Person
Every book John Clarke recommended on podcasts
John Clarke appears on long-form conversational podcasts centered around the art of fighting, athletic discipline, philosophy, and the relentless pursuit of personal excellence. During his discussions, Clarke reflects on foundational literary works and essays that provided crucial guidance during pivotal moments in his life. He highlights Ralph Waldo Emerson's essay Self-Reliance as deeply impactful, emphasizing Emerson's powerful focus on individuality and non-conformity. Continuing along the theme of breaking away from societal expectations, Clarke recommends Richard Bach's Jonathan Livingston Seagull as a short and inspiring read about challenging standard norms. From a purely stylistic and literary standpoint, he expresses great admiration for Bret Easton Ellis's American Psycho, noting the unique pleasure he derived from reading the novel well before its cinematic adaptation. Additionally, Clarke delves into political and historical literature, discussing the chilling modern relevance of foundational texts like Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels's The Communist Manifesto. Through these varied literary choices, Clarke paints a picture of a thinker who values fierce independence, artistic craftsmanship, intellectual confrontation with historical ideologies, and the continuous internal examination required to master both the mind and the physical self.
Books recommended by John Clarke
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Self-reliance
Self-reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson is a classic 1841 transcendentalist essay that champions individualism, nonconformity, and trust in one's own inner voice over societal pressures.
Recommended“i would say like probably the thing i read is in one of emerson's essays that i read at a you know point in my life where i needed that type of thing and i read self-reliance and you know he's got a ton of good essays but i thought self-reliance was probably the most impactful to me”
Where to get it
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The Communist Manifesto
The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels is a foundational political pamphlet that outlines the core tenets of Marxism, class struggle, and the critique of capitalism.
Recommended“i haven't read marx directly ... the communist manifesto is truly frightening if you read it in in like modern context it's worth reading”
Where to get it
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American Psycho
American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis is a dark satirical thriller narrated by Patrick Bateman, a wealthy New York City investment banker leading a secret life as a serial killer.
Recommended“the book which i was lucky enough to read before the movie ever even came out which is just a a pleasure of mine was a american psycho just from a writing standpoint”
Where to get it
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Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach is a philosophical novella about a gull learning about flight, life, and self-transcendence, serving as an allegory for breaking conformity and pursuing individual excellence.
Recommended“there's also a book called uh jonathan livingston seagull by richard uh richard bach i think and um it's kind of along the same lines”
Where to get it
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Lunar Park
Lunar Park by Brett Easton Ellis is a postmodern metafictional novel that blends elements of horror, memoir, and psychological drama to examine celebrity culture, fatherhood, and addiction.
Recommended“uh the book which i was lucky enough to read before the movie ever even came out which is just a a pleasure of mine was a american psycho just from a writing standpoint”
Where to get it
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Encountering the Holy Spirit in Every Book of the Bible
David Diga Hernandez's religious text offers readers a systematic, book-by-book exploration of the Holy Spirit's presence throughout scripture, serving as a devotional guide for deepening one's faith.
Discussed“but i'm embarrassed to say that first of all i've never read the bible which is embarrassing to say it's like i read a bunch of stuff about the bible not the bible itself and the same not equating them”
Where to get it
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Mein Kampf
Mein Kampf is an autobiographical manifesto by Adolf Hitler outlining his political ideology and future plans for Germany.
Discussed“i haven't read mineconf by hitler directly ... well uh it's not obvious but it is not very well written uh but all the ideas that led to the evil that is hitler are all in there”
Where to get it
Appearances
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| #143 – John Clarke: The Art of Fighting and the Pursuit of Excellence | Lex Fridman Podcast | 2020-12-06 | 9 |