Josh Waitzkin became a chess grandmaster as a child, famously profiled in the documentary and book "Searching for Bobby Fischer." He later transitioned to martial arts and now focuses on teaching learning methodology and mental performance through writing and coaching.
16 Books Recommended by Josh Waitzkin
Ranked by popularity across all reading lists on this site
Tao Te Ching
12 people recommendedrecommended 2xInspired my study of softness and receptivity as a counterpoint to my mad passions.
Inspired my study of softness and receptivity as a counterpoint to my mad passions.
Also recommended by: Osho, Naval Ravikant, Jack Dorsey, Brian Mackenzie, Jack Ma, Jason Ferruggia, Jason Nemer, Michael Gervais, Rick Rubin, Soman Chainani, Stewart Brand
Mindset
12 people recommendedrecommended 2xJosh Waitzkin recommended this book in the "Tools of Titans" book.
Josh Waitzkin recommended this book in the "Tools of Titans" book.
Also recommended by: Ankur Warikoo, Bill Gates, Dustin Moskovitz, Ev Williams, Tobi Lutke, Kathryn Minshew, Mark Manson, Satya Nadella, Tom Bilyeu, Tony Robbins, Derek Sivers
Grit
11 people recommendedrecommended 2xJosh Waitzkin recommended this book in the "Tools of Titans" book.
Josh Waitzkin recommended this book in the "Tools of Titans" book.
Also recommended by: Ankur Warikoo, Raj Shamani, Tobi Lutke, Ali Abdaal, Jodie Cook, Keith Rabois, Robin Black, Tim Ferriss, Tom Bilyeu, Derek Sivers
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
9 people recommendedrecommended 3xInspired my cultivation of dynamic quality as a way of life.
Inspired my cultivation of dynamic quality as a way of life.
Inspired my cultivation of dynamic quality as a way of life.
Also recommended by: Drew Houston, Ev Williams, Bryan Johnson, Austen Allred, Fred Wilson, Jordan Peterson, Paul Graham, Phil Jackson
The Old Man and the Sea
8 people recommendedJosh Waitzkin recommended this book in the "Tools of Titans" book.
Also recommended by: Jack Dorsey, Jack Edwards, Jordan Peterson, Lex Fridman, Mark Manson, Pewdiepie, Phil Keoghan
On Writing
7 people recommendedThe most potent little book of wisdom on the creative process that I have run into.
Also recommended by: Brian Koppelman, Edgar Wright, Jason Calacanis, Matt Mullenweg, Russell Moore, Derek Sivers
On the Road
6 people recommendedOpened up the ecstatic beauty of life’s little moments to me as a teenager.
Also recommended by: Steve Jobs, Ev Williams, Bob Dylan, Lex Fridman, Walter Isaacson
Shantaram
5 people recommendedJosh Waitzkin recommended this book in the "Tools of Titans" book.
Also recommended by: Richard Branson, Kevin Kelly, Phil Jackson, Whitney Wolfe Herd
Tribe
4 people recommendedrecommended 2xI think [this book] is really important right now.
I think [this book] is really important right now.
Also recommended by: Emma Watson, Joe Rogan, Tim Ferriss
For Whom the Bell Tolls
4 people recommendedrecommended 2xJosh Waitzkin recommended this book in the "Tools of Titans" book.
Josh Waitzkin recommended this book in the "Tools of Titans" book.
Also recommended by: Brian Dean, Christopher Hitchens, Jordan Peterson
Peak
3 people recommendedJosh Waitzkin recommended this book in the "Tools of Titans" book.
Also recommended by: Liz Lambert, Tony Hsieh
The Drama of the Gifted Child
3 people recommendedJosh Waitzkin recommended this book in the "Tools of Titans" book.
Also recommended by: Dr Gabor Mate, Whitney Cummings
The Dharma Bums
2 people recommendedrecommended 2xJosh Waitzkin recommended this book in the "Tools of Titans" book.
Josh Waitzkin recommended this book in the "Tools of Titans" book.
Also recommended by: Steve Jobs
Dreaming Yourself Awake
recommended 2xA phenomenal discussion, very systematic discussion of the art of lucid dreaming in this way that fuses East Asian philosophy with western science.
A phenomenal discussion, very systematic discussion of the art of lucid dreaming in this way that fuses East Asian philosophy with western science.
The Holy Teaching of Vimalakirti
Josh Waitzkin mentioned this book on "The Tim Ferriss Show" podcast.
Green Hills of Africa
Josh Waitzkin recommended this book in the "Tools of Titans" book.