazi death camps and observed that those who endured suffering best were those who chose to live for something beyond themselves. After the war, he turned this insight into a therapeutic practice called logotherapy, helping people escape depression by finding meaning in their own lives.
Top Picks ★★
These books have significantly shaped how I see the world. Many of their insights have influenced both my outlook on life and the content of The 4 Acts book.
The Fabric of Reality
Deutsch's even more technical and in-depth (yet still clear) account of what he calls the four fundamental strands of reality: quantum physics, evolution, computation, and epistemology. It's more challenging than The Beginning of Infinity, but just as rewarding. It changed how I think about what explanations are and how they fit together.
Thinking, Fast and Slow
Very helpful for understanding the pitfalls in our decision-making and judgment, especially when we're working on "autopilot." Kahneman explains how our thinking operates in two modes: a fast, automatic one and a slow, deliberate one. Most of our daily mistakes come from relying too much on the fast one. This book helped me see where I'm not fully conscious or intentional in my choices.
The Selfish Gene
A great explanation of the gene-centered view of Neo-Darwinian evolution. Crystal clear, example-rich, and beautifully written. While not focused entirely on early life, it does touch on the "RNA world" hypothesis, which Dawkins presents as a plausible origin of life. Probably my favorite renidition of that idea.
The Incerto
The Incerto is a series of books on the unpredictability of reality (i.e. randomness) and more specifically how different systems respond to it. Taleb explains many counter-intuitive truths about how systems become increasingly or descreasingly resilient to stress, including extreme outlier events he calls "black swans." He also explores hidden asymmetries and structural flaws that we often overlook.
The Rational Optimist
A wonderful book that substantiates and reinforces the claim that, since the Enlightenment started in the West, practically all measures of human well-being have improved. Trade, innovation, and cooperation are the real engines of progress. This perspective stands in stark contrast to the pessimism and de-growth so common today, especially in the West.
The Almanack of Naval Ravikant
A great compilation of Naval's insights across many practical domains. I especially value his thinking on personal exploration, wealth creation, and happiness. These ideas have deeply influenced my worldview, and I revisit them often. It's not a traditional book, but more like a curated distillation of wisdom worth rereading.
Alchemy
This book is full of amazing and counterintuitive anecdotes that reinforce the idea that many problems we face aren't problems with the material world, but with our perception of it. Very helpful as a mindset shift, especially in business. Sutherland makes a strong case that not everything needs to be rational to work—sometimes the illogical solution is the best one.
Great Reads ★
These are books I’ve enjoyed, and consider worth recommending to others.
Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!
A collection of anecdotes from the physicist's colorful life. Full of curiosity, humor, and nonconformist wisdom.
Endure
A raw and relentless account of Hanes' pursuit of excellence through bowhunting, running, and pushing physical limits. Less about advice, more about witnessing what obsession and grit can produce.
Atomic Habits
One of the most practical guides to habit formation. Focuses on identity-driven change and small, consistent actions.
Nonzero
Argues that human history trends toward greater cooperation and complexity. Makes a case for progress rooted in game theory.
Hyperfocus
Explains how to manage attention deliberately through deep focus and creative scatter. Helps improve productivity by mastering when and how to focus.
Never Finished
A testament to what human agency and sheer willpower can accomplish. Goggins' feats of mental toughness are extreme and inspiring. I revisit this when I feel stuck, yet I discourage anyone from applying his pushing-through-the-pain approach.
Existentialism Is a Humanism
A brief, accessible defense of existentialist thought. Argues that humans are radically free and responsible for creating their own meaning.
The Science of Can and Can't
Introduces constructor theory, a new approach in physics focused on possible vs. impossible transformations. An ambitious attempt to rethink how we understand fundamental laws.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
A blunt but refreshing take on values, responsibility, and choosing what truly matters. Offers depth beneath the edgy tone.
The Ascent of Man
A sweeping history of science and human creativity. Celebrates the power of knowledge and progress across civilizations.
Write Useful Books
Practical guide to writing nonfiction that solves real problems. Focuses on reader-first content and iterative feedback.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Timeless framework for personal and professional effectiveness. Emphasizes principles over quick fixes.
A Window on Intelligence
A clear, thought-provoking exploration of the mind and creativity. The most compelling ideas appear in Chapter 5, where the author introduces a neo-Darwinian theory of mind, similar to the RNA world hypothesis—self-replicating functions evolving toward universal creativity.
Tools of Titans
A massive compilation of routines and tips from high performers. Pick-and-choose format makes it easy to apply practical advice from world-class guests.
The Manual
A concise Stoic guide to personal resilience and control. Teaches you to focus only on what you can change.
The Productivity Project
A personal experiment in productivity with lessons from a year of testing hacks and habits. Practical and relatable, with clear takeaways.
Deceit and Self-Deception
Explores how lying to ourselves helps us lie better to others. A sharp evolutionary perspective on self-deception as a survival strategy.
The Machinery of Freedom
This book argues for a society organized by voluntary cooperation under institutions of private property and exchange with little, ultimately no, government. It explores how the most fundamental functions of government might be replaced by private institutions.
Nudge
Shows how small design choices can influence behavior without coercion. Introduced the concept of "choice architecture."
Be Useful
Motivational guide blending Arnold's life stories with practical life lessons. Stresses action, responsibility, and showing up every day. I endorse both his values and his path in life (as an avid amateur bodybuilder myself).
Radical Markets
Proposes bold market-based reforms to fix economic inequality and political dysfunction. Concepts like self-assessed property taxes and vote trading push the boundaries of conventional economics.
How Innovation Works
Breaks down how innovation really happens—bottom-up, incremental, and driven by trial and error. A compelling counter to the myth of lone genius inventors.
Rework
Challenges conventional business wisdom with clear, contrarian advice. Emphasizes simplicity, speed, and staying small.
The Sovereign Child
Raise children as sovereign individuals with their own reasons and lessons, guided by as little coercive rules as possible. Also a powerful reminder for how to approach all interpersonal relationships.