Book · recommended on 2 episodes
Steppenwolf
Hermann Hesse ISBN 8420666521
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Hermann Hesse ISBN 8420666521
Find it on AmazonAffiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
This book by Hermann Hesse has come up 2 times on Lex Fridman. 2 of those mentions were genuine on-air recommendations, not just passing references. The people who brought it up: Lex Fridman. The earliest mention we indexed is from 2022-09-24 and the most recent from 2025-03-16. Every occurrence below links to the episode page and to the exact second it was said on YouTube.
A story that focuses on the loneliness and suffering of the protagonist, Harry Haller, who feels that he has no place in a world filled with meaningless frivolity. Having decided to take his own life a chance encounter causes him to change his views and he begins to learn ways to enjoy life. One of the most misunderstood of his novels the book is, according to Hesse, about the possibilities of transcendence and healing.
“I would recommend to read "Demian" when you are younger, "Steppenwolf" when you are older, "Siddhartha" throughout your life”— Lex Fridman
The guest here is Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India, leader of the world's largest democracy of 1.4 billion people, who rose from extreme childhood poverty in Gujarat to win three terms as PM. A former RSS volunteer and spiritual seeker who spent years wandering the Himalayas before entering public life. Narendra Modi reflects on poverty, spirituality, fasting, peacemaking, democracy, AI, and India's civilizational identity with Lex Fridman.
“the Hermann Hesse one of my favorite writers he's a Nobel Prize winner um in a book called Steppenwolf says learn what is to be taken seriously and laugh at the rest”— Lex Fridman
The guest here is Will Sasso: Canadian comedian and actor known for his impressions and characters on MADtv (1997-2002), playing Curly in the 2012 film The Three Stooges. Co-host of the 10 Minute Podcast and the AI-curated comedy podcast Dudesy. Comedian Will Sasso talks MADtv, channeling Curly in The Three Stooges, depression, AI-curated comedy, and why love and human connection can't be uploaded.
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