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
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
22 people recommendedrecommended 4xReally 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.
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
15 people recommendedrecommended 4xIf itโs knowledge and not credentials youโre after, [read this book].
If itโs knowledge and not credentials youโre after, [read this book].
If itโs knowledge and not credentials youโre after, [read this book].
If itโs knowledge and not credentials youโre after, [read this book].
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
12 people recommendedrecommended 4xIโll be re-reading this a few times.
Iโll be re-reading this a few times.
Iโll be re-reading this a few times.
Iโll be re-reading this a few times.
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
11 people recommendedrecommended 4xChanged how I see the world.
Changed how I see the world.
Changed how I see the world.
Changed how I see the world.
Also recommended by: Naval Ravikant, Changpeng Zhao, Ev Williams, Tobi Lutke, Vinod Khosla, Vlad Tenev, James Altucher, Patrick Oshaughnessy, Tom Bilyeu, Derek Sivers

Rework
10 people recommendedrecommended 4xThis book showed me that I wasnโt alone or crazy.
This book showed me that I wasnโt alone or crazy.
This book showed me that I wasnโt alone or crazy.
This book showed me that I wasnโt alone or crazy.
Also recommended by: Ankur Warikoo, Mark Cuban, Jeff Bezos, Andrew Wilkinson, Chris Do, Seth Godin, Tim Ferriss, Tom Peters, Tony Hsieh

Superforecasting
8 people recommendedrecommended 4xShane 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.
Also recommended by: Ankur Warikoo, Alexis Ohanian, Anthony Pompliano, Julia Galef, Michael Mauboussin, Preston Pysh, Sam Hinkie

The Almanack of Naval Ravikant
8 people recommendedrecommended 4xPacked 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.
Also recommended by: Ankur Warikoo, Eric Jorgenson, Raj Shamani, Anthony Pompliano, Blake Randall, Brian Dean, Tim Ferriss

Sam Walton
7 people recommendedrecommended 4xThe big lesson I took away from [this book] is that you donโt need to come up with all the ideas yourself.
The big lesson I took away from [this book] is that you donโt need to come up with all the ideas yourself.
The big lesson I took away from [this book] is that you donโt need to come up with all the ideas yourself.
The big lesson I took away from [this book] is that you donโt need to come up with all the ideas yourself.
Also recommended by: Jeff Bezos, Jamie Dimon, Kishore Biyani, Patrick Bet David, Gary Keller, Tai Lopez
Seeking Wisdom
6 people recommendedrecommended 4xInspired 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
5 people recommendedrecommended 2xRan me through the range of emotions from happy to crying.
Ran me through the range of emotions from happy to crying.
Also recommended by: Oprah Winfrey, Emma Watson, Liz Lambert, Tim Ferriss
Tiny Beautiful Things
5 people recommendedrecommended 2xRan me through the range of emotions from happy to crying.
Ran me through the range of emotions from happy to crying.
Also recommended by: Emma Watson, Kathryn Minshew, Mark Manson, Ryan Holiday

How to Read a Book
4 people recommendedrecommended 4xIf you believe that youโre not getting everything out of your reading that you should, this book is awesome.
If you believe that youโre not getting everything out of your reading that you should, this book is awesome.
If you believe that youโre not getting everything out of your reading that you should, this book is awesome.
If you believe that youโre not getting everything out of your reading that you should, this book is awesome.
Also recommended by: Sergey Brin, Kevin Systrom, Derek Sivers
When Genius Failed
4 people recommendedrecommended 4xIt 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.
Also recommended by: Barry Silbert, David Friedberg, Max Levchin
The Power Broker
4 people recommendedrecommended 4xItโs amazing. But itโs not a light read.
Itโs amazing. But itโs not a light read.
Itโs amazing. But itโs not a light read.
Itโs amazing. But itโs not a light read.
Also recommended by: Ryan Holiday, Sam Hinkie, Trung Phan
Brave Enough
3 people recommendedrecommended 4xWell 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.
Also recommended by: Amelia Boone, Emma Watson
Walden
3 people recommendedA reflection on simplicity.
Also recommended by: Emma Watson, Michael Pollan
Living within Limits
2 people recommendedrecommended 4xYou 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.
Also recommended by: Charlie Munger
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
Think Twice
2 people recommendedrecommended 4xI highly recommend reading [this book].
I highly recommend reading [this book].
I highly recommend reading [this book].
I highly recommend reading [this book].
Also recommended by: Bill Gurley
Managing Oneself
2 people recommendedrecommended 4xAn excellent short read.
An excellent short read.
An excellent short read.
An excellent short read.
Also recommended by: Patrick Oshaughnessy

Buffett
2 people recommendedrecommended 4xBy 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.
Also recommended by: Bill Gates
The Complete Essays
2 people recommendedrecommended 4xReally 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.
Also recommended by: Alain De Botton
The Art of the Deal
2 people recommendedItโs clear heโs honed his persuasion skills over many years and heโs one of the best.
Also recommended by: Scott Adams
Information
2 people recommendedrecommended 2xExplores information as it relates to both philosophy and science.
Explores information as it relates to both philosophy and science.
Also recommended by: Nassim Taleb
Thinking with type
recommended 4xThe foundational book thatโs used around the world.
The foundational book thatโs used around the world.
The foundational book thatโs used around the world.
The foundational book thatโs used around the world.
The Stopwatch Gang
recommended 4xThe 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.
The Creative Society
recommended 4xAn 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.
The Reluctant Mr. Darwin
recommended 3xA short biography of Darwin.
A short biography of Darwin.
A short biography of Darwin.
Letters to a Young Scientist
Partly a memoir and partly a how-to guide for a thoughtful young person interested in making a dent in science.
The Honest Truth About Dishonesty
recommended 3xA 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.
Filters Against Folly
One manโs attempt to answer the question of how we, as laymen, can survive in a world increasingly dominated by experts.
Shortcut
recommended 4xI thought Iโd skim this book but I had a hard time putting it down.
I thought Iโd skim this book but I had a hard time putting it down.
I thought Iโd skim this book but I had a hard time putting it down.
I thought Iโd skim this book but I had a hard time putting it down.
Lives of the Eminent Philosophers
recommended 2xI 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].
Mindware
recommended 2xExplores 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.
The Back of the Napkin
recommended 2xConsider this a smart primer on visual thinking.
Consider this a smart primer on visual thinking.
The Soul of the World
recommended 2xShane Parrish recommended this book in his blog.
Shane Parrish recommended this book in his blog.
The Devil’s Financial Dictionary
recommended 2xTakes an equally beautiful and cynical view of the entire finance industry.
Takes an equally beautiful and cynical view of the entire finance industry.
City of the Century
recommended 2xThe 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.
101 Things I Learnedยฎ in Engineering School
recommended 2xYou 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.
Primed to Perform
recommended 2xYet another book on unleashing human performance.
Yet another book on unleashing human performance.
The Art Of Scientific Investigation
recommended 3xEndeavors 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.
A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis
recommended 2xNot 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.
Charlie Munger
recommended 2xDoes 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.
The Adventures of Henry Thoreau
A worthwhile chronicle of Thoreauโs formative years.
The Emotionally Intelligent Investor
Has less to do with investing and more to do with decision making.
The Ten Golden Rules of Leadership
recommended 2xOffers 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.
The Laws of Thermodynamics
recommended 2xExplains the four laws and how they work in relatively accessible language.
Explains the four laws and how they work in relatively accessible language.
Simple Rules
recommended 2xWay more useful than I would have guessed based on the title.
Way more useful than I would have guessed based on the title.
Pebbles of Perception
recommended 2xAn invitation to be curious, build character, and make better choices.
An invitation to be curious, build character, and make better choices.