Jordan B. Peterson is one of the most influential voices in today’s cultural landscape. This accomplished clinical psychologist offers profound insights into human nature and how to better your life. The best way to check out those insights might be to read his books.
Coming up is a review of Jordan Peterson’s most famous books.
Who is Jordan B. Peterson?
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson is a popular Canadian professor and clinical psychologist. He earned a degree in Political Science. After a one-year hiatus, he returned to his university and got a degree in Psychology.
Before graduating, McGill University accepted Jordan Peterson’s application for his Ph.D. program. Supervised by Robert O. Pihl, an American psychology researcher and clinician, he defended a thesis that dealt with alcoholism predisposition.
Between 1993 and 1998, Peterson lived in Arlington, Massachusetts. There, he carried out research and taught at Harvard University. He was first an assistant psychology professor but later became an associate professor.
He’s now a professor emeritus at the University of Toronto.
Peterson’s favorite books are Brave New World, 1984, Crime and Punishment, The Gulag Archipelago (Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn), and Modern Man in Search of a Soul. He’s also written several books that address topics like political correctness and the search for meaning.
A review of Jordan Peterson books
Inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche, Karl Jung, George Orwell, and Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Jordan Peterson has written many top-rated books. The following four titles are on many people’s wish lists.
Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief
Throughout human history, people from different eras and cultures have created similar stories. You can find commonalities in the works of many peoples, even if they’re millennia apart. If you want to find out where the similarities come from, this is the right book for you.
Jordan Peterson provides a thought-provoking hypothesis between long-established religious myths and modern neuroscience.
The author of this must-read takes a Jungian and Freudian approach to ancient narratives and mythology. The result is an eye-opening revelation that tells you why old wisdom is accessible to modern civilizations.
12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos
This non-fiction self-help book is a New York Times bestseller, and it’s easy to see why, considering all the helpful insights. Jordan Peterson shares life advice using essays, personal anecdotes, religious themes, psychology, and mythology.
The main idea of the book is that suffering is an integral part of the human experience. When people face it, they can withdraw and submit or face the suffering and overcome it.
Another assertion Peterson makes is that the world is one of order and chaos. Living a fulfilled life is about suppressing the chaotic side of your personality with order.
The final chapter is especially impactful. It tells you how you can cope with tragic events, which are usually out of your control. Peterson illustrates his point by bringing up a tragedy of his own – discovering his daughter has a rare condition.
This chapter is about focusing on what truly matters in life and cherishing the tiniest redeemable qualities. It also offers practical tips for dealing with hardship.
Published by Random House, 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos topped bestseller lists in the U.S. and Canada.
Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life
Peterson’s book 12 Rules for Life has helped countless people with his advice on how to restrain chaotic aspects of their personalities. He didn’t stop there. In Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life, you get even more principles for controlling and improving your life.
While the first book primarily dealt with suppressing chaos, the sequel shifts to the other side of the spectrum – order and security. He maintains that having too much security can be dangerous.
Excess chaos often brings anxiety and instability. However, unchecked order often leads to submission. It’s up to you to avoid this by overcoming the scientific, psychological, and cultural factors that may make you feel powerless.
The central theme of the book is learning how to balance the scales. You want to make sure chaos doesn’t get out of hand while keeping yourself from becoming too submissive.
An ABC of Childhood Tragedy
Unlike his previous great books, this one is written in the form of 26 poems. Each is cleverly constructed, featuring stories of vulnerability and innocence. At the same time, they’re a haunting portrayal of the desperate and doomed lives of Bertam, Cynthia, and Adella.
Once you scratch beneath the surface of the poems, you’ll discover Peterson’s masterful understanding of psychology and human nature. He explains what the characters go through and their inner thoughts.
You can find the hardcover version of this book on Amazon and similar platforms.
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FAQ
Which Jordan Peterson book should I read first?
You can read Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief first to familiarize yourself with the basic concepts Peterson focuses on in his later works.
Is it worth reading 12 Rules for Life?
Yes. You should add 12 Rules for Life to your book list. It’s an exceptional book that can help you identify problems in your life and restore order.
What is Jordan Peterson’s best-selling book?
Jordan Peterson’s bestselling book is 12 Rules for Life.
Why does Jordan Peterson’s book 12 Rules for Life have so many negative reviews?
Peterson’s best book has many negative reviews because some people disagree with his assertions, primarily those concerning religion.
