best fiction books joe rogan

Joe Rogan Book Recommendations (51 Books)

Joe Rogan is an American comedian and podcast host. Wikipedia

Books Recommended by Joe Rogan

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• Joe Rogan Recommended Books

The New Science of a Lost Art

James nestor.

Source : "Since using the techniques I learned in [this book] I’ve changed the nature of my daily sauna sessions from uncomfortable mind tempering to a slow, rhythmic meditation session." - Joe Rogan

The Immortality Key

The secret history of the religion with no name, brian c. muraresku.

Source : "The culmination of a 12 year obsession into the mystery of the ancient Greeks and their use of psychedelics to find god." - Joe Rogan

The Book of Five Rings

Miyamoto musashi.

Source : "Increased my focus in all disciplines I pursue. It’s some undeniably inspiring shit, and I can’t recommend it enough." - Joe Rogan

A Brief History of Humankind

Yuval noah harari.

Source : "It really puts in perspective how bizarre human beings are. It’s an awesome overview of our species." - Joe Rogan

Stealing Fire

How silicon valley, the navy seals, and maverick scientists are revolutionizing the way we live and work, steven kotler.

Source : "An excellent book on the power of meditation and alternate states of consciousness on performance." - Joe Rogan

The Terminal List

Source : "You want an awesome story about a navy SEAL? Get one written by an actual SEAL. There’s no substitute." - Joe Rogan

The God Delusion

Richard dawkins.

Source : "I read The God Delusion in preparation for [the Dawkins interview]. I'm a huge fan of [his] work." - Joe Rogan

Ladies and Gentlemen, Lenny Bruce!!

Albert goldman.

Source : "Required reading for aspiring stand ups. [...] I’ve had this book for 25 years. A genuine classic." - Joe Rogan

Your Dad Stole My Rake

And other family dilemmas.

Source : "[The author] is an awesome, hilarious guy, so if you’re looking for a great read your search is over!" - Joe Rogan

Blood and Thunder

The epic story of kit carson and the conquest of the american west, hampton sides.

Source : "Another amazing [book on the Wild West and the conflicts Native Americans had with early settlers]." - Joe Rogan

Scars and Stripes

An unapologetically american story of fighting the taliban, ufc warriors, and myself, tim kennedy.

Source : "I have no doubt you'll begin living your life a little bit more like [the author] after reading this." - Joe Rogan

The Life of an American Visionary

Joe jackson.

Source : "My obsession with Native American history books continues, and with [this book] I’ve found my favorite one yet." - Joe Rogan

Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties

Tom o'neill.

Source : "An INSANE story that took [the author] 20 years to write. The podcast I did with him was seriously mind blowing." - Joe Rogan

Meditations

Marcus aurelius.

Source : "It's really wild when you think about how long that guy lived and how applicable some of his thoughts are today." - Joe Rogan

The Sacred Mushroom and The Cross

A study of the nature and origins of christianity within the fertility cults of the ancient near east, john m. allegro.

Source : "For a really odd take on the bible [...] he says the bible was all about mushrooms." - Joe Rogan

Industrial-Strength Denial

Eight stories of corporations defending the indefensible, from the slave trade to climate change, barbara freese.

Source : "A very well written and disturbing account of corporations defending the indefensible." - Joe Rogan

The Case Against Sugar

Gary taubes.

Source : "Seriously mind blowing information about how sugar consumption is robbing us of our health." - Joe Rogan

Something Deeply Hidden

Quantum worlds and the emergence of spacetime, sean carroll.

Source : "Really excellent and really perplexing at the same time." - Joe Rogan

The Spirit Molecule

Rick strassman.

Source : "Joe Rogan thinks it’s an amazing book and mentions it often." - JRE Library

James Reece, Book 3

Source : "Fucking excellent! [The author] knocked it out of the park! I’m riveted!" - Joe Rogan

Other Experts

Barack Obama

Charlie Munger

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13 Books Joe Rogan Has Recommended on His Podcast

You too can listen to these as audiobooks while you unwind in your recovery sauna.

Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. We may earn a commission through links on our site. Why Trust Us?

Rogan is a well-known lover of audiobooks, listening to best-sellers and under-the-radar finds alike. In fact, after the end of a long workout, Rogan reportedly unwinds with an audiobook in his recovery sauna , which is extremely relatable to the rest of us.

As the host of the most-listened-to podcast in the U.S. , Rogan often recommends his favorite reads to his loyal audience. In fact, he commonly welcomes the authors of his selects on to The Joe Rogan Experience podcast for a chat, which is one hell of a platform. But it can be hard to keep up with every book on Rogan's reading list, even for the most dedicated listener, especially since his picks are so varied and mismatched. Seriously, this guy listens to anything and everything with seemingly no rhyme or reason.

Maybe you've already taken some notes from the podcast host's best gym gear . But if you want the true Joe Rogan reading experience, check out this list highlighting 13 of his top picks, spanning from fiction thrillers to long-standing classics to self-help selections. Many are even New York Times bestsellers.

Truly, there's something for everyone on Rogan's top literary list. Just consider it further proof of his constant unpredictability.

'The Terminal List: A Thriller' by Jack Carr

Written by former Navy SEAL Jack Carr, The Terminal List is the first book in a series of best-selling thrillers about a Navy SEAL confronting a government conspiracy that killed his combat team and his family. Rogan has read four of five books in the series, albeit out of order, saying , "I’m blown away by how compelling these books are."

'A Land So Strange: The Epic Journey of Cabeza de Vaca' by Andrés Reséndez

A Land So Strange: The Epic Journey of Cabeza de Vaca tells the true story of a 1528 Spanish expedition to colonize Florida that went horribly wrong. Out of 400 men who embarked on the journey, only four survived. Rogan said on his podcast that he was fascinated with the book—and the likelihood that these four men brought diseases with them which ultimately killed the Mayan civilization.

'1984' by George Orwell

A noted classic, 1984 by George Orwell is an eerie dystopian novel written in 1949 which envisions a future of mass surveillance, repressive governments, and perpetual war. Sound unfortunately familiar? On his podcast in December 2020 , Rogan said he was re-reading the book given the state of the world.

'The Art of Mindful Living: How to Bring Love, Compassion, and Inner Peace into Your Daily Life' by Thích Nhất Hạnh

Thích Nhất Hạnh is a Buddist monk and peace activist who has published over 130 books on Buddism, meditation, mindfulness, and zen practices. This particular audiobook includes guided meditations and step-by-step breathing exercises, focusing on bringing mindfulness practices into everyday life. In an Instagram post , Rogan says, "I listened to this guy talk about mindfulness while sitting in the sauna at 185 degrees for 25 minutes practicing breathing exercises and the time just flew by."

'Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art' by James Nestor

A New York Times bestseller,  Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art  chronicles our relationship with breathing, and how humans have lost touch with the ability to "breathe correctly." Rogan called the book "really fascinating," and even featured Nestor on his podcast to discuss the non-fiction work.

'Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties' by Tom O'Neill

The Manson murders are undeniably infamous, and almost no one knows them better than journalist Tom O'Neill. He spent 20-plus years investigating the murder, calling into question the FBI's involvement and reassessing the infamous case. O'Neill appeared on Rogan's podcast with the host calling the book one he can "wholeheartedly recommend."

'Coyote America: A Natural and Supernatural History' by Dan Flores

A New York Times bestseller, Coyote America  chronicles the "natural and supernatural" history and evolution of coyotes in the U.S. In the book, Flores argues in the battle of man and coyote, the coyote has long been victorious. Dan Flores was a guest on The Joe Rogan Experience , with Rogan calling the book "amazing" on Twitter .

'Something Deeply Hidden: Quantum Worlds and the Emergence of Spacetime' by Sean Carroll

How about some casual quantum mechanics for a soothing sauna read?  Something Deeply Hidden: Quantum Worlds and the Emergence of Spacetime is a deeply complex book on space, time, and the complexities of universes known and unknown. Sean Carroll has been on Rogan's podcast numerous times, and Rogan calls this best-selling book "really excellent and really perplexing at the same time."

'Black Elk: The Life of an American Visionary' by Joe Jackson

You likely know the name of Native American holy man and healer Black Elk, thanks to the classic non-fiction book  Black Elk Speaks . In this biography, author Joe Jackson moves beyond the acclaimed 1932 book, telling the full story of one of the most noted figures in Native American history. On Instagram , Rogan wrote, "[I]t’s one of the most moving books I’ve ever taken in," calling it "haunting."

'Survivor Song: A Novel' by Paul Tremblay

This fiction thriller is about a "rabies-like virus" that ravages Massachusetts, leading to an apocalyptic, zombie-like takeover of infected people. Rogan called it "fucking excellent" on his podcast , but don't just take his word for it. Even Steven King says it's " absolutely riveting ."

'The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom' by Jonathan Haidt

Penned by award-winning psychologist Jonathan Haidt,  The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom  dissects ten pieces of advice on happiness popularized by famous figures and analyzes how they apply to today's world. Haidt was also a guest on Rogan's podcast , with the host calling the book "one of the best and most insightful books I’ve ever read."

'Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief' by Lawrence Wright

Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief is a peek into the controversial religion that seems to attract Hollywood en mass. Author Lawrence Wright interviewed more than 200 current and former members of the church for his investigation into the inner workings of the church. After reading the book, Rogan  wrote on Twitter , " Going Clear ...  is one of the weirdest books I've ever read. Such a bizarre view into madness and its wake."

'Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked' by Adam Alter

For a man who runs a tech-reliant podcast, this pick is very strange.  Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked takes a look at our obsession with and reliance on technology, showing what makes tech, well, irresistible. Rogan called the book a "sobering read" on Instagram.

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Books Recommended By

Yuval Noah Harari

Recommended by.

Karlie Kloss: "It’s an amazing book on the beginning of humanity. It’s scientific but also philosophical."

Joe Rogan: "Great book... Fucking fascinating... Very enlightening."

Patrick O'Shaughnessy: "This book was so entertaining and useful.

It provides a concise history of humankind and outlines why we have the psychology we do today (this part is great for thinking about investor behavior)."

Changpeng Zhao: "[This book] gives me a greater perspective about how humans emerged and why we behave the way we do."

Daniel Ek: "One of the most-talked-about books of the last couple of years, and for good reason.

Both sobering and conservatively optimistic in equal measure, it seems even more relevant for us at the moment to learn from our socio-anthropological history."

Anthony Pompliano: "One of the best books I read in 2017"

Naval Ravikant: "An orthogonal and clinical examination of the human animal, from the beginning to now.

Humans are story-telling alpha predators that killed the competition and domesticated the survivors. This is our story, and it's not all pretty."

Melinda Gates mentioned this book as one of her 11 favorite books.

Reid Hoffman: "Sapiens has had me thinking a lot about the evolution of humanity and what our future looks like."

Mark Zuckerberg: "I found the chapter on the evolution of the role of religion in human life most interesting and something I wanted to go deeper on."

Raoul Pal enjoyed reading 'Sapiens'.

One of the books Keith Rabois recommends for entrepreneurs.

Bill Gurley: "I really enjoyed [Sapiens]"

Bill Gates: "Melinda and I spent weeks talking about this history of the human race."

Guns, Germs, and Steel

Jared diamond.

Daniel Ek: "A brilliant Pulitzer Prize–winning book about how the modern world was formed, analyzing how societies developed differently on different continents.

I like how this is written from a biologist’s point of view rather than purely based on history or anthropology."

Joe Rogan: "Guns Germs and Steel is an amazing book."

Charlie Munger recommended 'Guns, Germs, and Steel' in his book Poor Charlie's Almanack.

Included on Jamie Dimon's list of favorite books he sent to JP Morgan summer interns in 2010.

Raoul Pal said 'Guns, Germs, and Steel' influenced his macro thinking on Twitter.

Can't Hurt Me

David goggins.

Joe Rogan: "It's fucking amazing."

Marc Andreessen: "Anytime anybody feels mopey about what's happening in their startup or in their life, this is the book to read to reset all the expectations."

Austen Allred: "This is some of the craziest stuff I’ve ever read."

Anthony Pompliano: "Have been a Goggins fan for awhile. The book didn't disappoint"

12 Rules For Life

Jordan b. peterson.

Marc Andreessen: "A bracing disassembly and reconstruction of a theory of individual progress in the modern world.

Fascinating compare and contrast with 'The Courage To Be Disliked'"

Joe Rogan mentioned 12 Rules For Life on the 'Joe Rogan Experience' podcast.

Naval Ravikant mentioned 12 Rules For Life on Twitter .

The Four Agreements

Don miguel ruiz.

Joe Rogan: "This is a seriously powerful book. Especially potent for someone like me who talks for a living and often talks too much."

Karlie Kloss: "I think it’s got a lot of great principles and ideas."

One of Jack Dorsey's favorite books.

The Happiness Hypothesis

Jonathan haidt.

Joe Rogan: "I really can’t recommend this book enough. It’s one of the best and most insightful books I’ve ever read."

Tony Hsieh: "I have been really influenced by this field called the "science of happiness." One great book in this field is 'The Happiness Hypothesis'"

Charles Koch recommended this book on his website.

James Nestor

Joe Rogan: "Fascinating shit"

Keith Rabois: "Fascinating"

Patrick O'Shaughnessy mentioned reading and loving Breath on Twitter.

The Book of Five Rings

Miyamoto musashi.

Joe Rogan mentioned 'The Book of Five Rings' as one of his top 3 books of all-time.

Naval Ravikant mentioned The Book of Five Rings on Twitter.

Sebastian Junger

Joe Rogan: "This book by Sebastian Junger is fucking epic. I can't recommend it enough."

Tim Ferriss: "I read [Tribe] in about a day and a half. I just ingested it rapid fire."

Sex at Dawn

Christopher ryan.

Joe Rogan: "Sex at Dawn is incredible."

Sex at Dawn was mentioned on Shane Parrish's podcast with Naval Ravikant.

Empire of the Summer Moon

S.c. gwynne.

Joe Rogan: "I find myself thinking about it all day. I’ve been listening to the audio book over the last week or so and it’s just fucking amazing."

Sam Hinkie: "I liked [Empire of the Summer Moon] a lot. To me, it's sort of a book about tech transfer and adoption curves, and the race that is that."

The Talent Code

Daniel coyle.

Joe Rogan: "It's an amazing book, I think, for anybody"

Tobi Lutke mentioned 'The Talent Code' on Patrick O'Shaugnessy's 'Invest Like The Best' podcast.

The War of Art

Steven pressfield.

Joe Rogan: "One of my favorite books"

Seth Godin: "The War of Art is one of those books, at least for me when I finally was exposed to it, I said why wasn’t I informed?

Why did it take this long for this book to land on my desk? There aren’t very many books I could say it like that."

The Tipping Point

Malcolm gladwell.

Joe Rogan: "Hearing [Malcolm Gladwell] do the audiobook is great"

Kevin Systrom listed 'The Tipping Point' among his favorite books on Facebook.

The God Delusion

Richard dawkins.

Brian Armstrong: "Many people believe simply based on how they grew up, without ever questioning."

Joe Rogan: "I'm a huge fan of [Richard Dawkins'] work"

21 Lessons for the 21st Century

Vinod Khosla: "About pressing political, technological, social, and existential issues as we move into uncharted territory of the future."

Joe Rogan mentioned '21 Lessons for the 21st Century' on the 'Joe Rogan Experience' podcast.

Bill Gates: "Yuval Noah Harari has written another thought-provoking book."

The Case Against Sugar

Gary taubes.

Joe Rogan: "Seriously mind blowing information about how sugar consumption is robbing us of our health."

Vinod Khosla: "Not surprising but explicit description of the American psych on sugar and fat by the sugar industry.

I would not have believed this much influence is possible."

The Hustler

Walter tevis.

Joe Rogan: "The Hustler is one of my all time favorite movies, and the book is great too"

Joe Jackson

Joe Rogan: "My obsession with Native American history books continues, and with “Black Elk” I’ve found my favorite one yet."

Joe Rogan: "It's fucking great, and it's all about what makes people successful, and why they were successful."

Coyote America

Joe Rogan: "Coyote America is amazing!"

Food of the Gods

Terence mckenna.

Joe Rogan called 'Food of the Gods' his favorite book.

Blood and Thunder

Hampton sides.

Joe Rogan: "I’ve been obsessed with books on the Wild West and the conflicts Native Americans had with early settlers. This is another amazing one"

Frederic Morin

Joe Rogan mentioned Joe Beef on the 'Joe Rogan Experience'.

Stealing Fire

Steven kotler.

Joe Rogan: "It’s an excellent book on the power of meditation and alternate states of consciousness on performance."

The Art of Living and Dying

Joe Rogan: "It’s a surprisingly profound and interesting read."

Something Deeply Hidden

Sean carroll.

Joe Rogan: "It's really excellent and really perplexing at the same time"

Son of the Morning Star

Evan s. connell.

Joe Rogan: "Good lord is it intense. I can’t recommend it enough."

Fingerprints of the Gods

Graham hancock.

Joe Rogan: "Graham Hancock is probably the one guy who has influenced my view of history more than anybody, ever."

Going Clear

Lawrence wright.

Joe Rogan: "'Going Clear' by Lawrence Wright is one of the weirdest books I've ever read. Such a bizarre view into madness and its wake"

DMT: The Spirit Molecule

Rick strassman.

One of Joe Rogan's recommended books.

American Buffalo

Steven rinella.

Joe Rogan: "It's an amazing book."

The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross

John allegro.

Joe Rogan: "For a really odd take on the bible read 'The Sacred Mushroom And The Cross' by John Marco Allegro.

He says the bible was all about mushrooms"

Race Matters

Cornel west.

Joe Rogan: "I can't recommend 'Race Matters' enough"

Zen in the Art of Archery

Eugen herrigel.

Joe Rogan: "Zen in the Art of Archery is a great book"

The Journey of Crazy Horse

Joseph marshall iii.

Joe Rogan: "It’s been a long time since I’ve been so obsessed with absorbing information and stories about a subject like I am currently about Native American history."

Charlamagne Tha God

Joe Rogan: "It's very interesting. He's had some real bouts with anxiety."

Best Evidence

David lifton.

Joe Rogan: "My favorite JFK book is Best Evidence by David Lifton. Probably my favorite conspiracy book ever."

Tom O'Neill

Joe Rogan: "I can’t recommend this book enough"

Joe Rogan: "This book is fucking excellent! Jack Carr knocked it out of the park! I’m riveted!"

The Terminal List

Joe Rogan: "Fuck this is good stuff. You want an awesome story about a navy SEAL? Get one written by an actual SEAL. There’s no substitute."

True Believer

Joe Rogan: "This is my 3rd Jack Carr book in the past month. I’m hooked!"

Industrial-Strength Denial

Barbara freese.

Joe Rogan: "It’s a detailed look at how corporations faced with evidence that they’re ruining the earth have found a way to distort the truth and pump out propaganda that supports their business.

It’s a very well written and disturbing account of corporations defending the indefensible."

Alan Levinovitz

Joe Rogan: "One of the things I found interesting is the concept of 'What is Natural?'"

Chasing the Light

Oliver stone.

Joe Rogan: "[Oliver Stone] has had one of the most interesting and spectacular lives in show business"

Ladies and Gentlemen - Lenny Bruce!!

Albert goldman.

Joe Rogan: "Required reading for aspiring stand ups; 'Ladies and Gentlemen, Lenny Bruce.' I’ve had this book for 25 years. A genuine classic."

Irresistible

Joe Rogan: "It’s a sobering read. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 40% of us are addicted to our phones or doing things on the internet."

The Madness of Crowds

Douglas murrray.

Joe Rogan: "An excellent take on the lunacy infecting much of the world today"

The Immortality Key

Brian muraresku.

Joe Rogan: "It’s fucking sensational"

Your Dad Stole My Rake

Joe Rogan: "Tom is an awesome, hilarious guy, so if you’re looking for a great read your search is over!"

Most Recommended Investing Books

Most Recommended Technology Books

Recently Recommended Books

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Book Genres

books recommended by Joe Rogan

Joe Rogan is an American comedian and podcast host. He has also worked as a mixed martial arts color commentator, television host, and occasional actor.

Last Updated Jan 31, 2024

Yuval Noah Harari

The War of Art

Steven pressfield.

Malcolm Gladwell

The Four Agreements

Don miguel ruiz.

Ashlee Vance

12 Rules for Life

Jordan peterson.

Extreme Ownership

Jocko willink.

Can't Hurt Me

David goggins.

David Sinclair

The Book of Five Rings

Miyamoto musashi.

Sex at Dawn

Christopher ryan.

The Coddling of the American Mind

Jonathan haidt & greg lukianoff.

The Talent Code

Daniel coyle.

The Tipping Point

Sebastian Junger

Zen in the Art of Archery

Eugen herrigel.

Irresistible

The God Delusion

Richard dawkins.

Going Clear

Lawrence wright.

The Godfather

Rick Strassman

James Nestor

The Happiness Hypothesis

Jonathan haidt.

Best Evidence

David s. lifton.

Ben Goldacre

Discipline Equals Freedom

Empire of the Summer Moon

S. c. gwynne.

Fingerprints of the Gods

Graham hancock.

True Believer

Colin Quinn

You’re Doing Great

Coyote America

I'm Fine…And Other Lies

Whitney cummings.

Until the End of Time

Brian greene.

My Life Among the Indians

George catlin.

The Art of Living and Dying

Something Deeply Hidden

Sean carroll.

Race Matters

Cornel west.

The Sacred Mushroom and The Cross

John m. allegro.

Food of the Gods

Terence mckenna.

The Art of Mindful Living

Thich nhat hanh.

Stephen King

Charlamagne Tha God

The Immortality Key

Brian muraresku.

Industrial-Strength Denial

Brabara freese.

Alan Levinovitz

Books written by joe rogan, people also viewed.

Veronica Belmont

Joel McHale

Jerrod Carmichael

James Wilks

Howard Stern

Sahil Bloom

Neil deGrasse Tyson

Judd Apatow

Bill Rasmussen

Adam Savage

Andrew Huberman

Steph Smith

Ben Shapiro

Hamilton Morris

Chelsea Handler

Chelsea Krost

Jon Stewart

Daymond John

Oprah Winfrey

Jimmy Fallon

Cheryl Strayed

Patrick O'Shaughnessy

Stephanie McMahon

Mindy Kaling

Mike Birbiglia

Kyle Maynard

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Joe rogan book list: 35 books he recommends.

This phrase gets overused a lot, but you truly must be living under a rock if you don’t know about the kind of impact that Joe Rogan has. If hosting Fear Factor and commentating for the UFC weren’t enough, his podcast that launched back in 2009 has since become the biggest and most successful in the world. In April of 2019, Rogan claimed to receive 190 million monthly downloads of it. When The Joe Rogan Experience moved to Spotify in September of last year, it was for a deal reportedly worth $100 million. The show boasts guests like Mike Tyson, Robert Downey Jr., Elon Musk, Lance Armstrong, and Kevin Hart, to name a few.

As you might be able to imagine from the versatile list of names above (which is just a small sample size), the conversations that take place on the show can go to a lot of places. A running joke is that the only topics that Rogan covers are DMT and hunting, but there’s so much more to things. Along with the clichés, Rogan is a massive fan of martial arts, working out, and, of course, reading.

Many take his word as gospel, so if you want to share some of the same reading material as Joe, we’ve compiled a list of 35 books that Joe recommends and loves. Take a look at them below in alphabetical order.

1. American Buffalo by Steven Rinella

As the name suggests, this one recounts Steven Rinella’s unique hunt for the rare American Buffalo.

2. Best Evidence by David Lifton

Joe called Best Evidence has favorite conspiracy book ever. It takes a look at the Kennedy Assassination.

3. Black Elk by Joe Jackson

Joe came across this one due to his fascination with Native American History and it's the one to check out because he calls it his favorite on the topic.

4. Blood and Thunder West by Hampton Sides

Hampton Sides’ offering takes a look at how the West transformed throughout the 1800s.

5. Breath by James Nestor

We all breathe, but few of us have done the research into breathing as James Nestor has.

6. Chaos by Tom O’Neill

Chaos boasts some fascinating revelations about the FBI’s involvement in the case of the Manson murders.

7. Coyote America by Dan Flores

Everything you need to know about coyotes is covered here. Joe Rogan thinks it’s amazing .

8. DMT: The Spirit Molecule by Dr. Rick Strassman

No surprises that Joe loves this seeing as though he hosts the documentary version.

9. Empire of the Summer Moon by S. C. Gwynne

Although other tribes are mentioned more often than them, the Comanches were the most powerful Native Americans that had an incredible impact in their time.

10. Food of the Gods by Terence McKenna

This one explores the relationship between humans and plants and the roles of things like spices and spirits in society.

11. Going Clear by Lawrence Wright

An insight into Scientology that Joe Rogan called “one of the weirdest books” he’s ever read.

12. Industrial-Strength Denial by Barbara Freese

Barbara Freese writes about corporations that negatively impact the earth but are still managing to thrive.

13. Ladies and Gentlemen – Lenny Bruce!! by Albert Goldman

All that needs to be said about this is Rogan called it “required reading for aspiring stand-ups”.

14. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

In Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell details the factors that make successful people successful. 

15. Race Matters by Dr. Cornel West

A deep dive into debates about skin color in the United States by former JRE guest, Cornel West.

16. Savage Son by Jack Carr

Carr’s work appears on this list multiple times, which says all that needs to be said about what Joe thinks of it. He recommended it on Instagram last year.

17. Sex at Dawn by Christopher Ryan

Sex at Dawn is about human mating systems, how they developed, and the idea of monogamy in the greater context of humanity.

18. Something Deeply Hidden by Sean Carroll

Rogan calls this both “excellent” and “perplexing.” It’s a look at why people misunderstand quantum mechanics.

19. Son of the Morning Star by Evan S. Connell

A non-fiction account of the Battle of the Little Bighorn in the late 19 th  century. Rogan calls it "intense."

20. Stealing Fire by Steven Kotler

A book about meditation, the limits of humans, and how and why alternate states of consciousness should be achieved.

21. The Art of Living and Dying by Osho

A good read on living and dying that is not as morbid as it sounds—questions like how to approach death and reincarnation attempt to be answered.

22. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

A self-help book that endorses freedom from self-limiting beliefs, one of the only true causes of suffering.

23. The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt

An exploration into historical ideas about happiness from the likes of Jesus and Buddha through the lens of modern psychological research.

24. The Hustler by Walter Tevis

A rare fiction entry here, The Hustler is about a young pool hustler learning the true ways of winning and losing.

25. The Immortality Key by Brian Muraresku

Here, Muraresku writes about the role of psychedelics in the formation of Western society. According to Joe, "it's fucking sensational."

26. The Journey of Crazy Horse by Joseph Marshall III

A look into the true life of Lakota Indian, Crazy Horse. It seems to have been enlightening for Rogan.

27. The Madness of Crowds by Douglas Murray

A somewhat controversial take on the political correctness of dealing with different identity groups.

28. The Sacred Mushroom and The Cross by John M. Allegro

A unique take on the Bible and the linguistics of early Christianity.

29. The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle

They say talent is something you’re born with. But is it? Daniel Coyle talks about rewiring the brain and the true benefit of the deep practice of any activity.

30. The Terminal List by Jack Carr

A story about a Navy SEAL by a Navy SEAL. What more could you ask for?

31. The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

Another one of Rogan’s favorites , The War of Art is about the barriers that artists, entrepreneurs, and more face.

32. Tribe by Sebastian Junger

Junger writes about what a lot of us can learn from tribal societies, including true loyalty.

33. True Believer by Jack Carr

The third Jack Carr book on this list, Joe binged all of his works in a month. “I’m hooked!”

34. Your Dad Stole My Rake by Tom Papa

This one is a comedic look on families, and Papa’s specifically. Rogan says, “Tom is an awesome, hilarious guy, so if you’re looking for a great read, your search is over.”

35. Zen in the Art of Archery by Eugen Herrigel

A study on a form of Japanese archery called Kyūdō. The German philosophy professor’s book is credited with introducing Zen to the West in the 1940s and 1950s.

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Joe Rogan is an American stand-up comedian, martial artist, sports commentator, podcast host, and actor. He is best known for his podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, which is one of the most popular podcasts in the world, with over 11 million downloads per month.

Rogan began his career as a stand-up comedian in 1988 and has since released seven comedy specials. He has also appeared in several films and television shows, including NewsRadio, Fear Factor, and The Man Show. He has also served as a color commentator for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) since 1997.

Rogan has gained a large audience through his podcast, which is available for free on YouTube, iTunes, and Spotify, and on his website. His podcast features a wide variety of topics, including current events, comedy, interviews with celebrities, and discussions with experts on science, philosophy, and psychology.

Rogan is also an avid martial artist, having trained in kickboxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo, and taekwondo. He is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Jean Jacques Machado and a black belt in 10th Planet Jiu-jitsu under Eddie Bravo.

Rogan is an advocate for a variety of causes, including the legalization of psychedelic drugs, gun control, and the environment. He has also been an outspoken critic of the Trump administration and a vocal supporter of Bernie Sanders.

Rogan's unique style of comedy, podcasting, and martial arts has made him one of the most recognizable figures in the media today. He is a polarizing figure, with many fans and detractors alike, but his influence on popular culture is undeniable.

Joe Rogan recommends

12 Rules for Life

The War of Art

Extreme Ownership

The Talent Code

The Coddling of the American Mind

Can't Hurt Me

The Four Agreements

The Tipping Point

Sex at Dawn

Irresistible

Best Evidence

The Happiness Hypothesis

Coyote America

Discipline Equals Freedom

Empire of the Summer Moon

Fingerprints of the Gods

Food of the Gods

Going Clear

I'm Fine…And Other Lies

Industrial-Strength Denial

My Life Among the Indians

The God Delusion

The Godfather

Race Matters

Something Deeply Hidden

The Art of Mindful Living

The Art of Living and Dying

The Book of Five Rings

The Immortality Key

The Sacred Mushroom and The Cross

Until the End of Time

True Believer

You’re Doing Great

Zen in the Art of Archery

Top 30 Books Recommended by Joe Rogan on the Podcast

Joe Rogan is a comedian and podcaster, known for his ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’ podcast, on which he has interesting and hilarious conversations with a variety of guests.

As well as fulfilling 20 years of standup comedy, Rogan has released some comedy specials, starting with the CD I’m Gonna Be Dead Someday in 2000. Since then he has released 7 comedy specials on DVD, CD, and streaming services respectively. 

Rogan has a long-term love of sports, especially UFC and martial arts. He began practicing at the age of 13 and within 2 years earned a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. At 19, he won the US Open TaeKwonDo Championship and went on to win the Grand Championship. Beginning in 2002, Rogan provided commentary for the UFC and maintains his love of martial arts, having numerous MMA-related guests featured on his podcast.

‘The Joe Rogan Experience’ podcast is arguably what Rogan is now best known for. It is exclusively released on Spotify and has entertained millions of listeners since it first aired in 2009. 

The podcast hosts celebrities, government officials, public personalities, and controversial figures, airing interesting and often hilarious discussions about a wide range of topics. The podcast is free to listen to with a Spotify subscription and is well worth a watch if you haven’t yet already.

One of the things Joe Rogan either hints at or discusses on his podcast is books. At times, he welcomes famous authors onto his show and encourages his listeners to read the books that have helped him over the years. This vast selection predominantly includes non-fiction and self-help books , however, fictional thrillers, historical fiction, and some of the classics are also included.

Without further ado, here are the top 30 books recommended on Joe Rogan’s influential podcast.

1984 by George Orwell

This dystopian modern classic has been recommended by Joe Rogan many times. 1984 follows a man called Winston Smith as he becomes increasingly aware of the totalitarian system that rules the country. Citizens cannot escape Big Brother, the watchful eye that ensures everyone is behaving correctly and according to strict regulations.

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

Outliers gives you a very good idea of how successful people make their millions and how high achievers actually differ from the average Joe. He tackles some of the stereotypes that center around achievement and success and uses some of the most famous people and groups as examples across the board.

Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor

Breath is a brilliant science-based book that talks you through the benefits and importance of breathing correctly. Nestor dives back in time to understand where we went wrong and how we can fix it. The journey to finding these answers is not a simple lab or library visit but instead, Nestor is forced to travel to secluded corners of the planet to uncover the truth.

The Case Against Sugar by Gary Taubes

Taubes writes a brilliant account of the sugar industry and its impacts. The Case Against Sugar illustrates how sugar has a large portion of the American population in a chokehold and gives some insight into its destructive powers. Addiction, diabetes, heart disease, and weight gain are all issues tackled in this book and it’s guaranteed to change your perspective on the addictive substance.

Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked by Adam Alter

Another book concerning addictive habits is Adam Alter’s Irresistible . It details how modern society is psychologically attached to screens, likes, shares, videos, TV shows, and constant communication. This is a revolutionary book that dives into behavioral addiction and may help you think twice about your own screen time.

The Art of Living and Dying by Osho

This is a deep, philosophical book that aims to answer some of life’s most complicated questions. The Art of Living and Dying reveals why so many are afraid of dying and sheds light on how you can see death in a different way.

Going Clear by Lawrence Wright

Going Clear takes an insightful peek into the inner workings of the Church of Scientology. It delves into the beliefs surrounding the religion, its origins, and its future aspirations. 

Coyote America by Dan Flores

The coyote is one of the most infamous creatures within Indian folklore. But the legends don’t begin to explain the real history and danger of these animals. Coyote America is a natural account of the 5-million-year history of the coyote in America. 

Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond

Taking an evolutionary standpoint, Diamond closely analyzes the development of civilization and presents some of the most pressing geographical and ecological concerns that threaten our modern life. Guns, Germs, and Steel travels back to the Ice Age and covers the origins of religion, democracy, technology, and writing.

The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle

The Talent Code follows a step-by-step guide illustrating how to identify and nurture talent, regardless of the field. This book will help you utilize your natural abilities and provides inspiring examples of people who have done the same.

Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari

Sapiens is a groundbreaking account of humanity’s development beginning 70,000 years ago and moving through time until the technological age. It covers psychological, societal, anatomical, and humanitarian advancements, using both history and science to give you the most informative account of human history.

The Terminal List by Jack Carr

This political thriller follows a Navy SEAL who recognizes the corruption of the American government. He realizes that those in power are responsible for the deaths of his loved ones and now has nothing to lose when exacting revenge. The Terminal List is gripping and unpredictable – the perfect fictional addition to your reading list!

Race Matters by Cornel West

In Race Matters , Dr. West gives his important account of racial issues and rights in the United States. It covers issues of black identity, sexuality, stereotypes, historical figures, and conservatism, and even delves into the relationship between black communities and other races.

Sex at Dawn by Christopher Ryan

Sex at Dawn looks at the social construction of sex, relationships, marriage, and families as it uncovers why sexual monogamy and fidelity have been so widely accepted historically. Debunking everything there is to know about how our society perceives sex, Ryan delves into the ins and outs of relationships and stigmas across the globe. 

The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi

This classic Japanese text written centuries ago by a Samurai warrior provides insightful information about success. The Book of Five Rings , despite its ancient nature, is a guide for strategy and decision-making processes.

Food of the Gods by Terence McKenna

In Food of the Gods McKenna dives into the interesting lifestyles and dietary experiments of North African communities following the most recent Ice Age. Not only is it an educational and interesting history of African life but it also provokes some discussion about our modern eating habits and their destructive qualities.

Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties by Tom O’Neill

Chaos revisits one of the most famous cases in American history – the Manson murders. From a journalistic perspective, O’Neill uncovers previously undisclosed information and touches on how the FBI’s suspicious behavior may have disrupted the case and convicted the wrong people.

Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins

Can’t Hurt Me is the powerful and inspiring story of Goggins’ journey from an overweight man struggling with mental health, to a leading US military figure and athlete. This book shares all his secrets about how to flip your mindset, habits, and lifestyle for the better.

Black Elk: The Life of an American Visionary by Joe Jackson

This is the biographical account of one of the most revolutionary figures in American history . Black Elk tells the unbelievable story of a Native American warrior, holy man, and healer who saw the light in a terribly dark era.

Tribe by Sebastian Junger

In Tribe , Junger illuminates everything we can learn from tribal lifestyles, cultures, and priorities. This book will help you realize how twisted and unhealthy our society really is and will encourage readers to adopt a more natural and less divided way of living.

The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt

This poetic, excellently written book is not only a treat to read but can provide you with enormous amounts of inspiration to help you build the happy lifestyle you’ve been craving. The Happiness Hypothesis combines science and philosophy to answer some of the most complex psychological questions and help readers understand why their goals seem unattainable.

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

The War of Art is perfect for businessmen and women, entrepreneurs, and writers but can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of profession. It hones in on how to be successful and how each reader can face their obstacles head-on.

Something Deeply Hidden by Sean Carroll

Sean Carroll is a theoretical physicist and leading scientist in his field. Something Deeply Hidden is an accessible revision of 20th-century physics and can help normal people understand complex concepts and understand how our intricate world works.

Best Evidence by David Lifton

Best Evidence details the author’s investigative process as he delved deep into the truth behind the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

The Madness of Crowds by Douglas Murray

Having been showered with awards, The Madness of Crowds is certainly not one to skip. It identifies the dangers of ‘woke’ culture and tackles some of the world’s most pressing and influential topics of conversation: gender politics, identity issues, sexuality, race, and technology.

The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross by John Allegro

The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross is a religious historical and philosophical book that details the controversial questions surrounding the Christian faith. It delves into biblical hidden meanings, dives into the personal history of Jesus Christ, and helps us understand how our ancestors perceived religion.

Son of the Morning Star by Evan S. Connell

This bestseller reimagines General Custer’s Last Stand in 1876. This event became one of the most controversial in American history , tainted by endless accounts of heroism. Son of the Morning Star wades through the lies to help shed light on the truth of the murderous event.

12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson

12 Rules for Life condenses historical, political, philosophical, and psychological questions into one ultimate guide for living a wise life. Perfect for anyone who feels a little out of control.

DMT: The Spirit Molecule by Rick Strassman

One professional psychiatrist dives into the real impacts of dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a psychedelic and hallucinogenic drug commonly used across the globe. DMT is detailed yet accessible and will open your eyes to psychedelic research.

Blood and Thunder by Hampton Sides

Blood and Thunder is a fantastic historical account of the American conquest of the West. It details the events from 1846 when armies invaded Mexican-occupied territories resulting in years worth of conflict and bloodshed. A must-read for any history fan.

Final Thoughts

Joe Rogan is not only a brilliant entrepreneur and podcaster but he also has fantastic taste in books. His recommendations aim to help and inspire his listeners to create their dream life, so many of his top recommendations are informative, philosophical, and insightful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does joe rogan share his book recommendations anywhere else.

He often uses social media (especially Instagram) to tell his fans what books he’s currently reading and which ones he recommends.

What is Joe Rogan’s net worth?

Joe Rogan is worth an estimated $120 million.

Is Joe Rogan married?

Since 2009, Rogan has been married to Jessica Ditzel.

How does Joe Rogan describe himself?

On his Instagram bio and website, Rogan describes himself as “stand up comic/mixed martial arts fanatic/psychedelic adventurer”.

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Joe Rogan's Top Book Recommendations

Podcaster/Host

Want to know what books Joe Rogan recommends on their reading list? We've researched interviews, social media posts, podcasts, and articles to build a comprehensive list of Joe Rogan's favorite book recommendations of all time.

Can't Hurt Me

Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds

David Goggins | 4.63

Joe Rogan David Goggins is a being of pure will and inspiration. Just listening to this guy talk makes you want to run up a mountain. I firmly believe people like him can change the course of the world just by inspiring us to push harder and dig deeper in everything we do. His goal to be 'uncommon amongst uncommon people' is something we can all use to propel ourselves to fulfill our true potential. I'm a... (Source)

Barbara Oakley This week’s astonishing book is Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds, by David Goggins. David grew up in an unbelievably tough environment with a deeply abusive father. He experienced prejudice and poverty, and suffered learning difficulties that left him graduating from high school barely able to read or do math. He became a depressed, overweight young man with an attitude. But... (Source)

Wes Gray @davidgoggins , excited to hear you will be at @LTRaceSeries alongside the CAF team. Myself, @patrickcleary01 and @RyanPKirlin look forward to the challenge and we'll see you there. We all love your book and thanks for signing our copies! (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

Son of the Morning Star

Custer and The Little Bighorn

Evan S. Connell | 4.27

Joe Rogan I’m on my second Wild West book in the past month, and this one is awesome. @stevenrinella recommended it to me, and good lord is it intense. “Son Of The Morning Star” by Evan S. Connell. I can’t recommend it enough. https://t.co/05cCDtGzX2 (Source)

Peter Hessler This is a historical book, and I chose it for the way Evan Connell handles historical material. It’s unique, and a masterful book. (Source)

Hacking Darwin

Genetic Engineering and the Future of Humanity

Jamie Metzl | 4.32

Joe Rogan I had a great time talking to the brilliant Jamie Metzl, author of “Hacking Darwin”. The future is going to be VERY weird. Check his book out, it’s excellent. https://t.co/JoADTowsux (Source)

Don't have time to read Joe Rogan's favorite books? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

• Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
• Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
• Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.

15 Awesome Book Recommendations from Joe Rogan

Joe Rogan has a self-diagnosed IQ of 127, which admittedly was much higher than he thought it would be. And as an avid reader, books are a big part of his growth and development and play a key role his daily lifestyle.

This article will highlight the books that Joe Rogan has read and highly recommended, using sources from his Instagram, Twitter, and JRE podcast. Enjoy!

Empire of the Summer Moon

I’ve never heard Joe Rogan recommend a book more than Empire of The Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne. He talked about the book so much that the author, Gwynne, got word of it and the two agreed to do a podcast shortly thereafter.

The podcast episode #1397 was especially insightful, detailing the brutal ways of the Comanche Indian tribe of the Wild West. The tribe was caught in the middle of the Western expansion era of the United States during the 1800s, not that long ago.

The book also details the life of Cynthia Ann Parker , a white American woman who was kidnapped by the Comanches at age 10 and ended up adopting to their ways, preferring to stay with the tribe rather than return to Western civilization. She later gave birth to the tribe’s most famous war chief – Quanah Parker.

Rogan was so obsessed with this book and it’s real-life characters that he had a picture of Quanah Parker made out of brass bullets put in his JRE podcast studio:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Joe Rogan (@joerogan)

Can’t Hurt Me

David Goggins, a supreme tough guy and former Navy SEAL, appeared on the JRE podcast in episodes #1080 and #1212. On the podcast he talks to Rogan about his book Can’t Hurt Me , specifically on “taking souls.”

Consider this book a must have for Rogan listeners.

If you’re feeling kind of lazy, just watch a few clips from Goggins Instagram account and it’s guaranteed you will be inspired. WARNING: You can’t “unwatch” any of his videos. There is no turning back.

“I firmly believe people like [Goggins] can change the course of the world just by inspiring people to push harder and dig deeper,” said Rogan. Sourced from David Goggins website .

American Buffalo

Steven Rinella is a hunting connoisseur and host of the Netflix show MeatEater . When Rogan first went hunting, he chose Rinella to be his guide and the two have been friends ever since.

Rinella is one of the best hunters on the planet and has been on the JRE podcast numerous times, in episodes 1559, 1341, 1204, 971, 879, 709, 176, and more.

Rinella has also written several books and one in particular is a favorite of Joe Rogan, called American Buffalo . The book is an Amazon bestseller.

Permanent Record

Permanent Record is a book written book Edward Snowden, the American whistleblower famous for exposing the secret government surveillance program that spied on American citizens without warrant or reason. The book details his unique experience with that and the noble reasons for doing it.

The U.S. government tried hard to block Snowden from releasing the book but was unsuccessful and immediately became a New York Times bestseller. Also, on the day it was released it reached #1 on Amazon bestsellers rank.

He appeared on the JRE podcast in episodes (1368, 1536), with #1368 being the 5 th most watched episode of all time.

Also see: Top 10 Ideas from JRE #1536 with Edward Snowden

The Four Agreements

Rogan is a big fan of The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz and called it a “seriously powerful book.”

A New York Times bestseller for over 10 years, the book takes you on a journey of four principles for living your best life:

• Be Impeccable With Your Word.
• Don’t Take Anything Personally.
• Don’t Make Assumptions.
• Always Do Your Best.

*Source: Don Miguel Ruiz’s website .

Although Ruiz has yet to appear on the JRE podcast, Onnit’s founder Aubrey Marcus is also a big fan his work and made a YouTube video about it.

This is a seriously powerful book. Especially potent for someone like me who talks for a living and often talks too much. There’s some amazing points and valuable lessons in it. https://t.co/YdW77qs2tS — Joe Rogan (@joerogan) February 25, 2019

Jack Carr’s Fiction Thrillers

When it comes to fiction, Joe Rogan’s go to books are anything by author Jack Carr. In May of 2020, Rogan went on a binge of Carr’s books, including True Believer , The Terminal List , and Savage Son .

Carr, a former Navy SEAL, specializes in special ops thrillers and is a USA Today bestselling author. Rogan actually consumed these books in audio form, read by Ray Porter, and called his audio voice “f***ing great.”

One of Carr’s books, The Terminal List, is set to be executive produced and acted by Chris Pratt.

Rogan had Jack Carr on his podcast in episode #1467 and is a huge fan of his work, and he’s also been on the Jocko Podcast in episode #183.

The Journey of Crazy Horse

To continue Rogan’s fetish for Native American history, he fell in love with The Journey of Crazy Horse by Joseph M. Marshall III.

The book dives into the life of Crazy Horse, a famous Lakota Indian leader, and details his legacy, culture, battles, and remarkable leadership skills against the expansion of white settlement.

Discipline Equals Freedom

Continuing his trend of consuming books from former Navy SEALs, Rogan likes to consume books from Jocko Willink who has appeared on the JRE podcast episodes 729, 962, 1391, and 1492.

Disciple Equals Freedom details the ways that Jocko pushes through mental and physical aspects of life. The book includes strategies and tactics for overcoming laziness, procrastination and fear, and even goes into details on designing a physical training regimen for you, no matter where you currently stand.

On his Instagram, Rogan said, “I got the ‘discipline equals freedom’ field manual from the great and powerful @jockowillink and it is predictably awesome. Go change your life!”

Way of The Warrior Kid (children’s series)

Interestingly, Jocko Willink wanted to create a children’s book series that wasn’t all about rainbows and lollipops. The book series, Way of The Warrior Kid , teaches kids important values about overcoming obstacles, pushing through challenges, leadership, and integrity. The theme of the book series is “From Wimpy to Warrior the Navy SEAL Way.”

Rogan got his copy:

Highly rated and reasonably priced on Amazon, the book series would make a phenomenal gift to a young kid.

Both Rogan and Barack Obama are huge fans of the book Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari.

A New York Times bestseller, it takes a bird’s eye view of how homo sapiens have been successful on planet Earth and what measures need to be taken to ensure longtime success of our species.

Obama describes how we take so many things for granted and this book has helped him grow his appreciation for both what humans have overcome and for how amazing our planet is.

Rogan said about the book: “It really puts in perspective how bizarre human beings are. It’s an awesome overview of our species.”

Sebastian Junger has been on the JRE podcast in episodes #975 and #1034, and has written several bestselling books, including Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging .

Rogan posted on Instagram his love of this book, calling it “epic” and “can’t recommend it enough.”

Tribe highlights the idea of how important it is to belong to a tribe, something lost in today’s culture, because of the cultural values such as loyalty, belonging, purpose, meaning and working together on a common goal.

Fingerprints of the Gods | Magicians of the Gods

Graham Hancock is absolutely one of the most fascinating guests from Joe Rogan’s podcast, talking about ancient civilizations. He has been on the podcast many times, including episodes #725 and #1284, which are highly recommended.

On Twitter, someone asked Rogan which book he would recommend on the topic of ancient civilizations, and Rogan responded with Fingerprints of the Gods by Graham Hancock.

@mike_colella Read “Fingerprints of the Gods” by Graham Hancock. Best book on the subject. — Joe Rogan (@joerogan) March 18, 2011

Another book that Rogan loves by Hancock is Magicians of the Gods , which discusses his theory that a massive, advanced, ancient civilization was wiped out by a global disaster and became lost in history. He details the evidence and hypothesis for his theory.

Sex At Dawn

Authored by Christopher Ryan, Sex At Dawn is a long-standing best selling book in the category of human sexuality.

The book dives into how humans were thought to be monogamists, although due to a declining number of marriages and increased divorce rates, this thought appears to be collapsing.

. @ChrisRyanPhD Dude, Sex At Dawn is incredible. I’m reading it right now. We’ve got to sit down and do a podcast together. — Joe Rogan (@joerogan) December 6, 2012

After this tweet from Rogan in 2012, Ryan has been on the JRE podcast over 10 times.

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8 Must Read Books Recommended by Joe Rogan

Joe Rogan, host of the popular podcast “The Joe Rogan Experience,” is known for his wide-ranging interests and engaging conversations with experts from various fields. One aspect of his show that has piqued the interest of many listeners is his love for books. Rogan frequently discusses his latest reads and shares recommendations on his podcast, offering insights that can inspire fans to explore new ideas and topics.

Rogan’s taste in literature spans various genres, including science, history, philosophy, self-development, and fiction. He prefers listening to audiobooks, providing a perfect opportunity to absorb knowledge while multitasking. Rogan’s recommendations have introduced thousands of his listeners to undiscovered gems and thought-provoking works that can expand their understanding of the world.

Exploring Joe Rogan’s library of recommended books is a journey in itself, as readers discover fresh perspectives, acquire new ideas, and delve into the minds of some of the world’s most influential thinkers. With a wide array of options to choose from, there is truly something for everyone among Joe Rogan’s literary favorites.

Reading Habits of Joe Rogan

Joe Rogan is known for his curiosity and thirst for knowledge, which led him to be interested in various topics. One way he satisfies this curiosity is through books. Interestingly, Joe prefers listening to books as opposed to reading them. He listens to about 7 or 8 audiobooks for every physical book he reads.

Joe’s preference for audiobooks is his desire to make the most of the “dead time” he experiences. This includes moments spent driving to and from his podcast studio, comedy club, or airport, and even when he’s in the sauna. Audiobooks allow him to stay productive and learn new things while engaging in other activities.

Being the host of the most-listened-to podcast in the U.S., Rogan has the opportunity to share his favorite books with his audience. He often recommends captivating reads and invites authors to discuss their works on his show.

His extensive reading list covers various topics, from history and science to philosophy and spirituality. This range reflects his diverse interests and penchant for gaining knowledge across multiple disciplines, making Joe Rogan a truly well-rounded individual.

In summary, Joe Rogan’s reading habits speak volumes about his passion for learning and self-improvement. By embracing audiobooks and sharing his recommendations, he inspires his listeners to explore new ideas and expand their horizons.

Philosophy and Self-Improvement

Meditations by marcus aurelius.

Meditations is a series of personal writings by the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, reflecting his thoughts and ideas on Stoic philosophy. Joe Rogan has repeatedly mentioned this book on his podcast as a great introduction to Stoicism. In a fantastic episode with Ryan Holiday , they discuss the stoic life of Aurelius, diving into the importance of resiliency. He believes that the timeless wisdom found in Meditations is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their mental resilience and understanding of the human condition.

RELATED READING: Joe Rogan’s Legendary Supplement List

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

In Man’s Search for Meaning, psychologist and Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl shares his experiences in Nazi concentration camps to demonstrate how individuals can find meaning and purpose in even the most challenging circumstances. Joe Rogan highly recommended this book, expressing admiration for Frankl’s work and its powerful message about the resilience of the human spirit.

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

The War of Art is a popular self-help book by Steven Pressfield, which deals with overcoming internal resistance to unlock one’s creative potential. Joe Rogan often recommends this book to his guests, friends, and fellow comedians.

In a recent Instagram post , Rogan states: “The War of Art is my favorite motivational book. It cuts through the bullshit of procrastination and gives you the tools and the inspiration to get moving and to create. I used to keep a stack of them in the studio to hand out to guests. I haven’t picked it up in a while, and since I’m always looking for fuel to get more out of my life, I decided to grab the audio book. It’s as awesome and useful as I remember. I can’t recommend it enough.”

He believes The War of Art helps readers understand the struggles faced when creating and provides practical advice to conquer obstacles and pursue their passion.

RELATED READING: Andrew Huberman’s Supplement List: The Complete Guide

Science and Technology

The immortal life of henrietta lacks by rebecca skloot.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is an astonishing book that explores the story of Henrietta Lacks, a woman whose cancerous cells were cultivated without her consent in 1951. These cells, known as HeLa, were crucial in advancing modern medicine and scientific research. Rebecca Skloot carefully uncovers the scientific, ethical, and social implications of using HeLa cells.

Through a captivating narrative, Skloot dives into the history of the Lacks family, their perspectives on HeLa, and the scientific community’s responsibility. This book raises important questions about the role and practices of science while humanizing Henrietta Lacks and her family. It’s a thought-provoking read, recommended by Joe Rogan for those interested in the intersection of science, ethics, and society.

Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari

Sapiens, authored by Yuval Noah Harari, paints a comprehensive picture of human evolution, from the emergence of Homo sapiens in Africa to the present day. Harari delves into topics such as human cognition, social organization, and technological advancements in this engaging book.

Key points from Sapiens include:

• The Cognitive Revolution: How the development of our species’ unique cognitive abilities led to the emergence of language, culture, and complex societies.
• The Agricultural Revolution: Examining the shift from hunter-gatherer lifestyles to agriculture and its implications on human societies, economies, and hierarchies.
• The Scientific Revolution: A look at how scientific breakthroughs have catalyzed humanity’s rapid technological advancements and global dominance.

By synthesizing a vast array of disciplines, Sapiens provides readers with a unique lens through which to view human history and understand our place in the world. Joe Rogan often lauds this book for its thought-provoking insights and engaging storytelling, making it a must-read for those interested in science and technology and our shared human heritage.

RELATED READING:  Dr. David Sinclair’s Longevity Supplement Stack

Biographies and Memoirs

Empire of the summer moon by s.c gwynne.

Empire of the Summer Moon delves into the captivating history of the Comanche people and the legendary war chief, Quanah Parker. Joe Rogan praises this impeccably researched account of Native American history and the intense conflict between the Comanches and European settlers in the Old West. Author S.C Gwynne portrays the rich complexity of Native American culture while exemplifying the brutality and fierce battles that took place during this time.

Through exploring Quanah Parker’s life, Empire of the Summer Moon showcases the resilience and adaptability of the Comanche people. The book serves as an important reminder to readers that preserving the histories of Indigenous people is crucial in understanding the complexities of the American West.

Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins

In Can’t Hurt Me , David Goggins tells his story of overcoming adversity and pushing the limits of human potential. Rogan had him on his podcast in episode #1212 to discuss his book. As a former Navy SEAL and accomplished endurance athlete, Goggins sets an inspiring example for anyone looking to cultivate inner strength and mental fortitude. Joe Rogan has recommended this book as an outstanding testament to the power of self-discipline and perseverance.

Throughout the book, Goggins offers practical advice and actionable strategies for overcoming obstacles and achieving success. His candid storytelling reveals his triumphs and the self-doubt, physical limitations, and emotional challenges he faced along the way. Can’t Hurt Me is a valuable resource for anyone seeking motivation to push through their limitations and achieve their goals.

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

The Catcher in the Rye is a classic novel recommended by Joe Rogan. Written by J.D. Salinger and published in 1951, this work of fiction has long been a staple in high school English courses and is known for its portrayal of teenage angst and alienation.

The protagonist, Holden Caulfield, is a 17-year-old who has just been expelled from a prestigious prep school. Throughout the story, he navigates the complexities of adolescence, confronting the world with a mixture of cynicism, confusion, and idealism. The book provides a window into Holden’s thoughts and emotions as he struggles to make sense of the transition from childhood to adulthood.

Salinger’s writing style is unique and engaging, featuring the use of informal and colloquial language that effectively captures the voice of the teenage protagonist. Readers will likely appreciate the novel’s honest depiction of the turbulent emotions often accompanying adolescence.

The Catcher in the Rye has generated much controversy since its publication, with debates centered around its relevance and potential impact on impressionable young minds. Despite this, it remains a beloved literary classic, often praised for its ability to capture the essence of the adolescent experience. As a recommendation from Joe Rogan, this novel provides a thought-provoking and relatable exploration of the human condition.

Joe Rogan has recommended various books, showcasing his diverse interests and clearly stating that he values education and critical thinking. Some notable titles on his reading list include Only The Dead by Jack Carr and Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond . Through his podcast, he has introduced his audience to various genres, topics, and authors, enriching their understanding of the world.

Rogan’s recommended books range from historical works to contemporary fiction and self-help. He often shares his insights and thoughts on these books with his podcast guests and listeners, fostering engaging discussions. His recommendations reflect the breadth of his intellectual pursuits and his genuine love for knowledge.

By exploring Joe Rogan’s recommended books, readers can gain information and entertainment and a deeper understanding of the issues and ideas discussed on his podcast. By doing so, they can broaden their perspectives and engage in more thoughtful conversations. The range of titles in Rogan’s recommendations offers something for everyone, and those who follow his suggestions will likely find themselves enriched by the experience.

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18 Joe Rogan Book Recommendations That You Need to Read

Joe Rogan’s favorite books aren’t hard to come by. Learn more about his philosophy through 18 of Joe Rogan’s favorite books from his podcast and beyond.

Whether you’re a book lover looking for inspiration or love learning about people through their reading choices, discovering celebrities’ favorite books is an excellent place to start. Joe Rogan is a fascinating character known for his long-standing podcast and stand-up comedy. Whether you’re a fan of his or not, Rogan constantly recommends books to his audience, but are they any good?

This article explores the Joe Rogan book list to uncover the best Joe Rogan suggestions and upgrade your bookshelf. We’ll also share the infamous Joe Rogan podcast book recommendations alongside the ones he praises on social media. Despite the controversies around him, Rogan is an avid reader and enormously successful — but do these two things go hand in hand? Let’s find out.

Key points:

Joe Rogan is an American comedian, commentator, and podcast host . Across all his platforms, Rogan loves recommending the books he is reading. Most noticeably, self-improvement is one of his most read genres, alongside scientific reads, to better understand humanity. 

Many of Joe Rogan ’s favorite books come from people he hosts on his globally known podcast , such as Elon Musk , James Nester, and David Goggins . While he talks about various texts, Jonathan Haidth and Malcolm Gladwell are two prominent authors in Joe Rogan ’s favorite books collection. 

It is disheartening when you buy a book on Amazon only to realize you’re not enjoying it and it doesn’t align with your learning goals. Thankfully, Headway makes it easy to choose which books to dive deeper into, including your favorites on the Joe Rogan book list . 

Read summaries and listen to or read key points from interesting titles. You can quickly get a clearer picture of the book’s content and decide if it’s right for you.  

Who is Joe Rogan ?

Born in New Jersey in 1967, Joe Rogan is an American stand-up comedian, sports commentator, and podcast host . He hosts The Joe Rogan Experience podcast , a long-form conversation with guests from all walks of life. He’s also an avid mixed martial arts (MMA) fan who commentates for Ultimate Fighting Championship ( UFC ) events.

In recent years, Rogan has become known for his love of reading and his commentary on politics, science, and current affairs. His podcast , The Joe Rogan Experience , is the most downloaded in the world, with over 200 million monthly downloads. In fact, his partnership with Spotify sparked debate across the media industry as it was one of the first podcast deals of its kind. 

Rogan has been in the public eye for years. In that time, he’s recommended many of his favorite books , which have helped him succeed. 

What are Joe Rogan ’s favorite books ?

Joe Rogan loves sharing his current reading list . If you’ve seen his social media posts or listened to a podcast episode, you’ll know he consistently rates books across his platforms. However, what types of texts are on the Joe Rogan recommended book list ? He discusses numerous topics in his podcast episodes. However, there’s often an overarching theme of understanding humanity in what he reads. Some of the best Joe Rogan book suggestions fall under the self-help category, a genre that many praise as much as they criticize. So, with that in mind, let’s get into the book list of Joe Rogan .

Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari

Considering Rogan is keen to understand how humans work, Sapiens is a fitting book about the history of our earth . It’s a unique look into human evolution. It may suit those interested in the development of ancient worlds and the one we live in today. The author originally wrote this book in Hebrew in 2011 before it was translated and published in English in 2015. 

Elon Musk by Ashlee Vance 

If you want to learn how successful people become successful, a biography is a great place to start. What better way to learn about triumph than from a man known for his outlandish ideas? Yes, this book is about Elon Musk , the visionary whose unfathomable dreams are becoming a reality. Musk was a guest on Joe Rogan ’s show several times, discussing his ventures with Tesla, among other things. This biography examines Musk’s life as an investor, engineer, founder, and CEO of some of the world’s leading EV and commercial space companies. 

1984 by George Orwell

1984 is a classic science fiction novel based in a dark dystopian world. Published in 1949 by George Orwell, Joe Rogan re-read and recommended this book in 2020 due to the state of the world. Its themes center on repressive governments, war, and futuristic societies where everything is under surveillance. If dystopian fiction is your thing, you’re in for a thrilling treat. 

Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh

Thich Nhat Hanh appears in several book recommendations from Joe Rogan . Although Thich Nhat Hanh is more than just an author, he is a peace activist, Vietnamese monk, and zen master . In this moving read, readers will hopefully reconnect with their inner peace and learn how to use it in times of challenge. In its essence, this book makes meditation more accessible and applicable to everyday life.

Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor  

The author of Breath , James Nestor , was a guest on Rogan’s show, so it’s no wonder it would be on the Joe Rogan podcast book list . In the episode, Nestor discusses his non-fiction book, which Rogan praises. Since many of Joe Rogan ’s favorite books are about improving your lifestyle , this book follows suit. However, instead of telling you how, it takes you on a historical and scientific journey of humanity’s oldest instinct — breathing. While it may sound absurd, this book claims to teach readers how to breathe better. 

The Happiness Hypothesis : Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom by Jonathan Haidt   

The renowned psychologist Jonathan Haidt published The Happiness Hypothesis in 2006. It explores ancient myths and sayings that may be the key to happiness. Still, more importantly, it discovers what makes people happy and unhappy. Haidt appeared on Joe Rogan ’s podcast , and the book solidified itself as one of Joe Rogan ’s favorite books when he praised Haidt’s insights on social media.

Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked by Adam Alter

For Rogan and many people in today’s society, this book was humbling. As humanities’ dependency on technology increases, Alter looks at our tech obsession. Despite his success with technology and media, this book came up as one of the best Joe Rogan book recommendations .

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

As the man himself stated on Twitter; this may be one of Joe Rogan ’s favorite books . The War of Art is practical, and readers often become engrossed by the author’s insight. Creativity isn’t consistent and certainly doesn’t come easy to some people, which is precisely what this recommendation addresses. Pressfield uses this book to help creators break through barriers and thrive in their medium. 

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

Numerous self-help books claim to make every reader a success. Yet, within the Joe Rogan book recommendations , you’ll find Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell . Although the author promises sentiments similar to many other writers, he claims to unpack what we thought we knew about genius’. He shares the secrets of high-achievers from many backgrounds hoping it’ll inspire ordinary people to follow a path to success.

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

First published in 1997, The Four Agreements is a hugely popular book within self-help and even spiritual communities. Rogan briefly discussed finding this book moving and relatable in an Instagram post. It aims to help readers unlearn beliefs that may limit them. Ruiz doesn’t hide behind frivolous language or complex ideas; instead, it is a simple and actionable guide to individual freedom. 

Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy Seals Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

Two former SEALs wrote this following Joe Rogan ’s recommendation. From the outside, this is a book about leadership and succeeding as a team. However, Willink and Babin used their unique experience and applied their practice to business management. Upgrade your leadership skills with this Joe Rogan book recommendation . 

Lifespan by Dr. David Sinclair

Lifespan is one of the book recommendations Joe Rogan suggests for fans of healthy living and reducing aging. Its author, Dr. Sinclair, is a highly-respected authority in genetics and argues that humans can live longer healthier lives.

Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins

As another guest on Rogan’s podcast , it’s no surprise that David Goggins ’ Can’t Hurt Me made it onto the Joe Rogan podcast book list . This is a book about the mind and pushing through challenges. Goggins’ story has moved readers around the globe, Rogan included, who appreciated the honest and helpful nature of the book.

Sex at Dawn by Christopher Ryan

Although few call it a somewhat controversial read, Joe Rogan shouted about this book on Twitter. Sex at Dawn is a thought-provoking exploration of monogamy and sexuality in humans. Readers go on a journey to understand the history and relationship between humans and sex as it uncovers how monogamous the human race really is.  

The Coddling of the American Mind by Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff

Once again, Jonathan Haidt makes it onto Joe Rogan ’s favorite books list with The Coddling of the American Mind , co-written with Greg Lukianoff. The authors attempt to unpick social trends dating back to the 1980s and how these may have impacted young people today. 

The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle

If you’re unsure where to start on the Joe Rogan favorite book list , The Talent Code is one exciting read he believes is for everyone. Coyle aims to break down the belief that talent is innate and instinctual. Taking a neuroscience approach, he discusses how people can nurture their skills and become incredible at something if they learn it correctly. 

The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell

Malcolm Gladwell ’s debut book, The Tipping Point, was published in 2000. This is a mesmerizing book that attempts to highlight the moment when an idea goes from nothing to something. Gladwell is a familiar author amongst Joe Rogan ’s favorite books , suggesting their work may have inspired the way Rogan approaches creativity and business. 

Until the End of Time by Brian Greene

Lastly, Until the End of Time is a must-read in the science genre that examines humans’ search for meaning — particularly in an ever-evolving world. Published in 2020, this book is about finding purpose and understanding how the universe is developing. 

Decide which Joe Rogan books to read on the Headway app

We’ve all been there; you start reading a book, hopeful for the contents but soon realize it’s just not for you. Whether the ideas are too complex or at odds with your learning goals, it’s tough to admit defeat and stop reading. 

So, how do you decide what to read? Although you may be a fan of Joe Rogan , you may not become a fan of all of his favorite books . Here are some quick tips for choosing a Joe Rogan book that you’ll enjoy:

Research the book’s summary: You may have read the blurb of the book you’re researching, but why not take it a step further? Studying the summary gives you a clearer picture of what the book is about, what themes occur, and if the contents might interest you. 

Understand the book’s core concepts: If the blurb and summary don’t provide enough detail, many readers take their research further. You can discover the book’s core learnings using an app like Headway . While it won’t provide the same level of detail as reading the entire book, it saves you time by making the key ideas easy to understand. 

Choose your preferred format: Whether you’ve decided to read the whole book or you’re still researching, it can help to consume the information in a way that suits you. However you enjoy books, Headway allows you to listen to or read the book’s summary and concepts. 

Researching the ideas discussed in a book can make the decision process much more manageable. Reading or listening to the key learnings might help you decide whether to dive deeper into that subject area or the book itself. It saves you the time you may have otherwise wasted on a book you don’t enjoy. 

Final thoughts

Whatever your opinion is about Joe Rogan , there’s no denying that he’s become one of the most successful podcasters . Thus, understanding Joe Rogan ’s favorite books might give us an insight into his mind and success.

Much of the material he recommends are self-help book recommendations Joe Rogan has read and loved himself. As with any genre, self-help doesn’t suit everyone, and there’s nothing worse than reading a book you’re not enjoying. Headway has bridged the gap to help you find more books you love, including your next favorite from this Joe Rogan book list . 

Download the Headway app to view summaries and key concepts from your next book before you commit to reading the whole text. 

Who is Joe Rogan?

Joe Rogan is a famous public figure known for recommending books about humanity. You can read key points from the actor’s favorite books on the Headway app.

What does Joe Rogan read?

Joe Rogan reads many books, with self-help being a prevalent genre. While his reading is varied, much of his material seems to ask questions to understand humans better and improve well-being. 

What are Joe Rogan’s favorite books?

It’s difficult to say which are Joe Rogan ’s favorite books , but some of the ones he mentions regularly are The Greatest Stoic, Marcus Aurelius , 12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson, Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell , Coyote America by Dan Flores , Empire of the Summer Moon by S. C. Gwynne , The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi , The Immortality Key by Brian Muraresku , The Perfect Storm, War, and Tribe by Sebastian Junger , The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins , The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross by John Allegro , Something Deeply Hidden by Sean Carroll , Fingerprints Of The Gods by Graham Hancock , Stealing Fire by Steven Kotler , Going Clear by Lawrence Wright and The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt . 

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18 Joe Rogan Book Recommendations That You Need to Read

Joe Rogan’s favorite books aren’t hard to come by. Learn more about his philosophy through 18 of Joe Rogan’s favorite books from his podcast and beyond.

Whether you’re a book lover looking for inspiration or love learning about people through their reading choices, discovering celebrities’ favorite books is an excellent place to start. Joe Rogan is a fascinating character known for his long-standing podcast and stand-up comedy. Whether you’re a fan of his or not, Rogan constantly recommends books to his audience, but are they any good?

This article explores the Joe Rogan book list to uncover the best Joe Rogan suggestions and upgrade your bookshelf. We’ll also share the infamous Joe Rogan podcast book recommendations alongside the ones he praises on social media. Despite the controversies around him, Rogan is an avid reader and enormously successful — but do these two things go hand in hand? Let’s find out.

Key points:

Joe Rogan is an American comedian, commentator, and podcast host. Across all his platforms, Rogan loves recommending the books he is reading. Most noticeably, self-help is one of his most read genres, alongside scientific reads to better understand humanity. 

Many of Joe Rogan’s favorite books come from people he hosts on his globally known podcast, such as Elon Musk, James Nester, and David Goggins. While he talks about various texts, Jonathan Haidth and Malcolm Gladwell are two prominent authors in Joe Rogan’s favorite books collection. 

It is disheartening when you start a book only to realize you’re not enjoying it and it doesn’t align with your learning goals. Thankfully, Headway makes it easy to choose which books to dive deeper into, including your favorites on the Joe Rogan book list. 

Read summaries and listen to or read key points from interesting titles. You can quickly get a clearer picture of the book’s content and decide if it’s right for you.  

Who is Joe Rogan?

Born in New Jersey in 1967, Joe Rogan is an American stand-up comedian, sports commentator, and podcast host. He hosts The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, a long-form conversation with guests from all walks of life. He’s also an avid mixed martial arts (MMA) fan who commentates for Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events.

In recent years, Rogan has become known for his love of reading and his commentary on politics, science, and current affairs. His podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, is the most downloaded in the world, with over 200 million monthly downloads. In fact, his partnership with Spotify sparked debate across the media industry as it was one of the first podcast deals of its kind. 

Rogan has been in the public eye for years. In that time, he’s recommended many of his favorite books, which have helped him succeed. 

What are Joe Rogan’s favorite books?

Joe Rogan loves sharing his current reading material. If you’ve seen his social media posts or listened to a podcast episode, you’ll know he consistently rates books across his platforms. However, what types of texts are on the Joe Rogan recommended book list? He discusses numerous topics in his podcast episodes. However, there’s often an overarching theme of understanding humanity in what he reads. Some of the best Joe Rogan book suggestions fall under the self-help category, a genre that many praise as much as they criticize. So, with that in mind, let’s get into the book list of Joe Rogan.

Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari

Considering Rogan is keen to understand how humans work, Sapiens is a fitting book about the history of our species. It’s a unique look into human evolution. It may suit those interested in the development of ancient worlds and the one we live in today. The author originally wrote this book in Hebrew in 2011 before it was translated and published in English in 2015. 

Elon Musk by Ashlee Vance 

If you want to learn how successful people become successful, a biography is a great place to start. What better way to learn about triumph than from a man known for his outlandish ideas? Yes, this book is about Elon Musk, the visionary whose unfathomable dreams are becoming a reality. Musk was a guest on Joe Rogan’s show several times, discussing his ventures with Tesla, among other things. This biography examines Musk’s life as an investor, engineer, founder, and CEO of some of the world’s leading EV and commercial space companies. 

1984 by George Orwell

1984 is a classic science fiction novel based in a dark dystopian world. Published in 1949 by George Orwell, Joe Rogan re-read and recommended this book in 2020 due to the state of the world. Its themes center on repressive governments, war, and futuristic societies where everything is under surveillance. If dystopian fiction is your thing, you’re in for a thrilling treat. 

Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh

Thich Nhat Hanh appears in several book recommendations from Joe Rogan. Although Thich Nhat Hanh is more than just an author, he is a peace activist, Vietnamese monk, and zen master . In this moving read, readers will hopefully reconnect with their inner peace and learn how to use it in times of challenge. In its essence, this book makes meditation more accessible and applicable to everyday life.

Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor 

The author of Breath , James Nestor, was a guest on Rogan’s show, so it’s no wonder it would be on the Joe Rogan podcast book list. In the episode, Nestor discusses his non-fiction book, which Rogan praises. Since many of Joe Rogan’s favorite books are about improving your lifestyle , this book follows suit. However, instead of telling you how, it takes you on a historical and scientific journey of humanity’s oldest instinct — breathing. While it may sound absurd, this book claims to teach readers how to breathe better. 

The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom by Jonathan Haidt  

The renowned psychologist Jonathan Haidt published The Happiness Hypothesis in 2006. It explores ancient myths and sayings that may be the key to happiness. Still, more importantly, it discovers what makes people happy and unhappy. Haidt appeared on Joe Rogan’s podcast, and the book solidified itself as one of Joe Rogan’s favorite books when he praised Haidt’s insights on social media.

Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked by Adam Alter

For Rogan and many people in today’s society, this book was humbling. As humanities’ dependency on technology increases, Alter looks at our tech obsession. Despite his success with technology and media, this book came up as one of the best Joe Rogan book recommendations.

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

As the man himself stated on Twitter; this may be one of Joe Rogan’s favorite books. The War of Art is practical, and readers often become engrossed by the author’s insight. Creativity isn’t consistent and certainly doesn’t come easy to some people, which is precisely what this recommendation addresses. Pressfield uses this book to help creators break through barriers and thrive in their medium. 

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

Numerous self-help books claim to make every reader a success. Yet, within the Joe Rogan book recommendations, you’ll find Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. Although the author promises sentiments similar to many other writers, he claims to unpack what we thought we knew about genius’. He shares the secrets of high-achievers from many backgrounds hoping it’ll inspire ordinary people to follow a path to success.

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

First published in 1997, The Four Agreements is a hugely popular book within self-help and even spiritual communities. Rogan briefly discussed finding this book moving and relatable in an Instagram post. It aims to help readers unlearn beliefs that may limit them. Ruiz doesn’t hide behind frivolous language or complex ideas; instead, it is a simple and actionable guide to individual freedom. 

Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy Seals Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

Two former SEALs wrote this following Joe Rogan’s recommendation. From the outside, this is a book about leadership and succeeding as a team. However, Willink and Babin used their unique experience and applied their practice to business management. Upgrade your leadership skills with this Joe Rogan book recommendation. 

Lifespan by Dr. David Sinclair

Lifespan is one of the book recommendations Joe Rogan suggests for fans of healthy living and reducing aging. Its author, Dr. Sinclair, is a highly-respected authority in genetics and argues that humans can live longer healthier lives.

Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins

As another guest on Rogan’s podcast, it’s no surprise that David Goggins’ Can’t Hurt Me made it onto the Joe Rogan podcast book list. This is a book about the mind and pushing through challenges. Goggins’ story has moved readers around the globe, Rogan included, who appreciated the honest and helpful nature of the book.

Sex at Dawn by Christopher Ryan

Although few call it a somewhat controversial read, Joe Rogan shouted about this book on Twitter. Sex at Dawn is a thought-provoking exploration of monogamy and sexuality in humans. Readers go on a journey to understand the history and relationship between humans and sex as it uncovers how monogamous the human race really is.  

The Coddling of the American Mind by Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff

Once again, Jonathan Haidt makes it onto Joe Rogan’s favorite books list with The Coddling of the American Mind , co-written with Greg Lukianoff. The authors attempt to unpick social trends dating back to the 1980s and how these may have impacted young people today. 

The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle

If you’re unsure where to start on the Joe Rogan favorite book list, The Talent Code is one exciting read he believes is for everyone. Coyle aims to break down the belief that talent is innate and instinctual. Taking a neuroscience approach, he discusses how people can nurture their skills and become incredible at something if they learn it correctly. 

The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell

Malcolm Gladwell’s debut book, The Tipping Point, was published in 2000. This is a mesmerizing book that attempts to highlight the moment when an idea goes from nothing to something. Gladwell is a familiar author amongst Joe Rogan’s favorite books, suggesting their work may have inspired the way Rogan approaches creativity and business. 

Until the End of Time by Brian Greene

Lastly, Until the End of Time is a popular book in the science genre that examines humans’ search for meaning — particularly in an ever-evolving world. Published in 2020, this book is about finding purpose and understanding how the universe is developing. 

Decide which Joe Rogan books to read on the Headway app

We’ve all been there; you start reading a book, hopeful for the contents but soon realize it’s just not for you. Whether the ideas are too complex or don’t suit your learning goals, it’s tough to admit defeat and stop reading. 

So, how do you decide what to read? Although you may be a fan of Joe Rogan, you may not become a fan of all of his favorite books. Here are some quick tips for choosing a Joe Rogan book that you’ll enjoy:

Research the book’s summary: You may have read the blurb of the book you’re researching, but why not take it a step further? Studying the summary gives you a clearer picture of what the book is about, what themes occur, and if the contents might interest you. 

Understand the book’s core concepts: If the blurb and summary don’t provide enough detail, many readers take their research further. You can discover the book’s core learnings using an app like Headway . While it won’t provide the same level of detail as reading the entire book, it saves you time by making the key ideas easy to understand. 

Choose your preferred format: Whether you’ve decided to read the whole book or you’re still researching, it can help to consume the information in a way that suits you. However you enjoy books, Headway allows you to listen to or read the book’s summary and concepts. 

Researching the ideas discussed in a book can make the decision process much more manageable. Reading or listening to the key learnings might help you decide if you want to dive deeper into that subject area or the book itself. It saves you the time you may have otherwise wasted on a book you don’t enjoy. 

Final thoughts

Whatever your opinion is about Joe Rogan, there’s no denying that he’s become one of the most successful podcasters. Thus, understanding Joe Rogan’s favorite books might give us an insight into his mind and success.

Much of the material he recommends are self-help book recommendations Joe Rogan has read and loved himself. As with any genre, self-help doesn’t suit everyone, and there’s nothing worse than reading a book you’re not enjoying. Headway has bridged the gap to help you find more books you love, including your next favorite from this Joe Rogan book list. 

Download the Headway app to view summaries and key concepts from your next book before you commit to reading the whole text. 

Joe Rogan is a famous public figure known for recommending books about humanity. You can read key points from the actor’s favorite books on the Headway app.

What does Joe Rogan read?

Joe Rogan reads many books, with self-help being a prevalent genre. While his reading is varied, much of his material seems to ask questions to understand humans better and improve well-being. 

It’s difficult to say which are Joe Rogan’s favorite books, but some of the ones he mentions regularly are Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell and The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt. 

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A.I. Will Fix the World. The Catch? Robots in Your Veins.

In “The Singularity Is Nearer,” the futurist Ray Kurzweil reckons with a world dominated by artificial intelligence (good) and his own mortality (bad).

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THE SINGULARITY IS NEARER: When We Merge With A.I. , by Ray Kurzweil

A central conviction held by artificial intelligence boosters, but largely ignored in public discussions of the technology, is that the ultimate fulfillment of the A.I. revolution will require the deployment of microscopic robots into our veins.

In the short term, A.I. may help us print clothing on demand, help prevent cancer and liberate half of the work force. But to achieve its greatest aims — immortality, superhuman intelligence, the elimination of all our social ills — we must infuse our blood with millions of self-replicating diamondoid robots.

Why don’t we hear more about the blood robots? Their arrival is only a few years away — at least according to Ray Kurzweil, a godfather of A.I., our foremost technological prophet and a “principal researcher and A.I. visionary” at Google.

“The Singularity Is Nearer” follows Kurzweil’s 2005 “The Singularity Is Near,” and several other heraldic works of tech futurism that have become sacred texts to the current generation of A.I. utopians. In his latest, Kurzweil boasts of his greatest hits: his prediction, in the late 1980s, that a global information network would be universally accessible by the late 1990s, and that mobile devices linked to this network would appear by the turn of the century; his 2018 prediction that, within two years, a neural net would be able to analyze radiology images as well as human doctors, a feat accomplished by Stanford researchers two weeks later; and his 1999 prediction that an A.I. capable of convincingly impersonating a human being would appear by 2029 — which now may seem conservative.

In “The Singularity Is Nearer,” Kurzweil promises that, by 2029, A.I. will be “better than all humans” in “every skill possessed by any human.” During the 2030s, solar power, enhanced by A.I.-driven advances in 3-D printing, will come to dominate the global energy supply, most consumer goods will be free, and the “dramatic reduction of physical scarcity” will “finally allow us to easily provide for the needs of everyone.” Sounds rad!

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