12 Rules for Life

An Antidote to Chaos

By: Jordan B. Peterson, Norman Doidge - introduction M.D., Ethan Van Sciver

Narrated by: Jordan B. Peterson

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What are the most valuable things that everyone should know?

Acclaimed clinical psychologist Jordan B Peterson has influenced the modern understanding of personality, and now he has become one of the world's most popular public thinkers, with his lectures on topics from the Bible to romantic relationships to mythology drawing tens of millions of viewers. In an era of unprecedented change and polarizing politics, his frank and refreshing message about the value of individual responsibility and ancient wisdom has resonated around the world.

In this book, he provides twelve profound and practical principles for how to live a meaningful life, from setting your house in order before criticising others to comparing yourself to who you were yesterday, not someone else today. Happiness is a pointless goal, he shows us. Instead we must search for meaning, not for its own sake, but as a defence against the suffering that is intrinsic to our existence.

Drawing on vivid examples from the author's clinical practice and personal life, cutting-edge psychology and philosophy, and lessons from humanity's oldest myths and stories, 12 Rules for Life offers a deeply rewarding antidote to the chaos in our lives: eternal truths applied to our modern problems.

I laughed, I cried.

I'm so glad Prof Peterson decided via Twitter vote to narrate this himself. This book is amazing and I've already listened to a few of the chapters twice. if you don't already have a good therapist, read this a bunch. then do the self authoring suite. as someone living in rural America, with almost no hope of finding a psychologist, Jordan has changed my life.

Good philosophy, though I’m an atheist

Great philosophical thoughts abound. It was a bit too preachy at points, a bit too biblical, but all points of view bring greater connections and understanding.

An enlightening romp through a brilliant mind

I can’t say enough good things about Jordan Peterson. He combines clarity of thought, precision of language, unflinching honesty, and a depth of knowledge about history, psychology, sociology and numerous other topics.

If you’re not familiar with him, this book will give you an excellent exposure to his inimitable intelligence and wit. If you’ve been following his lectures on YouTube, you will hear many things in this book that you’ve heard before, and others you have not.

I have only two criticisms; the first, and and the lesser of the two, is that he spends a bit too much time on some rather rambling personal stories for my taste. Peterson has so much to say of great importance, I find myself a bit bored with some of the extended stories of his growing up.

The second criticism, the more substantial one, is that I would prefer he spend less time on the explanation of religious archetypes. While I find some of that interesting, I think it takes up too much of this book. Considering that there’s nothing in the title that would suggest a religious bent, I’m afraid it might turn some readers off.

Those two exceptions aside, I enjoyed this book a lot. And more than that, I found it insightful, engaging and important.

While I’m truly enjoying this book...

I must say that he quotes the Bible a lot (which is good) and almost 95% incorrectly interprets the selected passage (which is bad). As an experienced scholar who says he’s studied that religion more than any other, I’m surprised by how badly he’s twisting the meaning of so many verses as he takes them out of context. The book is fascinating, and I’m enjoying it, but it makes me question the context and research on the other texts he’s using to support his points of view.

Difficult to read, in the best way.

Not everyone can or will appreciate this work. It clarifies so many realities we’d rather rationalize away. But it makes you think..... think hard.

I found myself stopping after several paragraphs.... to think.... then to reread..... and think again.