12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos

Jordan B. Peterson

Jan 2018 · Sold by Random House Canada

About this ebook

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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 readers.

Ratings and reviews

If you're struggling in life and feel like it pointless, that your struggle is worthless and should give up, read this book. when I read this book, i felt encouraged to keep trying in life and not give up. It helped me change perspective on a couple of self destructive thinking styles I didn't even realize where self destructive. There are some valueable life lessons in here that everybody needs to be reminded of from time to time.

I took highlights and notes every few pages on this book. I wanted to highlight whole sections, but had to take notes on it instead. Highlighting 15 paragraphs isn't very useful, but the information contained in them really couldn't be gleaned any other way. There might not be a book that I have read that has provided me as much insight into myself in my whole life. This book is written for people who are grappling with meaning without the belief in God. It relates the biblical stories and concepts in a way that is insightful as to what can truly be gained by understanding archetypes. The book grapples with the idea that some of what you are is inherent in being a human. There is a concept of Being that is grappled with throughout the book. Peterson has personal stories, stories from greats such as Nietzsche, and religious stories of Ancient Egypt. It all helps to bring together a story that is cohesive and useful. Concepts like you being unable to be a totalitarian over yourself so not trusting someone who wants to be a totalitarian over you or society as a whole are the reason this book works for me. There are such a huge number of simple analogies that light up an understanding of the world that makes you wonder how you didn't notice it before Peterson spelled it out. I can't recommend this book enough. It made me cry. It made me laugh,. It made me cheer. I haven't been this enraptured in text since Carl Sagan's The Demon-Haunted World. If you are considering reading this book for any reason, you most definitely should. There will be something in it for you.

When you see the one star reviews you know exactly the kind of person who wrote them. Almost always somebody who's never read the book and just hate the notion that you must take responsibility for your own actions.

About the author

JORDAN B. PETERSON, raised and toughened in the frigid wastelands of Northern Alberta, has flown a hammer-head roll in a carbon-fiber stunt-plane, explored an Arizona meteorite crater with astronauts, and built a Kwagu'l ceremonial bighouse on the upper floor of his Toronto home after being invited into and named by that Canadian First Nation. He's taught mythology to lawyers, doctors and business people, consulted for the UN Secretary General, helped his clinical clients manage depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, and schizophrenia, served as an adviser to senior partners of major Canadian law firms, and lectured extensively in North America and Europe. With his students and colleagues at Harvard and the University of Toronto, Dr. Peterson has published over a hundred scientific papers, transforming the modern understanding of personality, while his book Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief revolutionized the psychology of religion. The author lives in Toronto, ON. www.jordanbpeterson.com