The seven books
1. Sapiens, Yuval Noah Harari
The history of our species from foraging bands to empires and money. "It really puts in perspective how bizarre human beings are. It's an awesome overview of our species," Rogan posted. Sapiens summary
2. Guns, Germs, and Steel, Jared Diamond
Why some societies conquered others: geography, crops, animals and disease rather than the people themselves. A listener suggested it for the show and Rogan answered: "Guns Germs and Steel is an amazing book." Guns, Germs, and Steel summary
3. The War of Art, Steven Pressfield
On resistance, the force that keeps you from the work you mean to do, and how professionals beat it. Rogan: "a great book about harnessing creativity."
4. Can't Hurt Me, David Goggins
The Navy SEAL and ultrarunner's life story and the mental tools that got him through it. When it came out, Rogan posted that it would change your life.
5. Stealing Fire, Steven Kotler and Jamie Wheal
How athletes, soldiers and companies use flow and altered states to perform. Rogan listened to it on a run, on Ben Askren's recommendation: "an excellent book on the power of meditation and alternate states of consciousness on performance."
6. The Immortality Key, Brian Muraresku
Whether the ancient Greeks, and early Christians, used psychedelics in their rites. Rogan had Muraresku on the podcast with Graham Hancock and called the book "the culmination of a 12 year obsession into the mystery of the ancient Greeks and their use of psychedelics to find god."
7. The Book of Five Rings, Miyamoto Musashi
A 17th century samurai's book on strategy, written after more than 60 duels. Rogan found it as a teenager obsessed with martial arts, and says it increased his focus in everything he pursues: "I can't recommend it enough."
Common questions
Which book should I start with?
Sapiens for the big picture. The War of Art or Can't Hurt Me if you want to get something done. The Book of Five Rings is the one he has carried longest, since he was a teenager.
Can I listen to these books?
Ask the composer above for a 15-minute episode on any one of them. SUN also has summaries of Sapiens and Guns, Germs, and Steel.
More reading lists: books recommended by Elon Musk, Bill Gates' reading list, Steve Jobs' favorite books, Andrew Huberman's book recommendations, Jordan Peterson's reading list, Charlie Kirk's book recommendations.