Books Recommended by Peter Attia
Dr. Peter Attia is an ultra-endurance athlete and self-experimenter known for his medical practice on the science of longevity and improving lifespan.
He’s the founder of Attia Medical, PC, a medical practice that uses applied science for longevity and optimal performance.
Peter trained in general surgery for five years at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. He also spent two years as a surgical oncology fellow at the National Cancer Institute, where his research focused on immune-based therapies for melanoma.
He joined the consulting company McKinsey, as a Member of the Corporate Risk Practice and Healthcare Practice.
In 2012, Attia co-founded the Nutrition Science Initiative (NuSI) together with Gary Taubes, a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of science in nutrition and obesity research.
Peter earned his M.D. from Stanford University and holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics.
In mid 2018, Peter started a weekly podcast titled The Peter Attia Drive, and his first guest was entrepreneur and close friend Tim Ferriss. Through the podcast he wants to improve our critical thinking, health, and longevity.
Books recommended by Peter Attia:
In Peter Attia’s words:
One of the books that Peter Attia considers to be an important read for people interested in his career path.
Reading lists by year: 2018
Books by Peter Attia
33 books recommended by Peter Attia
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
In fact, when I became a father one of the first books I read (and have since recommended to every parent I know and even my daughter’s kindergarten teacher) is a book by Dr. Dweck, Mindset.
Stillness Is the Key
by Ryan Holiday
I read (and then reread) Ryan Holiday’s exceptional book Stillness is the Key (I’ve interviewed Ryan, so look for this podcast soon).
Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! (Adventures of a Curious Character)
The book I’ve recommended most.
The Road to Character
by David Brooks
His book, The Road to Character, spoke to me at the most difficult moment of my life, and I can already appreciate, only halfway through it, that, The Second Mountain, will have a lasting impact on me.
The Talent Code: Greatness Isn’t Born. It’s Grown. Here’s How.
by Daniel Coyle
[One of] the books I’ve read the most.
Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don’t Have All the Facts
by Annie Duke
I’m reading a great book, Thinking in Bets, by Annie Duke (highly recommend if you have not read it).
Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me): Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts
by Carol Tavris, Elliot Aronson
A book about cognitive dissonance that looks at common weaknesses and biases in human thinking. Peter wants to ensure he goes through life without being too sure of himeself, and this book helps him to recalibrate.
10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works – A True Story
by Dan Harris
Modulating hormones as necessary - we’ve not really talked about that. Fixing anything that needs to be fixed, on top of that pharmacologically, and I’m a huge proponent of pharmacotherapy under the right setting. The final component is managing your stress. So as a guy who’s thinking about this, I became really interested after actually reading Dan Harris’s book.
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
by Richard Bach
I’d encourage [young people] to read Jonathan Livingston Seagull.
One Bullet Away: The Making of a Marine Officer
[One of] the books I’ve read the most.
The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea
One of my patients gave me a book, The Go-Giver, which is a super-quick read and is already a book I’ve gifted a few times.
The Sports Gene
Epstein also wrote a fantastic book called The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance.
Forgive and Remember: Managing Medical Failure
One of the books that Peter Attia feels has had the single biggest impact on his life.
I Don’t Want to Talk About It: Overcoming the Secret Legacy of Male Depression
This week, I’m moved to share one of the most important books I’ve read, reread, and gifted to many friends: I Don’t Want to Talk About It: Overcoming the Secret Legacy of Male Depression.
In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction
by Gabor Maté
On the personal front, I just finished a book about addictive behavior, In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts, and it’s simultaneously upsetting and illuminating.
The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11
As we lead up to the 20th anniversary of 9/11, and people are processing and thinking about it in a variety of ways, I can’t recommend this article, and Lawrence’s book, highly enough.
The Presidents Club: Inside the World’s Most Exclusive Fraternity
Just about to finish this book for the second time. Damn, I can’t say enough about it. If you have even a modicum of interest in US history post WWI, this is beyond required.
The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide: Safe, Therapeutic, and Sacred Journeys
One of the books Peter Attia thinks humanity needs right now.
The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life
by David Brooks
His book, The Road to Character, spoke to me at the most difficult moment of my life, and I can already appreciate, only halfway through it, that, The Second Mountain, will have a lasting impact on me.
The Secret Race: Inside the Hidden World of the Tour de France
by Tyler Hamilton, Daniel Coyle
What an unbelievably good book that was. That’s one of about three or four books in my life that I read in one sitting.
Similar reading lists
- Mark Manson (3 books in common)