18 Joe Rogan Book Recommendations That You Need to Read

1. 'Sapiens' by Yuval Noah Harari

Considering Rogan is keen to understand how humans work and the history of humankind, 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. 

2. '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. 

3. '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 trea

4. '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.

5. '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. 

6. '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.

7. '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.

8. '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 easily 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. 

9. '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.

10. '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. 

11. '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. 

12. '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.

13. '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.

14. '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.  

15. '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. 

16. '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. 

17. '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. 

18. '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. 

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. 

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 that 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. 

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 whether 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.