Ryan Holiday
Making ancient Stoic philosophy accessible and practical for modern life and business.
Biography
Ryan Holiday is an American author and media strategist who has popularized Stoic philosophy for modern audiences. Born in Sacramento, California in 1987, he dropped out of college at 19 to apprentice under Robert Greene. Holiday has written numerous bestsellers that apply ancient Stoic wisdom to contemporary challenges in business, creativity, and personal life. He owns a bookstore in Bastrop, Texas and runs the Daily Stoic website and podcast. His work has been praised for making 2,000-year-old philosophy feel urgent and practical for today's readers.
Best Starting Book
The Obstacle Is the Way
A short, punchy introduction to Stoicism through real stories — you'll finish it in a day and think about it for years.
Reading Order
The Obstacle Is the Way
The book that launched the modern Stoicism movement — shows how obstacles become advantages.
Ego Is the Enemy
Tackles the internal obstacle of ego with historical examples — deeply practical.
Stillness Is the Key
Completes the trilogy — explores the power of quiet and inner peace across traditions.
The Daily Stoic
366 daily meditations on Stoic wisdom — perfect for building a daily philosophy practice.
Discipline Is Destiny
Explores self-discipline through fascinating historical figures — Holiday's most polished writing.
Books by Ryan Holiday
The Daily Stoic
Ryan Holiday, Stephen Hanselman
Right Thing, Right Now
Ryan Holiday
Lives of the Stoics
Ryan Holiday, Stephen Hanselman
Conspiracy
Ryan Holiday
Discipline is Destiny
Ryan Holiday
Courage Is Calling
Ryan Holiday
Trust Me I'm Lying
Ryan Holiday
Ego is the Enemy
Ryan Holiday
Perennial seller
Ryan Holiday
Stillness is the Key
Ryan Holiday
The Obstacle Is the Way
Ryan Holiday
Lives of the Stoics
RYAN. HANSELMAN HOLIDAY (STEPHEN.), Stephen Hanselman