Here’s Discomfort Club approved list of the best books for men. To be more exact, these titles are primarily for ambitious men who want to become better. These top books offer stories and practical advice on topics like:
- embracing voluntary discomfort,
- mental resilience and toughness,
- self-discipline and working hard,
- pushing your limits and expanding your comfort zone,
- personal excellence and self-improvement for men.
I’ve only included the best titles that I found worth recommending. It’s not a randomly curated list of the greatest books for men that you can find online where the author didn’t even read what he recommended. I’ve personally read all of these books and found them valuable.
I didn’t include generic self-help, fitness or business books. There are separate lists for that on other websites. Here in the Discomfort Club we’re focused on helping men who want to push themselves to get better.
The order is random. I’ll update this page whenever I find new books worth recommending.
Make sure to check Discomfort Club’s list of the best documentaries for men, too.
To cover the costs of running this site, some links are affiliate links.
Best Autobiographies for Men
Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds by David Goggins
Retired Navy SEAL and ultra-athlete David Goggins is an icon of mental toughness. In his autobiography he shares the story of how he forged himself into one of the toughest men alive.
The book is one of the most fascinating memoirs for men. It’s a must-read story on how we can all undergo a dramatic personal transformation through cultivating voluntary discomfort.
Read Discomfort Club’s book notes:
#25: Mental Shifts to Master Your Mind. Lessons From “Can’t Hurt Me” by David Goggins (Part 1)
#26: Suffering as a Tool for Growth. Lessons From “Can’t Hurt Me” by David Goggins (Part 2)
#27: How to Develop Personal Accountability. Lessons From “Can’t Hurt Me” by David Goggins (Part 3)
#28: How to Overcome Your Weak Mind. Lessons From “Can’t Hurt Me” by David Goggins (Part 4)
#29: Becoming Uncommon Among the Uncommon. Lessons From “Can’t Hurt Me” by David Goggins (Part 5)
Living With a SEAL: 31 Days Training with the Toughest Man on the Planet by Jesse Itzler
The SEAL in the title is actually David Goggins (the book was published well before Can’t Hurt Me and David needed to protect his identity).
Out of all the good books for men recommended in this list, this one is the funniest. It details how Jesse hired David to train him to become stronger and more resilient. It offers a lot of lessons on mental toughness written from the perspective of a “normal” guy trained by the toughest man in the world.
Read Discomfort Club’s book notes:
#15: Developing Mental and Physical Toughness. Observations From “Living With a SEAL” by Jesse Itzler (Part 1)
#16: Getting Things Done and Always Striving for More. Observations From “Living With a SEAL” by Jesse Itzler (Part 2)
#17: Staying Out of Your Comfort Zone. Observations From “Living With a SEAL” by Jesse Itzler (Part 3)
The Art of Resilience: Strategies for an Unbreakable Mind and Body by Ross Edgley
In 157 days and 1,780 miles (2,864 km), Ross swam around Great Britain. He documented this impossible feat of strength, endurance and mental resilience in this book.
Ross shares lessons on how to prepare for such a challenge and how to keep going in the face of adversity. The true story is fascinating and it’s by far one of the best books for men who are looking for new challenges in life.
Read Discomfort Club’s book notes:
#5: How to Train Pain. Lessons on Resilience From Ross Edgley’s “The Art of Resilience” (Part 1)
#6: Coping Strategies in the Face of Discomfort. Lessons on Resilience From Ross Edgley’s “The Art of Resilience” (Part 2)
#7: Stoic-Inspired Lessons for Mental Fortitude. Lessons on Resilience From Ross Edgley’s “The Art of Resilience” (Part 3)
The Happiest Man on Earth: The Beautiful Life of an Auschwitz Survivor by Eddie Jaku
This autobiography covers the author’s experience in a Nazi concentration camp and his later life. It shows how despite witnessing some of the worst horrors in human history, Eddie managed to cultivate a positive outlook and live a successful life after the Second World War ended.
He was a living proof of how to rebound from experiencing the most unimaginable evils, demonstrating incredible mental resilience.
You Are Worth It: Building a Life Worth Fighting For by Kyle Carpenter
The author is the youngest living Medal of Honor recipient. At the age of just 21, he threw himself onto a grenade to save his fellow Marine. He miraculously survived.
The book chronicles the events before and after the fateful day, including a long, painful recovery. Through his optimistic attitude, Kyle shows unbreakable resilience in the face of adversity. If you’re looking for books on how to become a better man, Kyle is a great example to learn from.
Oxygen: A Memoir by William Trubridge
William Trubridge is one of the world’s most accomplished freedivers. Even though it’s a fairly unknown book, it’s definitely one of the top books for men who want to study professional athletes. Freediving is an extremely demanding activity, both physically and intellectually.
Through consistent dedication and obsession with the sport (as well as a high tolerance of discomfort), he pushed the limits of the discipline to unimaginable levels. Trubridge was the first freediver to go deeper than 100 meters (328 ft).
Finding Ultra: Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World’s Fittest Men, and Discovering Myself by Rich Roll
In his early forties, the author was nearly fifty pounds overweight and unable to climb the stairs without stopping. He turned his life around, started running ultramarathons, and became one of the world’s most recognized advocates of plant-based living.
Our recommended books on becoming a better man aren’t just for youngsters. Rich’s book shows that you can regain self-discipline and transform yourself at any stage of your life.
Beyond Possible: One Soldier, Fourteen Peaks – My Life in the Death Zone by Nimsdai Purja
Having discovered his love for mountaineering at 30, the author quickly began to redefine the limits of what’s possible. He climbed all 14 mountain peaks above 8,000 meters (26,000 feet) in a record time of six months and six days with the aid of bottled oxygen. Along with other Nepalese mountaineers, he also completed the first-ever winter ascent of K2.
Nimsdai is wired differently than most which makes his autobiography one of the best books for men who want to explore the more extreme aspects of life. There’s also a fascinating Netflix documentary on his accomplishments titled 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.
Hound of the Sea: Wild Man. Wild Waves. Wild Wisdom. by Garrett McNamara
The author is one of the best big wave surfers in the world. As a surf visionary, he put Nazaré on the map. At 23.8 meters (78 feet), he surfed there one of the largest waves in the world. He also surfed monstrous barrels at Jaws and tsunami from calving glaciers in Alaska.
For him, fear is a choice that we “manufacture in our minds.” If you enjoy books written by pro athletes, and particularly extreme sports athletes, you’ll definitely enjoy this one, too. There’s also a great documentary on his big wave surfing experiences titled 100 Foot Wave.
The Push: A Climber’s Journey of Endurance, Risk and Going Beyond Limits to Climb the Dawn Wall by Tommy Caldwell
The author is one of the world’s best rock climbers, most known for climbing the hardest big wall climb in the world. For those who climb, it will be for sure one of the best books they’ll ever read.
Tommy’s multi-year dedication to see his goal through is incredibly inspiring. He spent years preparing to complete the route and stayed faithful to his objective despite obstacles and setbacks. There’s an award-winning documentary on his life and one of his biggest climbing accomplishments.
Will by Will Smith and Mark Manson
Will Smith is one of the most driven and hard-working entertainers. His autobiography will show you how he reached this level of success and how important embracing adversity was in his life.
I consider it one of the best books for men because Will shares countless lessons on work ethic, self-discipline, embracing discomfort, overcoming addictions, and pursuing personal excellence.
Breathe: A Life in Flow by Rickson Gracie and Peter Maguire
Rickson Gracie is one of the most renowned Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) fighters in the world. In his autobiography, he recounts growing up in a clan of fighters. He talks about his rise to martial arts mastery, dealing with terrible life blows and rebuilding his life afterward.
I consider it one of the best books about professional fighters. Even if you don’t practice BJJ, you’ll find Rickson’s story a powerful example of pursuing personal excellence and espousing extraordinary mental toughness.
Read Discomfort Club’s book notes:
#14: Becoming an Iconic Champion. Lessons From Rickson Gracie’s Autobiography “Breathe”
Transformed: Navy SEAL’s Unlikely Journey from the Throne of Africa, to the Streets of the Bronx, to Defying All Odds by Remi Adeleke
Remi’s fascinating autobiography details his childhood growing up in the Bronx, his criminal background, and his long and difficult transformation from a street thug to a NAVY Seal and then actor.
Remi Adeleke’s book is similar to Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins. Both of them wanted to change their lives through becoming Navy SEALs and both overcame enormous obstacles to achieve their goals.
Relentless: From SBS to World Record Breaker by Dean Stott
In his memoir, Dean Stott details his life in the relentless pursuit of excellence. He was an operator in the Special Boat Service and later a security expert working in various hot spots around the world.
In an effort to reinvent himself while still performing at an elite level, he decided to break the World Guiness Record of the fastest cycle journey of the Pan American Highway (a 14,000 mile/22,500 km route that stretches from Argentina to Alaska, passing through some of the most dangerous countries in the world).
A Runner’s High: My Life in Motion by Dean Karnazes
Dean Karnazes is one of the world’s most renowned ultra-marathoners. In his memoir, he chronicles his return to the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run in his mid-fifties after first completing the race decades ago.
Dean dives into his relationship with discomfort. He also explores the topic of pushing one’s limits as he confronts his advancing age and deteriorating fitness performance. When it comes to inspirational books for men who want to push themselves, this book will blow your mind with Dean’s descriptions of his incredible resilience.
Read Discomfort Club’s book notes:
#18: The Inner Game of Discomfort. Lessons From Dean Karnazes’s Memoir “A Runner’s High” (Part 1)
#19: Why Do Hard Things? Lessons From Dean Karnazes’s Memoir “A Runner’s High” (Part 2)
#20: Developing Grit and Becoming Relentless. Lessons From Dean Karnazes’s Memoir “A Runner’s High” (Part 3)
Endure: How to Work Hard, Outlast, and Keep Hammering by Cameron Hanes
Cameron Hanes is a bowhunter hunting elk in the remote wildernesses of the Western United States and Alaska. To be an exceptional bowhunter, he runs multiple marathons per week, lifts heavy weights, and practices archery. He also participated in multiple 100-mile races and several races over 200 miles.
In the book he shares how working hard and consistently every day helped him achieve his goals. If you’re looking for books on how to develop a relentless work ethic, you’ll like Cameron’s book.
Read Discomfort Club’s book notes:
#21: How to Do Hard Things and Consistently Get Better. Notes from “Endure” by Cameron Hanes (Part 1)
#22: How to Be Obsessed and Keep Hammering. Notes from “Endure” by Cameron Hanes (Part 2)
Ultra: Top Model to Top Ultra Runner by Michele Graglia
Michele Graglia used to be a top model, living a hedonistic life among the famous and wealthy. When he realized how empty his life was, he decided to run ultra-marathons.
In his memoir he shares the story of how he went from living a lavish, comfortable life to a simple life in nature, pushing his limits as an ultra-runner. It’s one of the best autobiographies I’ve ever read because of the contrast in his life before and after.
Read Discomfort Club’s book notes:
#23: From an Easy, Empty Life to a Meaningful, Hard One. Lessons From “Ultra” by Michele Graglia (Part 1)
#24: Training to Go Beyond. Lessons From “Ultra” by Michele Graglia (Part 2)
Becoming the 0.1%: Thirty-Four Lessons From the Diary of a Royal Marines Commando Recruit by Gareth Timmins
When he was going through 34 grueling weeks of training to become a Royal Marine, Gareth Timmins kept a diary detailing his days. The excruciatingly difficult training is deemed to be one of the most demanding new-entry infantry training programs in the world.
In 2005, when Gareth was a recruit, only one in a thousand applications for the Royal Marines were successful in reaching the end of training. In the book Gareth details how he survived it and what he learned from it.
Warrior’s Creed: A Life of Preparing for and Facing the Impossible by Roger Sparks
In his autobiography, Roger Sparks shares growing up in an outlaw motorcycle club environment, becoming an elite Reconnaissance Marine and later training future Reconnaissance Marines.
He also tells stories of his adventures and traumatic events as an Alaska Pararescueman. His life story follows his personal transformation and details his philosophy of what it means to be a warrior.
Best Narrative Non-Fiction Books for Men
The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort To Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self by Michael Easter
What happens when we let too much comfort into our lives? Journalist Michael Easter explores the relationship between discomfort and our minds and bodies.
The book combines the story of his adventure hunting caribou in Alaska and how-to advice coming from various experts. If you’re looking for non-fiction books exploring the psychology behind cultivating voluntary discomfort, start with this book.
Read Discomfort Club’s book notes:
#2: Exploring the Comfort Crisis. Notes From Michael Easter’s Book “The Comfort Crisis” (Part 1)
#3: The Relationship Between Discomfort and Fitness. Notes From Michael Easter’s Book “The Comfort Crisis” (Part 2)
#4: What Are Misogis and How to Plan Them? Notes From Michael Easter’s Book “The Comfort Crisis” (Part 3)
Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance by Alex Hutchinson
A more scientific read exploring the physical and mental limits of humans. It’s mostly focused on endurance sports but also explores a few other disciplines.
It’s not particularly rich in how-to advice compared to other books on this list but it’s an interesting read nonetheless including many stories of people pushing the limits to the extreme.
Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing
Shackleton’s 1914 Antarctic expedition ended in a disaster. This non-fiction book documents the harrowing survival of Shackleton and his crew of 27 men in the hellish Antarctic conditions.
With no hopes for rescue, the men need to rescue themselves. The story demonstrates the unbreakable resilience and toughness of the expedition crew when faced with insurmountable obstacles. Note that because this book was published in 1959, its style is different than other, more modern books featured in this list.
Best How-to Books for Men
A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B. Irvine
No list of the best books for men would be complete without a book on Stoicism. Stoicism is one of the philosophies that most embraces discomfort and developing mental resilience. Its proponents practice accepting things that aren’t in their control and acting on the things that they do control.
Irvine’s book is an excellent introduction to the topic before you dive into the works of the Ancient Stoics or read other books on Stoicism.
How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius by Donald Robertson
Robertson’s non-fiction book provides a fascinating look into the life of Marcus Aurelius, one of the most respected Roman emperors.
Marcus Aurelius was a devoted Stoic. Dedicated to living a virtuous life, he developed the reputation of a philosopher king. He was known for his wisdom, self-restraint, and respect for others. This incredibly well-written book will be particularly interesting for men who want to learn how to control their emotions.
Read Discomfort Club’s book notes:
#10: How to Deal With Strong Emotions Like a Stoic. Practical Stoic Wisdom From “How to Think Like a Roman Emperor” by Donald Robertson (Part 1)
#11: How to Cultivate Self-Awareness Like a Stoic. Practical Stoic Wisdom From “How to Think Like a Roman Emperor” by Donald Robertson (Part 2)
#12: How to Pursue Personal Excellence Like a Stoic. Practical Stoic Wisdom From “How to Think Like a Roman Emperor” by Donald Robertson (Part 3)
#13: The Joys of Discomfort. Practical Stoic Wisdom From “How to Think Like a Roman Emperor” by Donald Robertson (Part 4)
Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson
You may not expect much from a self-help book written by a gangsta rapper, yet I’ve found it full of valuable lessons on how to take full responsibility for your life, go as hard as you can, and pursue personal excellence.
50 Cent shares his experience growing his business empire and how he approaches new big projects. If you’re looking for inspirational books for men who went from rags to riches, 50’s story will resonate with you.
10 Rules for Resilience: Mental Toughness for Families by Joe De Sena
Joe De Sena is the founder of Spartan Races which are some of the toughest obstacle races in the world. In the book, he shares advice how to lead your family to resilience.
It’s a great book for anyone: a young man, a father, a grandfather. Even if you don’t have kids, you can still greatly benefit from this book because the principles first and foremost apply to adults and then to children.
Read Discomfort Club’s book notes:
#8: Discomfort Is Like Oxygen. Spartan Lessons From “10 Rules for Resilience” by Joe De Sena and Lara Pence (Part 1)
#9: Leading Through Discomfort. Spartan Lessons From “10 Rules for Resilience” by Joe De Sena and Lara Pence (Part 2)
The Spartan Way: Eat Better. Train Better. Think Better. Be Better by Joe De Sena
Joe De Sena is the founder of Spartan Races which are some of the toughest obstacle races in the world. He wrote several books for men and women who want to become tough like Spartans.
In this book he shares 10 principles how to become Spartan. You’ll learn what values to cultivate to become a tough, resilient person capable of dealing with adversity in all its forms.
Spartan Up! A Take-No-Prisoners Guide to Overcoming Obstacles and Achieving Peak Performance in Life by Joe De Sena
Joe De Sena is the founder of Spartan Races which are some of the toughest obstacle races in the world. I consider his books some of the top books for men (and women, too) who want to develop a strong mind.
In the book, he shares advice how to challenge yourself to do more than you ever thought possible. Don’t mistake it for a generic self-help book, though. Joe is obsessed with discomfort and mental toughness. All of his lessons come back to embracing, facing and handling adversity in life.
The Stoic Challenge: A Philosopher’s Guide to Becoming Tougher, Calmer, and More Resilient by William B. Irvine
William B. Irvine is a practicing Stoic and the author of the bestselling A Guide to the Good Life mentioned before.
This book is an accessible exploration of how to use Stoic principles to better deal with setbacks and adversity in life, including everyday stories of the author as well as more traumatic setbacks of other people.
No More Mr. Nice Guy: A Proven Plan for Getting What You Want in Love, Sex, and Life by Robert Glover
Dr. Robert Glover is an expert on the Nice Guy Syndrome that prevents men from ever tapping into their inner strength and reaching their full potential.
The book explores how to get rid of the need for approval, how to stop being manipulative in your relationships, and how to cut shame and anxiety from your life. It’s one of the best how-to books for men who feel like they can’t become who they really are inside.