15 Books That Will Give You Strength During Challenging Times

I’m not an epidemiologist, nor do I play one on the internet. So I don’t have anything useful to add to the ubiquitous, high-voltage analysis of our new viral nemesis.

But I do compulsively read books, so I wanted to offer up a few titles that may be useful during these trying times. If I’ve learned anything from my love of history and reading, it’s that tough times can bring out the best in people, and almost everyone who has made a difference in the world has endured suffering in one form or another.

Easier said than done, for sure. One of my biggest worries around our current situation is wondering if I’ll be able to muster the toughness and steadiness of mind to co-lead my family through what will likely be a rough time for the entire world. I guess we’ll see. But I have found solace and wisdom in the books below, so I hope you will too.

[I’ve linked to Amazon for all of these books so you can click through to learn more and read reviews. But if you choose to buy one, please do so through your local bookseller. Owning a local bookstore is a tough business even in the best of times, so they would appreciate your patronage now more than ever.]

Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging by Sebastian Junger – A short, powerful book that discusses how the most brutal of circumstances can reveal the best in the human race. Junger also explores how tragedy and challenge can refine our focus and strengthen our community bonds. One of the most influential and paradigm-shifting books I’ve ever read.

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl – Frankl was an Austrian psychologist who was imprisoned for years in a German concentration camp during World War II. Even amid such horrific evil, suffering, and death, he was able to find purpose and contentment—and then pass along this valuable wisdom to us, the reader.

When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times; The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times; Start Where You Are: A Guide to Compassionate Living by Pema Chodron – As far as I’m concerned, Pema is one of the wisest humans on earth. Her writings and speeches have improved my life in innumerable ways, and I whole-heartedly recommend all of her work. These three books are collections of short, easy-to-read essays that pack a serious punch.

Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Journey by Alfred Lansing – Shackleton and his crew were stranded on an inhospitable Antarctic ice shelf for nearly two years, yet Shackleton managed to keep his men optimistic, energized, and alive for the full duration. It’s a case study in the importance of routine, exercise, camaraderie, and positivity, even during the direst circumstances.

The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl by Timothy Egan – Don’t let the relative cushiness of the past 60 years fool you—there’s a long history of suffering in North America. The Dust Bowl is one of many examples of how Americans were able to survive epic ecological and economic turmoil and emerge from the crisis much tougher and stronger than before.

Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion by Sam Harris – This book offers a straightforward, practical guide to mindfulness and meditation, without any of the spiritual lingo that can be off-putting to many. It’s a guide to training your mind, recognizing thought patterns, and not getting jerked around by your emotions—essential skills to have in your tool belt in the coming months.

The Obstacle is the Way: The Ancient Art of Turning Adversity to Advantage by Ryan Holiday – Holiday draws on Stoic philosophy and historical figures to drive home the point that challenges and tragedies are inevitable—it’s how we deal with them that makes all the difference. Rather than dwell on the unfairness of it all, why not use these challenges to make ourselves better?

The Long Walk: The True Story of a Trek to Freedom by Slavomir Rawicz – A mind-blowing tale of just how much suffering humans can tolerate when times get tough. It follows the journey of Soviet soldiers who escape from a prison camp, only to have to cross a desert and the damn Himalayas to secure their freedom.

D-Day: June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II by Stephen Ambrose – This book reminds me that when the chips are down, humans are capable of unbelievably complex cooperation and staggering heroism. It also reminds me that sitting around my house “social distancing” is a small price to pay for my community, country, and the world—much lower price than running directly into Nazi gunfire.

On the Shortness of Life: Life Is Long if You Know How to Use It by Seneca – Given current events, the title may seem somewhat morose, but the book’s overall lesson is clear—don’t fritter away your life. Make the most of it, because you might have 50 more years or you might have five more days. For some reason, I feel better about many of my internal struggles knowing that folks like Seneca struggled with the same issues 2,000 years ago.

The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday – Daily meditations that feature one short quote by a Stoic philosopher such as Seneca above, followed by a few paragraphs applying the principle to modern-day life. This book has been recommended by many of my podcast guests, and I read it (almost) everyday.

The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris – Just because I include this book on every list. And because TR knew how to make the most out of any circumstance. In the next few weeks, when deciding between watching Youtube videos or going for a run, wallowing in self-pity or doing art with your child, scrolling through Twitter or reading a book; just ask yourself, “What would TR do?”

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry – Not interested in endless self-analysis or examining the fragility of life? Fair enough. Unplug and enjoy my favorite fiction book of all time. It will make you happy.

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