As a young man, learning about the world and your place in it is an immense task.

There’s lots of things that happened before you were born and lots of context you don’t ordinarily have access to.

You change this by getting and processing information. The best way to do this is through reading dense books. Books can help us make sense of areas we have absolutely zero knowledge about.

You can read a book and gain knowledge into a new field or new area that you didn’t know existed. What was dark is now light, and books are the flashlight.

One idea you encounter in a book can save you YEARS of trouble and wasted time. More importantly, one idea in one book can push your self-improvement ahead by lightyears than if you never found it.

So all in all, reading is pretty important.

Here are some of the best self-help books for young men:

1. Psycho-Cybernetics

What is Psycho-Cybernetics about?

Published in 1960 by a plastic surgeon, Psycho-Cybernetics is about the “self image”.

Maxwell Maltz wanted to understand why even after plastic surgery, there were a number of patients that didn’t feel attractive. The problem wasn’t with the surgery, it was with how they viewed themselves.

He says a lot of us need surgery as well – the surgery to change our self-image. Psycho-Cybernetics will help you untangle yourself from limiting beliefs and construct a new, more positive self-image.

Why you should read it:

I purposefully put this one at the top of the list because…how you view yourself determines everything in life.

Your self-image is the foundation, on which other aspects of your life are built.

Without a strong self-image and the belief in yourself, you might as well stop reading here because the other books mean nothing without it.

2. Iron John: A Book About Men

What is Iron John about?

Many guys these days are asking the question: “what does it mean to be a man?”

Robert Bly already did some investigation into this question in the late 80s and 90s. Iron John was the result.

In it, he combines Jungian psychology with storytelling to unravel the answer to this question using real experiences and myth.

Why you should read it:

In a world where there are many conflicting and confusing definitions of what it means to be a man, it’s always good to look to the past for some answers.

Why the past? Pretty simple. Their inhabitants were more closely connected to “nature” and “reality” than many of us in the 21st century. Both of those things require certain things from their respective inhabitants at different times.

Iron John is an examination of what those “certain things” for the masculine.

3. Power vs. Force

What is Power vs. Force about?

There are many things we can’t explain in life, one of which is the subject of “consciousness”. Power vs. Force gets into this subject in detail, explaining the different levels of consciousness and its implications on life as a whole.

Why you should read it:

After reading this book, you will get a scientific explanation for spirituality and a good foundation with which to explore other spiritual works and processes. It will help you to orient yourself in the world and see yourself in it. Things that didn’t make sense before will become clearer.

4. The Practicing Stoic

What is The Practicing Stoic about?

Stoicism is making a resurgence in popular consciousness and for good reason: it is one of the most sound ways ever invented by Western civilization for dealing with and adjusting to the human condition. This book contains quotes by the Stoics themselves and people who were greatly influenced by them, creating a rich latticework of philosophical thought.

Why you should read it

There are many books out there on Stoicism, from translations by contemporary authors, to the original works themselves. This book is one of the only books I’ve seen that not only features quotations from the original Stoic authors but important information on how to slot them into context.

Need to know what Seneca said about “externals”? Flip to the section on externals. Want to know what the Stoics and their followers think about death? How about getting a windfall of money? It’s all in this book. Almost any subject you can think of that humans have dealt with, it’s in this book.

It’s a great resource to have in your toolbox as you navigate life.

5. As a Man Thinketh

What is As a Man Thinketh about?

“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” The secret before The Secret, this book discusses the power of thought in relation to building a life you desire or despise. Packing a powerful punch in crisp and short chapters, this is the basis for a lot of of the self-help books that litter the shelves but still prove to be inferior in wisdom and impact to this book.

Why you should read it:

It’s been scientifically proven that our thoughts literally determine how our body functions.

With even that small piece of insight, you can see how critical self-control over your own thoughts is. This book will teach you how to develop that self-control.

6. The Way of the Superior Man

What is The Way of the Superior Man about?

In today’s world, there’s many men who approach the topics of women, work, and their own sexual desire in a way that doesn’t help them get their needs and desires heard and met.

In The Way of the Superior Man, David Deida explores these topics in a way that the man can relate to the feminine, to the world, and to himself – in a more masculine and authentic way.

Why you should read it:

This is a book you kind of have to be ready for. It’s only until you get more loft more life experience can you resonate with and understand the teachings of this book.

But if you are someone who fits this description, the book’s content will have a lot to teach you.

7. Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life

What is Beyond Order about?

In Beyond Order, Jordan Peterson dives into the very nuanced discussion of why too much order is a bad thing (surprising to see if you read the book before this one) and how you can embrace the chaos and improvisation that life will inevitably throw at you.

Why you should read it:

Jordan Peterson’s train of thought is unique to see in academia because it mixes hardcore psychological insight with intangible spirituality and social dynamics. Instead of telling young men to “take it easy” (like many people do these days), he urges them to take responsibility and to make this world a better place than they found it.

A much needed message and book for anyone, no matter what phase of life they may find themselves in.

8. The Spiritual Emerson

What is The Spiritual Emerson about?

As one of the most influential authors and philosophers in history, Ralph Waldo Emerson’s writings still resonate today because of their ability to cut to the core of reality and uncover truths that we all can sense exist.

This book is an examination of life and its many aspects through various subject matter in different essays he published in different periods of his life.

Why you should read it:

Ralph Waldo Emerson has a lot to say on the act of growing into who you are as a person. All of his works have an overtone of self-actualization, perfect for the young man trying to make his way throughout life.

 9. Constructive Living

What is Constructive Living about?

In Constructive Living, author David Reynolds discusses a practical and actionable psychological school of thought called Morita. Focused on helping people live constructive and actionable lives, Constructive Living teaches people to focus on reality as it is, not as how we think it should be.

Why you should read it:

Many people in the modern world are overthinkers. However, like Nike’s slogan, there are times where you’ll have to “just do it”. This book puts you in the mindset to “just do it”.

It is one of the most clear-cut and precise guides to getting to where you need to be that I’ve ever read and it’s a book I recommend frequently to someone who’s just trying to get a basic understanding of how to properly live and take action in the world.

10. The One Thing

What is The One Thing about?

It’s often pretty hard to determine what is necessary and what isn’t. The One Thing gives you a framework on how to filter out the really worth it from the really not worth it.

Why you should read it:

At any given time, there’s only one thing or a small selection of things you do at any one time that are responsible for your current success or any future success you will have.

After decades spent building one of the most successful real estate companies in the world, Gary Keller found that prioritization was the key to his long lasting success. After reading this book, it can be yours too.

11. The Wealthy Gardener

What is The Wealthy Gardener about?

The Wealthy Gardener is a half fictional/half non-fictional tale on how to build an abundant and prosperous life from the perspective of a fictionalized gardener and John Soforic’s own experiences.

Why you should read it:

The Wealthy Gardener discusses success and how to achieve it via the use of “universal principles” – timeless laws that govern how our universe functions and runs.

You’ll walk away from the book with not only a knowledge on what it takes to become wealthy, but also what it takes to become fulfilled in a world that is often pulling you towards the opposite direction.

12. The Slight Edge

What is The Slight Edge about?

There are little moments in our lives which when compounded over time become unmistakable testaments to our aggregate successes or failures. And often times? Success and failure is separated by a very fine line, until they veer off into different directions.

Why you should read it:

The decision to live a slight edge life is in our hands.

Reading this will give you some pause and think about how you can start putting your life on the upswing (if its not already).

To read a breakdown of The Slight Edge, check out The Slight Edge: Using Incremental Change to Create Your Ideal Life.

13. Models: Attract Women Through Honesty

What is Models: Attract Women Through Honesty about?

Over the past couple of years, much of the advice directed to men who want to get with women has been based around chicanery, manipulation, and outright falsehoods.

In this turnabout book, Mark Manson clearly explains why that’s not the route you want to go down if you want to connect with the women you want and desire.

Why you should read it:

Many men in the 21st century have a weird and/or adversarial relationship with the opposite sex. This is mainly because they follow that “advice” which I mentioned in the last section.

This book will help decondition you from that “advice” and get you on the track to doing what really works when it comes to women.

14. King, Warrior, Magician, Lover

What is King, Warrior, Magician, Lover about?

King, Warrior, Magician, Lover is another book in the vein of Iron John, another book that draws upon Jungian archetypes to help explore masculine psychology and its relationship to the world.

Why you should read it:

It’s always good to know how men of the past acted and lived, mainly so you can get context about the entire depth of your masculine psychology.

It’s even greater when these insights are mixed with genuine psychological insight. Together, these help make a great book to reference whenever you’re in doubt about your own masculine powers.

15. Can’t Hurt Me

What is Can’t Hurt Me about?

Can’t Hurt Me tells the story of David Goggins, the only man to complete Navy SEAL training, U.S. Army Ranger school, and Air Force Tactical Air Controller training. More importantly, he is a man from a broken home filled with neglect, abuse, and trauma – someone society expects to do nothing and be nothing.

While his environment was pushing him to be that way, he used his iron will to carve his own path – based on discipline, accountability, and physical training.

Why you should read it:

After reading Can’t Hurt Me, you will look at your life in a new light. The common refrain is something along the lines of – “yeesh, my situation is bad but it’s not that bad…” this revelation often pushes people to achieve things they previously thought they couldn’t – but now can. Many people feel like they have “permission” to go hard in life after reading this book.

Read it and get your hall pass to greatness.

16. Pushing to the Front

What is Pushing to the Front about?

Pushing to the Front was one of the first self-help books for young men ever written – published way back in 1911. In it, he discusses the trials and triumphs of figures such as Abraham Lincoln, John Milton, Benjamin Disraeli, William Gladstone, Teddy Roosevelt, and countless others.

This is book is a mixture of motivation and timeless self-improvement principles.

Why you should read it:

The style Pushing to the Front is written in is the OG of motivation literature. It is the source. Most of the contemporary books based around motivation can’t hold a candle to this classic. Read it yourself and see.

There you have it – 15 books to help you in the quest to know yourself and become a better man.

Hope you enjoyed this list and happy reading!

Which one of these books have you read or are interested in reading? Let me know in the comments below.