Beginners' Books on Stoicism (41 books)

Please vote for the three books (ancient or modern) that you would recommend that someone read first if they're new to the subject and want to learn about Stoic philosophy.

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1	Meditations by Marcus Aurelius 4.28 avg rating — 343,874 ratings score: 2,956, and 30 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B. Irvine 4.19 avg rating — 27,175 ratings score: 2,078, and 21 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3	Stoicism and the Art of Happiness: Ancient Tips for Modern Challenges by Donald J. Robertson (Goodreads Author) 4.13 avg rating — 2,171 ratings score: 1,872, and 19 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
4	Letters from a Stoic by Seneca 4.33 avg rating — 56,133 ratings score: 1,749, and 18 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life by Massimo Pigliucci (Goodreads Author) 4.04 avg rating — 14,452 ratings score: 1,557, and 16 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday (Goodreads Author) 4.37 avg rating — 51,656 ratings score: 1,359, and 14 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	Unshakable Freedom: Ancient Stoic Secrets Applied to Modern Life by Chuck Chakrapani (Goodreads Author) 4.30 avg rating — 207 ratings score: 1,278, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
8	The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph by Ryan Holiday (Goodreads Author) 4.15 avg rating — 99,343 ratings score: 1,177, and 12 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	Discourses, Fragments, Handbook by Epictetus 4.40 avg rating — 11,820 ratings score: 1,056, and 11 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	Philosophy for Life and Other Dangerous Situations: Ancient Philosophy for Modern Problems by Jules Evans (Goodreads Author) 4.07 avg rating — 2,319 ratings score: 761, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
11	Everything Has Two Handles: The Stoic's Guide to the Art of Living: The Stoic's Guide to the Art of Living by Ronald W. Pies 3.79 avg rating — 71 ratings score: 575, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	The Inner Citadel: The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius by Pierre Hadot 4.39 avg rating — 1,311 ratings score: 545, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
13	A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B. Irvine 4.19 avg rating — 27,175 ratings score: 481, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14	Discourses and Selected Writings by Epictetus 4.40 avg rating — 11,820 ratings score: 475, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
15	The Art of Living: The Stoics on the Nature and Function of Philosophy by John Sellars 4.13 avg rating — 75 ratings score: 471, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
16	Stoicism Today: Selected Writings by Patrick Ussher (Goodreads Author) (Editor) 3.79 avg rating — 318 ratings score: 468, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	What Is Ancient Philosophy? by Pierre Hadot 4.28 avg rating — 1,209 ratings score: 466, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	Stoic Spiritual Exercises by Elen Buzaré 3.73 avg rating — 45 ratings score: 461, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
19	Stoicism Today: Selected Writings, Volume II by Patrick Ussher (Goodreads Author) (Editor) 3.92 avg rating — 62 ratings score: 458, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	Stoic Serenity: A Practical Course on Finding Inner Peace by Keith Seddon 4.23 avg rating — 90 ratings score: 365, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius by Donald J. Robertson (Goodreads Author) 4.34 avg rating — 15,048 ratings score: 299, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
22	Meditations by Marcus Aurelius 4.28 avg rating — 343,874 ratings score: 288, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	On the Shortness of Life: Life Is Long if You Know How to Use It by Seneca 4.16 avg rating — 45,283 ratings score: 199, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	Epictetus' Handbook and the Tablet of Cebes: Guides to Stoic Living by Keith Seddon 4.26 avg rating — 62 ratings score: 193, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
25	Enchiridion by Epictetus 4.24 avg rating — 36,475 ratings score: 192, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	The Art of Living: The Classical Manual on Virtue, Happiness and Effectiveness by Epictetus 4.24 avg rating — 36,475 ratings score: 191, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	A Manual for Living: The Essence of Stoic Wisdom―A Pragmatic Guide to Serenity and Joy (A Little Book of Wisdom) by Epictetus 4.24 avg rating — 36,475 ratings score: 191, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	Letters from a Stoic by Seneca 4.33 avg rating — 56,133 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	Stoicism: How to Use Stoic Philosophy to Find Inner Peace and Happiness by Jason Hemlock (Goodreads Author) 4.02 avg rating — 1,705 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	How to Keep Your Cool: An Ancient Guide to Anger Management by Seneca 3.86 avg rating — 1,287 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	Think Like a Stoic: The Ancient Path to a Life Well Lived by Ken Mogi 3.65 avg rating — 17 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
32	A Guide to Stoicism by St. George Stock 3.31 avg rating — 459 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
32	How to Die: An Ancient Guide to the End of Life by Seneca 4.02 avg rating — 2,820 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
32	Verissimus: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius by Donald J. Robertson (Goodreads Author) 4.21 avg rating — 378 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
35	Stoicism For Beginners: Master the Art of Happiness. Learn Modern, Practical Stoicism to Create Your Own Daily Stoic Routine by Kevin Garnett 3.85 avg rating — 82 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	The Good Life Handbook: Epictetus' Stoic Classic Enchiridion by Chuck Chakrapani (Goodreads Author) 4.32 avg rating — 1,251 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
37	A Handbook for New Stoics: How to Thrive in a World Out of Your Control―52 Week-by-Week Lessons by Gregory Lopez (Goodreads Author) 4.06 avg rating — 1,143 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	Thoughts of a Philosophical Fighter Pilot by James B. Stockdale 4.11 avg rating — 627 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	Marcus Aurelius: A Guide for the Perplexed by William O. Stephens (Goodreads Author) 4.07 avg rating — 61 ratings score: 82, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
40	The Stoic Art of Living: Inner Resilience and Outer Results by Tom Morris 3.78 avg rating — 81 ratings score: 81, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	Lessons in Stoicism: What Ancient Philosophers Teach Us About How to Live by John Sellars 4.19 avg rating — 6,638 ratings score: 80, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars