Shane Parrish

Shane Parrish

Founder of Farnam Street

Shane Parrish is a knowledge curator who helps people think better and make smarter decisions through mental models and learning frameworks.

Authors & Thinkers

Shane Parrish is the founder of Farnam Street, a popular website and newsletter dedicated to decision-making, problem-solving, and continuous learning. Through his platform, he distills insights from history, psychology, and philosophy to help readers build better mental models. He's known for synthesizing complex ideas into actionable wisdom.

52 Books Recommended by Shane Parrish

Ranked by popularity across all reading lists on this site

๐Ÿ“–
#1

by

36 people recommendedrecommended 4x

As hard as you think your life is, it pales in comparison to Auschwitz.

As hard as you think your life is, it pales in comparison to Auschwitz.

As hard as you think your life is, it pales in comparison to Auschwitz.

As hard as you think your life is, it pales in comparison to Auschwitz.

Also recommended by: Dustin Moskovitz, Ev Williams, Sam Altman, Aniela Gregorek, Bryan Johnson, Chelsea Handler, Chip Conley, Alastair Humphreys, Daniel Pink, Dave Elitch, David Blaine, Patrick Bet David, Emma Watson, Esther Perel, Fedor Holz, Jim Kwik, Jimmy Fallon, Jocko Willink, Jordan Peterson, Lex Fridman, Maria Popova, Mark Manson, Michael Gervais, Michael Hyatt, Pewdiepie, Phil Jackson, Robin Black, Ryan Holiday, Simon Sinek, Steve Kerr, Terry Crews, Tom Bilyeu, Tony Robbins, Turia Pitt, Derek Sivers

Meditations book cover
#2

Meditations

by Marcus Aurelius

22 people recommendedrecommended 4x

Really helped foster my interest in philosophy.

Really helped foster my interest in philosophy.

Really helped foster my interest in philosophy.

Really helped foster my interest in philosophy.

Buy on Amazon โ†’

Also recommended by: Naval Ravikant, Eric Jorgenson, Jack Dorsey, Sam Altman, Tobi Lutke, Adam Robinson, Anna Kendrick, Arianna Huffington, Chip Conley, Austen Allred, Patrick Bet David, James Clear, Jason Ferruggia, Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, Mark Manson, Neil Strauss, Robin Sharma, Ryan Holiday, Stewart Brand, Derek Sivers

Poor Charlie’s Almanack book cover
#3

Poor Charlie’s Almanack

by Charlie Munger

15 people recommendedrecommended 4x

If itโ€™s knowledge and not credentials youโ€™re after, [read this book].

If itโ€™s knowledge and not credentials youโ€™re after, [read this book].

If itโ€™s knowledge and not credentials youโ€™re after, [read this book].

If itโ€™s knowledge and not credentials youโ€™re after, [read this book].

Buy on Amazon โ†’

Also recommended by: Naval Ravikant, Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Daniel Ek, Drew Houston, John Collison, Marc Andreessen, Patrick Collison, Courtland Allen, Patrick Bet David, Ramit Sethi, Tai Lopez, Tim Ferriss, Derek Sivers

The Lessons of History book cover
#4

The Lessons of History

by Will & Ariel Durant

12 people recommendedrecommended 4x

Iโ€™ll be re-reading this a few times.

Iโ€™ll be re-reading this a few times.

Iโ€™ll be re-reading this a few times.

Iโ€™ll be re-reading this a few times.

Buy on Amazon โ†’

Also recommended by: Naval Ravikant, Balaji Srinivasan, Eric Jorgenson, Kevin Systrom, Ray Dalio, Balaji S. Srinivasan, James Clear, Lyn Alden, Mark Manson, Tim Ferriss, Derek Sivers

Antifragile book cover
#5

Antifragile

by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

11 people recommendedrecommended 4x

Changed how I see the world.

Changed how I see the world.

Changed how I see the world.

Changed how I see the world.

Buy on Amazon โ†’

Also recommended by: Naval Ravikant, Changpeng Zhao, Ev Williams, Tobi Lutke, Vinod Khosla, Vlad Tenev, James Altucher, Patrick Oshaughnessy, Tom Bilyeu, Derek Sivers

Rework book cover
#6

Rework

by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson

10 people recommendedrecommended 4x

This book showed me that I wasnโ€™t alone or crazy.

This book showed me that I wasnโ€™t alone or crazy.

This book showed me that I wasnโ€™t alone or crazy.

This book showed me that I wasnโ€™t alone or crazy.

Buy on Amazon โ†’

Also recommended by: Ankur Warikoo, Mark Cuban, Jeff Bezos, Andrew Wilkinson, Chris Do, Seth Godin, Tim Ferriss, Tom Peters, Tony Hsieh

Superforecasting book cover
#7

Superforecasting

by Philip E. Tetlock and Dan Gardner

8 people recommendedrecommended 4x

Shane Parrish recommended this book in his blog.

Shane Parrish recommended this book in his blog.

Shane Parrish recommended this book in his blog.

Shane Parrish recommended this book in his blog.

Buy on Amazon โ†’

Also recommended by: Ankur Warikoo, Alexis Ohanian, Anthony Pompliano, Julia Galef, Michael Mauboussin, Preston Pysh, Sam Hinkie

The Almanack of Naval Ravikant book cover
#8

The Almanack of Naval Ravikant

by Eric Jorgenson

8 people recommendedrecommended 4x

Packed with unforgettable wisdom and penetrating insights, your mental gears will be working overtime.

Packed with unforgettable wisdom and penetrating insights, your mental gears will be working overtime.

Packed with unforgettable wisdom and penetrating insights, your mental gears will be working overtime.

Packed with unforgettable wisdom and penetrating insights, your mental gears will be working overtime.

Buy on Amazon โ†’

Also recommended by: Ankur Warikoo, Eric Jorgenson, Raj Shamani, Anthony Pompliano, Blake Randall, Brian Dean, Tim Ferriss

Sam Walton book cover
#9

Sam Walton

by Sam Walton

7 people recommendedrecommended 4x

The big lesson I took away from [this book] is that you donโ€™t need to come up with all the ideas yourself.

The big lesson I took away from [this book] is that you donโ€™t need to come up with all the ideas yourself.

The big lesson I took away from [this book] is that you donโ€™t need to come up with all the ideas yourself.

The big lesson I took away from [this book] is that you donโ€™t need to come up with all the ideas yourself.

Buy on Amazon โ†’

Also recommended by: Jeff Bezos, Jamie Dimon, Kishore Biyani, Patrick Bet David, Gary Keller, Tai Lopez

๐Ÿ“–
#10

Seeking Wisdom

by Peter Bevelin

6 people recommendedrecommended 4x

Inspired by Munger, [the author's] put together a book of the big ideas that carry a lot of weight in life.

Inspired by Munger, [the author's] put together a book of the big ideas that carry a lot of weight in life.

Inspired by Munger, [the author's] put together a book of the big ideas that carry a lot of weight in life.

Inspired by Munger, [the author's] put together a book of the big ideas that carry a lot of weight in life.

Also recommended by: Eric Jorgenson, Derek Sivers, Jason Fried, Nassim Taleb, Tai Lopez

Wild book cover
#11

Wild

by Cheryl Strayed

5 people recommendedrecommended 2x

Ran me through the range of emotions from happy to crying.

Ran me through the range of emotions from happy to crying.

Buy on Amazon โ†’

Also recommended by: Oprah Winfrey, Emma Watson, Liz Lambert, Tim Ferriss

๐Ÿ“–
#12

Tiny Beautiful Things

by Cheryl Strayed

5 people recommendedrecommended 2x

Ran me through the range of emotions from happy to crying.

Ran me through the range of emotions from happy to crying.

Buy on Amazon โ†’

Also recommended by: Emma Watson, Kathryn Minshew, Mark Manson, Ryan Holiday

How to Read a Book book cover
#13

How to Read a Book

by Mortimer J. Adler

4 people recommendedrecommended 4x

If you believe that youโ€™re not getting everything out of your reading that you should, this book is awesome.

If you believe that youโ€™re not getting everything out of your reading that you should, this book is awesome.

If you believe that youโ€™re not getting everything out of your reading that you should, this book is awesome.

If you believe that youโ€™re not getting everything out of your reading that you should, this book is awesome.

Buy on Amazon โ†’

Also recommended by: Sergey Brin, Kevin Systrom, Derek Sivers

๐Ÿ“–
#14

When Genius Failed

by Roger Lowenstein

4 people recommendedrecommended 4x

It was great to re-read this.

It was great to re-read this.

It was great to re-read this.

It was great to re-read this.

Buy on Amazon โ†’

Also recommended by: Barry Silbert, David Friedberg, Max Levchin

๐Ÿ“–
#15

The Power Broker

by Robert A. Caro

4 people recommendedrecommended 4x

Itโ€™s amazing. But itโ€™s not a light read.

Itโ€™s amazing. But itโ€™s not a light read.

Itโ€™s amazing. But itโ€™s not a light read.

Itโ€™s amazing. But itโ€™s not a light read.

Buy on Amazon โ†’

Also recommended by: Ryan Holiday, Sam Hinkie, Trung Phan

๐Ÿ“–
#16

Brave Enough

by Cheryl Strayed

3 people recommendedrecommended 4x

Well worth picking up and makes the perfect gift for anyone going through something difficult in life.

Well worth picking up and makes the perfect gift for anyone going through something difficult in life.

Well worth picking up and makes the perfect gift for anyone going through something difficult in life.

Well worth picking up and makes the perfect gift for anyone going through something difficult in life.

Buy on Amazon โ†’

Also recommended by: Amelia Boone, Emma Watson

๐Ÿ“–
#17

Walden

by Henry David Thoreau

3 people recommended

A reflection on simplicity.

Buy on Amazon โ†’

Also recommended by: Emma Watson, Michael Pollan

๐Ÿ“–
#18

Living within Limits

by Garrett Hardin

2 people recommendedrecommended 4x

You need to read the source material over and over in order to soak up the available wisdom.

You need to read the source material over and over in order to soak up the available wisdom.

You need to read the source material over and over in order to soak up the available wisdom.

You need to read the source material over and over in order to soak up the available wisdom.

Buy on Amazon โ†’

Also recommended by: Charlie Munger

๐Ÿ“–
#19

by

2 people recommendedrecommended 4x

Deepens our understanding of the nuts-and-bolts of meditation.

Deepens our understanding of the nuts-and-bolts of meditation.

Deepens our understanding of the nuts-and-bolts of meditation.

Deepens our understanding of the nuts-and-bolts of meditation.

Also recommended by: Vinod Khosla

๐Ÿ“–
#20

Think Twice

by Michael Mauboussin

2 people recommendedrecommended 4x

I highly recommend reading [this book].

I highly recommend reading [this book].

I highly recommend reading [this book].

I highly recommend reading [this book].

Buy on Amazon โ†’

Also recommended by: Bill Gurley

๐Ÿ“–
#21

Managing Oneself

by Peter Drucker

2 people recommendedrecommended 4x

An excellent short read.

An excellent short read.

An excellent short read.

An excellent short read.

Buy on Amazon โ†’

Also recommended by: Patrick Oshaughnessy

Buffett book cover
#22

Buffett

by Roger Lowenstein

2 people recommendedrecommended 4x

By pure luck I came across this book and it introduced me to the thinking of Warren Buffett and his partner Charlie Munger.

By pure luck I came across this book and it introduced me to the thinking of Warren Buffett and his partner Charlie Munger.

By pure luck I came across this book and it introduced me to the thinking of Warren Buffett and his partner Charlie Munger.

By pure luck I came across this book and it introduced me to the thinking of Warren Buffett and his partner Charlie Munger.

Buy on Amazon โ†’

Also recommended by: Bill Gates

๐Ÿ“–
#23

The Complete Essays

by Michel de Montaigne

2 people recommendedrecommended 4x

Really helped foster my interest in philosophy.

Really helped foster my interest in philosophy.

Really helped foster my interest in philosophy.

Really helped foster my interest in philosophy.

Buy on Amazon โ†’

Also recommended by: Alain De Botton

๐Ÿ“–
#24

The Art of the Deal

by Donald Trump

2 people recommended

Itโ€™s clear heโ€™s honed his persuasion skills over many years and heโ€™s one of the best.

Buy on Amazon โ†’

Also recommended by: Scott Adams

๐Ÿ“–
#25

Information

by Luciano Floridi

2 people recommendedrecommended 2x

Explores information as it relates to both philosophy and science.

Explores information as it relates to both philosophy and science.

Buy on Amazon โ†’

Also recommended by: Nassim Taleb

๐Ÿ“–
#26

Thinking with type

by Ellen Lupton

recommended 4x

The foundational book thatโ€™s used around the world.

The foundational book thatโ€™s used around the world.

The foundational book thatโ€™s used around the world.

The foundational book thatโ€™s used around the world.

Buy on Amazon โ†’
๐Ÿ“–
#27

The Stopwatch Gang

by Greg Weston

recommended 4x

The first book I ever read cover to cover for pleasure.

The first book I ever read cover to cover for pleasure.

The first book I ever read cover to cover for pleasure.

The first book I ever read cover to cover for pleasure.

Buy on Amazon โ†’
๐Ÿ“–
#28

The Creative Society

by Lars Tvede

recommended 4x

An interesting take that creative decay is normal a la revision to the mean.

An interesting take that creative decay is normal a la revision to the mean.

An interesting take that creative decay is normal a la revision to the mean.

An interesting take that creative decay is normal a la revision to the mean.

Buy on Amazon โ†’
๐Ÿ“–
#29

The Reluctant Mr. Darwin

by David Quammen

recommended 3x

A short biography of Darwin.

A short biography of Darwin.

A short biography of Darwin.

Buy on Amazon โ†’
๐Ÿ“–
#30

Letters to a Young Scientist

by Edward O. Wilson

Partly a memoir and partly a how-to guide for a thoughtful young person interested in making a dent in science.

Buy on Amazon โ†’
๐Ÿ“–
#31

The Honest Truth About Dishonesty

by Dan Ariely

recommended 3x

A fascinating look at our own propensity to cheat and rationalize our dishonesty.

A fascinating look at our own propensity to cheat and rationalize our dishonesty.

A fascinating look at our own propensity to cheat and rationalize our dishonesty.

Buy on Amazon โ†’
๐Ÿ“–
#32

Filters Against Folly

by Garrett Hardin

One manโ€™s attempt to answer the question of how we, as laymen, can survive in a world increasingly dominated by experts.

Buy on Amazon โ†’
๐Ÿ“–
#33

Shortcut

by John Pollack

recommended 4x

I thought Iโ€™d skim this book but I had a hard time putting it down.

I thought Iโ€™d skim this book but I had a hard time putting it down.

I thought Iโ€™d skim this book but I had a hard time putting it down.

I thought Iโ€™d skim this book but I had a hard time putting it down.

Buy on Amazon โ†’
๐Ÿ“–
#34

Lives of the Eminent Philosophers

by Diogenes Laertius

recommended 2x

I picked up this book as there is a small section on [Bion of Borysthenes].

I picked up this book as there is a small section on [Bion of Borysthenes].

Buy on Amazon โ†’
๐Ÿ“–
#35

Mindware

by Richard E. Nisbett

recommended 2x

Explores how scientific and philosophical concepts change the way we solve problems by helping us think better.

Explores how scientific and philosophical concepts change the way we solve problems by helping us think better.

Buy on Amazon โ†’
๐Ÿ“–
#36

The Back of the Napkin

by Dan Roam

recommended 2x

Consider this a smart primer on visual thinking.

Consider this a smart primer on visual thinking.

Buy on Amazon โ†’
๐Ÿ“–
#37

The Soul of the World

by Roger Scruton

recommended 2x

Shane Parrish recommended this book in his blog.

Shane Parrish recommended this book in his blog.

Buy on Amazon โ†’
๐Ÿ“–
#38

The Devil’s Financial Dictionary

by Jason Zweig

recommended 2x

Takes an equally beautiful and cynical view of the entire finance industry.

Takes an equally beautiful and cynical view of the entire finance industry.

Buy on Amazon โ†’
๐Ÿ“–
#39

City of the Century

by Donald L. Miller

recommended 2x

The most referenced book I could find [about the history of the Chicago fire] and it did not disappoint.

The most referenced book I could find [about the history of the Chicago fire] and it did not disappoint.

Buy on Amazon โ†’
๐Ÿ“–
#40

101 Things I Learnedยฎ in Engineering School

by John Kuprenas

recommended 2x

You can read it in a night and walk away thinking about materials differently.

You can read it in a night and walk away thinking about materials differently.

Buy on Amazon โ†’
๐Ÿ“–
#41

Primed to Perform

by Neel Doshi

recommended 2x

Yet another book on unleashing human performance.

Yet another book on unleashing human performance.

Buy on Amazon โ†’
๐Ÿ“–
#42

The Art Of Scientific Investigation

by W. I. B. Beveridge

recommended 3x

Endeavors to understand the methods by which discoveries have been made and form some general observations.

Endeavors to understand the methods by which discoveries have been made and form some general observations.

Endeavors to understand the methods by which discoveries have been made and form some general observations.

Buy on Amazon โ†’
๐Ÿ“–
#43

Maestro

by Roger Nierenberg

Exceptional.

Buy on Amazon โ†’
๐Ÿ“–
#44

A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis

by Eugene S. Bardach

recommended 2x

Not as boring as it sounds but not as thoughtful as I had hoped.

Not as boring as it sounds but not as thoughtful as I had hoped.

Buy on Amazon โ†’
๐Ÿ“–
#45

In Praise of Slowness

by Carl Honore

An interesting history of our relationship with time.

Buy on Amazon โ†’
๐Ÿ“–
#46

Charlie Munger

by Tren Griffin

recommended 2x

Does an extraordinary job of curating, synthesizing, and organizing the vast wisdom Munger has left for humanity.

Does an extraordinary job of curating, synthesizing, and organizing the vast wisdom Munger has left for humanity.

Buy on Amazon โ†’
๐Ÿ“–
#47

The Adventures of Henry Thoreau

by Michael Sims

A worthwhile chronicle of Thoreauโ€™s formative years.

Buy on Amazon โ†’
๐Ÿ“–
#48

The Emotionally Intelligent Investor

by Ravee Mehta

Has less to do with investing and more to do with decision making.

Buy on Amazon โ†’
๐Ÿ“–
#49

The Ten Golden Rules of Leadership

by M. Soupio

recommended 2x

Offers a practical philosophical underpinning that fosters mental discipline and a spirit of critical self-examination.

Offers a practical philosophical underpinning that fosters mental discipline and a spirit of critical self-examination.

Buy on Amazon โ†’
๐Ÿ“–
#50

The Laws of Thermodynamics

by Peter Atkins

recommended 2x

Explains the four laws and how they work in relatively accessible language.

Explains the four laws and how they work in relatively accessible language.

Buy on Amazon โ†’
๐Ÿ“–
#51

Simple Rules

by Donald Sull

recommended 2x

Way more useful than I would have guessed based on the title.

Way more useful than I would have guessed based on the title.

Buy on Amazon โ†’
๐Ÿ“–
#52

Pebbles of Perception

by Laurence Endersen

recommended 2x

An invitation to be curious, build character, and make better choices.

An invitation to be curious, build character, and make better choices.

Buy on Amazon โ†’