My 12 Favorite Books of 2018

2018 was quite a year—we welcomed our second daughter, I transitioned into full-time land conservation, and the podcast ramped up to a level I’d never expected. All of these exciting (and time-consuming) happenings made me feel that I was constantly behind on my reading, but as it turns out, I managed to crank through a respectable number of really good books.

Below, in the order that I read them, are my favorites from the year. I hope you find a few that are of interest. Here’s to many more great books in 2019!

American Wolf: A True Story of Survival and Obsession in the West by Nate Blakeslee – To truly understand the modern-day West, you need to understand the history of and controversy around wolves. This fast-paced, fun-to-read story follows a wolf pack in Yellowstone National Park, with an emphasis on its charismatic pack leader 0-Six. You won’t be able to put it down.

60 Meters to Anywhere by Brendan Leonard – A raw, heartbreaking, and at-times-hilarious memoir about Brendan’s struggle with and triumph over alcohol addiction. An inspiring testament to the healing power of adventure and purpose-driven time outdoors, as well how struggle can ultimately fuel future success, both personally and professionally.

The Painter by Peter Heller – The first fiction book I’ve read in more than six years, and I loved it. An action-packed story, complex characters, and some of the richest descriptions of Colorado and New Mexico that I’ve ever encountered.

Tiger Woods by Jeff Benedict and Armen Keyeyian – I think about this book at least once per week, probably because as a father, I can’t imagine how in the hell Earl Woods thought the smothering, grinding pressure he put on young Tiger could possibly be healthy. It’s a tale of elite talent, disgusting family dynamics, and the eventual implosion of a cultural icon.

How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence by Michael Pollan – Like most Americans, I considered psychedelic drugs to be the pastime of ex-hippies and going-nowhere-fast burnouts. But leave it to Pollan to change my entire perspective on this subject—turns out, these substances are helping everyone from veterans with PTSD to people with drug-resistant depression to high performers who want to be even better.

On Desperate Ground: The Marines at The Reservoir, the Korean War’s Greatest Battle by Hampton Sides – Once again, Hampton Sides knocks it out of the park with this story of one of the most brutal battles in American military history. Prior to this book, I knew next to nothing about the Korean War, but as usual, Hampton educated me on little-known history in an engaging and entertaining narrative.

Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now by Jaron Lanier – Seems like the title pretty much sums it up.

Ultimate Glory: Frisbee, Obsession, and My Wild Youth by David Gessner – If you’ve ever pursued a passion that most people would call foolhardy, silly, or a waste of time, then this memoir is for you. Like all of Gessner’s work, it’s hilarious, insightful, honest, and beautifully written. I’m far from a frisbee aficionado, but I gleaned tons of value from this book.

The Grand Canyon: Between River and Rim by Pete McBride – Calling this a simple “book” is a blatant understatement. It’s a work of art that combines breathtaking photography, an engaging adventure narrative, and an examination of the conservation challenges facing one of our nation’s most iconic national parks.

Losing Eden: An Environmental History of the American West by Sara Dant – A must-read for anyone who loves the West and its history, particularly from a conservation point of view. Sara gracefully packs in an amazing amount of important information and analysis into this relatively short book, starting with human migration into North America and ending in present day and our scramble to find solutions to climate change and natural resource shortages.

Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds by David Goggins – The sometimes-hard-to-believe life story of former Navy SEAL and ultra-endurance athlete David Goggins. It’s full of contradictions and foul language, but I found it to be one of the most impiring books I’ve read. I’d encourage you to listen to the audiobook, as it contains behind-the-scenes conversation between the co-author and Goggins.

Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann – My first book by Grann, and it won’t be the last. A truth-is-stranger-than-fiction story of a series of insane murders/poisonings on the Osage Indian reservation, and the multi-year hunt for the killer. Narrative history at its best.

A comprehensive list of every book I recommended in 2018, taken directly from my bimonthly book recommendations email.

American Wolf: A True Story of Survival and Obsession in the West by Nate Blakeslee – When I asked renowned author and historian Dan Flores to recommend his favorite books about the American West, he named American Wolf right alongside Stegner’s Beyond the Hundredth Meridian. You can’t receive much higher praise than that! And I’m pleased to report that the book does not disappoint—it’s an action-packed, engaging narrative of the lives of wolf packs living in and around Yellowstone National Park, with a special emphasis on O-Six, a charismatic pack leader. Wolves are a delicate subject here in the West, and most discussions of the legendary canine are sure to evoke strong reactions from anyone connected to the region. The animal and its influence touch almost every aspect of life in the Rockies, and it’s difficult to understand the region without understanding wolves. I found the book to be balanced, informative, and fun– I highly recommend it. (American Wolf was also the first selection of the Mountain & Prairie Book Club. Visit this Goodreads page to join the discussion.)

12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. Peterson – During the past year, I’ve heard Dr. Peterson interviewed on several podcasts, and I’ve become more and more intrigued by his work. He is a Canadian clinical psychologist and college professor by trade, and he has some very interesting ideas on the importance of clearly defining one’s purpose, as well as the benefits of discipline and struggle in service of achieving one’s goals. He is also a staunch critic of political correctness run amok and has engaged in several well-publicized battles with Canada’s government over the issue. Many of his ideas resonate strongly with me, and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was particularly taken by “Rule 5: Don’t Let Your Children Do Anything That Makes You Dislike Them,” as his advice on raising children flies in the face of the “everybody gets a trophy” mentality that seems to dominate a lot of modern parenting. I did find myself getting bogged down in some of his discussions about mythology and religion, but I just skipped through that and quickly reengaged. I had high expectations for this book and enjoyed it immensely. [The best Peterson podcast interviews were with Joe Rogan and Jocko Willink.]

Oranges by John McPhee – Whenever I read anything by McPhee, I’m blown away by how clear and precise his writing is — somehow he’s able to walk the tightrope of being fully descriptive of people, places, and events without any excess verbiage or flowery prose. It’s an amazing talent and skill, making it a true pleasure to read anything he has written. This book is simply a biography of the orange. I had no idea how fascinating a piece of fruit could be, but McPhee successfully weaves together history, ecology, biology, agriculture, and sociology in a fun and easy-to-read manner. This book was published in 1975, so I would be interested to read an updated version, one that explains how technological advances in agriculture and genetics have changed the fruit and the citrus-growing process. [You’re probably sick of my recommending it, but if you like biographies of non-people, Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World by Mark Kurlansky is the best.]

At Home: A Short History of Private Life by Bill Bryson – Speaking of talented writers, Bill Bryson blows my mind. All of his books are absurdly dense, but he presents overwhelming amounts of information in a fun style that allows me to plow through hundreds of pages with very little effort. In At Home, Bryson gives a room-by-room tour of his home in England, explaining its history and linking in an amazing number of tangentially related stories and facts. For example, his discussion of the plum room veers off into the history of Monticello and Mount Vernon, with even more tangents about Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. And when he describes the dining room, it’s not long before he’s explaining the finer points of scurvy and the history of the global spice trade. How he managed to keep my attention, I’ll never know. But every time I started wondering “Where in the hell is he going with this?,” he reigned it in and kept the story moving forward. It’s a great book that would likely be useful for anyone with dreams of trying out for Jeopardy. [Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail is hilarious and worth a read.]

Hell in the Pacific: A Marine Rifleman’s Journey From Guadalcanal to Peleliu by Jim McEnery and Bill Sloan — My maternal grandfather fought in World War II in the Pacific Theater as the commander of an Army amphibious tank battalion. He and his men would storm the beaches of a South Pacific island, fight the entrenched Japanese, secure the island, then move on to the next one. The stories my grandfather told me of those battles are wild, so I was excited to dig into this book and learn more. It is basically the history of two massive battles—Guadalcanal and Peleliu. It’s written just as McEnery would speak, full of “colorful” language and sometimes hilarious descriptions of the battles and harsh tropical conditions. I’d imagine the language could offend some people, but I appreciated that it was unfiltered, providing more realistic insights into the soldiers’ states of mind. If you’re looking for a detailed history lesson about WWII in the Pacific, this is not your book. But if you want a no-holds-barred, entertaining account of what it felt like to be a brave, hard-fighting member of the Greatest Generation, you’ll enjoy it. [I read it over 15 years ago, but D-Day by Stephen Ambrose is a WWII classic.]

When Things Fall Apart: Heartfelt Advice For Difficult Times, The Places that Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times, and Start Where You Are: A Guide to Compassionate Living, and by Pema Chodron — I’m not a Buddhist, but I consider the Buddhist nun Pema Chodron to be one of the wisest humans on the planet. Her thoughts on mindfulness, compassion, and fear have significantly affected my life for the better. I keep these three books on my bedside table and thumb through them several times per week. The titles of these books are a bit misleading—they seem slightly morose or aimed at folks dealing with significant tragedies or acute difficulties, which (luckily) I am not. For me, the books present effective mental frameworks for dealing with normal life challenges, the sort that everyone faces on a daily basis. All three books consist of short three-to-five page chapters that can be read quickly, at night before bed or first thing in the morning. My copies are full of underlines and notes, and I’ve found that I gain new insights even after re-reading chapters multiple times. [I also listen to these three Pema audiobooks over and over and over: Don’t Bite The Hook, Getting Unstuck, and Smile at Fear.]

60 Meters to Anywhere by Brendan Leonard – I loved this book—read it in just three sittings. It’s the brutally honest memoir of climber, writer, and all-around creative Brendan Leonard that details his struggle with and triumph over alcohol addiction. At times heartbreaking, other times hilarious, the author holds nothing back as he describes how the outdoors, specifically rock climbing, helped him step off of a destructive, selfish path and onto his current path of living authentically, creatively, and generously. The book is a testament to the healing power of adventure and purpose-driven time outdoors. It’s also a testament to how struggles can ultimately make a person stronger and fuel future success that would not have been possible otherwise. [For another example of transforming a personal liability into great success, read Lincoln’s Melancholy: How Depression Challenged a President and Fueled his Greatness by Joshua Wolf Shenk.]

Make It Till You Make It: 40 Myths and Truths About Creating by Brendan Leonard – If you have a nagging desire to create, but are held back by endless excuses about why it’s not practical, financially viable, blah, blah, blah, then you need to read this short book immediately. It will eliminate the excuses for starting your creative endeavors, but also dispel any silly, meme-driven ideas that creativity is easy. The book is part motivation and part realistic gut check. No, you may not “make it big” as the next internet sensation, but with enough hard work and tenacity, you can make it as a prolific and fulfilled creative. [Pair this book with Steven Pressfield’s War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles, and you’re all set. Then stop reading, and start doing!]

Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life by John McCain – In my line of work, I have the privilege of dealing with what seems to be an abnormally high number of huckster scumbags. Books like this one help to reinforce my values and steel myself against any temptations to either 1) move over to the darkside or 2) back down from dust-ups with said scumbags. In this book, McCain defines what he believes to be true courage and boldly calls out much of what modern society incorrectly labels as courage. He presents historical and contemporary examples of truly courageous people, while also weaving in the story of his years as a Vietnam prisoner of war. After reading these humbling accounts of realcourage when the stakes were astronomically high, it’s easier for me to muster “courage” for day-to-day personal and professional challenges. This book had been sitting unread on my shelf for 13 years—I’m glad I finally picked it up. [Another perspective-shifting book involving a brave prisoner of war is Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl.]

The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative by Florence Williams – Few would argue with the fact that being outside is good for us, but it’s staggering how little time the average American spends outdoors. The Nature Fix is essentially 300 pages of fun-to-read evidence that explains exactly why nature is so beneficial to us, both mentally and physically. In an engaging and witty style, Williams builds her case from every angle, and in the end, leaves little doubt that we should all be spending much more time in nature. Personally, there’s a direct correlation between time spent in the outdoors and my moods, productivity, and overall sense of well-being—so I didn’t need convincing. But I thoroughly enjoyed understanding the specific scientific and evolutionary reasons for why nature is so important to me (and to all of us cooped-up modern-day homo sapiens).

Travels with Charley: In Search of America by John Steinbeck – So many friends mention Steinbeck as one of their all-time favorite authors, so I decided to finally dig into his work. After only a few dozen pages of this book, I was totally sold—and I expect to soon break my weird no-fiction rule to read more of his catalogue. Travels With Charley is a travelogue of Steinbeck’s around-the-country road trip with his poodle Charley, a narrative that melds his impressions of America’s landscapes, interactions with local characters, and his own personal musings on the state of the nation. Interestingly, many of his concerns about the United States (loss of regional character, industrialization, racism, etc.) echo modern-day worries that dominate the current national conversation. It makes me feel a little better to know that these worries may very well be common throughout all chapters of our country’s history—perhaps things aren’t as monumentally bad as they can seem today. Excellent book, and I expect it is the standard by which all travelogues are judged. [My favorite travelogue is another Pulitzer Prize winner—Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan.]

Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression—and the Unexpected Solutions by Johann Hari – Ever since reading Sebastian Junger’s Tribe, I’ve been obsessed with the idea that lack of community and purpose is the driver of most modern-day societal unhappiness. Lost Connections digs into the crisis of rampant depression and anxiety in many developed nations, particularly the US and the UK. Citing a ton of scientific research, he explains that depression and anxiety are not caused primarily by chemical imbalances in the brain, but rather by societal problems such as disconnections from meaningful work, values, the natural world, and other people. More controversially, he makes the case that pharmaceutical-grade medications may not make a significant impact on curbing depression and anxiety—but they certainly help big pharma companies’ bottom lines to the tune of billions of dollars. If you suffer from depression, know someone who does, or just have an interest in the subject, I highly recommend this book. It’s a welcome new perspective and will make you think. [Have I mentioned that I like the book Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging? Oh, I did? 157 times you say? Well, have you read it yet? No? Then buy it, and read it!]

The Painter by Peter Heller – My weird 6+ year abstention from fiction came to an abrupt end with this book, and I now realize how much I’ve been missing. Having recently spent time in Paonia (the town where the book is set), I could not get enough of Heller’s beautifully accurate descriptions of Colorado’s Western Slope—it was just as good or better than the best non-fiction I’ve read describing the region. His descriptions of northern New Mexico are equally compelling, as are the book’s fly fishing scenes. I found myself underlining line after line of the protagonist’s inner dialogue—who knew you could learn important life lessons from made-up people’s thoughts?! And to top it all off, the storyline was addictive, with more than enough fighting and action to keep my easily distracted brain fully engaged. I loved this book and look forward to reading more of Heller’s fiction… and fiction in general. [I’ve read most of Heller’s non-fiction work and especially enjoyed Kook: What Surfing Taught Me About Love, Life, and Catching the Perfect Wave.]

The Wise Heart: A Guide to the Universal Teachings of Buddhist Psychology by Jack Kornfield – I had listened to countless interviews with Jack Kornfield but never read any of his 15 books until now. I’m glad I finally dove into his work, because his writing is even more compelling than his talks. He’s a Dartmouth graduate, Peace Corps alum, former Buddhist monk, and PhD-level clinical psychologist, so it’s safe to say he knows a thing or two about how the mind works. I’ve been meditating for years but gleaned great value and fresh perspectives from his explanations of the most basic premises of mindfulness and compassion. The book also offered several advanced concepts that were completely new to me and will require more thinking (or not thinking) to fully appreciate. Kornfield has a unique ability to marry difficult-to-grasp spiritual lingo with hard-nosed clinical research, producing ideas that are equally interesting and useful. Whether you’re a mindfulness beginner or expert, this book is worth a read. [In a similar vein, I highly recommend Turning the Mind Into an Ally by Sakyong Mipham.]

Tiger Woods by Jeff Benedict and Armen Keyeyian – For the love of Pete! This book was intense. I inhaled it. And truth be told, I felt a little dirty afterward. It’s the most thorough biography to date of Tiger Woods written by two seasoned journalists with no apparent axes to grind, so I expected it to be a balanced examination and not sensational nonsense. But Tiger’s bizarro life seems to be a case of truth being more sensational than fiction. Two PG-rated highlights: 1) Tiger’s dad forced him to practice golf for two hours a day when he was two years old, and 2) Tiger was obsessed with Navy SEALs and trained to become one, which contributed to his career-derailing injuries. On one hand, I’m amazed and impressed with Tiger’s work ethic, toughness, and single-minded focus. On the other, I feel extremely sorry for him because of the immense pressure his parents placed on him and the isolation he endured as a kid. This new understanding of Tiger’s childhood makes me feel much more sympathy toward him and the dumpster fire that his life became back in 2010. His is a cautionary tale about the dangers of being wound too tightly, or, if you are a parent, of pushing your kids too hard without demonstrating unconditional love. [Another in-depth, engaging (but less dirty) biography that I really enjoyed was The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life by Alice Schroeder.]

How to Break Up with Your Phone: A Thirty Day Plan to Take Back Your Life by Catherine Price – The fact that a book like this was written says a lot about the problem that these dang “phones” are causing in our society. If I had it my all-or-nothing way, I’d just throw mine off a bridge, but personal and professional expectations make that approach impractical. This book presents the next-best approach, and Price uses scientific studies and a good sense of humor to fully describe just how harmful these devices can be for adults, children, and society. While I’ve had a gut feeling that unfettered phone-checking is not healthy, Price provides the scary proof I needed to make a more concerted effort to be mindful in my phone use. Frankly, I did not get much value from the 30-day plan in the second half of the book—the first half was enough of a wake-up call to spur me to be better about shunning my phone. This is a good read for all smartphone users or those who are considering allowing their kids to have one. [For a book that likens phones to heroin, check out The Craving Mind: From Cigarettes to Smartphones to Love—Why We Get Hooked and How We Can Break Bad Habits by Judson Brewer.]

All the Wild that Remains: Edward Abbey, Wallace Stegner, and the American West by David Gessner – I re-read this book in preparation for a conversation with the author, and it was even better the second time. When I first read it, I did not know much about Stegner or Abbey, nor did I appreciate how deeply their ideas have influenced thinking around the modern-day West. The book led me to explore many new authors and ideas that I would not have otherwise found—it was almost like discovering a map that led me on a multi-year journey. When re-reading it, I realized how much I have learned and that my understanding of the West is much more nuanced than it was when I first read the book. I also re-absorbed valuable information that my low-powered brain had forgotten since my first reading. If you love the West, I can’t recommend this book enough. But be warned, it will lead to many more book purchases (or library loans) and countless hours studying Stegner, Abbey, Berry, TR, and the like. [If you’re interested, here’s my enlightening and hilarious conversation with David Gessner.]

Blood and Thunder: The Epic Story of Kit Carson and the Conquest of the American Westby Hampton Sides – In an exciting turn of events, I was invited to the Aspen Institute to interview Hampton Sides on stage at a seminar about the history of the 19th-Century American West. Given that Hampton is one of my all-time favorite authors and that the Aspen Institute and its supporters do not suffer fools, I immediately reread Blood and Thunder, paying closer attention to it than to any book I read during my entire formal education. And the book was even better the second time around—Hampton has an unparalleled ability to make complex history understandable and exciting, thanks in part to his engaging, action-packed writing style. Blood and Thunder is one of my favorite books of all time, and everyone I know who’s read it has loved it. It’s one of those books that introduces you to countless characters and concepts that will warrant further reading and study—it’s a gateway drug into deep Western history. Can’t recommend it enough. [Want to learn about the West without the hassle of words and stuff? Then head over to my blog to watch or listen to my conversation with Hampton.]

Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdain – Even though I’m pretty much the opposite of a “foodie,” I really admired Anthony Bourdain. He seemed like an authentic and kind man who was genuinely interested in learning about new people and places. I was so sad to learn of his tragic death, so I decided to finally read his book, which had been recommended to me by so many friends. First of all, he was a damn good writer. It’s hard for me to get my head around the fact that this was his first book—many people write their entire lives and never come close to his level of mastery. Secondly, I couldn’t put the book down. It opened my eyes to the world of the restaurant business, a world that I knew almost nothing about. It’s a very sketchy subculture filled with some wacky characters—people that I would never want to associate with—but they definitely make for good storytelling. If you’re easily offended or grossed out, I wouldn’t recommend this book. But if you’re up for a shocking, raunchy, and sometimes hilarious account of the underbelly of the high-end restaurant business, check it out. [The best book about food I’ve ever read is Michael Pollan’s Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals.]

How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence by Michael Pollan – I’m biased (see above), but I believe that Pollan is one of the world’s most impactful, respected contemporary voices on agriculture and food production. In this book, he brings a great deal of credibility to a subject that has long been relegated to the world of hippies and stoners—psychedelic drugs. Pollan starts with the history of psychedelics, with an emphasis on psilocybin and LSD, and explains how and why these compounds became so despised by the US government, and in turn, by society. Then he describes how these compounds are slowly reemerging back into mainstream science, thanks to research suggesting that the drugs can help cure everything from severe anxiety to PTSD to treatment-resistant depression. More interestingly, he explains how psychedelics can make healthy people better, and he recounts his own first-hand experiences with the drugs and the benefits he experienced. Pollan is the perfect author to tackle such an unnecessarily controversial subject, and I’ll be interested to watch how society’s openness to psychedelics evolves in the coming years. [Here are two podcasts with Pollan in which he discusses the book: Tim Ferriss and Joe Rogan.]

Draft No. 4: On the Writing Process by John McPhee – In all of my conversations with writers, time and again John McPhee is referenced as one of the greatest non-fiction authors and teachers. So when I learned that he’d written a book strictly about his writing process, I ordered it immediately. It’s not a “fun” read. It reminds me more of an engineering textbook than a discussion around creating art… but I loved it. McPhee’s obsession with structure above all else is fascinating, and I was amazed to learn how much behind-the-scenes planning goes into his work before he pens a single word. If anything, this book underscores how damn hard it must be to write a (good) book, and it only reinforces my respect for the people who do it so well. [One of my favorite McPhee books is Encounters with the Archdruid: Narratives About a Conservationist and Three of His Natural Enemies, which he details in Draft No. 4.]

Rough Beauty: Forty Seasons of Mountain Living by Karen Auvinen – Speaking of authors who write amazingly well, Auvinen manages to blend a few of my favorite genres (memoir, the natural world) with my favorite landscape on earth (the American West). She also combines several themes that are close to my heart—self-reliance, community, our deep connection with dogs, mountain living, and toughness. The end result is an honest, raw, and beautifully written account of her life, with an emphasis on her time spent living alone high on the eastern flank of Colorado’s front range. She dives deep into the challenges of mountain living, including losing her cabin and all her possessions to a house fire. Her description of having to put her long-time canine companion to sleep destroyed me, but it was about as sweet of a description of the event as one could hope to read. Great book, and I plowed through it. I’m already looking forward to reading whatever she writes next. [Thanks to David Gessner for turning me on to this book. Read any/all of his books, you’ll be glad you did.]

On Desperate Ground: The Marines at The Reservoir, the Korean War’s Greatest Battle by Hampton Sides – As many of you know, I’m a huge fan of Hampton Sides’ work—his ability to distill complex history into a fun yet informative narrative is unparalleled. This brand new book is no exception. Embarrassingly, I knew next to nothing about the Korean War and absolutely nothing about the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir. True to form, Hampton tells a thrilling tale of one of the most brutal battles in modern US military history, all while deeply examining the characters who played roles in both the fighting and the planning. Douglas MacArthur, Mao Zedong, Harry Truman, Oliver Smith and many others are all examined, compared, and contrasted, which makes for a cautionary tale of what can happen when power is too concentrated and big egos are allowed to run wild. After plowing through this amazing story, I not only have a better appreciation for the history of this under-appreciated war, but also a new understanding of our modern-day conflict with North Korea. [A few weeks ago, Hampton and I discussed this book, as well as his writing routines in this fun and funny conversation.]

Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now by Jaron Lanier – Lanier is a Silicon Valley veteran who played significant roles in companies and technologies that defined the early days of the internet. Thanks to his decades of insider experience, he’s uniquely qualified to understand the increasingly shady motivations of mega-corporations like Facebook. In this succinct and easy-to-read book, Lanier lays out a systematic and compelling case for why everyone should strongly consider stepping away from social media. He provides creepy details on exactly how these technologies work, the companies’ goals of creating social media addicts, and the research that demonstrates social media’s detrimental impacts on users’ psyches. He also explores just how damaging social media can be to society, from both political and economic standpoints. I have yet to delete my social media accounts, but this book has taken me a few steps closer to that inevitable end point. [Speaking of addiction to social media, I once again recommend The Craving Mind: From Cigarettes to Smartphones to Love—Why We Get Hooked and How We Can Break Bad Habits by Judson Brewer.]

Ultimate Glory: Frisbee, Obsession, and My Wild Youth by David Gessner – I am not at all into Ultimate Frisbee, but I absolutely loved this book. It’s a revealing and often-hilarious memoir built around Gessner’s all-consuming obsession with the little-known, little-respected sport of Ultimate Frisbee. From his college years at Harvard to his time struggling to become a published author to a bout with testicular cancer and a move out West, Ultimate was the central thread that connected all aspects of Gessner’s young adulthood. Given my experience running ultramarathons and climbing big, cold mountains, I fully appreciate Gessner’s funny and insightful examination of the pursuit of challenges that appear silly or contrived to the outside world, but can be the most meaningful experience of the participant’s life. I especially loved his exploration of the importance of nonconformity, as well as his discussion of the comradery that results from pursuing a shared goal with a team, and the ensuing ability to put personal differences aside in service of that goal. [For another great story of personal obsession with a niche, some-might-say-silly sport, read Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan.]

The Grand Canyon: Between River and Rim by Pete McBride – Calling this work of art a simple “book” is a blatant understatement. It’s a 236-page tome that combines breathtaking photography, an engaging adventure narrative, and an examination of the conservation challenges facing one of our nation’s most iconic national parks. Pete and his buddy, author Kevin Fedarko, hiked the entire 800-mile length of the Grand Canyon, a feat of endurance and exploration that is as hardcore of an adventure as anyone could dream up—more people have stood on the surface of the moon than hiked the length of the Canyon. Not only did they complete the challenge, but Pete managed to assemble a completely unique catalogue of Grand Canyon imagery, offering a new perspective on a landscape I thought I knew fairly well. And if that’s not enough, Hampton Sides wrote the foreword and Fedarko wrote the introduction, making for a truly all-star collaboration. [Hate reading? Then listen to my conversation with Pete in which we discuss the book, the Colorado River, and his life of adventure.]

Losing Eden: An Environmental History of the American West by Sara Dant – I had the pleasure of spending a few days with Sara at the Aspen Institute this summer, and she is an amazing wealth of knowledge about the history of the American West, as well as modern-day challenges facing the region. Even more impressive, in both her writing and speech, she is able to convey hard-to-understand (and sometimes dull) topics such as water rights and land use legislation in exciting and digestible language. As the title suggests, Losing Eden lays out the history of the West, starting with human migration into North America 15-30,000 years ago and ending in present day and our scramble to find solutions to climate change and natural resource shortages… with ample coverage of Teddy Roosevelt, John Muir, and Aldo Leopold throughout. Being a guy who’s read a ton of history about this region, I found this book’s presentation completely new and unique. There is so much useful information and analysis gracefully jammed into this relatively short book. It’s also a valuable resource for further learning—each chapter ends with a “suggested reading” list, which will allow me to dig even deeper into the topics presented in this book. Thanks to Sara, my “need to read” list just quadrupled in size. [For everything you ever wanted to know about pre-human North America, read American Serengeti: The Last Big Animals of the Great Plains by Dan Flores.]

Modern Huntsman: Volume 2 – Although not technically a book, this 250+ page biannual publication definitely deserves a proud spot on this list. As more and more periodicals are dumbing down their content or abandoning print all together, my friend Tyler Sharp and his top-notch team of adventure-loving creatives have done just the opposite. Modern Huntsman explores complicated issues of conservation, hunting, and wild places in a nuanced, substantive manner rarely found anywhere, much less in print magazines. The articles are terrific, and it is an added bonus that they are presented in a beautifully bound magazine that I’ll display on my bookcase for years to come. Volume 2 is focused on issues surrounding public lands, a timely subject at the front of all outdoor adventurers’ minds, from birders to hunters, climbers to ATVers. Hunter or not, if you’re an advocate of public lands, I’m confident you’ll enjoy this issue of Modern Huntsman. [My other favorite beautifully bound, substantive periodical is The Surfer’s Journal.]

This Is Marketing: You Can’t Be Seen Until You Learn to See by Seth Godin – When it comes to doing creative, meaningful work, there is no one who has been more influential on my thinking than Seth Godin. I have read almost every book he’s written, and I can’t overstate the positive effects that his philosophies have had on my life and career.  This Is Marketing is his newest book, and it is much more than a simple “marketing” how-to manual. It’s about picking yourself, building (and then leading) a tribe, and doing work that matters to you and your tribe. It’s about finding your niche audience and avoiding the “race to the bottom” of trying to be all things to all people. If you’ve read some of Seth’s work, this book crystalizes his old ideas while presenting some fascinating new insights. If you’ve never read anything of Seth’s, this book is a good place to start. Highly recommend. [Anything by Seth is great, but I especially benefited from Linchpin, Tribes, Purple Cow, and What To Do When It’s Your Turn.]

Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds by David Goggins – If you are easily offended by vulgar language, do not buy this book—Goggins, a former Navy SEAL, elite ultrarunnner, and endurance athlete, holds nothing back in this memoir/self-help hybrid. But if you’re looking for a life story that is simultaneously heartbreaking, inspirational, and sometimes hard to believe, then you’ll get a kick out of this book. Goggins grew up in a terribly abusive family and by his early twenties, his life was a mess—he weighed over 300 pounds, worked the midnight shift spraying for roaches in fast food joints, and was miserable. Then, surprisingly, he was offered an opportunity to try out for the Navy SEALS, with one catch—he had to lose over 100 pounds in less than three months to be accepted into the program. He lost the 100 pounds, which began an amazing journey of personal transformation that led to a long-term career in the SEALs, Army Ranger School, dozens of ultramarathons, a pull-up world record (4,025 in 17 hours), and more hardcore endurance madness. I listened to the audiobook– my first in years– which I highly recommend.  It’s read by his co-author, with breaks of podcast-like conversations between the co-author and Goggins. Very entertaining, but definitely rated R. [If you want a sample of Goggins and his language, check out this podcast with Joe Rogan.]

Life Work by Donald Hall – Best-selling author David Gessner references Life Work as a meaningful and significant influence on his career as a creative—so if it’s good enough for Gessner, it’s damn sure good enough for me. Less of a book and more of a meandering meditation, Life Work is a deep dive into Hall’s life as a professional writer, presented in a poetic style that is completely unique and engrossing, even for a non-poet like me.  The book extolls the value of hard work and that the “secret” to a happy life is embracing the work itself—the process of working—not the finished poem, completed book, or any other goal. He hammers this point home slowly, winding his way through his family’s history, his cancer diagnosis, and his daily rituals. But somehow he never crosses over into being too artsy or smug—to me, Hall comes off as a funny, insightful, practical, and maybe curmudgeonly fellow.  My favorite quote from the book is when he asks sculptor Henry Moore for his secret to life. Moore’s response: “The secret of life is to have a task, something you devote your entire life to, something you bring everything to, every minute of the day for your whole life. And the most important thing is–it must be something you cannot possibly do!” [Again, my favorite book on the creative process is The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield.]

The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right by Atul Gawande – I’m not sure how I came across this book, but I’m so glad I did.  Gawande, a renowned surgeon, author, and professor, describes the mind-blowing complexity of today’s healthcare system, and how even routine medical procedures can be fraught with risk. Infections, mismanagement of medication, and blatant mistakes such as performing the wrong surgery on patients are much more common than they should be.  And as our knowledge of medicine increases, so do the variables associated with any diagnosis, compounding the problems. It will scare you (especially if you have any upcoming surgeries), but Gawande offers a potential solution. He convincingly argues that the key to solving these complex problems is the simplest of tools: an old-fashioned checklist. Gawande finds that following simple, well-crafted checklists drastically reduce mistakes and mishaps not only in the medical world, but in business, aviation, construction, and more.  Apparently Gawande’s ideas have prompted the World Health Organization to more widely adopt the use of simple checklists. This book is a good reminder to always seek the simplest solution, no matter how complex the problem.

Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann – In the last few months, three trusted friends told me I needed to read this book, so I picked it up at one of my favorite independent bookstores—BookPeople in Austin, Texas. Written by veteran journalist and master wordsmith Grann, the book is part mystery and part history lesson, but written in a fast-paced and easy-to-read manner that is reminiscent of one of my other favorite narrative historians, Hampton Sides. As the subtitle indicates, the book covers a series of almost-hard-to-believe murders and poisonings on the Osage Indian Reservation—home of the Osage Tribe who struck it mega rich during the oil boom of the early 20th century. What follows the murders is mass paranoia on the reservation, a series of ineffective vigilante investigations, and the eventual takeover of the case by the FBI, led by a young, nutty-ass J. Edgar Hoover.  Whether you’re into history, thrillers, or straight-up journalism, you’ll love this book. Read it! I’m very excited to check out more of Grann’s work. [For more of the best narrative history, check out Hampton Sides’ Hellhound on His Trail: The Electrifying Account of the Largest Manhunt in American History.]

Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life… and Maybe the World by Admiral William H. McRaven – Another book by a Navy SEAL, but much more refined and “for the masses” than Goggins’. It’s a short and easy-to-read book based around the Admiral’s 2014 commencement address at the University of Texas that went viral throughout the world-wide-internets. The book is full of time-honored, easy-to-understand truisms, that, if followed, would surely improve anyone’s life. While I didn’t find any of his lessons or suggestions groundbreaking or new, I did find great value in his succinct presentation. There’s no fluff here, and it’s the type of book that you can pick up, flip through for a few minutes here and there, and still glean some value. Self-help books are a dime a dozen, and many times the authors’ qualifications are dubious at best. But this Admiral’s stellar career speaks for itself, so I’m happy to learn even a few of his strategies for living a meaningful, successful life. [Looking for even more Navy SEAL books?  Check out Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin.]

A Few of My (Current) Favorite Podcasts

For a guy who has his own podcast about the American West, I rarely listen to any western or outdoor-related podcasts. I’m endlessly fascinated by interesting people, so almost all of my podcasts of choice are in-depth interviews. The specifics of the interviewees’ vocations or avocations rarely matter to me—as long as they are passionate about their pursuits and offer some valuable insights, I could listen to interviews all day.

Below, in no particular order, are a few of my current favorites, followed by a specific episode from each that I especially enjoyed. These are only the podcasts that I listen to regularly, not including podcast series that I enjoyed (e.g. Bundyville and S-Town). And none of these podcasts have my undivided attention—just like you, I pick and choose episodes.

The Tim Ferriss Show – Long-form interviews with “world-class performers.” I especially love the guests’ book recommendations, as well as the extensive show notes that link to all the resources that were discussed. [A.J. Jacobs: Self-Experimenter Extraordinaire]

The Axe Files – Despite my disdain for today’s politics, I thoroughly enjoy listening to David Axelrod chat with political minds from both sides of the aisle. No matter how far apart he and his guests may be ideologically, they always have substantive, civil, and engaging conversations. [Ep. 288 – Barack Obama]

Jocko Podcast – Jocko Willink is a former Navy SEAL and seems to be to be one of the most hardcore men on the planet. He and his guest are full of useful wisdom that I’ve found to be very beneficial in my day-to-day life.  [135: Supreme Excellence with Discomfort and Extreme Ownerhip. With Dave Berke.]

Meateater – This is the only outdoor-related podcast that I regularly listen to, and it is great. Steven Rinella is a wealth of knowledge on all things conservation, wildlife, public lands, hunting, and more. Plus he’s hysterical and surrounds himself with a top-notch crew. [Ep. 069: Dr. Dan Flores]

The Forward – Lance Armstrong (yes, that Lance Armstrong) has low-key conversations with a wide variety of interesting people from business, sports, music, comedy, and more. [Avett Brothers]

The Joe Rogan Experience – Joe seems to be one of the most authentic guys around and is amazingly well-versed in a huge array of subject matters. Other than the MMA-focused episodes, I find almost all of his conversations entertaining and funny. [#1204 – Steven Rinella]

Waking Up – Sam Harris is one of my favorite authors and thinkers, and his ability to speak in depth on extremely complex and sometimes-controversial issues is second to none. Plus he is an expert in meditation and mindfulness, which is very useful to me. [#140 – Burning Down the Fourth Estate]

Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend – This podcast is brand new, but I love it. I was laughing so hard while washing the dishes the other night that my three-year old daughter came over to inquire about what the hell was going on. [Will Ferrell]

The Rich Roll Podcast – Rich is a wellness guru and endurance athlete, and he also seems to be just a super-nice dude. [Dan Harris On The Power Of Meditation For the Fidgety Skeptic]

Criminal – This is the only non-interview, storytelling podcast that I regularly listen to, and it is so damn good. Every time. [Episode 100: Ten Thousand Feet in the Air]

The Moment – Brian Koppelman chats with writers, filmmakers, chefs, actors, and the occasional business leader or four-star general. Lots of discussion about the creative process, breaking through creative blocks, and creating work that is authentic. [General Stanley McChrystal]

Here’s the Thing – Alec Baldwin is hilarious, curious and asks rapid-fire questions, so no matter who the guest is, it’s a great listen. [Questlove Can’t Take a Compliment]

How I Built This – I love biographies and stories of entrepreneurship, and this podcast combines both in a highly produced, yet fully engaging format. [FUBU: Daymond John]

Revisionist History – I will read or listen to anything Malcom Gladwell produces.  [Free Brian Williams]

Fresh Air – Of course. Terry Gross is the master. [Free Climbing Yosemite’s “Dawn Wall”]

And if none of these catch your attention, you should try this one about innovative people in the West. If you ignore the dumbass host with the weird accent, the guests are pretty amazing.

November-December Book Club Selection: “Losing Eden” by Sara Dant

This summer, I had the pleasure of meeting historian Sara Dant at an American West conference at the Aspen Institute. During her presentations, I was struck by her remarkable ability to present complex and sometimes dry topics regarding the American West in an engaging and easy-to-understand manner.  (You can watch two of her presentations here and here.) It’s clear that Sara is a gifted professor who has perfected her ability to make history equally fun and educational.

As soon as I returned home, I ordered her book Losing Eden: An Environmental History of the American West. Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down.  In just under 200 pages, Sara lays out the history of the West, starting with human migration into North America 15-30,000 years ago and ending with our present day scramble to find solutions to natural resource shortages and climate change. There’s also ample coverage of historical figures including Teddy Roosevelt, John Muir, Aldo Leopold, Frank Church, and more. For me, the book connected many different familiar time periods and concepts into one cohesive narrative, while simultaneously introducing me to new ideas and people, all while keeping me thoroughly entertained.

If you love the podcast, you’ll love this book, as it covers so many of the topics we regularly discuss, including conservation, water, public lands, building consensus around divisive issues, historical figures of the West, and much more.  So as you’ve probably gathered by now, the November-December Book Club Selection is:

Losing Eden: An Environmental History of the American West by Sara Dant

Sara has graciously offered to answer questions about the book or even participate in some sort of online discussion, so we’ll be sorting out those details in the coming weeks.  In the meantime, listen to my conversation with Sara, start reading the book, and check back to this page or the Goodreads group for more information as it becomes available.

If you’d like to participate:

• Grab a copy of Losing Eden—purchase it from Amazon or your local bookseller, or check it out from your local library. Start reading.
• Head over to our Goodreads Group. Create an account, then join in the conversation in the online discussion forum. As you read, give your feedback on the book, pose questions to the group, and share your thoughts as you plow through the adventure.
• The only way this works is with lots of participation from lots of people, so the more the better. DON’T BE SHY!

Mountain & Prairie Book Club – Goodreads Group

When I started the podcast, I had no expectations that any significant number of people would ever tune in. Fast forward to today, there are thousands of people like you who not only listen, but tell their friends, share on social media, leave amazing iTunes reviews, and reach out to me directly with kind words. I can’t thank you enough for the encouragement—it’s been unbelievably fulfilling and fun to connect with so many like-minded folks from around the world who love the American West.

Much to my surprise, people have begun to ask how they can support the podcast financially. I’ve set up two options: Patreon (a monthly subscription) and PayPal (a one-time payment). If the podcast brings you as much enjoyment and value as say, a latte or burrito, I’d greatly appreciate your financial support. Click over to Patreon to see the Theodore Roosevelt-themed giving tiers and associated supporter-only benefits. All supporters will have their names listed proudly on the Wall of Badasses below, right alongside my personal gurus (i.e. badasses emeritus), and the rewards only get cooler from there.

Seriously, thank you for your support, financial and otherwise.  I wouldn’t be able to do this work without your interest and encouragement.

Click Below to Support Mountain & Prairie

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