12 of Joe Rogan’s Favorite Nonfiction Books
Joe Rogan is a jack-of-all-trades — television host, stand-up comedian, actor, athlete, MMA commentator, and by now the unofficial king of podcasting. Widely known to audiences worldwide as the host of the incredibly popular Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan is famous for having a curious mind and for pursuing a plethora of interests; from healthy eating to elk hunting to psychedelics and their effects on the human psyche.
The quintessential lifelong learner, Joe Rogan invests most of the time he does not spend broadcasting in reading and researching current events and topics for his marathon interviews. To help you know the mind of such a voracious, almost competitive, reader a little better, we compiled a list of Joe Rogan books recommendations , which you can digest in just a couple of minutes read with the Blinkist app.
1. Tribe by Sebastian Junger
Tribe
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
Tribe provides a fresh perspective on tribes, tribalism, and the instrumental role both have played in the development of our societies. In his 2016 book, Sebastian Junger sets out to investigate the social structures that have made humans feel at home in a chaotic, ever-changing world.
However grim it may sound, Junger argues that through tragedies, such as wars and natural disasters, humans have developed our deepest sense of belonging and community. Junger argues that humans thrive in groups, even if our present-day societies place so much importance on individualism. Having a sense of “we” is fundamental to human happiness.
2. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
Outliers
- 16 min reading time
- audio version available
With time, and with large doses of patience, we can develop our skills to the point where we become experts. In his book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell sets out to study success, and what differentiates “world-class”-level successful people from the rest. Talent is obviously a key element in the recipe for success. However, hard work is as important, if not more so. Bill Gates spent a lot of time learning computer programming.
The Beatles spent a lot of time on stage. Though they were also extraordinarily talented individuals, it was extensive practice that made them truly world-class. To achieve world-class mastery at anything, studies show you need to spend a “critical minimum” amount of time – around 10,000 hours – practicing. Of course, not everyone has the opportunity to spend this much time practicing something.
If you’re captivated by Gladwell’s insights in “Outliers” and are curious about more of his work or other books he recommends, take a look at Malcolm Gladwell Book Recommendations. This article provides an extensive list of books endorsed by Gladwell, sure to keep your mind engaged and entertained.
3. Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins
Can’t Hurt Me
- 18 min reading time
- audio version available
Can’t Hurt Me (2018) is the inspirational true-life story of David Goggins, one of the world’s fittest men. Goggins overcame an impoverished, traumatic childhood at the hands of a violent and demanding father to become a super-fit Navy SEAL and a successful ultramarathon runner.
His teachings on overcoming the barriers and obstacles that our minds put on ourselves to preserve us from pain and suffering have become an inspiration to many men and women around the world who struggle with their physical and mental wellbeing. The book explores the key life events of this inspirational athlete and military man and provides a fascinating insight into a truly focused and unbreakable mind.
For those intrigued by Goggins’ story and keen to delve deeper into his philosophy and other works, visit our article David Goggins – His Books and Life on Blinkist. Here, you’ll find a curated collection of his best books and quick access to key insights, enabling you to start absorbing his wisdom immediately.
4. Sex at Dawn by Christopher Ryan
Sex at Dawn
- 16 min reading time
- audio version available
Sex At Dawn argues that Western societies’ idealization of monogamy is incompatible with human nature, and detrimental to the development of healthy relationships. In Sex at Dawn, Christopher Ryan writes a history of humans and human sexuality, where he aims to dispel longstanding myths related to sex and sexuality — namely, that true love equals lifelong monogamy and that women have lower libidos than men, among others.
Arguing that our distorted view of sexuality ruins our health and keeps us from being happy, Sex At Dawn explains how returning to a more casual approach to sex could benefit interpersonal relationships and societies in general.
5. The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz
The Four Agreements
- 12 min reading time
- audio version available
“A seriously powerful book.”
The Four Agreements is a 1997 best selling self-improvement book by don Miguel Ruiz. It distills the lessons Ruiz learned from studying pre-Columbian Toltec traditions into four maxims according to which we should live our lives.
The Four Agreements details self-limiting behaviors we incur unconsciously, and teaches us how to correct them, so that we are able to live our lives in harmony with ourselves and with others. If this is the first time you are reading about The Four Agreements, we suggest you take a look at this detailed overview of the book on Blinkist Magazine.
6. Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
Sapiens
- 26 min reading time
- audio version available
“It really puts in perspective how bizarre human beings are. It’s an awesome overview of our species.”
Sapiens has been nothing short of an international sensation since it was first published in English in 2014. Based on a series of lectures by Yuval Noah Harari, the book is an account of an extremely recent development in the history of the universe — the evolution of humankind.
From the genesis of our species to our current place in the driver’s seat of the technological age, our place in Earth’s timeline is minuscule, yet, we have managed to completely dominate the planet on an unprecedented scale. Sapiens takes us through the history of our species, showing us the developments and trends that have allowed Homo sapiens to rise to the top.
7. Going Clear by Lawrence Wright
Going Clear
- 16 min reading time
- audio version available
Scientology remains one of the most hermetic, enigmatic organizations today. It claims to be a religion, although it shares a striking resemblance with some secret societies and multi-level marketing schemes. This peculiar mix of equal parts religious dogma and racketeering makes the history and legacy of Scientology all the more fascinating, and Going Clear all the more riveting.
This Joe Rogan book recommendation offers insight into the secret history and beliefs of Scientology, as well as into the bizarre biography of its founder, L. Ron Hubbard. Lawrence Wright goes into detail on the darker side of the Church, its relentless pursuit of silencing its critics, and its systematic approach to celebrity endorsement and recruitment.
8. The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
The Tipping Point
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
Malcolm Gladwell makes a second appearance on this list with The Tipping Point. His 2000 debut book discusses why certain ideas, products and behaviors spread like epidemics and what we can do to consciously trigger and have control over such epidemics.
Gladwell employs various case studies — ranging from the overnight success of a footwear brand all the way to the steep decline of New York City’s crime rate in the early 1990s — to argue that there are three key factors that determine whether an idea or a message will go viral: the types of people it reaches and who disseminate it; how memorable its content is; and whether it fits the circumstances of its environment.
9. The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
The War of Art
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
“A great book about harnessing creativity.”
In The War of Art, Steven Pressfield addresses the negative mindsets that stand in opposition to creativity, keeping us from doing what it takes to fulfill our dreams. Pressfield helps readers identify how fear and self-doubt negatively affect their creative pursuits, and gives key lessons on how to overcome them.
The War of Art serves as an orientation to anyone who has been, or is still, struggling to realize their passion. It sends a very clear message — we have no control over the amount of talent we have, but talent alone cannot take you where self-motivation, self-inspiration, self-validation, and self-encouragement will. No matter how talented we are — if we don’t put in the work, then our dreams might just stay dreams.
10. The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle
The Talent Code
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
Traditionally, we think of talent as something we’re born with, and you’ve either got it, or you don’t. However, in The Talent Code, Daniel Coyle uses recent findings in neuroscience to reveal that, by employing a particular type of training called ‘deep practice’, we can physically rewire and develop our brains to create what he calls a ‘talent code’.
Deep practice promotes the development of myelin, a layer around the nerves in our brains and spines, which has considerable effects on the development of new skills. This is why we see talent clusters in particular times and places, where certain types of training and coaching seem to create almost endless talent, disproving the notion that talent is assigned at random. Instead, Coyle makes the argument that genius is born by practice, and not by genes.
11. 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari
21 Lessons for the 21st Century
- 12 min reading time
- audio version available
After dealing both with the distant past and the distant future in Sapiens and Homo Deus, Yuval Noah Harari’s 21 Lessons for the 21st Century (2018) is the Israeli author’s investigation of the current challenges that face mankind. In an era of fast-paced change and an increasingly uncertain future, societies are grappling with technological, political and social issues unique to the twenty-first century.
How should we respond to hyper-intelligent computers, globalization, fake news epidemics or the threat of terrorism? As humankind moves deeper into uncharted territory, Harari explores how best to navigate our lives in this century of constant change, using fascinating examples from current affairs along the way.
For readers interested in further exploring Harari’s insights, particularly those from “Sapiens,” a related and highly informative resource is available: 5 Facts From The Book Sapiens You Need To Know. This article dives into key takeaways from Harari’s earlier work, providing a concise understanding of the foundational ideas that shape his views in “21 Lessons for the 21st Century.”
12. The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins
The God Delusion
- 19 min reading time
- audio version available
The question of the existence of a divine being has been with humankind for a very long time. In The God Delusion (2006), Richard Dawkins asserts that a supernatural creator — whether we call it God, Allah, or Vishnu — almost certainly does not exist. Furthermore, he qualifies that belief in a personal god as a delusion, which is defined as holding a false belief as truth, even when faced with strong contradictory evidence.
Most theists hold religious beliefs, scriptures, and rituals, as essential in guiding us when it comes to morality and how to live our lives. The God Delusion deconstructs popular arguments for the existence of God and explains why society’s morals and ethical standards should not be based on religion.
Our Conclusion on Joe Rogans Book Recommendations
In this list of Joe Rogan book recommendations, we’ve explored a variety of fascinating books, each offering unique insights and perspectives. From understanding human behavior to unraveling the complexities of history, these selections mirror Joe Rogan’s diverse interests and his passion for learning.
Whether you’re a fan of The Joe Rogan Experience or simply in search of thought-provoking reads, these books are sure to engage and inspire you. And the best part? You can start discovering these insightful books on Blinkist.
Blinkist makes it easy for you to get the key ideas from these books quickly. With concise summaries, you can grasp the main points in just a few minutes. It’s perfect for those who are short on time but still want to keep learning and expanding their horizons.
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