5 Books To Base Your Life On

“Whatever problem you’re struggling with is probably addressed in some book somewhere written by someone a lot smarter than you.”  -Ryan Holiday

Reading isn’t fun when it’s mandatory, but when we shift our perspective on reading from a chore to a personal investment, something clicks.

I’d be lying if I said I haven’t been embarrassed to be “that guy” that sits in the library and reads, but that’s changed over time. Reading is a regular part of my routine, just like sleeping or eating. Books offer a window to perspectives and insights that simply can’t be absorbed in a classroom, on TV, or online.

I promise, once you start you won’t be able to stop, and your life will never be the same. Anyway, here are my top five books to base your life on.

The 48 Laws of Power by Robert GreeneGreeneRobert-48LawsOfPower

The first of five renowned works by Greene, The 48 Laws of Power is the ultimate guide to social intelligence, carving out a path in a hostile world, obtaining power, and defending against it. It’s grounded in a wealth of research spanning three thousand years, and its lessons have influenced millions from multi-platinum artists to Super Bowl champions.

Fun fact: aside from the Bible, The 48 Laws of Power is the most-requested book by prison inmates.

The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan HolidayScreen Shot 2014-02-13 at 12.14.09 PM

At the age of 29, Ryan Holiday’s insight into the human condition is remarkable. The underlying theme of his book is inspired by Stoic philosophy (I know it sounds boring, but it’s refreshingly simple): we don’t always control our circumstances, but we can control how we respond. If you’re demoralized or stuck, this is the blueprint for clarifying your perceptions and ending the pity party. The Obstacle is the Way is a much-needed gem in a culture saturated with self-help gurus.

Fun fact: The Obstacle is the Way was read by the majority of the New England Patriots players and coaches during their 2015 Super Bowl Championship season.

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl61633LFpDXL

If there’s anyone that can answer the question “What is the meaning of life?” it’s this guy. A psychiatrist and a Holocaust survivor, Frankl wrote this profound book to demonstrate how each person can find a purpose and find meaning even in the direst circumstances. If he could answer these questions while suffering through a concentration camp, I think you can, too.

 

The Icarus Deception by Seth Godin719w4oe5o1L

Seth Godin is normally associated with his business and marketing skills, but the lessons of this book can and should be applied to every walk of life.  Godin challenges us to reconsider the old rules: get a degree, find an institution, land a safe job, and stay in your comfort zone. Instead, Godin argues that our connection economy rewards art, not compliance. Not necessarily fine art, but our own creative work, whatever that may be. If you disdain the 9-5 life, this book is for you.

 

On the Shortness of Life by Senecatumblr_n7blki6WzO1qz6f4bo1_1280

I’ve never read a philosophy book as applicable to 21st century life as this. Seneca’s advice on wealth, jealously, power, and happiness are as useful today as they were when he was advising  his students in Ancient Greece:

 “Envy you’ll escape if you haven’t imposed yourself on other people’s notice, if you haven’t flaunted your possessions, if you’ve learned to keep your satisfaction to yourself.”

Don’t expect your typical philosophical text when you read this. It’s short, easy to understand, and will leave you with a deeper appreciation for life after reading it.

I hope these books impact you as much as they impacted me. They are life changing, and will lead you to discover others that are equally compelling.

One Book Every Media Consumer Must Read

In 2009, Ryan Holiday purchased a series of billboards scattered throughout Los Angeles to promote his client Tucker Max’s film “I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell,” but this was no typical publicity campaign.  Shortly after they were put up, Holiday defaced the very billboards he purchased with obscene, 2-foot-long stickers implying that Max have something despicable done to his genitals.

After snagging a few photos of his pseudo-vandalism, Holiday emailed the pictures under a fictional name to two local blogs saying, “Good to know Los Angeles hates Tucker Max, too.”

“You’re not lying, are you,” the blogger asked.

“Trust me,” Holiday replied, “I’m not lying.”

The subsequent backlash and barrage of tweets and Facebook protest groups resulting from Holiday’s act gained significantly more publicity for the movie than any billboard could have done alone.

This is one of several eccentric publicity stunts that Ryan Holiday features in his controversial book “Trust Me I’m Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator.”  But it’s more than a playbook for swindling the media.  Holiday acts as a whistleblower, pulling back the curtain on modern media and exposing its corruption.

While Holiday describes how he lied, cheated and bribed the media to promote his clients, TMIL provides a brutally honest but vital look into the complex world of online media that’s increasingly dominating the fields of PR, advertising and strategic communication.

So what can you learn from TMIL that isn’t covered in your communications classes?

A common trend exists to think of public relations as some vague, corporate term that involves billion dollar companies paying big bucks to firms that protect their reputation.  But, as you will quickly learn from Holiday, the paradigm has shifted.

In a culture where journalists and bloggers are slaves to money and page views, Holiday argues that “news” can be created based on tips from manipulators like himself.  The stories that will generate the most clicks, which inevitably make cash, are the ones that get published.

It’s a disturbing thought for PR practitioners: your client loses millions of dollars because of a malicious rumor started by a tipster looking for a big scoop and a quick dollar.

The web has enabled virtually anyone to pull the levers of blogs and news sites to twist what we read and watch.  With the mass media no longer being the main conductor of news, we are forced to adapt to this chaotic environment which requires skill to navigate.

At the least, TMIL will challenge your presumptions about how publicity and news are generated.  It also serves as a sharp reminder that the media is a pliable, workable substance that can and is easily manipulated.

Although it’s not often that a Wall Street Journal bestseller needs any additional publicity, TMIL is an exception.  This book is indispensable for anyone in the communications field.  Whether you simply want to be informed or actually use Holiday’s tactics for your own benefit is up to you.


Dominic Vaiana studies writing and media strategy at Xavier University.  He founded a campus newspaper and later went on to advise, ghostwrite, and edit for colleagues and startups.  His biweekly newsletter with his personal articles, essays, interviews, and book recommendations, can be found here. For any questions or comments, email dominicvaiana@gmail.com.