“Each time you re-read you see or learn something new.”― Ernest Hemingway

If books are the ultimate nootropic, then re-reading is the best way to take them.

In that spirit, here are some of my favorite books worth re-reading:

1

INCERTO by Nassim Taleb

No matter how you designate it (as a large book or series) this group of books includes: Antifragile, The Black Swan, Fooled by Randomness, and The Bed of Procrustes. Even though Fat Tony is now horizontal, you can relive his conversations with Nero in this must re-read series.

2

Outwitting the Devil by Napoleon Hill

Throughout our history, the most exciting ideas are usually closely guarded by artists, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and the family foundations of many great writers. In the case of Outwitting the Devil, the manuscript was kept unpublished by the Hill Foundation for 73 years! In 2011 they finally published it. When a writers foundation or family is scared to publish something, it’s usually a signal of value.

3

Travels by Michael Crichton

When he was 46, Michael Crichton published (in my opinion) his most underrated book. Travels is an autobiographical journey through some of Crichton’s many adventures. Travels provides a first hand account of the real-life experiences that directly translated into plot for Crichton’s fiction. Travels illuminates the unnerving reality that as a species, we’re only on the shores of the seas that make up human consciousness. Travels is a call to action to begin our own trip into that vast sea.

4

Blake Master’s CS 183 Class Notes / Zero to One by Peter Thiel

“When a risk taker writes a book, read it. In the case of Peter Thiel, read it twice. Or, to be safe, three times. This is a classic.” –Nassim Taleb

In the last year, Zero to One has been everywhere. Without a doubt, it’s worth re-reading. But what fascinates me most about books worth re-reading is how they were prepared. In the case of Zero to One, it’s based on the class notes that Blake Masters took from Peter Thiel’s CS 183 class at Stanford. The notes are a deeper, uncensored dive into the hidden realities of technology creation and our world. Which brings us to one of the books that inspired both Thiel’s CS 183 class and Zero to One.

5

Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World by Rene Girard

Be forewarned, Girard’s theories are a bit like the red pill in the Matrix… Once you consider them, you’ll be forced to view the world in a new light. Girard’s theories are an incredibly valuable reminder to help avoid competition, argument, and small time scapegoating. It’s worth re-reading every book written by Girard.

6

The Godmakers by Frank Herbert

The masterpiece of Dune tends to overshadow this short novel by Herbert. It’s a fascinating sci-fi philosophical exploration that investigates how to achieve a more peaceful world.

7

Intellectuals and Society by Thomas Sowell

Sowell is a heavy hitter. This book inspires serious questions about Higher Education. Plus, it studies the ways in which “anointed” intellectuals harm the public.

8

Letters From a Stoic by Seneca

Despite how many people recommend Seneca, I haven’t met many who have read, or re-read him. These letters to Lucilius have stood the test of time.

9

Reflections on the Art of Living by Joseph Campbell and Diane K. Osbon

I’m writing an article now about three of the most underrated minds of the 20th century. To me, Campbell stands out as one of them. Campbell re-discovered the invisible operating system that guides all human achievement. He dubbed this the hero’s (or heroine’s) journey. Campbell studied mythologies of the world, and in all cultures found similar patterns and steps in their progressions. These steps on the heroine’s journey call her from slumber to adventure, test her, force her to shed her ego, slay her demons, and eventually lead her to the ultimate boon: wisdom, secrets, or gnosis. But instead of retiring in this bliss, the heroine returns to the world and translates that wisdom into value for all of mankind.

In our modern world, as scientific and technological power grow, it’s more important than ever for heroes to earn self-knowledge, tame their egos, and slay their dragons. If we’re going to wield the tools of creation, we must gain the self-mastery necessary to do good works with them. Like Girard, it’s worth re-reading/re-listening to every book and interview by Joseph Campbell.

10

Story by Robert McKee

To dive deeper into the invisible operating system that Campbell championed, Story by Robert McKee is a must.

The best way I’ve found to harness the power of books (the perfect technology) is through re-reading. Hope you enjoyed some of my favorite re-reads!

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