Here you’ll find a complete reading list of the books I’ve encountered during my research, work, and life. These book reviews are no more than a few sentences and should take no more than 30-seconds to read. Each review highlights the main point and they won’t spoil the book for you. If you want to learn more about each book, there’s a link below to read my full thoughts and reflections.
On this page, book reviews are organized alphabetically. As you scroll down, you may discover a book about psychology followed by business. If you’d prefer to explore book recommendations by category, you can check out my page of best books.
Alphabetical Book Reviews
Below you’ll find my entire list of book reviews in alphabetical order.
12 Rules of Life
by Jordan Peterson
Book | eBook | Audio
30-Second Book Review: This is the book for the lost, the confused, and the broken. There’s no other way to describe Jordan Peterson’s approach to sharing the cure for chaos than brilliant, inspiring, and honest. He carves right into the heart of the problem and details the rules of life using playful stories and easy-to-understand ideas.
Candide
by Voltaire
Book | eBook | Audio
30-Second Book Review: How often does your optimism create a false picture of reality? As we navigate the world, we’re often told that positivity is the key to happiness. However, just how disillusioned are we becoming by following “happy” thoughts all the time? Come meet Candide and his companions on their journey from optimism to realism.
Ego is the Enemy
by Ryan Holiday
Book | eBook | Audio
30-Second Book Review: To understand the ego, it must be analyzed when we Aspire, Succeed, and Fail. If we allow our ego to go unchecked, it makes the struggle from failure back to success the greatest struggle you’ll have to face. With humility, discipline, and determination–you can more readily overcome the ego and rise above your downfalls and misfortunes.
For Whom The Bell Tolls
by Ernest Hemmingway
Book | Ebook
30-Second Book Review: Explore the world of guerilla warfare in the heart of the Spanish civil war. This gripping story follows Robert Jordan (not the author listed above) on his journey to help a small rebel group to blow up a bridge. During the heat of battle in the city of Segovia, the group gets surrounded on the mountain ridge. Bullets flying and the objective not yet complete, will they survive or will they die before the job gets done?
Ikigai
by Héctor García & Francesc Miralles
Book | eBook | Audio
30-Second Book Review: What is your reason for being alive? Ikigai is a Japanese concept that captures the idea of people having value in life through their worthwhile pursuits. To do anything other than the pursuit of this one thing is a cause of inner turmoil and a struggle with inner-peace. So, one more time, what’s your reason for being alive?
Resilience
by Eric Greitens
Book | eBook | Audio
30-Second Book Review: If we get knocked down, we get back up. It down seems like an easy idea but how come it’s so difficult to lift ourselves back up after a fatal blow? If we’re to pursue a better life, we must build the strength to move through moments of suffering and make happiness the end goal for all our actions.
The Brain Audit
by Sean D’Souza
Book | eBook | Audio
30-Seconds Book Review: Selling is an art, the art of getting inside your customers head. And, getting inside the head of a customer is nothing new. In fact, the psychology of buying has been around for thousands of years. There are those who master it, those who understand it, and those who read this book to figure it all out. Which one are you?
The Copywriter’s Handbook
by Robert W. Bly
Book | eBook | Audio
30-Second Book Review: If you’re considering a career in copywriting, get this book. I personally would not be as effective as I am today without reading the Copywriter’s Handbook and having it on hand to refer to ideas again and again. This will lay down the foundation to become a copywriter along with the lingo that helps you sell your services to new clients.
The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding
by Arnold Schwarzenegger
Book | eBook
30-Second Book Review: Who would you rather learn bodybuilding and strength training from other than the legend himself? From the beginner to the gym rats, Arnold Schwarzenegger offers a well-rounded strategy for losing weight, gaining muscle, or getting ready for a fitness competition.
The Prince
by Nicolo Machiavelli
Book| eBook | Audio
30-Second Book Review: Are you looking to acquire and maintain political power? Or, are you simply curious as to how the political world thinks and feel? Wait, those people don’t feel anything, they’re heartless bastards! Anyway, here’s a book that dives into the heart and soul of the political world of the 16th-century with ideas and principles that still apply today.
The Ten Day MBA
by Steven Silbiger
Book | Ebook | Audio
30-Second Book Review: Why waste four years or more in school when you can get a crash course MBA “degree” in just ten days? All the knowledge you’ll find from America’s top business schools condensed into this book and provide practical knowledge to apply to any business situation. From financial planning to real estate to small business owners, here’s a book that ‘s going to give you the basics of business and so much more.
Work the System
by Sam Carpenter
Book | eBook
30-Second Book Review: From the human body to corporate enterprises, there a systems in place that operate all vital roles in life. To set up and assemble systems, that is the pathway to a fully functional and profitable operation. Ultimately, turning your day-to-day world into a system might allow you to make more while working less.