Ryan Holiday Books

Trust Me, I’m Lying (2012) is an in-depth exposé of today’s news culture, which is primarily channeled through online media sites called blogs. By detailing his experiences with multimillion-dollar public relations campaigns, the author takes us behind the scenes of today’s most popular and influential blogs to paint an unsettling picture of why we shouldn’t believe everything that is labeled as news.

• Anyone interested in learning how blogs and other online news media work
• Anyone who wants to know why we should question what we read online
• Anyone looking to understand how blogs are affecting society

Growth Hacker Marketing charts a major departure from traditional marketing practices, relying heavily on the use of user data and smart product design. This book illustrates how today’s top technology companies, such as Dropbox and Instagram, have used this strategy to gain millions of users.

• Anyone looking to build a start-up company
• Anyone who works in advertising or marketing industries
• Executives who want to leverage cutting-edge business techniques

In The Obstacle is the Way (2014), Ryan Holiday brings the age-old wisdom of Stoic philosophy up to date. By examining the struggles of historical figures of inspiring resilience, Holiday shows not only how obstacles couldn’t stop them, but more importantly, how these people thrived precisely because of the obstacles. Holiday shows how we can turn obstacles to our advantage, and how we can transform apparent roadblocks into success, both in our businesses and our personal lives.

• Anyone working for a business during tough economic times
• Anyone working at a start-up facing great challenges to get off the ground
• Anyone who wants to learn how to better deal with inevitable hardships

Ego is the Enemy (2016) outlines the dangers of egotism and the strategies we can use to rein in our pride, using historical and cultural examples. From finding a mentor to learning how to delegate tasks, these blinks show us why staying grounded can secure future success.

• Anyone who has been told that they’re arrogant or proud
• Successful business people feeling uneasy about their newfound fame
• Managers interested in how the ego impacts our work lives

Perennial Seller (2017) explains how to ensure that great creative work also succeeds in the market. These blinks not only demonstrate how to generate success for a particular project, but also how to secure continued long-term success for yourself as a creative individual.

• Creative types
• Entrepreneurs
• Dreamers with high ambitions but low success rates

Conspiracy (2017) reveals the incredible true story behind the downfall of one of America’s most controversial media outlets. The author explores the motivations and machinations of billionaire Peter Thiel, who conspired against Gawker Media, and details the dramatic courtroom trial that saw wrestler Hulk Hogan win millions in damages against the world’s most notorious gossip website.

• Anyone interested in current affairs
• Media buffs interested in journalism
• Business students wanting strategy tips

The Daily Stoic (2016) is a collection of daily meditations drawn from the wisdom of the Stoic philosophers who lived in the Roman Empire. The writings of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the playwright Seneca and slave-turned-philosopher Epictetus all provide thoughtful material for the authors to refashion and refresh. These blinks promote self-reflection, while encouraging the reader to value serenity and life itself.

• Wallflowers lacking self-confidence
• Exhausted workers looking for new perspectives and a sense of purpose
• Platonists and students of philosophy

Stillness Is the Key (2019) shows us the importance of stillness – the ability to think clearly, avoid distraction, conquer impulses, and find happiness. Drawing on wisdom from history’s greatest philosophers, and on the habits of outstanding athletes, leaders, and artists, these blinks show how achieving stillness is a powerful way to find contentedness and success in life. 

• Frazzled people seeking to escape the constant distractions of modern life
• Busy people who need more balance, calm, and focus
• Fast movers who want to slow down

Lives of the Stoics (2020) explores Stoicism through the lives of its earliest followers. Packed with insights into the leaders, wars, and politics of classical antiquity, these blinks provide a fresh yet historical look at this popular philosophy.

• Philosophy buffs seeking new insights
• Strivers looking for inspiration
• Budding historians looking for a fresh perspective

Courage is Calling (2021) is both a meditation on bravery and a guide to courageousness. From how to dispel your fears to the benefits of taking small steps first, it gives concrete advice for building courage, and lays out, in writing rich with anecdotes, the simple ways that each of us can become a little bit braver.

• Scaredy-cats in need of a strong dose of daring
• The already-courageous who want to become even braver
• Anyone interested in how courage has shaped history

The Daily Dad (2023) is a philosophical meditation on the roles and responsibilities of parents. Presented as short passages to be consumed one day at a time, it draws on the author’s experiences of fatherhood, as well as the writings of history's greatest thinkers – from Plato to Bruce Springsteen. Whether you’re an expecting new parent or already living with a full nest, this wisdom and practical advice is timeless and applicable to all.

• New parents looking to cultivate a healthy and productive mindset for the momentous task ahead of them
• Seasoned parents who want to raise their kids with the bigger picture in mind
• Teachers, mentors, and other carers craving the best for their children’s future

Discipline Is Destiny (2022) draws on Stoic virtues to make a case for a life guided by self-discipline. It shows how being in control of your body, thoughts, and emotions is a prerequisite to mastering anything else – and uses historical figures to illustrate how things like sleep, discomfort, and kindness tie into greatness. 

• Frazzled folks looking for more structure in their lives
• Go-getters who want to optimize their time and energy
• Anyone seeking actionable steps to improve their happiness and well-being

Trust Me, I'm Lying by Ryan Holiday is a thought-provoking book that delves into the world of media manipulation and the spread of misinformation. Through real-life examples and personal experiences, Holiday reveals the tactics used by online media to create sensational stories and manipulate public opinion. It offers a compelling insight into the dark side of the digital age and raises important questions about the reliability of the information we consume.

• Individuals who want to understand the tactics and strategies behind media manipulation

• Marketers and PR professionals looking to learn about the dark side of their industry and how to counter it

• Anyone interested in the intersection of technology, media, and culture