Ego Is the Enemy

by Ryan Holiday Narrated by Ryan Holiday

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

Egos are often our biggest obstacles, and here we have a definitive guide to outsmarting your ego to find the success that you’re truly capable of.

"While the history books are filled with tales of obsessive visionary geniuses who remade the world in their images with sheer, almost irrational force, I've found that history is also made by individuals who fought their egos at every turn, who eschewed the spotlight, and who put their higher goals above their desire for recognition." (From the prologue)

©2016 Portfolio (P)2016 Tim Ferriss Audio

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Ryan Holiday is one of his generation’s finest thinkers, and this book is his best yet.”
—Steven Pressfield, author of the New York Times bestseller The War of Art
 
“Whether you’re starting out or starting over, you’ll find something to steal here.”
—Austin Kleon, author of the New York Times bestseller Steal Like An Artist
 
"This is a book I want every athlete, aspiring leader, entrepreneur, thinker and doer to read. Ryan Holiday is one of the most promising young writers of his generation."
—George Raveling, Hall of Fame Basketball coach, Nike’s Director of International Basketball
 
"I see the toxic vanity of ego at play every day and it never ceases to amaze me how often it wrecks promising creative endeavors. Read this book before it wrecks you or the projects and people you love. Consider it as urgently as you do a proper workout regimen and eating right.  Ryan’s insights are priceless."
—Marc Ecko, founder of Ecko Unltd and Complex
 
"I don't have many rules in life, but one I never break is: If Ryan Holiday writes a book, I read it as soon as I can get my hands on it."
—Brian Koppelman, screenwriter and director, Rounders, Ocean’s Thirteen and Billions
 
“In his new book Ryan Holiday attacks the greatest obstacle to mastery and true success in life—our insatiable ego. In an inspiring yet practical way, he teaches us how to manage and tame this beast within us so that we can focus on what really matters—producing the best work possible.”
—Robert Greene, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Mastery 
 
“We’re often told that to achieve success, we need confidence. With refreshing candor, Ryan Holiday challenges that assumption, highlighting how we can earn confidence by pursuing something bigger than our own success.”
 —Adam Grant, author of the New York Times bestsellers Originals and Give and Take
 
“Once again Ryan Holiday has laid down the gauntlet for readers willing to challenge themselves with the tough questions of our time.  Every reader will find truths that are pertinent to each of our lives.  Ego can be the enemy if we are unarmed with the cautionary insights of history, scripture, and philosophy.  As was said to St. Augustine more than a thousand years ago, 'pick it up and read'; for to not do so is to allow the enemy to bring despair.”
—Dr. Drew Pinsky, host of HLN’s “Dr. Drew On Call” and “Love Line”
 
"Ryan Holiday reminds us that the real success is in the journey and learning process.”
—Lori Lindsey, former U.S. Women’s National Team soccer player
 
“I would like to rip out every page and use them as wallpaper so I could be reminded constantly of the humility and work it takes to truly succeed. In the margins of my copy, I have scrawled the same message over and over—'pre-Gold.' Reading this inspiring book brought back me back to the humility and work ethic it took to win the Olympics.”
—Chandra Crawford, Olympic Gold Medalist
 
"What a valuable book for those in positions of authority! It has made me a better judge."
—The Honorable Frederic Block, United States District Judge and author of Disrobed

“It's rare that I finish a book then immediately reread it, this time with a yellow marker in hand…I can't recommend this book highly enough.”
—Kevin Rose, entrepreneur and technology investor

"In an age when self-promotion and celebrity are glorified to the hilt and 'hero' gets overused, Ryan Holiday's book is a reminder that the biggest impediment to achievement is often ourselves. Holiday retells stories of the famous and not so famous that will both inspire you and stop you in your tracks. This is a book to savor by reading it in increments so the power of the examples sinks in, leaving time for healthy reflection. If the rat race of modern life has you feeling burned out, Ego is the Enemy just might help you view philosophy as anything but a relic of the ancient Greeks."
—Edith Chapin, executive editor at NPR News

"Removing the ego is a daily struggle but it feels a little easier after reading this."
—Martellus Bennett, NFL Tight End, Super Bowl Champion

Library Journal

★ 07/01/2016
For author Holiday (The Obstacle Is the Way), the definition of "ego" is an unhealthy belief in one's own importance. It is when self-confidence becomes arrogance or obstinacy and threatens to undo all past accomplishments. In this work, chapters teach readers how to be humble in aspirations, gracious in triumph, and resilient through failures. The author draws from the ancient classical thinkers and Stoic philosophers and weaves in narratives of current politicians and business leaders. Essentially, says Holiday, it's all about being better businesspeople, better athletes, and mainly better people. VERDICT This concise package for productive living is for everyone who desires to be "someone."

Product Details

BN ID:	2940191788890
Publisher:	Tim Ferriss Audio
Publication date:	06/14/2016
Edition description:	Unabridged
Sales rank:	948,207

Read an Excerpt

It’s wrecked the career of promising young geniuses.
(Continues…)

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Excerpted from "Ego Is the Enemy"
by .
Copyright © 2016 Ryan Holiday.
Excerpted by permission of Penguin Publishing Group.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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