#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER #1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLERWhat does everyone in the modern world need to know? Renowned psychologist Jordan B. Peterson’s answer to this most difficult of questions uniquely combines the hard-won truths of ancient tradition with the stunning revelations of cutting-edge scientific research.Humorous, surprising and informative, Dr. Peterson tells us why skateboarding boys … informative, Dr. Peterson tells us why skateboarding boys and girls must be left alone, what terrible fate awaits those who criticize too easily, and why you should always pet a cat when you meet one on the street.
What does the nervous system of the lowly lobster have to tell us about standing up straight (with our shoulders back) and about success in life? Why did ancient Egyptians worship the capacity to pay careful attention as the highest of gods? What dreadful paths do people tread when they become resentful, arrogant and vengeful?
Dr. Peterson journeys broadly, discussing discipline, freedom, adventure and responsibility, distilling the world’s wisdom into 12 practical and profound rules for life. 12 Rules for Life shatters the modern commonplaces of science, faith and human nature, while transforming and ennobling the mind and spirit of its readers.
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Jordan Peterson does not fit any mold, and his elevated perspective on living transcends any one field of study. The 12 Rules draw upon ancient allegory as well as the most current scientific research to encourage us to seek meaning in our lives. Evolutionary psychology, neurophysiology, philosophy, and theology are coherently blended into practical tools for living a fulfilled and meaningful life.
12 Rules is a road map for living life, and Jordan Peterson tells it like it needs to be heard. Take a look through the pages, see things from an alternative perspective, and consider preconceived ideas that may require adjustment.
You don’t want to be a lobster. The first chapter explains what I mean by that. The book begins with the supposition that the world is a cruel, terrible place and life is a brutal experience (there are a lot of cogent examples to back that statement up). Dr. Peterson then presents the reader with a dozen rules for survival, and perhaps happiness. This is his antidote for the chaos of life. I believe they are words of wisdom. He draws his conclusions from decades of research, clinical practice, and personal experience interlaced with biological and natural history. He defends his beliefs with principals from the foundations of psychology and sociology along with a healthy dose of comparative religion and spirituality. His rules include timeless wisdom such as: “Tell the truth–or, at least don’t lie,” and “Make friends with people who want the best for you.” But other rules are not so obvious like: “Do not bother children when they are skateboarding,” and “Pet a cat when you encounter one on the street.” You’ll have to read the book to understand what he means by those. His ideas are powerful and meaningful and if more people were aware of them and understood this book the world would be a better place. Please read it.
The natural attraction towards “feeling good”, the search for harmony and internal balance in the domains of existence, is because we’re immersed in the whole. Everything tends toward balance.
Inspiring book!
12 Rules for Life offers “An Antidote To Chaos.” Author Jordan Peterson uses his experience as a clinical psychologist to provide 12 practical principles for how to live a “meaningful” life. The book provides insights into the importance of choosing the practices that produce meaning in a person’s day to day life and invites the reader to engage in those practices by articulating the benefits.
Easy book to read for as long as it is, and every day I use this book. Eye opening.
This is the most important nonfiction book I’ve read in the past decade.
In an increasingly secular world where young people (and older) have lost their moral compass, Dr. Jordan Peterson maps out a way of life that brings meaning to the individual while making life better for everyone else.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough and the fact that it is number one in the world shows that I’m not to only one to do so!
I’ve been excited about this book for awhile. I listen to Jordan Peterson a lot on YouTube. Most of what he says inspire gold and he isn’t afraid to say it even if it’s not politically correct. I even think his analysis of archetypes in the Bible are spot on (although as a Christian I believe the events in the Bible actually happened instead of his view that they are collected wisdom).
This book is not a terribly easy read. It’s in plain English but there’s a lot to digest. It is definitely a worthwhile read.
Rule 1: Stand up straight with your shoulders back – A chapter about lobsters on Prozac, Wrens (who are seldom served with butter), positive feedback loops and taking responsibility.
Rule 2: Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping – A chapter about how people won’t take their own meds but make sure their dog gets its meds, order and chaos, and the Garden of Eden.
Rule 3: Make friends with people who want the best for you – A chapter about having pothead friends, fixer-uppers and friendship as reciprocal arrangement.
Rule 4: Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today – A chapter about internal critics, gorillas, and good and evil.
Rule 5: Do not let your children do anything that makes you dislike them – A chapter about actually disciplining your children so they don’t become monsters.
Rule 6: Set your house in perfect order before you criticize the world – A chapter about doing what is right.B
Rule 7: Pursue what is meaningful (not what is expedient) – A chapter about making sacrifices instead of pursuing pleasure.
Rule 8: Tell the Truth (Or at least don’t lie) – A chapter about truth, manipulating the world and Horus.
Rule 9: Assume that the person you are listening to might know something you don’t – A chapter about psychotherapy, listening, Freud and lectures as a conversation.
Rule 10: Be Precise in Your Speech – A chapter about perception, relative worth and saving your marriage.
Rule 11: Do Not Bother Children When They are Skateboarding – A chapter about safe playgrounds, the patriarchy, “equality,” and being a man.
Rule 12: Pet a cat when you encounter one on the street – A chapter about dogs, suffering, deus ex machina, and cats as the manifestation of Being.
Who wouldn’t agree with these 12 rules for life? Sensible, meaningful, worthy ways to keep yourself on track and as happy and productive as can ever be hoped for in life! Prof. Peterson is admirable for his sense of balance and fairness. He believes that the world would be massively improved if each one of us worked first on ourselves before blaming others. He believes in conversations and communication. He’d be a fascinating dinner-guest!
If you are asking the question of engagement in life vs. nihilism, this is a great place to start.
be yourself, you are as unique as the next one in this world, because we all come to this world with our own unique fingerprint that is not like any other in this world and you will better off not to follow manly made rules.
Dr. Peterson developed these twelve rules as a guideline to understanding this complicated world. It combines theology, history, philosophy, and psychology. This multi-disciplinary approach is intriguing. However, if one is not familiar with these disciplines, it is more difficult to understand. He sometimes seems to go off track and would benefit the reader by making some of these chapters shorter. His insights into human behavior are deeply thought out. He expresses himself with humor. There are also videos and summaries on the internet to help grasp his basic concepts.
no slouch
Mr. Peterson’s rules may not be what you expect, but if followed, ours would potentially be a better world. If you’re curious, just look up the book and checkout his twelve rules. I was so curious, I waited for two months to get the book from the library.
Compelling, thought provoking book.
I can’t believe I wasted time wading through this ponderous tome. Even God got it all in just 10 rules. The “rules” are not symmetrical, and I often couldn’t even tell which rule I was reading, once submerged in minutiae. Peterson needs an English teacher, a better editor, and possibly a ghostwriter. This is garbage.
I was reviewing this book for a friend. His initial response was that it sounded like thousands of self help books to make you feel better about yourself written by legions of new age gurus. Jordan’s advice, though is neither feel good nor short term. A number of pieces sound superficial in the title and some of the witticisms cause one to laugh. But be advised they all require one to look deeply within inside either yourself or those around you to allow you to move forward step by step. Some pieces may not even pertain to your place in life at the moment (or never) like some observations about rearing children. After seventy plus years of living and observing people I have yet to find anything that doesn’t ring true. I have also watched many of Jordan’s YouTube videos which are truly entertaining as well as wise dissertations.
Wisdom. Unexpected in many of the rules. Quite deep and long but well worth every minute!
While Peterson is very controversial, I believe this book gives insight into how he thinks. It’s an interesting read and has some nice anecdotes on how to live your best life.