The Daily Stoic Can You Get Inside? | The Top Books Ryan Holiday Recommends
Dive into the world of philosophy and literature as Ryan Holiday explores how deep repetition can fuse art and philosophy into our identity. Discover gripping narrative nonfiction, powerful books with misleading titles, and cinematic stories begging for adaptation. Uncover the unique insights of Marcus Aurelius and the significance of second-person novels. Plus, enjoy recommendations for remarkable biographies of inspiring women. This discussion promises to inspire readers to linger with their favorite texts.
16:22
Getting Inside A Song
- Phoebe Bridgers described listening to songs repeatedly until she 'gets inside' them and then covers them.
- Ryan Holiday uses this as an analogy for immersing yourself in Stoic texts to internalize them.
Digest A Few Master Thinkers
- Lingering with a few master thinkers lets their wisdom 'digest' and become unshakable.
- Seneca urged deep digestion over skimming to secure durable philosophical change.
Bookstore Picks In Bastrop
- Ryan Holiday shares that owning a bookstore lets him pick books he knows people will love.
- He enjoys recommending titles to visitors and podcast guests at his Bastrop, Texas shop.
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Intro
00:00 • 56sec
Getting Inside a Work You Love
00:56 • 2min
Read, Digest, Repeat
02:34 • 39sec
Daily Stoic Book Practice
03:13 • 55sec
Ad break
04:08 • 1min
Bookstore Picks Introduction
05:26 • 2min
Gripping Narrative Nonfiction
07:18 • 2min
Great Books, Bad Titles
09:24 • 2min
Books That Should Be Movies
10:58 • 60sec
Titles That Match Greatness
11:58 • 2min
Unusual Styles That Work
13:29 • 1min
Why Marcus Aurelius Matters
14:44 • 53sec
Second-Person Novels and Montaigne
15:36 • 2min
Biographies of Remarkable Women
17:32 • 1min
#58027
Forty Years a Gambler on the Mississippi
George H. Devol
“Forty Years a Gambler on the Mississippi” is the vivid autobiographical account of professional card sharp George H. Devol, first published in 1887.
Drawing on forty years of experience aboard Mississippi and Western river steamboats, Devol narrates cheating methods, sure‑thing games, and colorful episodes involving soldiers, planters, merchants, and fellow gamblers, including his alleged clashes with Union general Benjamin Butler.
The book has since become a notable source on 19th‑century riverboat gambling culture and is frequently cited in discussions of early American gambling and deception literature.
#46060
The Colossus of Maroussi
Henry Miller
string
#28761
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Forget the Alamo
Bryan Burrough
Chris Tomlinson
Jason Stanford
#2459
• Mentioned in 18 episodes
Everything is Tuberculosis
Hank Green
#15326
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
The Black Count
Tom Reiss
The Black Count by Tom Reiss tells the fascinating true story of General Thomas-Alexandre Dumas, a black man who rose to become one of the highest-ranking military officers in the Western world during the French Revolution.
The book explores themes of racial equality, military leadership, and the impact of Napoleon's rise to power on Dumas's life.
It also delves into how Dumas inspired his son Alexandre Dumas's famous novels, such as 'The Count of Monte Cristo'.
#700
• Mentioned in 48 episodes
The fish that ate the whale
The Life and Times of America's Banana King
Rich Cohen
This book tells the fascinating story of Samuel Zemurray, who started as a roadside banana peddler and eventually built a sprawling empire involving banana cowboys, mercenary soldiers, Honduran peasants, CIA agents, and American statesmen.
Rich Cohen's narrative explores Zemurray's rise to power, his involvement in overthrowing Central American governments, and his complex role in American history.
The book delves into Zemurray's personal life, his business exploits, and the moral implications of his actions, painting a nuanced portrait of a man driven by an indomitable will to succeed.
#6541
• Mentioned in 8 episodes
Baby on the Fire Escape
Julie Phillips
In this book, Julie Phillips delves into the lives of renowned artists and writers such as Ursula K. Le Guin, Audre Lorde, Susan Sontag, and Angela Carter, among others.
She examines how these women navigated the challenges of motherhood while pursuing their creative careers.
The book highlights the varied struggles and strategies these women employed to balance their roles as mothers and artists, arguing that creative motherhood involves a constant renegotiation between work and care.
#1427
• Mentioned in 29 episodes
The Year of Magical Thinking
Joan Didion
In 'The Year of Magical Thinking,' Joan Didion recounts the year after her husband's sudden death, delving into the intense and often irrational nature of grief.
The book is a raw and unflinching account of her emotional journey, detailing her 'magical thinking' – the belief that her husband would return.
Didion also navigates her daughter's severe health crises and grapples with the fragility of life.
The memoir blends personal narrative with investigative journalism, citing medical literature and psychological studies to understand the grieving process.
It is a powerful exploration of loss, memory, and the human experience of mourning.
#4499
• Mentioned in 11 episodes
What Makes Sammy Run?
Budd Schulberg
Published in 1941, 'What Makes Sammy Run?' is a satirical novel that chronicles the meteoric rise of Sammy Glick, a Jewish boy from New York's Lower East Side who becomes a Hollywood mogul through sheer ambition and ruthlessness.
The story is narrated by Al Manheim, a newspaper columnist and screenwriter who is both repulsed and fascinated by Sammy's relentless pursuit of success.
The novel explores themes of ambition, the cost of success, and the moral compromises one makes to achieve it.
It is known for its candid portrayal of the Hollywood industry and the darker aspects of the American Dream.
#4590
• Mentioned in 10 episodes
A Marriage at Sea
Sophie Elmhirst
#27287
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
By Grand Central station I sat down and wept
Elizabeth Smart
#2465
• Mentioned in 18 episodes
Night of the Grizzlies
Jack Olsen
In 'Night of the Grizzlies', Jack Olsen provides a detailed and suspenseful narrative of the events surrounding the tragic bear attacks in Glacier National Park on August 13, 1967.
The book explores how mismanagement and human actions contributed to the attacks, which marked a turning point in bear management within the National Park Service.
Olsen's work is both a gripping tale and a critical examination of human-wildlife interactions.
#20275
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
The Stranger in the Woods
The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit
Michael Finkel
The book tells the story of Christopher Knight, a highly intelligent man who, at the age of 20, left his home in Massachusetts and disappeared into the Maine woods.
For nearly three decades, he lived in solitude, surviving harsh winters and adapting to the environment by innovating methods to preserve food and water.
Knight broke into nearby cabins for essential provisions but never harmed anyone.
The book is based on extensive interviews with Knight and explores his reasons for escaping society, his survival techniques, and the psychological and philosophical insights he gained from his solitude.
It also delves into the broader themes of solitude, community, and what constitutes a good life.
#23568
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
On the Waterfront
Budd Schulberg
'On the Waterfront' is a 1954 American crime drama film about union violence and corruption amongst longshoremen, starring Marlon Brando.
#1804
• Mentioned in 24 episodes
The River of Doubt
Candice Millard
Candice Millard's "The River of Doubt" recounts Theodore Roosevelt's perilous journey down the uncharted River of Doubt in the Amazon.
The book details the physical and mental hardships faced by Roosevelt and his team, highlighting their resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
Millard masterfully weaves together historical accounts, personal diaries, and scientific research to create a gripping narrative.
The expedition's challenges and near-death experiences underscore Roosevelt's adventurous spirit and his ability to overcome obstacles.
The book offers a fascinating glimpse into a pivotal moment in Roosevelt's life and the exploration of the Amazon.
#4035
• 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.
'
#10359
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
Tunnel 29
Helena Merriman
Tunnel 29 tells the story of Joachim Rudolph and a group of students who dug a tunnel under the Berlin Wall to help people escape from East Germany.
Despite numerous challenges, including infiltration by a Stasi agent and technical setbacks, they eventually succeeded in freeing 29 people.
The book also explores the involvement of an American TV network and the U.S.
government's attempts to suppress the documentary about the escape.
#5603
• Mentioned in 9 episodes
Why Fish Don't Exist
A Story of Loss, Love, and the Hidden Order of Life
Lulu Miller
This book is a blend of memoir, biography, and existential inquiry.
Lulu Miller, struggling with personal crises, becomes fascinated with the life of David Starr Jordan, a 19th-century taxonomist who dedicated his life to categorizing fish.
As Miller delves deeper into Jordan's story, she uncovers both admirable qualities and dark secrets, including his involvement in the eugenics movement.
The book reflects on the human attempt to impose order on a chaotic world, the dangers of such endeavors, and the beauty found in embracing complexity and uncertainty.
#5449
• Mentioned in 9 episodes
Medea
Euripides
The play revolves around Medea, a Colchian princess and sorceress, who seeks revenge against her husband Jason after he decides to marry Glauce, the daughter of King Creon of Corinth.
Medea, feeling betrayed and dishonored, plots to kill Glauce, Creon, and her own children to inflict maximum pain on Jason.
With the help of Aegeus, King of Athens, who offers her sanctuary, Medea executes her plan, leading to the tragic deaths of several characters and her eventual escape in a chariot provided by her grandfather, the sun-god Helios.
The play explores themes of injustice, revenge, and the power of women in ancient Greek society.
#429
• Mentioned in 68 episodes
The Daily Stoic
366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
Ryan Holiday
Stephen Hanselman
'The Daily Stoic' offers daily insights and exercises drawn from Stoic philosophy, designed to cultivate wisdom, resilience, and mindfulness.
Each entry provides a quote from a Stoic philosopher, followed by Ryan Holiday's reflections and actionable advice.
It encourages readers to embrace challenges, practice self-control, and find meaning in everyday life.
The book is structured as a year-long guide, with each day offering a new opportunity for reflection and growth.
Its practical approach makes Stoicism accessible and relevant for modern readers seeking to improve their mental and emotional well-being.
#2791
• Mentioned in 17 episodes
Blue nights
Joan Didion
A poignant reflection on motherhood, loss, and the passage of time, exploring the complexities of family relationships.
#935
• Mentioned in 39 episodes
Invisible Man
Ralph Ellison
In 'Invisible Man,' Ralph Ellison tells the story of a nameless black protagonist who navigates the surreal and often hostile world of 20th-century America.
The novel begins with the narrator living in an underground room, reflecting on his life and the various ways he has experienced social invisibility.
He recounts his journey from a small Southern town to Harlem, involving experiences with racism, a brutal 'battle royal,' and his involvement with the Brotherhood, a civil rights group.
The narrative delves into themes of identity, power, and the struggle for self-definition in a society that refuses to see him.
Through his experiences, the narrator grapples with the complexities of being a black man in America, ultimately leading to a profound exploration of invisibility and the search for one's true self.
#7631
• Mentioned in 7 episodes
The art thief
Noah Charney
#1390
• Mentioned in 29 episodes
A Confederacy of Dunces
John Kennedy Toole
A Confederacy of Dunces is a picaresque novel that tells the story of Ignatius J. Reilly, an overweight, unemployed, and intellectually arrogant man living with his mother in New Orleans.
The novel is a rich satire that critiques modern society through Ignatius's interactions with a diverse cast of characters, including his mother Irene, his girlfriend Myrna Minkoff, and various eccentric figures from New Orleans.
Written in the early 1960s while Toole was in the army, the book was published posthumously in 1980 and won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1981.
It is celebrated for its witty and absurd portrayal of life in New Orleans and its memorable protagonist, Ignatius J. Reilly.
#4312
• Mentioned in 11 episodes
The tiger
A True Story of Vengeance and Survival
John Vaillant
John Vaillant's "The Tiger" is a gripping narrative non-fiction account of a man-eating tiger in the Russian Far East.
The story follows the tiger's deadly rampage and the desperate efforts of villagers and hunters to track and kill it.
Vaillant masterfully blends environmental themes with a suspenseful narrative, exploring the complex relationship between humans and wildlife.
The book delves into the cultural significance of the tiger in Siberian society and the impact of human encroachment on its habitat.
"The Tiger" is a powerful exploration of survival, vengeance, and the delicate balance between humans and the natural world.
Marcus Aurelius wrote about how the philosopher is one with their weapon—like a boxer, more than a swordsman. A boxer just clenches their fist. A fencer has to pick something up. Through repetition, through absorption, we're trying to fuse ourselves with our philosophy.
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