22 Life Changing Books... Summarized

Here at Meander Man, we are big fans of author and YouTuber Mark Manson. He wrote one of our favorite books ever - The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k - check it out. His style of writing is very blunt, honest, often laced with profanity and humor. He prioritizes substance over style and his messages are very grounded in reality and relatable.

His latest YouTube video is one that truly caught our attention. The video title is "22 Life-Changing Books Summarized in 28 Minutes," and he goes through the main points of each of the 22 self-help or inspirational books. We took notes on many books we had never heard of. Check the video out, and then we will describe the two that caught our attention.

These are the books he mentions in his video:

1. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

2. Shoe Dog by Phil Knight

3. Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins

4. Mating in Captivity by Esther Perel

5. The Courage to be Disliked by Ichiro Kishima and Fumitaki Koga

6. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

7. Principles by Ray Dalio

8. The Burnout Society by Byung-Chul Han

9. The Course of Love by Alain de Botton

10. The Trial by Franz Kafka

11. Transcend by Scott Barry Kaufman

12. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

13. Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

14. Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

15. The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt

16. The Stranger by Albert Camus

17. The Evolving Self by Robert Kegan

18. 4,000 Weeks by Oliver Burkeman

19. The Pathless Path by Paul Millard

20. The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck

21. The Inner Game of Tennis by Timothy Gallwey

22. Thinking in Systems by Donella Meadows

Two books that caught our attention and we cannot wait to read were Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and The Pathless Path by Paul Millard.

Flow

According to Mark, Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is about a state of complete absorption in an activity, often referred to as "the zone." The book argues that true happiness is not found in pursuing money or success directly, but is a byproduct of being fully engaged in challenging and meaningful tasks that perfectly match your skills. The video highlights that you can intentionally create more flow in your life by structuring your work and hobbies with clear goals and immediate feedback.

The Pathless Path

The video describes The Pathless Path by Paul Millard as a book that challenges the conventional, scripted life path. It suggests that many people follow a "default path" in pursuit of money and titles, only to find they are not truly happy. The "pathless path" is presented as a life built on curiosity, experimentation, and intention, rather than societal expectations. The video explains that you can start on this path with small creative projects, and that embracing uncertainty is part of the journey toward an authentic life.

Here is a summary of each of the other books mentioned:

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

This book serves as a guide for living a creative life driven by curiosity rather than fear. Gilbert encourages readers to embrace their passions and trust their compulsions, suggesting that creativity is a universal force within everyone.

Shoe Dog by Phil Knight

A memoir from the co-founder of Nike, Phil Knight, that chronicles his journey from a young man with a crazy idea to building one of the world's most iconic brands. It details the struggles, successes, and key moments in the early days of the company.

Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins

David Goggins' memoir shares how he overcame a difficult childhood and went from being an overweight, depressed young man to a world-class athlete and one of the fittest men on the planet. The book highlights the power of the mind and the importance of mental toughness.

Mating in Captivity by Esther Perel

Written by a couples therapist, this book explores the complexities of sustaining desire in long-term relationships. Perel challenges the conventional wisdom that love and desire are synonymous, arguing that to maintain sexual passion, couples need to balance the need for security with the longing for adventure.

The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga

This book presents the philosophical ideas of Alfred Adler through a dialogue between a young man and a philosopher. It argues that happiness is a choice and that our unhappiness is often a self-imposed condition stemming from a fear of being disliked by others.

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

A collection of personal writings by the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the book is a core text of Stoic philosophy. It emphasizes the importance of cultivating virtue, self-control, and resilience in the face of adversity, and offers guidance on how to live a purposeful life.

Principles by Ray Dalio

Ray Dalio, a successful investor, outlines a set of universal principles for achieving success in both life and work. He advocates for "radical truth" and "radical transparency" and provides a five-step process for achieving goals, diagnosing problems, and designing solutions.

The Burnout Society by Byung-Chul Han

A philosophical critique of modern society, this book argues that the prevalence of psychological disorders like burnout and depression stems from a culture of "overproduction" and "overachievement." Han suggests that society has moved from a "disciplinary society" to an "achievement society," where we are our own oppressors.

The Course of Love by Alain de Botton

This novel explores the realities of love over a lifetime, moving beyond the initial romance to focus on the challenges and growth that occur in a long-term relationship. It portrays love not as a feeling but as a skill that must be learned and maintained.

The Trial by Franz Kafka

A surreal and existential novel that follows Josef K., a man arrested and prosecuted by a remote and inaccessible authority for an unknown crime. The book explores themes of absurdity, guilt, and the individual's struggle against a vast and dehumanizing bureaucracy.

Transcend by Scott Barry Kaufman

This book presents a new framework for understanding human potential, moving beyond Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Kaufman integrates different psychological theories to create a new model of self-actualization, emphasizing a person's constant journey of growth.

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

This classic novel follows the mental anguish and moral dilemmas of Rodion Raskolnikov, an impoverished former law student who murders a pawnbroker to prove a philosophical theory about extraordinary individuals. The book delves into themes of guilt, morality, and redemption.

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

A book on writing and life, Lamott shares her insights and practical advice for writers. She encourages a process of taking things "bird by bird" and emphasizes the importance of a daily writing routine, community, and having faith in one's own ability.

The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt

This book explores ancient wisdom and modern psychological research to understand the origins of happiness. Haidt uses the metaphor of the mind as a rider on an elephant, where the conscious mind (rider) struggles to control the emotional, intuitive part (elephant).

The Stranger by Albert Camus

Set in French Algeria, this novel follows the detached and emotionally indifferent protagonist, Meursault, who kills an Arab man and is subsequently sentenced to death. The book is a foundational work of absurdism, exploring the meaninglessness of existence in an indifferent universe.

The Evolving Self by Robert Kegan

A theoretical work on human development, Kegan's book proposes that meaning-making is a lifelong activity that evolves through a series of stages. He focuses on the internal experience of growth, a process that involves drawing and redrawing the boundaries between self and other.

4,000 Weeks by Oliver Burkeman

This book challenges the modern obsession with productivity and time management. Burkeman argues that accepting our limited time (approximately 4,000 weeks) can be a source of freedom and meaning. He advocates for a more realistic approach to time, one that leaves room for unstructured living and leisure.

The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck

This book explores the nature of discipline, love, and spiritual growth. Peck argues that life is difficult and that confronting and solving problems is a painful but necessary process for personal and spiritual growth.

The Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy Gallwey

A classic book on the psychology of performance, originally applied to tennis but applicable to any skill. Gallwey argues that an individual's greatest opponent is their own mind, and that "the inner game" is about quieting the self-doubt and conscious effort to allow the body to perform naturally.

Thinking in Systems by Donella H. Meadows

This book provides a clear and accessible introduction to systems thinking. Meadows explains how to understand and analyze complex systems, from the environment to economies, and provides a framework for identifying the leverage points where small changes can lead to big results.

Which book will you check out?