100+ Books Recommended by Jordan Peterson: A Comprehensive Exploration

This article is your comprehensive guide to the 100+ books recommended by Jordan Peterson.

Jordan Peterson is a Canadian psychologist and author known for his insightful perspectives on psychology, philosophy, and cultural issues. Some of his notable books are:

1. “Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief”
2. “12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos”

Apart from his books, Peterson is known for his strong opinions on individual responsibility, free speech, and the significance of mythology. He draws inspiration from a diverse range of sources, including psychological theories, religious texts, and classical literature. His thought-provoking ideas resonate with many seeking guidance in navigating the complexities of life.

Books Recommended by Jordan Peterson

From philosophy, history, and politics to psychology and neuroscience, the books recommended by Jordon Peterson cover a broad range of genres. Most of his reads, for which he gives credit, have influenced and inspired him in such a way that the taste of them lingers in his own literary works. Here’s a categorized list of the books recommended by Jordan Peterson.

Literature/ Philosophy Books Recommended by Jordan Peterson

A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway

War-scarred love finds bittersweet solace amidst WWI tragedy.

1984 by George Orwell

Big Brother watches in a dystopian future where freedom is an illusion.

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

A passionate love triangle ignites social scandal and tragic downfall in opulent Russia.

Animal Farm by George Orwell

Orwell’s satirical fable uses barnyard animals to expose the perils of totalitarian power.

Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche

Nietzsche challenges morality and embraces self-creation in a provocative philosophical treatise.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley 

Genetic engineering and manufactured happiness create a chillingly perfect, yet soulless, utopia.

Cancer Ward: A Novel by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

Solzhenitsyn’s sweeping epic confronts illness, mortality, and the resilience of the human spirit in Soviet Russia.

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Raskolnikov’s philosophical justifications for murder unravel amidst guilt and psychological torment.

Demons: A Novel in Three Parts by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Dostoevsky delves into the dark underbelly of St. Petersburg society, where revolutionary fervor and paranoia collide.

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Steinbeck’s sprawling saga explores family secrets, biblical parallels, and the search for meaning in the American West.

For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway

American idealist fights in Spanish Civil War, facing love, loyalty, and death.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream by Hunter S. Thompson

Gonzo journalist’s drug-fueled odyssey through a psychedelic American nightmare.

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

Mentally-challenged man experiences genius for a fleeting, heartbreaking moment.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Shipwrecked boys descend into savagery, questioning the nature of good and evil.

Claudius From the Autobiography of Tiberius Claudius by Robert Graves

Roman emperor Claudius recounts his rise to power through intrigue, betrayal, and dark humor.

Island by Aldous Huxley 

A utopian society built on pacifism and genetic engineering faces a moral crisis.

Life at the Bottom: The Worldview That Makes the Underclass by Theodore Dalrymple

Sociologist’s controversial look at the underclass and the values that trap them.

On the Genealogy of Morals and Ecce Homo by Friedrich Nietzsche 

Nietzsche’s radical re-evaluation of morality and his self-proclaimed role as prophet.

One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest by Ken Kesey

Mental patients expose the hypocrisy of an oppressive mental institution.

Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Dostoyevsky’s introspective anti-hero wrestles with alienation and societal norms.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Dreams collides with harsh realities for migrant workers during the Great Depression.

Point Counter Point by Aldous Huxley

A decadent London set navigates love, sex, and disillusionment in the interwar years.

Sometimes a Great Notion by Ken Kesey

Family tensions explode as an Oregon logging family pursues an ill-fated timber venture.

The Anti-Christ by Friedrich Nietzsche

Nietzsche’s controversial critique of Christianity and calls for the “revaluation of all values.”

The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler

Private detective Philip Marlowe unravels a complex web of blackmail and murder in Los Angeles.

The Road To Wigan Pier by George Orwell

Orwell’s firsthand account of poverty and inequality in the north of England during the Depression.

The Fratricides by Nikos Kazantzakis

Greek mythology meets modern psychology in Kazantzakis’ exploration of sibling rivalry and betrayal.

The First Circle by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

Solzhenitsyn’s fictionalized chronicle of Soviet scientists imprisoned in a Stalinist gulag.

The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Dostoyevsky delves into faith, family, and murder in 19th-century Russia.

The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe

Wolfe’s immersive reportage on Ken Kesey and the rise of the Merry Pranksters and LSD counterculture.

The Gulag Archipelago Volume 1, 2, 3 & 4: An Experiment in Literary Investigation by Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn

Solzhenitsyn’s monumental exposé of the Soviet prison system and its devastating impact on millions.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

Steinbeck’s epic saga of the Joad family’s desperate migration during the Dust Bowl.

The Gay Science by Friedrich Nietzsche

Nietzsche’s playful and provocative philosophical inquiry into knowledge, morality, and joy.

The Horse’s Mouth by Joyce Cary

Cary’s satirical romp through the art world follows a bohemian painter’s struggle for artistic freedom.

The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler

Marlowe tackles another labyrinthine case involving blackmail, stolen art, and a missing wife.

The House of God by Samuel Shem

A darkly humorous coming-of-age story about a medical student disillusioned by the realities of American healthcare.

The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Dostoyevsky’s portrait of a naive prince navigating a corrupt St. Petersburg society.

The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett

Private detective Sam Spade hunts for a priceless statute and confronts the treacherous underworld of San Francisco.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Scout Finch’s innocent perspective illuminates racial prejudice and moral courage in a small Southern town.

Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis

Kazantzakis’s vibrant ode to life, passion, and unbridled hedonism through the eyes of a boisterous Greek man.

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values by Robert M Pirsig

A philosophical road trip exploring quality, meaning, and reality.

The Stone Angel by Margaret Laurence

A fiercely independent woman reflects on her life and choices through poignant memories.

The Red and the Black by Stendhal

An ambitious young man from humble beginnings navigates love, politics, and betrayal in Napoleonic France.

The Will to Power by Friedrich Nietzsche

A controversial philosophical treatise delving into power, self-mastery, and the concept of the Übermensch.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

A haunting tale of love, revenge, and passion set against the backdrop of the wild Yorkshire moors.

The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway

A minimalist yet powerful story of an aging fisherman’s epic struggle against the sea and his own mortality.

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

An expansive historical novel chronicling the lives of aristocratic families during Napoleon’s invasion of Russia, offering a profound reflection on human nature and history.

Tolstoy by Henri Troyat

A biographical exploration of the life and complex personality of the legendary author Leo Tolstoy.

The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov

A satirical and fantastical novel which blends magic realism, social commentary, and religious allegory in Soviet Russia.

The Charterhouse of Parma by Stendhal

A historical novel set in 16th-century Italy that explores themes of love, intrigue, ambition, and the pursuit of happiness.

 

Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry Books Recommended by Jordan Peterson

An Outline of Psycho Analysis by Sigmund Freud

A concise handbook that summarizes Freud’s theories on the unconscious mind, the id, ego, superego, and psychoanalytic treatment.

A Way of Being by Carl R. Rogers

A humanistic psychologist’s exploration of self-actualization, genuineness, and living authentically.

Aion (Collected Works of C. G. Jung)

Jung’s intricate exploration of time, symbols, and the archetypes of the collective unconscious.

Answer to Job: (From Vol. 11 of the Collected Works of C. G. Jung)

An interpretation of the Biblical book of Job through the lens of Jungian psychology and the shadow archetypes.

The Archetypes and The Collective Unconscious (Collected Works of C.G. Jung Vol.9 Part 1) (The Collected Works of C. G. Jung, 10)

A foundational text introducing Jung’s concepts of archetypes, instincts, and the structure of the psyche.

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

A psychiatrist’s firsthand account of surviving the Holocaust and finding meaning in life through suffering.

Genius: The Natural History of Creativity by H. J. Eysenck

A scientific investigation into the psychology of creativity and the characteristics of geniuses.

Modern Man In Search of a Soul by C.G. Jung

A call for individuation and reconnection with the deeper realms of the unconscious in modern society.

Mysterium Coniunctionis by C.G. Jung

A complex examination of alchemical symbolism and its connection to psychological integration and wholeness.

Play Dreams & Imitation in Childhood by Jean Piaget

Explores the significance of play, dreams, and imitation in children’s development and the emergence of the unconscious.

Psychology and Alchemy by C.G. Jung

A bridge between Jungian psychology and alchemical symbolism, tracing the archetypal patterns in both.

Symbols of Transformation by C.G. Jung

A rich investigation into symbolic meaning, myths, and their psychological significance across cultures.

The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker

Examines the human response to mortality and anxiety, arguing that much of human behavior seeks to overcome this fear.

The Discovery of the Unconscious by Henri E. Ellenberger

A historical and philosophical exploration of the concept of the unconscious mind from its early beginnings.

The Great Mother by Erich Neumann

A Jungian analysis of the archetypal mother figure and its influence on individual and collective psychology.

The Moral Judgement of the Child by Jean Piaget

Pioneered research on the development of moral reasoning and judgment in children.

The Interpretation of Dreams by Sigmund Freud

A foundational text of psychoanalysis, interpreting dreams as expressions of unconscious desires and conflicts.

The Origins and History of Consciousness by Erich Neumann

Analyzes the evolution of consciousness through cultural myths and symbols across different eras.

Two Essays on Analytical Psychology by C.G. Jung

Introduces key concepts of Jungian psychology, including individuation, complexes, and analytical methods.

The Symbolic Life: Miscellaneous Writings by C.G. Jung

A collection of shorter pieces exploring various aspects of Jungian psychology, symbolism, and alchemy.

Neuroscience Books Recommended by Jordan Peterson

The Ecological Approach to Visual Perception by James J. Gibson

Decodes how we naturally see the world beyond just receiving images.

Affective Neuroscience: The Foundations of Human and Animal Emotions by Jaak Panksepp

Unveils the core mechanisms driving emotions in humans and animals.

An Anthropologist On Mars: Seven Paradoxical Tales by Oliver Sacks

Sacks explores neurological curiosities, revealing surprising similarities between man and other creatures.

Awakenings by Oliver Sacks

Sacks chronicles the remarkable reawakenings of patients frozen in neurological time capsules.

Brain Architecture: Understanding the Basic Plan by Larry W. Swanson

Demystifies the basic blueprint of the brain and its intricate wiring.

The Emotional Brain: The Mysterious Underpinnings of Emotional Life by Joseph Ledoux

Unravels the hidden circuitry behind our emotional responses.

The Neuropsychology of Anxiety: An Enquiry into the Functions of the Septo-Hippocampal System by Jeffrey A. Gray and Neil McNaughton

Delves into the brain’s anxiety machinery and its hidden functions.

The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat: And Other Clinical Tales by Oliver Sacks

Explores neurological oddities that challenge our understanding of self and perception.

The New Executive Brain: Frontal Lobes in a Complex World by Elkhonon Goldberg

Examines the crucial role of the frontal lobes in navigating a complex world.

 

Religion and Religious History Books Recommended by Jordan Peterson

A History of Religious Ideas, Volume 1, 2 & 3 by Mircea Eliade

Eliade’s monumental exploration of religion across history and cultures.

The Bible

The sacred text of Christianity, Judaism, and other Abrahamic religions.

Mephistopheles: The Devil in the Modern World by Jeffrey Burton Russell

Explores the Devil’s enduring influence in contemporary society.

Myth and Reality by Mircea Eliade

Eliade delves into the nature of myth and its connection to human experience.

Myths Dreams and Mysteries by Mircea Eliade

Eliade investigates the symbolic language of myths and dreams across cultures.

Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy by Mircea Eliade

Eliade analyzes shamanistic practices and their connection to altered states of consciousness.

The Forge and the Crucible by Mircea Eliade

Eliade’s study of alchemy and its symbolic connection to spiritual transformation.

The Crisis of Islam: Holy War and Unholy Terror by Bernard Lewis

Lewis examines the challenges and complexities facing Islam in the modern world.

The Great Code: The Bible and Literature by Northrop Frye

Frye analyzes the Bible’s literary structure and its influence on Western literature.

The World’s Religions by Huston Smith

Smith offers a comprehensive overview of major religious traditions.

The Sacred and the Profane by Mircea Eliade

Eliade explores the distinction between the sacred and the profane in various cultures.

Words with Power: Being a Second Study of “The Bible and Literature” by Northrop Frye

Frye expands his analysis of the Bible’s literary influence on various genres.

 

History and System Analysis

Little Science, Big Science…and Beyond by Derek J. de Solla Price

Explores the transformation of science from small-scale to massive enterprise and beyond.

Systemantics: How Systems Work and Especially How They Fail by John Gall drawings by Ft O Blechman

A humorous and insightful guide to understanding how systems work, emphasizing their potential for failure.

Stalin: The First In-depth Biography Based on Explosive New Documents from Russia’s Secret Archives by Edward Radzinsky

Unveils a fresh biography of the Soviet dictator based on newly-released secret documents.

The Mystery of Capital: Why Capitalism Triumphs in the West and Fails Everywhere Else by Hernando De Soto

Investigates why capitalism thrives in the West while struggling elsewhere.

The Rise of Statistical Thinking, 1820-1900 by Theodore M. Porter

Traces the historical evolution of statistical approaches in understanding the world.

The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany by William L. Shirer

A comprehensive chronicle of Nazi Germany’s rise to power and eventual downfall.

 

The State of the World: A 21st Century Update

How to Spend $75 Billion to Make the World a Better Place by Bjørn Lomborg

Lomborg speaks about prioritizing impactful solutions to global problems using cost-benefit analysis.

Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress by Steven Pinker

Debunks pessimism and highlights progress in reason, science, and humanism.

Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World–and Why Things Are Better Than You Think by Hans Rosling with Ola Rosling and Anna Rosling Ronnlund

Challenges misconceptions about global development and reveales positive trends in health, wealth, and equality.

Earth in Human Hands: Shaping Our Planet’s Future by David Grinspoon

Explores humanity’s impact on the planet and potential solutions for a sustainable future.

Progress: Ten Reasons to Look Forward to the Future by Norberg Johan

Gives a reassuring look at ten reasons for optimism about the future, based on data and historical trends.

The Great Escape: Health, Wealth, and the Origins of Inequality by Angus Deaton

Unveils the forces driving global health and wealth improvements and examines the rise of inequality.

The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves by Matt Riddley

Celebrates innovation and human ingenuity as engines of progress and prosperity.

Conclusion

Books recommended by Jordan Peterson offer a thrilling journey into not just psychology but across various genres like philosophy, religion, history, and neuroscience. From timeless classics to contemporary introspective pieces, each of these reads opens doors to innumerable knowledge and soul-searching.

So, which of these recommendations are you reading next?