The history & geopolitics books recommended on Diary of a CEO’s podcast

#1 · Man's Search for Meaning

The endorsement here comes from Pierre Poilievre, on Joe Rogan Experience #2470 - Pierre Poilievre in 2026. Pierre is Leader of Canada's Conservative Party and Leader of the Official Opposition, a self-described free-market 'prime minister in waiting' who has campaigned since 2022 on making Canada the freest country on earth. In total it earned 16 separate on-air endorsements across 4 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“my favorite psychologist is u Victor Frankle Victor Frankl and he developed this um logos treatment which was basically giving people a sense of meaning” — Pierre Poilievre 00:15:39

#2 · Meditations

Recommended by Ivanka Trump on Ivanka Trump: Most People Can’t Tell Signal From Noise. Ivanka is Businesswoman, former real estate and fashion executive, and ex-White House senior advisor. Daughter of Donald Trump, she built a fashion line doing close to $800M in annual sales before shutting it down to serve in government. In total it earned 16 separate on-air endorsements across 5 different shows (Andrew Huberman, Diary of a CEO, Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“I think like Marcus Aurelius's meditations is so informative on so many levels.” — Ivanka Trump 00:26:38

What it is: Meditations is a collection of personal reflections and notes by the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (reigned 161 to 180 AD), offering a profound look into the philosophy of Stoicism. It was never intended for publication, making it a raw and intimate self-help manual for the emperor during his campaigns and rule. The central theme revolves around living a good, rational, and virtuous life in harmony with nature and the cosmos. Aurelius continually reminds himself that everything in the universe is constantly changing and fleeting, urging the reader to accept the impermanence of life and the inevitability of death.

#3 · The Real Anthony Fauci

Joe Rogan brought this up on Joe Rogan Experience #2472 - Jeff Ross (2026-03-24). That episode features Jeff Ross, Stand-up comedian known as the 'Roastmaster General,' famous for Comedy Central and Netflix roasts. Releasing his Netflix special 'Take a Banana for the Ride' the night of this taping. In total it earned 12 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“if you read RFK Jr.'s book, The Real Anthony Fouchy, it'll open your mind. It'll open your eyes.” — Joe Rogan 01:54:34

#4 · Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind

The endorsement here comes from Norman Ohler, on Norman Ohler: Hitler, Nazis, Drugs, WW2, Blitzkrieg, LSD, MKUltra & CIA | Lex Fr in 2025. Norman is German novelist and non-fiction author of Blitzed, Tripped, and The Bohemians. He researches the role of drugs in history using primary archival sources and is working on a new book, Stoned Sapiens, about human civilization through the lens of drugs. In total it earned 9 separate on-air endorsements across 4 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“Like Sapiens by Harari, which is a great book, he also misses that.” — Norman Ohler 03:04:44

What it is: From a renowned historian comes a groundbreaking narrative of humanity’s creation and evolution—a 1 international bestseller—that explores the ways in which biology and history have defined us and enhanced our understanding of what it means to be “human.” One hundred thousand years ago, at least six different species of humans inhabited Earth. Yet today there is only one—homo sapiens. What happened to the others? And what may happen to us? Most books about the history of humanity pursue either a historical or a biological approach, but Dr.

#5 · Outlive

Recommended by Terry Real on The Therapist Who Breaks All The Rules — Terry Real. Terry is Family therapist, creator of Relational Life Therapy (RLT), and author of 'I Don't Want to Talk About It,' 'Fierce Intimacy,' and 'Us'; specializes in couples on the brink and male depression. In total it earned 7 separate on-air endorsements across 4 different shows (Andrew Huberman, Diary of a CEO, Joe Rogan, Tim Ferriss).

“First of all, for those who haven't, please read Peter's book, Outlive. It's great. And the last chapter is about his work with me.” — Terry Real 00:41:55

#6 · How to Change Your Mind

Tim Ferriss brought this up on Q&A with Tim — The Upcoming AI Tsunami and Building Offline Advantage (2026-03-26). Tim is Author, podcaster, and early-stage investor; solo Q&A host answering pre-submitted and live audience questions about AI, careers, creativity, and life. In total it earned 7 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Joe Rogan, Tim Ferriss).

“people who have been doing this since before Michael Pollan's exceptional book, How to Change Your Mind” — Tim Ferriss 00:48:18

What it is: When Michael Pollan set out to research how LSD and psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) are being used to provide relief to people suffering from difficult-to-treat conditions such as depression, addiction and anxiety, he did not intend to write what is undoubtedly his most personal book. But upon discovering how these remarkable substances are improving the lives not only of the mentally ill but also of healthy people coming to grips with the challenges of everyday life, he decided to explore the landscape of the mind in the first person as well as the third.

#7 · Essentialism

The endorsement here comes from Charlie Houpert, on Building “Charisma on Command” to 10M+ Subscribers — Charlie Houpert in 2025. Charlie is Founder of Charisma on Command, a YouTube channel and online education business (Charisma University) teaching social confidence and communication; former management consultant turned solo entrepreneur. In total it earned 6 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Tim Ferriss).

“I'd read Essentialism, and it was like, just do the thing. Great book. Amazing. Greg Mchuan, so good. Read it. Read it four times.” — Charlie Houpert 00:49:44

What it is: Essentialism isn't about getting more done in less time. It's about getting only the right things done. Have you ever found yourself stretched too thin? Do you simultaneously feel overworked and underutilized? Are you often busy but not productive? Do you feel like your time is constantly being hijacked by other people's agendas? If you answered yes to any of these, the way out is the Way of the Essentialist. Essentialism is more than a time-management strategy or a productivity technique.

#8 · How to Win Friends and Influence People

Recommended by Oz Pearlman on Oz Pearlman (Mentalist): This Small Mistake Makes People Dislike You! They Do Th. Oz is World-leading mentalist and Dragons' Den (USA) regular who walked away from a Merrill Lynch Wall Street job to perform. He has appeared dozens of times on CNBC and headlines for corporate and celebrity audiences, and is author of the book Read Your Mind. In total it earned 6 separate on-air endorsements across 4 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“It's like How to Win Friends and Influence People. It's a book I've read over and over and over.” — Oz Pearlman 00:39:47

What it is: Available for the first time ever in trade paperback, Dale Carnegie's enduring classic, the inspirational personal development guide that shows how to achieve lifelong success. One of the top-selling books of all time, "How to Win Friends & Influence People" has sold more than 15 million copies in all its editions.

#9 · The Psychology of Money

Tim Ferriss brought this up on David Senra — How Extreme Winners Think and Win: Lessons from 400+ of History’s (2025-09-24). That episode features David Senra, Host of the Founders podcast, who reads and breaks down biographies of history's greatest entrepreneurs; launching a new interview show on Patrick O'Shaughnessy's Colossus network. In total it earned 5 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Andrew Huberman, Diary of a CEO, Tim Ferriss).

“Psychology of money. Great book. Won't stop selling. I know man. Got lightning in a bottle in that one. Earned it.” — Tim Ferriss 02:25:52

What it is: Timeless lessons on wealth, greed, and happiness doing well with money isn’t necessarily about what you know. It’s about how you behave. And behavior is hard to teach, even to really smart people. How to manage money, invest it, and make business decisions are typically considered to involve a lot of mathematical calculations, where data and formulae tell us exactly what to do. But in the real world, people don’t make financial decisions on a spreadsheet. They make them at the dinner table, or in a meeting room, where personal history, your unique view of the world, ego, pride, marketing, and odd incentives are scrambled together.

#10 · Mastery

The endorsement here comes from Andrew Huberman, on A Process for Finding & Achieving Your Unique Purpose | Robert Greene in 2023. That episode features Robert Greene, Bestselling author of The 48 Laws of Power, The Laws of Human Nature, The Art of Seduction, and Mastery. Trained at UC Berkeley and the University of Wisconsin-Madison; writes about psychology, strategy, and human nature rooted in history. In total it earned 5 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Andrew Huberman, Diary of a CEO, Tim Ferriss).

“I first learned about Robert's work from reading the book Mastery which to my mind is a brilliant exploration and a practical tool for how to think about and pursue one's purpose” — Andrew Huberman 00:00:30

What it is: Robert Greene, the "modern Machiavelli" debunks the prevailing mythology of success and presents a radical new way to greatness.

#11 · Fingerprints of the Gods

Recommended by Raul Bilecky on Joe Rogan Experience #2449 - Raul Bilecky. Raul is A former video editor turned independent archaeological explorer who runs the YouTube channel Pillars of the Past. With Peruvian roots, he uses Google Earth to locate and drone-document unrecorded ancient sites across Peru. In total it earned 4 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“Fingerprints of the Gods was one of the first books I picked up as a kid. My dad had it in his library and that set me off on a course” — Raul Bilecky 00:13:30

What it is: This book is about the beginning of the human race. How perhaps normal history has left things out, or maybe just left things unexplained. Graham Hancock explains how certain ancient structures all over the world are much older than originally thought, how civilizations who had no means of travel seemed to have communicated in some way. Hancock tries to answer questions we may have never even thought to ask. Were ancient civilizations visited by a superior race? Were these civilizations taught about technology they wouldn't have had?

#12 · Influence

Max Levchin brought this up on The Path from The Soviet Union to Building Multi-Billion Dollar Companies — Max (2026-06-10). Max is Cofounder of PayPal and founder/CEO of Affirm; Soviet-Ukraine-born engineer-turned-CEO, cryptography enthusiast, obsessive cyclist, and prolific tech investor (sci-fi.vc). In total it earned 4 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Tim Ferriss).

“if you're trying to start a business, you should read Influence by Cialdini because that is probably the most important social science book” — Max Levchin 01:41:34

What it is: Influence, the classic book on persuasion, explains the psychology of why people say "yes"—and how to apply these understandings. Dr. Robert Cialdini is the seminal expert in the rapidly expanding field of influence and persuasion. His thirty-five years of rigorous, evidence-based research along with a three-year program of study on what moves people to change behavior has resulted in this highly acclaimed book. You'll learn the six universal principles, how to use them to become a skilled persuader—and how to defend yourself against them.

#13 · The Lessons of History

The endorsement here comes from David Senra, on David Senra — How Extreme Winners Think and Win: Lessons from 400+ of History’s in 2025. David is Host of the Founders podcast, who reads and breaks down biographies of history's greatest entrepreneurs; launching a new interview show on Patrick O'Shaughnessy's Colossus network. In total it earned 4 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“Me and you both love Will and Ariel Durant, right? Read the history of human civilization. read their 100page book, Lessons of History.” — David Senra 01:25:13

What it is: Written by the authors of the 10 volume The Story of Civilization, this short (fewer than 120 pages) work notes "events and comments that might illuminate present affairs, future probabilities, the nature of man, and the conduct of states." Its 13 chapters discuss historiography (what is history), history and the earth, history and biology, race, character, morals, religion, economics, socialism, government, war, growth and decay. The final chapter asks, "Is progress real?"

#14 · Outliers

Recommended by Joe Rogan on Joe Rogan Experience #2491 - Brian Simpson. That episode features Brian Simpson, Stand-up comedian and Army veteran, a regular at the Comedy Mothership in Austin. Known for his deadpan delivery and a podcast/streaming-adjacent life as a hardcore gamer. In total it earned 3 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Joe Rogan).

“Outliers. great book. It's a really good book. It talks about like why people are successful.” — Joe Rogan 01:56:53

What it is: In this stunning new book, Malcolm Gladwell takes us on an intellectual journey through the world of "outliers"--the best and the brightest, the most famous and the most successful. He asks the question: what makes high-achievers different? His answer is that we pay too much attention to what successful people are like, and too little attention to where they are from: that is, their culture, their family, their generation, and the idiosyncratic experiences of their upbringing.

#15 · The Status Game

Chris Williamson brought this up on Joe Rogan Experience #2104 - Chris Williamson (2024-06-27). Chris is British podcaster and host of the Modern Wisdom podcast, former club promoter turned commentator on psychology, status, masculinity, and self-improvement. In total it earned 3 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Joe Rogan).

“will store who wrote that book the status game was explaining all this and how what people are doing what they're actually doing he's outstanding” — Chris Williamson 00:09:23

#16 · Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences

The endorsement here comes from Robert Greene, on We Are Making Dangerous, Lonely & Broken Men! - Manipulation Expert, Robert Gree in 2025. Robert is Author of bestselling books on power and human psychology, including The 48 Laws of Power, Mastery, and The Laws of Human Nature. One of the most influential modern writers on strategy and manipulation. In total it earned 3 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Andrew Huberman, Diary of a CEO).

“once you know that it gives you a sense of direction... and I always recommend people reading this book because it's very very important” — Robert Greene 00:46:25

What it is: Explores the development of the theory of multiple intelligences over the last decade.

#17 · Rich Dad Poor Dad

Recommended by Nischa Shah on Nischa Shah: They’re Lying To You About Buying a House! My 652510 Rule Built $20. Nischa is A qualified chartered accountant who spent nine years in investment banking before becoming a financial educator. Her YouTube channel grew to nearly 2 million subscribers, simplifying personal finance for everyday people. In total it earned 3 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Lex Fridman).

“some of the breakthroughs I've had have come from the books I've read. Even the first book I read which was Rich Dad Poor Dad” — Nischa Shah 01:46:57

What it is: <uRich Dad, Poor Dad PDF</u\ \ April of 2022 marks a 25-year milestone for the personal finance classic Rich Dad Poor Dad that still ranks as the 1 Personal Finance book of all time. And although 25 years have passed since Rich Dad Poor Dad was first published, readers will find that very little in the book itself has changed — and for good reason. While so much in our world is changing a high speed, the lessons about money and the principles of Rich Dad Poor Dad haven’t changed.

#18 · Think and Grow Rich

Nischa Shah brought this up on Nischa Shah: They’re Lying To You About Buying a House! My 652510 Rule Built $20 (2025-07-21). Nischa is A qualified chartered accountant who spent nine years in investment banking before becoming a financial educator. Her YouTube channel grew to nearly 2 million subscribers, simplifying personal finance for everyday people. In total it earned 3 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. It's not actually about financial literacy, but it's around money mindset.” — Nischa Shah 00:57:54

What it is: Napoleon Hill's quintessential volume Think and grow rich, the all-time bestseller in the field of professional success, outlines the laws of success and sets the standard of today's motivational thinking.

#19 · The 4-Hour Workweek

The endorsement here comes from James Smith, on James Smith: Become Confident In 100 Minutes | E174 in 2022. James is British personal trainer turned online fitness entrepreneur and author of Not a Diet Book, Not a Life Coach, and a new book on confidence; returning Diary of a CEO guest. In total it earned 2 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Tim Ferriss).

“he recommended the book four hour by week and i got home and i read through it and there were some things that just didn't apply” — James Smith 01:25:42

What it is: The New York Times bestselling how-to and why-to guide to throwing out the old tools and methods for success and replacing them with a whole new way of living Tim Ferriss has trouble defining what he does for a living.

#20 · How Emotions Are Made

Recommended by Andrew Huberman on How Foods and Nutrients Control Our Moods. Andrew is Professor of neurobiology and ophthalmology at Stanford School of Medicine and host of the Huberman Lab podcast, which translates neuroscience into practical health tools. In total it earned 2 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Andrew Huberman, Diary of a CEO, Lex Fridman).

“I'm a huge fan of Lisa Feldman Barrett ... Her first book is How Emotions Are Made ... bought it, read it, loved it” — Andrew Huberman 00:51:14

#21 · Supernatural

Brian Muraresku brought this up on Joe Rogan Experience #2047 - Brian Muraresku (2024-06-27). Brian is Lawyer-turned-author of 'The Immortality Key,' researching the psychedelic hypothesis behind ancient Greek and early Christian ritual. In total it earned 2 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“Graham Hancock wrote a lot about this and it's my favorite book of his it's called Supernatural” — Brian Muraresku 02:46:43

#22 · Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order

The endorsement here comes from Tom Bilyeu, on Tom Bilyeu: From Broke & Sleeping On The Floor To A $1 Billion Business! in 2022. Tom is American entrepreneur and broadcaster, co-founder of Quest Nutrition and Impact Theory, who built and sold a billion-dollar business. In total it earned 2 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“if you read Ray Dallio's book, Principles for Dealing with a Changing World order, no. Oh, it's going to [ __ ] up your sleep. So you're welcome.” — Tom Bilyeu 00:45:13

#23 · Red Famine: Stalin's War on Ukraine

Recommended by Lex Fridman on Michael Malice: Christmas Special | Lex Fridman Podcast #347. That episode features Michael Malice, Anarchist author, podcaster and online provocateur known for books on North Korea, the American fringe, and anarchism. Here he is releasing The White Pill, his history of 20th-century communist atrocities and the hope of their undoing. In total it earned 2 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Lex Fridman).

“thank you for recommending that to me so um her work's amazing yeah it's it's a really really powerful uh book” — Lex Fridman 02:12:35

#24 · The Changing World Order

Edward O. Thorp brought this up on Brené Brown and Edward O. Thorp — The Tim Ferriss Show (2024-05-22). That episode features Brene Brown and Edward O. Thorp, Two featured guests: Brene Brown, University of Houston research professor and six-time #1 NYT bestselling author (Atlas of the Heart, Dare to Lead); and Edward O. Thorp, mathematics professor, legendary blackjack player and hedge fund manager, author of Beat the Dealer and A Man for All Markets. In total it earned 2 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Tim Ferriss).

“Ray Delio has a book that I would I think is very well worth reading even though it's a tough slog” — Edward O. Thorp 01:37:22

#25 · Destined for War (the Thucydides Trap)

The endorsement here comes from Pierre Poilievre, on Pierre Poilievre: Why America Is Quietly Abandoning Its Allies (& What Comes Nex in 2026. Pierre is Leader of Canada's Conservative Party and the official opposition (His Majesty's Loyal Opposition). A long-serving free-market conservative MP seen as a likely contender for prime minister. In total it earned 2 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Lex Fridman).

“there is an incredible book called Thusidities Trap which a professor named Allison said that throughout history he took I think 20 occasions” — Pierre Poilievre 01:17:16