A short list of some of my favorite books;

For anyone interested, I wanted to share a list of books that have had a profound influence on my thinking. There are, of course, many others and I’m sure I’ll be adding to this list as time goes on but these are just a few that come to mind when I sat down to think of some of the books that have had a lasting impact on my thinking and development.

• Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand:

This book explains Objectivist philosophy by explaining the “why” behind the “what” so to speak by presenting so many aspects of Ayn Rand’s Objectivist principles in a fictional story about a world that is increasingly corrupt and authoritarian as it descends into a collectivist nightmare. A book about the role of man’s mind in his existence, part adventure, part love story, suspenseful and well-written, an amazing book. Listed as one of the most influential books ever written.

• The Fountainhead, by Ayn Rand:

This book impacted me on a deeply personal level, more so than any other I have ever read. I identified so strongly with the main character in his struggles as they very closely mirror many of my own. A story about an architect who fights a corrupt, entrenched bureaucracy to preserve the integrity of his own work. A story that delves into the issue of The Individual vs. The Collective.

• Gulag Archipelago, by Alexander Solzhenitsyn:

If you want to know where Marxist, radical leftist, collectivist ideology ultimately leads, this book is for you. The three-volume set that describes the hellish existence of a Soviet labor camp and explores, in great detail, the corrupt, tyrannical ideology that led to some of the worst human rights abuses in history. A pivotal work of literary history and a tremendous literary achievement that helped make the world aware of what was truly taking place behind the iron curtain.

• Notes from a Dead House, by Fyodor Dostoyevsky:

A book that is about as close to autobiographical as Dostoyevsky ever got, a great book about a man’s time in a 19^th century Russian prison. It offers an interesting case study into human psychology, suffering and meaning in life. There are some very interesting ideas in the early chapters about work and how a man can find some measure of pride and satisfaction from simple accomplishment, even in a Russian prison.

• Meditations, by Marcus Aurelius:

The collection of notes from the great Stoic philosopher and Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius. A collection of individual pearls of wisdom that can still offer guidance in how to live a disciplined, meaningful life.

• Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl:

Part biographical, part philosophical/ psychological, this book describes Viktor Frankl’s internment at Auschwitz and how he was able to cope with and survive the horrors he saw and lived through. A great book for exploring Existentialist philosophy and the idea of finding meaning in suffering.

• 12 Rules for Life, by Jordan Peterson:

I am a big fan of Jordan Peterson and have been inspired by his writings and lectures, in fact a couple of the books on this list (Gulag Archipelago and Man’s Search for Meaning) I read on his recommendation. This book offers twelve principles that can help men and women both to life a good life, take responsibility and be a man or woman other can depend on.

• Ordinary Men, by Christopher Browning:

A very chilling work about authoritarianism and human psychology in group dynamics. Ordinary Men documents the story of a detachment of German policemen in WWII who were sent to Poland to assist with the “final solution”. Browning explores the psychology of “ordinary men”; men who were like anyone else, mechanics, carpenters, hardware store clerks, etc., and became hardened killers.

• Endurance, by Alfred Lansing:

This is a great story about the leadership of Ernest Shackleton and the expedition to Antarctica that became a struggle for survival when their ship became trapped in the ice flows. The heroic efforts of the crew under the leadership of Ernest Shackleton, are so inspiring to read. Heartwarming and inspiring, a true classic heroic adventure story of men who faced incredible odds and adversity and did the impossible.

• Into The Silence, by Wade Davis:

A great book and one of my personal favorites (one of a very few books I actually read twice because I enjoyed it so much), Into the Silence tells the story of the first expeditions to attempt to climb Mt. Everest. A heroic and tragic story of the men who survived the horrors of WWI and then decided to take on the incredible challenge of being the first to climb the highest peak on earth. The book is written in such incredible detail, you feel as though you actually know the characters firsthand. An in depth look at man’s ambition, national pride, courage and determination.