Tim Ferriss and Kevin Rose Discuss Their Top 5 Must-Read Books

Up to no (coherent) good once again, The Random Show returns.

In episode 3, Kevin Rose and I discuss our top 5 must-read books, how we use them, and who should read them.

The 10 books are…

The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing

Getting Real

Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-term World Travel

Seneca: Letters from a Stoic

Leaving Microsoft to Change the World

Envisioning Information

The Tipping Point

8 Weeks to Optimum Health

Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind

The Intelligent Investor

Others mentioned:

Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! (Adventures of a Curious Character)

Motherless Brooklyn

If you missed them, check out Episode 1 and Episode 2. From functional MRIs and knives to angel investing and naming companies, it’s as random as the name implies.

Related Odds and Ends:

Tim Ferriss on Twitter

Kevin Rose on Twitter

Fireside Chat with Tim Ferriss at Google

Tim Ferriss presentation at TED: Smash Fear, Learn Anything

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The Tim Ferriss Show is one of the most popular podcasts in the world with over 500 million downloads. It has been selected for "Best of Apple Podcasts" three times, it is often the #1 interview podcast across all of Apple Podcasts, and it's been ranked #1 out of 400,000+ podcasts on many occasions. To listen to any of the past episodes for free, check out this page.

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314 Replies to “Tim Ferriss and Kevin Rose Discuss Their Top 5 Must-Read Books”

  1. I have a vision of this dynamic duo taking this act mega mainstream. I’ve been holding my breath waiting for Episode 3. Kevin, I only was introduced to you through following Tim’s work, but my hope is both you guys, keep up the grassroots project known as “Random” as long as possible.

  2. Great video guys, really like the format of this episode and I am going to check out some of those books

    Keep it up!

  3. I still think you should include the Four Hour Work Week. Honorable mention, “The Game” by Neil Strauss

  4. Great selections however I think Al Ries and Jack Trout’s book “Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind” is a must read for anyone interested in marketing.

    Thanks for your recommendations!

    Keegan

  5. Hey Tim,

    Cool list! I really enjoyed Rolf’s book right after I read yours for the first time, I bought it at your suggestion. Another great anti-busy-work book, sits right on my shelf next to Four Hour Work Week 🙂

    keep up the great work sir!

    E

  6. That video just made me lose another $100 on books this month! So thanks for that. I also guessed as soon as I read the title of the video Tim was going to throw Seneca in there.

    And Kevin don’t listen to Tim that tree would totally support you.

  7. Sweet. I’ve got trade credit at Dog Eared Books – now I know how to spend it!

    Kevin, if you haven’t already checked him out I bet you’d love just about anything by Jon Kabat-Zinn.

  8. Great selections. I’ve read some & will look at the others. One thought/addition, The Art of War by Sun Tzu would be on my list. He has a great mind and is a fantastic strategist.

    Love the randomness of the show!

  9. My top 5

    1. The Warren Buffet Way- It helps me define what investing is really about.

    2. My Wicked Wicked Way – I love this Errol Flynn autobiography. It always makes me want to live a life of adventure. Also it reminds me of what happens if you live in excess.

    3. Competitive Advantage. Michael Porter’s theories are taught heavily in every MBA program.

    4. How To Stop Worrying and Start Living. Dale Cargenie always explains that life’s problems are not the end of the world.

    5. Four Hour Work Week. No I am not sucking up LOL. The truth is that it can often be lonely at the top. After spending 9 years building my company I had more time and money than most of my peers. Its nice to know that someone is living the way I way to live.

  10. I missed a really great book called “The-4-Hour-Workweek” in your list, Tim 😉

    I recommend you Paolo Coelhos “The Manual of the Warrior of Light” which seems to follow the same idea as Letters from a Stoic. This book tiny little book includes a great practical AND phylosophical solution to almost every personal problem a human being can have.

    Its written in short storys, of which each is written on a single side.

    I also liked “The Starbucks Experience: 5 Principles for Turning Ordinary Into Extraordinary”.

    Thanks for your great show and PLEASE *beg* continue doing this show. I always look forward to it, since the first episode.

  11. Too many books on my list already. I’m picking up vagabonding though.

    I’ve found that reading philosophy is what separates the truly interesting from the mindless drones.

  12. I cannot recommend Siddhartha (by Herman Hesse) highly enough. The book changed my life, and I believe it can change anybody who reads it.

  13. I love the Feynman book! Surprised to find it in this list. Just added a few of these to my amazon list. thanks for the tips.

  14. I think there’s a hidden side lesson in this post. A couple of interesting guys talking about some books they like on a simple blog, but this post will probably generate more revenue today than most people make in a month. Very simple. Very elegant. Business doesn’t have to be complicated.

  15. Just commenting to say I really like the ‘random’ series of video’s.

    Please continue making them.

  16. Kevin,

    Shunryu Suzuki is not the “founder of Zen”.

    Tim,

    The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius are invaluable to any study of Stoicism, as are the writings of Epictetus. “Whether on the throne or in chains, man is free!”

  17. I already told you via twitter, but I think it would be great if you make an iTunes podcast channel for this series (and all your videos).

  18. You guys are cool – I had the feeling at any minute you’d break out a couple of skateboards and start doing tricks –

    Hey ALLEN, very good point – those books are going to a huge OPRAH bump for sure – I’m going to keep my eye on Amazon to see how big it is –

    I consider myself an avid reader, and what’s funny is I’ve only read one of the books on that list – time to step my game up!!!

  19. Feynman is the coolest cat in town. Recommend all his books.

    That book “The Game” that another poster mentioned is god-awful. Don’t bother if you have any sort of life.

  20. Great post. I’m always interested in book lists.

    I’ve read “The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing” and “The Tipping Point” and both are excellent.

    I would add:

    — First, Break All The Rules (Business Management)

    — Never Eat Alone (Business Networking)

    — What Color Is Your Parachute? (Career)

    – The Millionaire Next Door (Personal Finance)

    — Think and Grow Rich (Self-Improvement)

  21. Really nice , my opinion is that you should do keep it really simple , maybe longer episodes would be better , full body shot instead of headshot only .

    I think you should do an episode about religion.

    Great show

    Peace and love

  22. The Intelligent Investor is one of the most overrated investment books on the planet, not to mention how boring and heavy a read that it is. The Successful Investor by O’Neil offers a more practical and effective strategy, one that does well in good and bad markets.

    Tim Ferris, if you’re reading this, please don’t read another investment book until you read the Successful Investor. You will thank me, and you’ll probably blog about it too.

  23. Tim!

    I’m gonna give it a try! Your book is GREAT! It helped me a lot! Though I’m not liberated yet 🙁

    But, one thing I’d like to know is, have you stopped the world traveling thing? I mean, now that you have enough fame and bucks, you consider it’s not necessary anymore?

    If you want a suggestion for the “RaNdOm” -I do like the name-, you can comment your last 5 discoveries -be it books, webs, films, restaurants, places, you name it!-

    Another thing, may be, perhaps, answers to you reader’s questions… -just kidding!-

    1. Hi Martin,

      No me hinches pelotas, che! I answer a lot of reader questions 🙂

      Un abrazo gordo,

      Tim

  24. Of course you would post this moments after I got back from the bookstore…where I was picking up the 4HWW. LOL

    Oh well, I made notes on each one to look at next time.

  25. Good point, Allen. I’m assuming Tim and Kevin are utilizing the Amazon Affiliate program here. If not, they should be. It doesn’t cost anything to enroll and it turns everyone into a paid advertiser without compromising the quality of their content.

    However, it wasn’t just two guys sitting around talking about books, it was two incredibly famous entrepreneurs sitting around talking about books. The revenue from this post was a result of all their past work, which leads us to another side lesson: you don’t need money to build an audience, so get started now.

  26. Really love these selections and will probably ending up buying them all. I like the focus on turning around your life through health, philanthropy, investment and inner thinking.

    I’m a graphic designer and am looking forward to getting my hands on Tufte, who I never heard of before, but it looks like the kind of stuff to get me fired up!

    I already have two of Kevin’s selections: The Tipping Point and Zen Mind, so I think we share similar taste 🙂

    Another great one is ‘Nudge’ by Thaler and Sunstein (along the same vein as Blink and The Tipping Point).

    Keep up these videos!

  27. Quality episode, keep making these! You guys could do some sports related thing next time, maybe the 5 best daily exercises or routines for a wake up/re-energizing.

  28. Lists like these are both enlightening and frustrating at the same time. Enlightening because such lists can give a keen insight to another reader’s tastes and mind; frustrating because one can’t help but think, “How could they have POSSIBLY missed [insert book title here]?”

    So – perhaps not surprisingly – I’ve got a few to add:

    Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl – immensely powerful in reverse relationship to the actual length of the book

    Ghost Rider by Neil Peart – if he can come out on the other side of such immense tragedies intact, surely I can!

    Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig – Is there a more definitive modern philosophical treatise? If so, I’ve never seen one.

    Lastly, A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson – How do we know what we know? Bill, in fine comic and insightful form, tells us.

    1. @Marvin,

      I second Viktor Frankl — you’ll see him quoted in 4HWW. Amazing observations of human psychology and emotion.

      Tim

  29. I have to second Kevin’s recommendation: Tufte is great and can give you a lot of design ideas, even for simple presentations.

    Have y’all done a top 5 websites you like to read yet, or top 5 magazines?

  30. Great list!

    I would add:

    Outliers by Malcom Gladwell

    Getting Things Done by David Allen

    Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

    Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

    Ever thought about doing the 52 Books in 52 Weeks Project? …

  31. What I find funny is that Kevin mentioned the Kindle, but only two of his five are on the kindle. 8 Weeks to Optimum Health is on Stanza through Fictionwise. We’ll give Envisioning Information a pass, as it’s not really suited to a digital reader, though I bet you could get decent understanding from a computer based reader.

    For Tim only Getting Real and Letters from a Stoic are unavailable on Kindle, though Getting Real is available online for free so that gets a pass. I was shocked to find out that there doesn’t seem to be any translations of Seneca old enough to be in Gutenberg.

    I’m sure it was more of Kevin’s Wildflowers, but I’m sure that were he still alive Shunryu Suzuki Roshi would be amused to find that he founded Zen Buddhism. He founded the San Francisco Zen Center and the first Buddhist Monastery outside Asia.

    In that arena I’d highly recommend “Buddhism Without Beliefs” by Steven Batchelor, which comes from the point of view that in the times of the Buddha, his teachings weren’t religion, but philosophy and self-help. Fascinating read.

    1. @Chris,

      I second “Buddhism without Beliefs” — great book.

      Love the 5th Element gravitar, btw 🙂

      Tim

  32. Great video, guys. I’m gonna have to check some of these out. always looking for more good books.

    Quick question though – when kevin is talking about “The Intelligent Investor”, the book briefly moves BEHIND the background. What’s up with that?

  33. I agree with Dennis that Never Eat Alone is great for learning how to become a master networker.

    For investing I’d recommend The Four Pillars of Investing: Lessons for Building a Winning Portfolio by William Bernstein as an easy to understand primer on Modern Portfolio Theory and asset allocation (best way to invest if you want to minimize fees, confusion, and time spent worrying about investing in your non-angel investments).

    Tim – any advice for the best book to read to get a primer on direct response marketing?

  34. Tim,

    If you planned to buy one of these books, and read the rest via library, which one would you want to have your own copy of?

    BW

  35. Love the book recommendations, requested all the titles at the library, reading Getting Real online. Would love a follow up after awhile – 5 more must-reads.

    Also – what nice handwriting you have, Tim.

    1. @Cath,

      Thanks for the handwriting compliment! Could be genetic, as my grandfather was a sculptor and calligrapher. His handwriting was AMAZING.

      🙂

      Tim

  36. Tim,

    This is completely unrelated, but for someone coming out of college do you recommend getting a “normal” job before following the 4HWW lifestyle? In my case I am considering the merits and benefits of joining a Big 4 accounting firm and becoming a CPA for a few years.

    Thanks,

    BW

  37. Hey Tim, your site needs a favicon. 🙂

    Nice book collection. I will add them to my reading collection. Thanks!

  38. I’m still vouching to make this available as a podcast. Just upload it to blip.tv and they do all the work.

  39. Hi Tim,

    I have a question and some show suggestions:

    Would you say that given new experiences in Angel Investment and success as an author that the recommended books in 4hww will now be updated to include these, or slightly revised to incorporate them? (Loved 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing).

    Also, I would be interested in hearing how your views of success have changed from your view prior to becoming successful in your chosen endeavors, and what advice you would give to people who suddenly find themselves successful.

    Thank you for your time.

    1. @Cleo,

      Nassim is brilliant. Obscenely smart and also very nice. I was both honored and thrilled that he is a fan of 4HWW.

      All the best,

      Tim

  40. Great list but I would also add Al Ries and Jack Trout’s “Positioning: Battle for your Mind”….. a must read for anyone interested in marketing…

  41. Great blog,

    I read 2 of the books. I like the business books.

    A tip for all the dyslectics out there , I don’t really read.

    I listen to book when I’m traveling to and from the University.

    You can start by buying the audiotapes of Malcolm Gladwell books.

    There also read by the author.

  42. I’ve must admit I really like these little episodes from you guys. 22 Laws would on my (nonfiction) list, as well as:

    – Alpha Dogs

    – The E-Myth

    – Naked Economics

    – The Armchair Economist

    By the way Tim, you might be happy to hear, lately I’ve been interviewing successful entrepreneurs and consistently ask for a must-read book list; most include The 4-Hour Workweek!

    Thanks for putting this together!

  43. I love the show! You guys mentioned ten great books but I would agree with Dennis that “Think and Grow Rich” should be right up there. I hope you guys continue to team up for some more great content.

  44. Fantastic recommendations, I already own Vagabonding and The Tipping Point. Great reads.

    Out of interest, what would be your top 5 [or 7] books for an internet startup?

    The name ‘Random’s growing on me. Keep it 🙂

  45. Great blog. I am always interesting in discovering new reads.

    Next Blog Suggestion: Top 10 ideas taken from each book.

  46. Kevin, if you jump, you will be sorely missed. P.S. to Kevin, please unban AlexShalman.com from Digg. K, thx, <3 u =)

  47. Have you guys settled on “the random show”? Why don’t you call it “Void Avoidance” or “Avoiding the Void”

    You’ve got alliteration

    It has V’s in it

    You’re filling a kind of void

    “If you choose that I get a guest spot”

  48. I like the Random title. You are both well known enough in the internet world that it’s good to see different things from you.

    I need to add some of these books to my list. Specifically the Tipping Point and 22 Laws ones… those should help in my entrepreneurial quest.

    MJ

  49. I agree with the 4 Hour Work Week being in the Top 5. I found “The Success Principles” by Jack Canfield to be a good read, also. Great job! I’ll definitely pick up a few of these books.

  50. Thanks boys for the book recommendations; they all seem like a worthy read for my camping trip to Acadia National Park.

    I’m interested to hear your take on Electro-Dermal Stress Testing. I currently get tested and am amazed by the results.

  51. Will definitely check out Seneca’s book. I really enjoyed Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations which is full of practical life wisdom from the same era.

  52. Guys – great “Random” episode!

    I’d love to hear about more books you both find interesting, inspirational and actionable. Maybe a “book of the month” sub-channel in your Random episodes.

    I highly concur with The Tipping Point, The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing and 8 Weeks to Optimum Health. The others sound intriguing. I’ll be checking them out.

    A few of my favorites to add:

    * Who Moved My Cheese? – Johnson (career, life, self-improvement)

    * The Art of War – Sun Tzu (wildly applicable)

    * The 4-Hour Work Week – Ferriss (quite seriously and sincerely)

    * Outliers – Gladwell (career, life, education, self-improvement)

    Random thoughts for other plausible channel ideas:

    * Top 5 / favorite travel destinations and why

    * Wildest travel stories and lessons learned from them

    * Your most meaningful “teachable moments”

    * Random tricks competition – Ferriss vs. Rose

    Cheers!

    Matt

  53. Agree about Getting Real and Leaving MSFT…

    One of my all time favorites is The Effective Executive by Peter Drucker. Drucker has more depth in a single sentence than many others have in an entire book. Definitely a must read..

  54. Love the videos, you may as well make them video podcasts, or audio podcasts if you want to make them longer and looser.

    How about a segment on top websites next.

  55. Guys, thanks for the great reccommendations. I just bought The Immutable Laws, looking forward to it. Tipping Point is in the que.

    For future topics: it would be great love if you could talk about presenting to secure capital and how much personal equity you should invest in your start-up before seeking other funds.

  56. Guys, thanks for the great reccommendations. I just bought The Immutable Laws, looking forward to it. Tipping Point is in the que.

    For future topics: it would be great love if you could talk about presenting to secure capital and how much personal equity you should invest in your start-up before seeking other funds.

  57. This series has become too over-produced. I liked it better when it was just the two of you having a converstation in the living room.

  58. Hi Tim and Kevin,

    This is by far one of my favorite show, because I always want to know what successful people read. I had a chance to be in N. R. Narayana Murthy (Chairman and Chief Mentor of Infosys) office and I took a picture of his bookshelves. The books have some (or lots) of part to influence you to reach to this point, so GREAT EPISODE!

    I think the show setting is great already, very relax. Keep up the good work! And Thank You!

    FarJ (@farjang)

    1. Dear Farjang,

      Thanks so much for the comment. So what did you see on N. R. Narayana Murthy’s bookshelves?!

      All the best,

      Tim

  59. A fun listen, and some great choices shared! I’m looking forward to checking out a few of these – they sound like some great additions! Thanks much guys!

  60. Guys, you are so inspiring… Just looking you and a flow of ideas fills my whole body.

    Thank you so much

    Warm Regards

    ps: the podcast is a very good idea. please do it.

  61. Fantastique! Thanks for the recommendations Tim (and Kevin)! I shall plunk down my own recs-from a girly perspective cause I am…a girl.

    -The Four Hour Work Week (business, work, play, and lifestyle design)

    I knew INSTANTLY I would love this book when I read the following: “1983-nearly fail kindergarten because I refuse to learn the alphabet. My teacher refuses to explain why I should learn it, opting instead for ‘I’m the teacher-that’s why.’ I tell her that’s stupid and ask her to leave me alone so I can focus on drawing sharks…” Ha! I too hated that sort of “because I said so” answer.

    -What You Wear Can Change Your Life (fashion, style, and beauty)

    Because I’m a girl and I love clothes. This is no holds barred advice on how to dress authentically stylish: “Color has the power to make you look healthy or unhealthy, thin or fat, short or tall. Wearing the wrong color scheme for you could make you look like a long term heroin abuser rather than the balanced-diet yoga queen you long to be.”

    -Sex and The Single Girl (sex, relationships, and career development)

    Though 30 years old the wisdom is still sage (for the most part) and Helen is wickedly funny: “She is engaging because she lives by her wits. She supports herself. She has had to sharpen her personality and mental resources to a glitter in order to survive in a competitive world and the sharpening looks good…”

    -Helping Me Help Myself (biographical, personal development)

    One woman’s genuine and lighthearted journey through the world of self help and the guru’s that preach on high. Great research material for someone about to become a guru herself. And f*&kin hilarious.

    -The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (personal development)

    The wisdom presented in this book just obliterated my outmoded and inauthentic thinking style. Though I at one time hated the word “synergy” I totally get the spirit of this fantastic book. And who cares he was a religious nut?

    I added some of your recs to my “books to read NOW” list 🙂 Again, thank you for sharing! I love this enlightenment dispersal. Yum!

  62. I’m really interested in where the show “Random” is going. I have watched all three with enthusiasm. (As requested) Here are my suggestions for upcoming episodes:

    1) Include a random book or “read” into each epi with a review.

    2) Include a random segment about food or healthy eating into each epi. We are a huge demo of 30-somethings always looking for a quick healthy meal.

    3) Produce an epi about Mistakes. Talk about things that you wish you had never done and review why you did them then and why you wish you hadn’t. Maybe it will help us to avoid doing the same thing(s).

    4) Throw up a segment about THE ONE person, (non-family) whom you have spent time with, that influenced you more than any other. What did you learn from them that you still follow today?

    5) Produce an epi about Risks. We all deal with them, but what do you accept and refuse? i.e. Financial vs. Thrill: How much income to you risk vs. save? Are you willing to jump from a second story into a pool like Hippy or do you prefer calculated thrills with parachutes? Why? How have you changed. What is the craziest risk you have ever taken?

    Thanks for the shows. Keep up the vibe. It’s headed into a good direction.

    Jeff

  63. Like David’s idea of creating podcast out of this. Great to hear two very intelligent people discussing very good books…

  64. I think Kevin’s suggestion “8 Weeks to Optimum Health” will be my next reading.

    What I really would like to see on next show is both of you showing us some very fun or interesting stuff and tricks, like for reading faster, language learning and where to go for it, physical tricks, board games or games to play in group that you know, whatever, I’m having a few really hard working not so fun days now.

    Another chapter could be about travelling; where to go, tips, experiences, etc. I want to go out to work, and I need some suggestions, what do you think of Australia for starters?

  65. I really like this. make this a permanent segment — or recommending a book to each other once a month. keep this going as what it is..2 friends hanging out and discussing what’s interesting to them. it’s totally cool and rellatable.

  66. Tim,

    In a previous episode you mentioned you were thinking of doing a language learning segment. Is that still in the works? The Michel Thomas method is my favorite by far so I’m always eager to hear your take on this topic.

    Bis bald!

  67. Thanks for doing this video! The topic was great, now I got some new stuff to read. I have read vagabonding and thought it was great.

    A couple books that I would recommend are:

    Zen In the Art Of Archery – Eugen Herrigel

    Jump In – Mark Burnett

  68. Foremost I feel like such a fanboy. I love you guys. I remember watching Kevin Rose on Screen Savers on TechTv. And of course Tim your blog has brought me many of inspirations.

    For some books I really like the Alchemist by Paulo Coelho & Tuesday with Morrie by Mitch Albom.

    I love this series. I was really happy to see you guys had another one up. Keep up the great work.

  69. Another great episode. (Love the editing!) Keep ’em coming. Here’s what I’d like to see from you guys next:

    1. Tea Time: How to Buy/Brew/Appreciate tea. You two are the masters, so let’s have our lesson.

    2. Top Trips: Each of you talk about a value vacation: what to do, see, eat. Tim—I’m thinking a video version of your How To Live Like a Rockstar in Buenos Aires (which served as an awesome guide for us when we were there in November). Kevin–I’m sure you’ve got some really fun tips too. You could even keep it local and do an SF version.

    3. Keep doing the product reviews, but keep them specific: I liked your last video, when you mentioned the Fit Bit and various other random stuff, BUT it may be more useful for readers if you hone in on one subject, like today’s video on books. I’m thinking a “random” mixture… Top 5 groceries; 3 random gadgets (like the finger oxygen-tester thingy) you can’t live without; the 3 best companies we’ve never heard of…

    3.

  70. Random vlog is random.

    Who cares what its called as long as the value keeps rising like this.

    My tweeps are looking forward to the next ones.

    wooohooo!

  71. Guys

    Thanks for the recommendations. I’ve read Letter from a Stoic excellent read along with Vagabonding. Both were read in the same week. Made me have a holy crap moment I can really do this stuff. Inspired me to take my first mini retirement three weeks to Berlin in May.

    Segment ideas what about interviewing some of the people who have inspired both of you. How about doing a segment where you take questions from readers via twitter or email or chat? Like the randomness of your show. Where is the Youtube channel?

    Cheers

    Leonard

  72. Hi Tim,

    I guess I dropped by just at the right time; the 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing looks like a sure-winner for me since I’m looking at a product launch this summer.

    Cheers and thanks for the book suggestions,

  73. I would recommend two amazing books:

    – Feel the fear and do it anyway (Susan Jeffers)

    – Jason Bourne series books.

    I want to read Kevin’s suggestion “8 Weeks to Optimum Health”.

    Next program talk about travel experiences, I am sure both of you have tons of anecdotes. And include a few travel tips that would be really interesting!

  74. Cool show. I’ve read Tipping Point, 22 Rules, and chapter 8 of the Intelligent Investor. Seneca is on my shelf collecting dust. Everything else is now on my Amazon wish list. Thanks for sharing.

    Loved the video but was disappointed to not see Kevin attempt the jump at the end. lol.

  75. What about Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill. In my opinion the definitive book when for shaping your thoughts (and actions) on making money or accomplishing any goal. Another great book for investing is One Up on Wall Street by Peter Lynch. For fiction, anything by Ben Mezrich. Almost all his stuff is about young Ivy league guys that get caught up in amazing situations. Great for a plane ride or sitting on the beach reading.

    Randon works for me, since that’s pretty much what you guys are doing.

    As something looking to get started with an online business, but unsure of what to do, I would like some information on what to think about to help you start a business online. Or ways to figure out if my concept would work, without putting all the time and effort into it. Eric Ries (I’ll see him in Austin on Wednesday) did a pretty good job at discussing this, but maybe you could go deeper.

    Thank you

  76. You guys stepped up the editing this time. Much cleaner than the last one and I like the goofy overlays, pushes and sound effects. I think they work well with the “random” vibe you’ve got going.

    I’ve read a few of the top 10 (12?) you guys talked about and I’m half way through ‘Letters From a Stoic’. I tried to use my new speed-reading skills on ‘Letters’ but it’s so dense, I was missing half the book! Gotta slow down and really soak it up.

    One book that’s in my top 5 that has been especially helpful to me is Albert Ellis’ “A Guide to Rational Living”. It was originally written in the 50’s so there are passages that read like a “Leave It To Beaver” script but there are tons of great techniques for getting your troubled mind under control. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from Ellis, it’s that a disciplined mind is a much, much happier mind.

    Lastly, here’s a future topic idea for ya… My wife & I are planning to take a year off and travel the world before we settle down and start a family. You guys are well-traveled, where would you recommend we go?

    Thanks! And keep one making “Random!”

  77. Tim and Kevin,

    Really enjoyed this segment.

    Would LOVE it if you guys did a “Tim and Kevin’s Guide to San Francisco” episode. I’m moving out there from the East Coast in a couple of weeks, and would love to see what you guys consider to be the greatest spots to hang out, be active, clear your head, etc…

    I think your guys’ take on this would be very unique and interesting, and would be helpful to anyone living in or visiting SF (might even convince a few to come out there!).

    Thanks!

  78. Mr. Ferriss…

    Your videos are much appreciated…

    With that in mind, thanks to you:

    1. I now own a pair of Vibram “Sprint” Five Finger Shoes. (LOVE EM)

    2. I own The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing & 8 Weeks to Optimum Health (couldn’t track down The Intelligent Investor)

    3. I am slowly re-hashing every aspect of my life… started w/convincing the day job to allow me to work from home 3 days/wk

    4. I have a new found appreciation for Dr. George Vaillant, and more so for his work.

    5. I’m developing an insatiable appetite for travel. And what a great time to do so too! Rates are SO low.

    Very Best and Keep up the good work!

    – Brandon

  79. Topic idea: “What happens next after you go through hell” – aka something about going to the next level…(saw a common theme of philosophy/enlightnment)

  80. a great book that Tim is in, titled: You’ve got to read this book. by jack canfield. Tim, I Love this book and it is awesome that you are in it!

  81. A great book that tim is in titled: You’ve got to read this book! by jack Canfield. 55 people tell the story of the book that changed their life. Awesome that you made it in there tim. peace