Episode · The Shawn Ryan Show · 2026-03-09

Shawn Ryan & Ethan Thornton: books mentioned on The Shawn Ryan Show #286

#286 Ethan Thornton - This 22-Year-Old Built a .50 Cal Rifle Out of Home Depot Parts

2 books · With Ethan Thornton · Listen · Watch on YouTube

Ethan Thornton is the Founder and CEO of Mach Industries, a defense technology company developing next-generation unmanned systems and hydrogen-powered weapons platforms to redefine modern warfare and energy logistics. Ethan left MIT after one semester in 2023 to focus on building Mach full-time.

Shawn Ryan recommended Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. Ethan Thornton recommended The Jungle by Upton Sinclair.

Books mentioned, in the order they came up

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1. 

   Atlas Shrugged

   Ayn Rand · at 1:00:29

   Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand is a sprawling philosophical novel that champions Objectivism, individualism, and laissez-faire capitalism through a dystopian narrative about society's most productive minds going on strike.

   Recommended

   “Have you read Atlas Shrugged? No. It's my favorite book. It's no book's a perfect answer and there's a lot about the book I don't like.”

   Shawn Ryan #286 Ethan Thornton - This 22-Year-Old Built a .50 Cal Rifle Out of Ho… 2026-03-09 Listen at 1:00:29

   Where to get it

   Listen free with an Audible trialAmazon
2. 

   The Jungle

   Upton Sinclair · at 3:29:39

   The Jungle by Upton Sinclair is a 1906 novel that serves as a harsh expose of working conditions in Chicago's meatpacking industry during the Gilded Age.

   Recommended

   “Like if you go and read like the the jungle is like probably the best book that highlights this. But you go and read humanity discovered these new technologies.”

   Ethan Thornton #286 Ethan Thornton - This 22-Year-Old Built a .50 Cal Rifle Out of Ho… 2026-03-09 Listen at 3:29:39

   Where to get it

   Listen free with an Audible trialAmazon