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Jordan Klepper's Reading List (From Ryan Holiday)

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Mar 8, 2026

Guest

Jordan Klepper

Jordan Klepper, comedian and former Daily Show correspondent, gets a short reading list and digs into book-fueled curiosities. They explore shipwreck and survival tales, Moby-Dick and Melville inspiration, disasters like the Lusitania and zeppelins, and philosophical picks from Montaigne to modern moral thought. Quick, lively, and book-heavy conversation.

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INSIGHT

How Media Rationalizes Prejudices Into Ideas

Political outlets often provide intellectual cover for preexisting prejudices rather than inventing new falsehoods.
Ryan Holiday uses William F. Buckley's arc to show how conservative ideas were rationalized into highbrow arguments and institutions.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Getting Courted At Conferences Led To Bigger Platforms

Jordan Klepper recounts being evaluated and courted by conservative networks as his popularity rose at conferences.
He noticed funders and organizers offering resources to amplify people who resonated with audiences, similar to Buckley's trajectory.

insights

INSIGHT

The Plague As A Metaphor For Recurring Darkness

Camus's The Plague serves as a metaphor for recurring 'dark energy' in humanity that shifts forms across eras.
Ryan Holiday argues the book isn't just about disease but about Nazism and how crises mutate into new threats.

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Shipwreck books and survival stories

08:59 • 47sec

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Moby-Dick inspiration and writing retreat

09:46 • 38sec

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Zeppelins, Lusitania, and human folly

10:24 • 2min

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Philosophy picks and moral philosophy

12:18 • 49sec

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Montaigne and intellectual humility

• Mentioned in 13 episodes

How to Be Perfect

The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question

Mike Schur

This book provides an introduction to various philosophical arguments on ethics, presented in a humorous and accessible manner. Michael Schur, drawing from his extensive research for his TV show 'The Good Place', covers concepts such as deontology, utilitarianism, existentialism, and more. The book starts with simple ethical questions and progresses to more complex moral issues, aiming to make ethics relatable and understandable. Schur argues that while perfection is unrealistic, striving to live a more ethical life using pieces of different philosophical viewpoints is a more practical and fulfilling approach.

#41

• Mentioned in 267 episodes

Moby Dick

Herman Melville

Moby-Dick is a novel that tells the story of Captain Ahab's maniacal quest for revenge against Moby Dick, the giant white sperm whale that bit off his leg. Narrated by Ishmael, the story follows the crew of the whaling ship Pequod as they embark on a journey that explores themes of obsession, man vs. nature, and the existential questions of good and evil. The novel is rich in detailed descriptions of whale hunting and life aboard a culturally diverse crew, and it has become a cornerstone of American and world literature.

#2072

• Mentioned in 21 episodes

The world of yesterday

Stefan Zweig

Stefan Zweig's "The World of Yesterday" is a poignant memoir reflecting on the author's life in Vienna before and during the rise of Nazism. Zweig's evocative prose paints a vivid picture of a bygone era, capturing the cultural vibrancy and intellectual ferment of pre-war Vienna. The memoir explores themes of memory, loss, and the fragility of civilization. Zweig's personal experiences and observations provide a profound insight into the social and political changes that transformed Europe in the early 20th century. The book is a testament to Zweig's literary skill and his ability to convey profound emotions with grace and sensitivity. It's a moving and insightful reflection on a world lost to history.

#4086

• Mentioned in 12 episodes

In the Heart of the Sea

The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex

Nathaniel Philbrick

In 'In the Heart of the Sea,' Nathaniel Philbrick recounts the tragic story of the whaleship Essex, which was rammed and sunk by an angry sperm whale in the South Pacific in 1820. The book details the crew's desperate struggle to survive in three small whaleboats, facing extreme conditions such as starvation, dehydration, and cannibalism. Philbrick uses accounts from the ship's crew, including those of first mate Owen Chase and cabin boy Thomas Nickerson, to provide a detailed and gripping narrative. The book also explores the broader context of Nantucket's whaling community and the impact of the Essex tragedy on American literature, notably inspiring Herman Melville's 'Moby Dick. '

#15517

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

Letter to the Father

Brief an den Vater: Bilingual Edition (The Schocken Kafka Library)

Franz Kafka

Franz Kafka's "Letter to His Father" is a deeply personal and emotionally charged account of his complex relationship with his father, Hermann. Written in 1902 but not published until after Kafka's death, the letter reveals Kafka's feelings of inadequacy and his father's overwhelming presence in his life. It explores themes of parental authority, filial resentment, and the struggle for self-discovery. The letter's raw honesty and introspective nature offer a poignant exploration of the father-son dynamic and the lasting impact of parental influence. It remains a powerful testament to the complexities of family relationships and the enduring search for understanding and acceptance.

#6785

• Mentioned in 7 episodes

Dead Wake

Erik Larson

Dead Wake recounts the tragedy of the sinking of the passenger ocean liner Lusitania by a German submarine. The book sets the stage for the tragedy, recreating the tension of the chase, the horror of the attack, and the tragic aftermath. Larson masterfully weaves together the stories of the passengers, crew, and the German U-boat crew, using a wealth of sources including telegrams, wireless messages, survivor depositions, and secret intelligence ledgers. The sinking of the Lusitania had a significant impact on history, mobilizing American public opinion in favor of entering World War I and casting Germany as the villain in the eyes of the international community.

#859

• Mentioned in 41 episodes

The Plague

Albert Camus

The Plague, written by Albert Camus, is a philosophical novel that chronicles an outbreak of the bubonic plague in the coastal city of Oran, Algeria. The story is often interpreted as an allegory for the occupation of France during World War II and the rise of fascism. The novel follows Dr. Bernard Rieux and his colleagues as they battle the plague, highlighting themes of everyday heroism, the absurdity of human suffering, and the collective response to disaster. As the city is placed under quarantine, the citizens face isolation, despair, and eventually, a sense of social responsibility and solidarity. The novel explores existential and theological questions, particularly through the characters of Dr. Rieux and Father Paneloux, and concludes with a reflection on the enduring nature of human suffering and the importance of human solidarity in the face of adversity.

After their conversation for The Daily Stoic Podcast, Ryan gave Jordan Klepper, comedian, writer, and correspondent on The Daily Show, a few book recommendations at The Painted Porch.

Follow Jordan on Instagram @JordanKlepper and check out his upcoming live show dates on his website https://www.officialjordanklepper.com/

📚 Books Mentioned:

Buckley: The Life and the Revolution That Changed America

Letter to the Father

A Marriage at Sea: A True Story of Love, Obsession, and Shipwreck

Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania

I Survived the Hindenburg Disaster, 1937

How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question

Montaigne

The Plague: A new translation

Outdoor Kids in an Inside World

Moby-Dick

In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex

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