What does everyone in the modern world need to know? Renowned psychologist Jordan B. Peterson's answer to this most difficult of questions uniquely combines the hard-won truths of ancient tradition with the stunning revelations of cutting-edge scientific research.

Humorous, surprising, and informative, Dr. Peterson tells us why skateboarding boys and girls must be left alone, what terrible fate awaits those who criticize too easily, and why you should always pet a cat when you meet one on the street.

What does the nervous system of the lowly lobster have to tell us about standing up straight (with our shoulders back) and about success in life? Why did ancient Egyptians worship the capacity to pay careful attention as the highest of gods? What dreadful paths do people tread when they become resentful, arrogant, and vengeful? Dr. Peterson journeys broadly, discussing discipline, freedom, adventure, and responsibility, distilling the world's wisdom into 12 practical and profound rules for life. 12 Rules for Life shatters the modern commonplaces of science, faith, and human nature while transforming and ennobling the mind and spirit of its listeners.

Listening Length

15 hours and 40 minutes
Author

Jordan B. Peterson, see all
Narrator

Jordan B. Peterson
Audible release date

Jan. 23 2018
Language

English
Publisher

Random House Canada
ASIN

B0797XNVYZ
Version

Unabridged
Program Type

Audiobook
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Product details

Listening Length	15 hours and 40 minutes
Author	Jordan B. Peterson, Norman Doidge MD
Narrator	Jordan B. Peterson
Audible.ca Release Date	January 23 2018
Publisher	Random House Canada
Program Type	Audiobook
Version	Unabridged
Language	English
ASIN	B0797XNVYZ
Best Sellers Rank	#6 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals) #1 in Applied Psychology (Books) #1 in Ethics & Morality (Books) #1 in Philosophy (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5

72,409 global ratings

5 star		81%
4 star		11%
3 star		4%
2 star		1%
1 star		3%

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Corinna

Beautiful Book

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on May 18, 2023

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This is a great book. It did arrive a bit damaged (the book covering came a bit dog-eared) but nothing too horrendous. Shipping was fast. I like the illustrations that accompany the chapters and Jordan Peterson has a way with words, as always.

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David Brasko

Wish this book would have been available much earlier in my life!!

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on May 18, 2023

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So much good stuff in here! The sooner one reads this book in ones life and applies what one has read, the better your life will end up as you age!!

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Someguy

Immensely helpful, but dense

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on January 11, 2023

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I first came across Dr. Peterson through his online lectures and so I thought I would try this book.
While, as my title suggests, I have found this book immensely helpful in helping me to sort out some of my daily life, I found it hard to read at times.
For someone like myself who doesn’t have a terribly expansive vocabulary, I did find it hard to read in that the language he used, in my estimation, is there to make the readings sound more intellectual than they need to be.
Now, I’m not entirely sure how true that statement is because in listening to JP talk both in lectures and interviews he sure goes deep into the “Webster” well in pulling out his vocabulary.
I suppose what I’m trying to say is it would have been nice to have the language toned down for those people like myself who may not have the same level of literary education.
So that’s one complaint.
The 2nd complaint that I have and have seen mentioned in other reviews is the heavy reliance on Christianity in this book. Specifically the stories of Adam and Eve and Cain and Abel. Although I can see where and how he is using these examples to tie into some of the rules, again, it makes for a tough read.
At times I found myself having to re-read the same page because I had zoned out. Or found myself having to “push through” certain sections.

All in all the book is a wonderful tool in trying to make improvements in Being. I have found it in some ways life changing. Well worth the time

17 people found this helpful

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Kelly

I wanted to know the man better

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on March 21, 2023

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A friend of mine professed a somewhat worshipful opinion of the author; I was derisive of the author, not fully knowing what the man stood for other than that what I had read of him in left leaning publications.
After reading this book I have revised my opinion of him, not to say, a person to idolized but a decent human with a strong sense of Being.
Peterson is a passionate writer, able to connect to his readers with emotional antidotes. This book has encouraged me to reflect deeply on who I am, and who I ought to be. I have never been fully swayed be antidotes so it’s good to see so many citations to so many credible sources. You may wonder why I have only given it 4 stars, well, one, nobody is perfect and two, I had a few exceptions to some of what he wrote; maybe a little too black and white, maybe a little misleading, or maybe I’m just a little to pedantic?

7 people found this helpful

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Dominic Zampino

Good but not always an easy read!

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on April 18, 2023

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Good book. Made me realize certain things but you must go into it with an open mind. There are some passages that are a bit harder to follow. He gets deep into intellectual and philosophical stuff which I imagine would feel like a drag to some people. Just sit through it and think how can you implement the rules to your life.

One person found this helpful

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Nathaniel

Full book, hard cover, new as advertised.

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on April 6, 2023

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You get the full hard cover book, no a summary. Regarding the book contents, very beneficial content, rich in is depth and understanding of the concepts. Can be hard to read if you're used to straight forward books. Reads less like a how to manual for life, and more a philosophical / historical exploration of human nature that will eventually circle back to each rule if you stick to it. Overall rich and meaningful content you may need to read over a couple times to digest, at least for me

One person found this helpful

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JustB

Great Book!

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on May 12, 2023

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In a world of chaos, is good to start with setting some rules! Especially if they make you a better person!

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Ludovic

Gréât book

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on May 15, 2023

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Peterson bring a nice perspective on how live and face challenges

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Top reviews from other countries

A. Shuttleworth

Rules for life or a commentary on Genesis?

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on November 27, 2018

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I quite like Jordan Peterson. I think he has interesting things to say. I think he's unfairly criticised, often for things he hasn't said. I was curious what he had to say here so I went as far as paying money to find out, which was a mistake.

I think he should roll back on criticising other people's writing (rule 6: get your own house in order). I quickly got bogged down when rather than illustrate and explain his point he rambled off on some exegesis of the first chapters of Genesis. You can't draw timeless truths from books that are neither timeless nor true and I wish he would get over this thing he has for holy books. When he sticks to evolutionary biology he starts to say interesting and useful things. I enjoyed reading another passage about his hometown I dipped into but trawling through biblical passages waiting for him to make a point is extremely tiresome. My copy will be available soon through a 2nd hand book charity on here if you want it. As new, partially read.

531 people found this helpful

Jason Lee

The most influential book I have read this year! From a liberal.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 11, 2018

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I will admit this right off the bat. I knew nothing of Jordan Peterson, or any of his ideology before reading this book. I must have existed in a vacuum, as I merely picked this book up as it was given as an "Amazon Recommends."

Curious about the title, I purchased on impulse.

I am very glad I did.

I am not Jordan Peterson's "supposed" target audience. (I used supposed because I don't think he actually claims to have one).

I am a liberal, Asian, left leaning moderate with a background in philosophy, theology and film studies. I support the women's right movement, equal pay, and I find the Republican party of today rather distasteful for the anti-science movement they espouse.

That being said, this book spoke to me. It is not an easy read. I had to re-read chapters slowly to fully condense my thoughts. I agree with the critical review that stated you have to be intellectually equipped to really get the most out of this. I had to utilize my background in philosophy and religion to go beyond the surface of what the author was trying to say. This is not a book you can listen to at 2x speed on Audible and hope to retain anything, imo. You need to digest this.

That being said...

Peterson's deft weaving of theology, mythology, and just overall cogent arguments and viewpoints made me really respect and open up my mind to things I never fully thought about. I find it laughable that a Harvard professor/psychologist has been embraced by the "alt-right" when even a moderately close reading of this text repudiates all that they stand for.

Peterson is direct. He has opinions. I don't always agree with them. But he is genuinely expressing himself, and the belief that we should all try to be better. We should all try to be more compassionate, and most of all, we all should try to understand our humanity a little more each and every there.

There's no division in this book; there's just deep anguish at the current state of humanity and its capacity for evil. There's some exasperation at the way things are currently constructed in society that is in many ways lost. And most of all, there's compassion and a belief that if we all got together in a room and truly talked, the world would be a better place.

I would shy away from the noise around Peterson in the headlines, on Youtube, and in how the idealogues use him (or even his own personal media narrative) to justify their twisted beliefs. Don't let the fact that the "Alt-Right" has co-opted this man to make him a mascot.

Just read the book independently and make your own judgments. You'll be glad you did.

4,441 people found this helpful

Dave1050

Interesting in places

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on September 23, 2018

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I like Jordan Peterson a lot. I’ve particularly enjoyed his explanations and verbal jousting with some of his interviewers, so I was looking forward to reading this book to understand more about his opinions.

I enjoyed the anecdotes and personal stories, which mostly come in the second half of the book. Unfortunately, I found the first half of the book hard going and it seems that most of his foundational ideas are taken from Heidegger’s concept of ‘Being’ which Peterson does not try to justify or explain, he just takes it for granted even though apparently Heidegger struggled to explain it (page xxxi).

Peterson gives case after case where we should take responsibility, tell the truth, repair what’s broken, obey rules and standards and have values and moral obligations, yet without once explaining how any of these things can exist given his evolutionary, materialistic view of life.

In particular, he doesn’t seem to take proper account of the is-ought problem and appears to me at least, to commit the naturalistic fallacy in moving from describing the way the world is suffering (is) and then tells us what we should do about it (ought) without proper justification.

421 people found this helpful

JEJ Winder

One Giant Leap

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on October 7, 2018

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I want to thank Mr Peterson for writing this book.
I may have found myself re-reading certain sentences or paragraphs I struggled to take in, and used my dictionary more regularly than in a game of scrabble as he uses some words I’ve never heard spoken but it was totally worth the read.
I like him a lot (from what I’ve seen on YouTube and his words in this book) and wish him every success as he seems like he truly wants to help us all be better.
This is not a book to attempt at a fast pace. Take your time, digest what he’s trying to get across and you’ll get the most out of it.

It’s a bit like giving up smoking... you have to really want to give up to truly commit. I got to a point this year where I really wanted to make a change and this book offers a highly informed helping hand to set you on the right path.

Prior to this I’d read The Chimp Paradox which I’d also recommend for those who are trying to sort themselves out.

303 people found this helpful

Adrian Bailey

Dreadful waste of money

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on December 29, 2018

Verified Purchase

I couldn't finish this. I got as far as Rule 11 and thought to myself why waste more time. I'm some sort of media hermit obviously and hadn't heard of the author until a friend waxed lyrical about how he regularly 'beat' interviewers and 'opponents'. The style of writing may appeal to some but to me it was like syrup. As for the content, it was basic on psychology . Lobster behaviour is interesting to illuminate a tiny amount of human behaviour from a (taken for granted) evolutionary point of view, but in terms of offering an insight into human psyches (a very tiny insight would be the goal of humble thinkers) it fails to leave the ground. Among all the cloying rhetoric is the author's anger towards progressive politics which he dismisses in the usual way of libertarians - that is, without analysis or apparent knowledge. The star given here is in recognition that the text provides a small insight into the state of public consumption of shoddy, third-rate soi-disant intellectuals.

262 people found this helpful

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12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

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