12 Rules for Life

An Antidote to Chaos

By: Jordan B. Peterson, Norman Doidge MD

Narrated by: Jordan B. Peterson

Length: 15 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

What 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 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 listeners.

©2018 Jordan B. Peterson (P)2018 Random House Canada

Critic reviews

“Jordan Peterson, has become one of the best-known Canadians of this generation. In the intellectual category, he’s easily the largest international phenomenon since Marshall McLuhan.... By combining knowledge of the past with a full-hearted optimism and a generous attitude toward his readers and listeners, Peterson generates an impressive level of intellectual firepower.” (Robert Fulford, National Post)

“Like the best intellectual polymaths, Peterson invites his readers to embark on their own intellectual, spiritual and ideological journeys into the many topics and disciplines he touches on. It’s a counter-intuitive strategy for a population hooked on the instant gratification of ideological conformity and social media ‘likes,’ but if Peterson is right, you have nothing to lose but your own misery.” (Toronto Star)

“In a different intellectual league.... Peterson can take the most difficult ideas and make them entertaining. This may be why his YouTube videos have had 35 million views. He is fast becoming the closest that academia has to a rock star.” (The Observer)

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.

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.

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.

This is not a self-help book.

There’s more knowledge, wisdom, and utility written in this book than the cumulative amount of overpriced and overvalued university textbooks in my garage. Read it.

Excellent read

I read the book a couple times now and probably will again he’s an amazing auditor and a fascinating listen has insights to life only problem was he stopped short of endorsing the Almighty even though he refers to him multiple times but it’s an uplifting listen

Life changing

This books gives a contrarian perspective to the meaning of life and great suggestions on how to move through it with some purpose

Greatest Book!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I will get the next book that Jordan Peterson has out. I particularly loved the way he threaded socioeconomic structure into biblical theology. I recommend this book to anyone. Well time to read it again!

Deepest gratitude to Dr. Peterson

How many ways,and how many times can I realize I am not living up to my potential during one book. And from this I see that, since I have not reached my potential for today, then who am I. I need to orientate myself properly in this world so that TODAY I can be who I am capable of being, and more so, so that I can be the best representation of myself when encountering others, all to most effectively positively impact others.
I can not Express how grateful I am for the so very very intimate stories of his life and family, particularly Makala and her struggle to be healthy. And as an anti-theist and someone who has shared the story of Jesus Christ to many people in many countries and did my earnest to live and love as the Christ character did, I was not put off in the slightest by his referencing scripture throughout, everything fit as natural as could be when referenced and never crossed (no pun intended) into proselytizing.
Thank you thank you thank you.
Absolute highest recommendation. I've already begun sending this book as gifts.