Episode · The Daily Stoic · 2026-08-09
Books mentioned on 11 Final Takeaways From The Odyssey
What can a 3,000-year-old story about gods, monsters, and shipwrecks teach us today? Almost everything.
Ryan Holiday discussed The Odyssey, Ulysses by Alfred Lord Tennyson: The Poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson, and The Odyssey of Homer; Translated from the Greek by T. E. Shaw (Lawrence of Arabia); with an Introduction by Sir Maurice Bowra.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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The Odyssey
Homer's epic poem The Odyssey recounts the arduous ten-year journey of the Greek hero Odysseus as he strives to return home to Ithaca following the Trojan War, facing mythical monsters, divine wrath, and profound personal trials along the way.
Discussed“The Odyssey is not just a work of art. It is the sum total of ancient wisdom.”
Where to get it
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Ulysses by Alfred Lord Tennyson: The Poem
Ulysses by Alfred Lord Tennyson: The Poem is a classic dramatic monologue written by the Victorian poet Alfred Lord Tennyson that explores themes of aging, restlessness, and the unending desire for adventure.
Discussed“Actually, when you read the Tennyson poem Ulysses, you get a sense of this. He says, "I cannot rest from travel."”
Where to get it
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The Odyssey of Homer; Translated from the Greek by T. E. Shaw (Lawrence of Arabia); with an Introduction by Sir Maurice Bowra
Discussed“One of the best translators of the Odyssey is T. E. Lawrence.”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (2) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“We just did this long road trip recently and trying to prevent my kids' brains rotting in the car, we listened to audiobooks from 11 reader including the Odyssey cuz my kids love the Odyssey.”
“I tell the story in The Obstacle Is the Way.”