12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos / Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief

by Jordan B. Peterson

12 Rules for Life:

Acclaimed clinical psychologist Jordan Peterson has influenced the modern understanding of personality, and now he has become one of the world's most popular public thinkers, with his lectures on topics from the Bible to romantic relationships to mythology drawing tens of millions of viewers. In an era of unprecedented change and polarizing politics, his frank and refreshing message about the value of individual responsibility and ancient wisdom has resonated around the world.

Maps of Meaning:

Why have people from different cultures and eras formulated myths and stories with similar structures? What does this similarity tell us about the mind, morality, and structure of the world itself? Jordan Peterson offers a provocative new hypothesis that explores the connection between what modern neuropsychology tells us about the brain and what rituals, myths, and religious stories have long narrated.

Genres: Self Help, Psychology, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Personal Development, Audiobook, Business

Paperback

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

Jordan B. Peterson is a Canadian clinical psychologist, self-help writer, cultural critic and professor of psychology at the University of Toronto. His main areas of study are in abnormal, social, and personality psychology, with a particular interest in the psychology of religious and ideological belief, and the assessment and improvement of personality and performance.

Peterson grew up in Fairview, Alberta. He earned a B.A. degree in political science in 1982 and a degree in psychology in 1984, both from the University of Alberta, and his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from McGill University in 1991. He remained at McGill as a post-doctoral fellow for two years before moving to Massachusetts, where he worked as an assistant and an associate professor in the psychology department at Harvard University. In 1998, he moved to the University of Toronto as a full professor. He authored Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief in 1999, a work in which examined several academic fields to describe the structure of systems of beliefs and myths, their role in the regulation of emotion, creation of meaning, and motivation for genocide.

In 2016, Peterson released a series of videos on his YouTube channel in which he criticized the Canadian government's Bill C-16. He subsequently became involved in several public debates about the bill that received significant media coverage.

Reviews

[Josh Elliott · Rating 1 out of 5]

Eat, Pray, Love for Incels.

[George Kottakal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was going through a difficult time in my life & this book helped me steer clear of depression. I'm reading the book all over again because I want to internalise all the concepts in my head.

I do feel that the author sometimes gets lost in his own storytelling but manages to find his way back to the original point in the end.

There are a lot of biblical references so if you're an atheist or not a Christian, quite a bit of the impact is lost.

Not recommended for feminists (the toxic kind).

My suggestion would be to only read this book if you have heard of Jordan Peterson & agree with his way of thinking.

[Elizabeth Rouse Fielder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the author read his book. Mr. Peterson is brilliant, drawing upon ancient and modern literary, Biblical, philosophical, scientific and cinematic references. His forceful speech requires concentration, but his points and rules for life are expressed simply so as to be memorable and are thoroughly explicated with numerous life examples. I found it dense reading (or listening), but fulfilling. It is worth the read. I will search for his interviews to hear his points in a more conversational manner (presumably).

[Zazzy Zander · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a good read.....I got interested in this author after watching one of his youtube video where he gives the reason why Hominids developed 3D and rich color vision. This book seems to me like a rant from a right winger preacher who goes about eulogizing his own deeds as he goes about a sermon on the how to live a fuller life.

[Tunde Ajao]

This is a book that a lot of people said "save their lives", in a world of conflicting signals, this book is laying down the rules, literally in this case. In essence what Dr Peterson is saying if you want your life to have meaning, follow these rules. He is not apologetic about his approach and he is said to put in words what a lot of people were thinking. The main ethos of the book is that modern Western philosophy has missed it way, and allowed itself to be misled by the radical left, which has successfully insinuated themselves in western Universities. That a person should take more responsibilities for their actions, and these actions have consequences. Life is not easy, but hard, especially if you want to move forward in life and make something of it. He has 12 rules and each one seems to have its own chapter. With his extensive knowledge, in mythology, politics, fairy tales, philosophy, religion, science, modern culture - Homer Simpson, movies - Superman, etc he states that our parents or traditions were there for a reason. Even it is just to give life meaning and purpose, of which he believes if lacking can account for some of the problems we are seeing today.

[Ashley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly, I don’t get the hype. I finished *12 Rules for Life* by Jordan Peterson, and I’ve got to say, I was pretty disappointed. I went in expecting something that would really challenge my thinking or offer some fresh perspective on life, but instead, it just felt like a bunch of basic advice wrapped in way too many words.

Peterson’s “rules” are mostly common sense stuff that you’ve probably heard a million times before, like “clean your room” or “stand up straight.” And sure, some of it might be useful if you’ve never thought about these things, but do you really need an entire book to tell you this? I don’t think so.

What really got to me, though, was how preachy the whole thing felt. It’s like Peterson is trying so hard to come across as this deep, wise figure, but most of his points are just overcomplicated versions of really simple ideas. And the way he writes? It’s dry, repetitive, and just not engaging. I found myself zoning out more times than I can count.

I was hoping for something that would really inspire me or at least give me some new ways to think about life, but instead, it just felt like a chore to get through. If you’re looking for a self-help book that actually has some substance, I’d say skip this one and look elsewhere. There are way better options out there that won’t waste your time with the obvious dressed up as profound.

[Aurelian Cotuna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterpiece, that's very well articulated and on point.
I loved every piece of it.

I totally recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about themselves and the world around.

[Sean McKenney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I tore through the first half of this book with vigor and interest and very much enjoyed it. Then, at some point, I began setting it down and picking it back up. There was a moment when I thought I might DNF it, based on my own personal judgment and subjective experience, because I disagreed with a topic JP was discussing.

If only I had followed Rule #9 better—which I hadn’t yet arrived at—and listened or read with the intention of letting the author finish his thought. Had I done that, I would have realized I was in for a real treat. I finished the book.

I did wrestle with the second half more than the first, at times thinking the author took too long to develop his thoughts. But when those thoughts finally manifested, it was as if a small fire was lit within my soul.

I continued to grapple with whether this was a 4- or 5-star book and ultimately landed on 5 stars. This book is far more than just “keep your head up,” “don’t lie,” or “work on yourself.” Anyone claiming it’s simply a collection of “basic rules for life,” as I’ve seen in a few poorly rated reviews, either hasn’t read the book, has a vendetta, didn’t understand it, or listened to it without suspending judgment of the author, his ideologies, or his persona.

Once again, I circle back to Rule #9 and would suggest that anyone read this book with the goal of encountering something different. A different perspective and perhaps gaining a deeper understanding of why we should follow the 12 Rules for Life.

Highly recommended. While I’ll be taking a short break to tackle other books on my TBR, I will definitely be reading Dr. Peterson’s other works as well.

[Rhiannon Sibley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whew. Some of the opinions in this book are radically unfounded and insulting. It became nearly impossible to finish the book. This author is in trouble for similar that I was unaware until I went looking to learn more if this was a pattern of his, and learned that he is on the verge of losing his license because of the outlandish things he does and says.

[Andrew McMahon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little underwhelming, has good thoughts but wanted a book more in-depth.

[Piet · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful.

[Deandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is exceptional. I often put the book down while I digested what I had just read. I picked up this book for leisure, but it is not. I enjoyed the harshness with which the author explained many things because sometimes, sugar-coating information loses its efficacy. I gave the book three stars for two reasons, but those reasons almost made me throw the book against a wall or give it off to a stranger without reading it till the end. I am a woman. I identify as one and am committed to a man. I sacrificed (so to speak) my twenties to have a solid career. The author loses all credibility when the author focuses on one-quarter of university degrees to get the point across that the current uprising of feminism is oppressing men. He is not wrong because often, the ideology of feminism is used as an excuse by haters of men to justify their actions. But instead, the way he chose to explain this can be interpreted as "not putting his own house in order", that discrimination against women is real. I don't like hearing about some 50/50 quota that needs to be reached because I want to be rewarded for my skills and not reach some number. To achieve that, hiring men must halt, and there simply aren't enough women in all sectors for companies to reach that target without bias. I dropped another star for his justification that men made a woman's life easier with references towards tampons and pads. He ignored that there was a time when the women who could read or speak their minds risked getting burnt to the stake by men who were intimidated and jealous women who realised their lives could have meant more. I agree with the author saying that it's not just men oppressing women; as with everything, oppression comes in quantity and quality. Men are responsible for the quantity of oppression, and I believe some women drive the quality of it. I am confident as a woman to discuss both sides, and I admire men who defied all odds in their life. But lest not forget, while men suffer in their unachievable societal expectations, women have it worse! And that's a fact! Biology plays into it, and I don't mind every detail that makes a man different from a woman. What I do mind is the societal 'virtual' values cooked up over the years that no one can dispute satisfy men more than women. Hence three stars! He has the intellect that could have highlighted all the above but chose not to, so he can warp reality around his point. He suggested one shouldn't do something like that but instead one ought to listen to someone else because they may know something you don't.

[Mark Manderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed his antidotes.

Top takeaways:

Rule 1: Be Dominant
Rule 2: Treat yourself like someone you’re responsible for helping
Rule 3: Make friends with those that want the best for you
Rule 4: compare yourself to who you were that who others think you should be
100’S OF DAILY SMALL DECISIONS MAKE UP YOUR DAY!
Rule 5: Don’t let your children do anything that makes you dislike them.
Rule 6: Get your house in order before you criticize the world
Rule 7: Pursue what is meaningful, not what is expedient
Rule 8: Tell the truth or at least don’t lie
Rule 9: Assume the person you are listening to might know something you don’t!
Rule 10: be precise in your speech
Rule 11: Don’t bother children while skateboarding
Playing it too safe is not good
Rule 12: pet a cat when you see one
A SUPERHERO WITH NO LIMITATIONS IS NOT A SUPERHERO AT ALL

[JL Mars · Rating 4 out of 5]

As neither a JP fan girl nor a hater, I'm going to be blunt and to the point. If you've seen JP lecture, you know what you're getting into with this book - many rambling, seemingly nonsensical off-roads into material (often religious) that is only very loosely related to the topic he began discussing, but so many genuinely useful, practical and likewise poignant points made in between that you almost don't even care. Peterson is a mind whose brilliance (and personal struggles) cause him to teeter on the rim of insanity from time to time, but I'm quite happy to accept a little rambling from a madman hell-bent on saving the world from ourselves. A thoroughly thought-provoking, albeit at several points rather tedious, read which I do not regret investing my time into.

[Otsile Kgosi · Rating 5 out of 5]

To say this book changed my life would not be an exaggeration at all. Jordan Peterson is one of the greatest minds of our time. The insights he has compiled in this book really resonated with me. In his online lectures he often articulates thoughts that I have been struggling with but unable to put into words. This book is no different in that regard. The book is very well written and easy to read and internalise. If one is to live by just half of the rules he outlines in his book the quality of your life and your ability to cope with the challenges that are an inseparable part of it will without a doubt improve. I would recommend this book for everyone.

[Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been struggling to finish reading this for a while now in between other books; whew! Glad I'm done, I found the book to be a thought-provoking and insightful guide to navigating the complexities of life. Peterson, a clinical psychologist, offers a blend of psychological wisdom, philosophy, and practical advice, drawing on a wide range of sources from ancient religious texts to modern scientific research. The biggest takeaway: set your house in perfect order before you criticize the world.

[Megan G · Rating 3 out of 5]

I dislike that I often think back to the advice in this book, particularly the idea of caring to your basic needs as if you were your own dependent really helped me. However you would probably be wise to stop reading each chapter about 2/3 of the way through before he starts talking about the nuclear family and how no one will ever love u if ur a man and don’t stand loud and proud like a large and frisky lobster

[MARCILIO R. MACHADO · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author describing the world as a dichotomy between chaos and order oversimplifies its complexity. Reality is often more nuanced, with elements of both chaos and order coexisting and interacting. Embracing a spectrum or continuum perceptive allows for a more accurate representation of the intricate dynamics in the world, acknowledging the shades of gray between extreme notions of chaos and order. Interesting but not compelling book.

[Luke DaSilva · Rating 3 out of 5]

The message was good, each rule quite pertinent to all walks of life, but man, it was about 200 pages longer than it had to be. I know I’m not an idiot, and even with a masters in psychology, some of the verbiage throughout made it seem like he was grasping at straws or faux intellect.

I love JP though, he’s a brilliant mind and a wonderful speaker, and I look forward to reading more of his work in the future because the ideas were quite good.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoy reading this book. Dr. Peterson really goes in depth for each rule to get me think more and further. These 12 rules of life are not a laundry list for you to follow, but 12 different guides to explore every nooks and cranny of your mind. Highly recommend to everyone who wants to have a meaningful and conscious life.

[cthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I kept hearing conflicting information about Jordan Peterson, so I decided to read one of his books. I see why Liberals might not like him for his opinions on gender. Peterson has many interesting insights and notes valuable references, especially for late teens and young adults. I have not read anything else he has written or listened to any podcasts with him being interviewed.

[Christoffer Ravn-Nielsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good book, tough to read, but has several extremely good points and valuable tips to use in life or atleast to reflect on.

Some points are probably a bit too far fetched and shows Jordans deep conservatism, which takes it down. To me his bombastic language is great but for others it might be too much.

[L. Montague · Rating 4 out of 5]

there is little doubt of Peterson's breadth of knowledge and insight into human behaviour.
He does not sound like a preacher, but he sounds preachy.
I also listened to the audio of this book, sometimes in the pool, sometimes while I was reading the pages... goodness he has a grating voice.
hey Peterson, hire a voice talent the next time.

[HH Julia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos is often praised as a profound self-help book, but it has several significant flaws that make it a frustrating read. While Peterson presents himself as a rational thinker, the book is riddled with vague philosophical meanderings, unnecessary complexity, and a moralistic tone that can feel condescending.

[Tom Ashton · Rating 3 out of 5]

JP is tells a good story. His metaphors are second to none and some of his advice, particularly when it comes to conflict, feels useful. However, some of his views on women, trans people, and slacking kids, made me uncomfortable.

[Kimbo Baggins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thought-provoking guide that blends psychology, philosophy, and personal anecdotes and personal anecdotes, and anecdotes….

The book does encourage introspection and insights. But too many personal anecdotes.

[Samantha Headley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a lot of good points about life. It opens your mind to another perspective. It also has some things I don't necessarily want to adopt. It was an interesting audiobook. I chose audiobook over the hard copy because Mr. Peterson is reading himself.

[Mariah Love · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly have no idea what I read. It was too hard for me to understand and follow, which I hate because I really wanted to get something out of this book but my brain just couldn't wrap around what message he was trying to get across.

[Leo Biebuyck · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can only state to be taken aback by the realisation that the authors connections are legit and true. Although far fetched at times, much of our modern day culture traces its roots into ancient times and scripture.

[Julie]

Michael