Episode · The Daily Stoic · 2025-11-06
Books mentioned on How To Avoid Destroying Your Mind | Daily Stoic Podcast
Ryan Holiday recommended Education of a wandering man by Louis L'Amour, and discussed Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe and others and The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene and others. Also mentioned: Stillness Is the Key by Ryan Holiday, The 33 Strategies of War by Robert Greene and others, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, by Edward Gibbon. Vol. 2. [-3-4]. by Edward Gibbon, “The” History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon, and Atomic Habits by James Clear.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
-
Stillness Is the Key
Stillness Is the Key by Ryan Holiday is a bestselling book that explores how ancient Stoic philosophy can help readers find inner peace, master their emotions, and achieve clarity in a chaotic world.
Discussed“You had just finished Stillness. No, 2019. Stillness finished. Oh, Stillness came out in 2019.”
Where to get it
-
Education of a wandering man
Education of a Wandering Man is a compelling autobiographical memoir by Louis L'Amour that chronicles the author's lifelong journey of self-education, voracious reading, and unconventional personal development across the globe.
Recommended“Um, not that he and actually his memoir, Education of a Wandering Man, is incredible and it's totally a memoir about self-education and how you can get an untraditional and interesting education that fits you perfectly to do difficult, unusual, interesting, even lucrative thing. It's one of the great memoirs actually.”
Where to get it
-
Empire of Pain
Patrick Radden Keefe's Empire of Pain is a meticulously researched history tracing the Sackler dynasty, Purdue Pharma, and their central role in driving the devastating opioid epidemic.
Discussed“I read it in Empire of Pain. Yeah. About the Sackler family.”
Where to get it
-
The 33 Strategies of War
The 33 Strategies of War by Robert Greene is a comprehensive guide to applying historical military conflict principles to modern competitive environments, business, and daily life.
Discussed“Of first coming across like that run. Yeah. In Robert's book 33 strategies of war.”
Where to get it
-
The 48 Laws of Power
The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene and Joost Elffers is a provocative guide examining the historical mechanics of influence, strategy, and social dynamics.
Discussed“because the 40 laws of power had been out for a long time by the time I read it. 10 years.”
Where to get it
-
The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, by Edward Gibbon. Vol. 2. [-3-4].
Edward Gibbon’s monumental historical work, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, details the trajectory and ultimate collapse of Roman civilization across multiple volumes.
Discussed“You have the quote from Gibbon in the afterward of when he completed the clan and fall.”
Where to get it
-
“The” History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon is a monumental multi-volume historical work chronicling the trajectory of the Roman world from the height of the empire to its eventual collapse.
Discussed“You have the quote from Gibbon in the afterward of when he completed the clan and fall.”
Where to get it
-
Atomic Habits
Atomic Habits by James Clear is a widely acclaimed guide on habit formation, personal development, and how minor incremental adjustments yield substantial long-term results.
Discussed“And I remember I was talking to James Clear like a year ago and I asked him when did he come to the four parts of Atomic Habits. It was like he had finished the book.”
Where to get it
