TLDR: Got some good book recs for those that like to read self-improvement books or want insight into male-female dynamics.
Hi everyone. I think TRP encompasses a lot of ideas. And from reading threads the past month since I've joined, it seems everyone has different ideas of TRP. I wanted to share some books I've read that I think are helpful to people who are learning TRP and are wanting to improve themselves in general (which is the overlying purpose of TRP, IMO). I recommend getting a paperback, and just setting aside an hour or 2 here and there. It's principles, not a story, so you won't have to worry about getting lost.
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Sperm Wars (http://amzn.to/1Y8ZcqX) I read this about 5 years ago and it blew my mind. It was the first time reading about successful sexual strategies of humans over the course of our existence and evolutionary psychology and how everything we do really has one purpose: procreate. More interesting, it introduced to me the concept of the cunning female, a person not violent, but intelligent and deceitful and has probably ruined many men here on TRP ( "alpha fux beta bux").
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48 Laws of Power (http://amzn.to/1TYCKRV) This book is for anyone wanting to play "The Game of Thrones" or acquire power. It has historical snippets with ideas and principles for people looking to gain power, status, influence, all of which we should strive for. Does feel verbose at times because there literally are several stories for each law. A key takeaway is the word "Machiavellian", which is playing politics, being cunning, using deceit... putting aside compassion and empathy to get what you need.
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The Attraction Code (can't find a link to a buying site, but downloads are out there) I just saw a dude getting chewed out by his girlfriend outside a Starbucks and damn... he could use this book. This is one of several PUA-geared books Ive read. I enjoyed this one the most mainly because it was a well-structured book. The author introduces a fictional Beta that makes all the wrong moves with women and then explains what this Beta is doing wrong. Discusses very basic concepts such as status, male attractiveness vs female attractiveness, and female psychology. Talks a lot of "keeping frame" - type ideas. A lot of "aha" moments if your ex-gf ever lost interest in you, started treating you differently, and you wondered wtf happened.
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How to Win Friends and Influence People (http://amzn.to/1VMm2o1) This is a more practical version of 48 Laws of Power. If 48 is how to deal with powerful people, this book shows you easy, but not widely known strategies of dealing with everyday people: difficult coworkers, bosses, underlings, assholes, etc. I would say it aims to teach you grace, guile, charisma, charm, management skills, and finding success in interpersonal duels. I think I read this first when I was around 19. If you are young and/or socially incompetent, this is definitely good reading to go with general social skills reading.
- 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (http://amzn.to/24zp0fV) Stephen Covey
Not directly related to TRP, but if you have goals, shit to do, work to be done, you need these basic skills in order to succeed. Some overlap with #4. Rec'd for working people, parents, people growing their business, and anyone who feels they could be more efficient with time. The thing is, they're basic, but they're skills/knowledge, so that means they need to be learned/taught. some of you, maybe you had parents that taught you to plan shit when you were young. I was mid 20s before I even learned how to use a planner. Holy shit how did I survive before? Best thing that happened to me. Another guy I saw here on askTRP was saying how he disappoints himself because he can't get shit done. So I told him to make a list of things to do in the morning and do only the things on the list. He ended up doing it and was surprised how effective it was. Hopefully he still uses it.
EDIT: Glad to see a lot of people enjoy reading too. Looks like I've got some books I should add to my Amazon buy list. Also, The Attraction Code is by Vin Di Carlo. bxdiplomat has a link: http://www54.zippyshare.com/v/0VDjGLeO/file.html or you can go to the buying/ad page at http://www.theattractioncodebook.com/ ($69). Unfortunately no paperback.
EDIT 2: I was showing a friend this list. He suggested supplementing #5 with something more focused on time management skills. So he suggested a self-improvement guru Brian Tracy's book Time Management (http://amzn.to/1UhlvcP). Also, I assure you it's not some self-improvement malarky like "The Secret". It's real skills and real talk. Skills for people who find themselves procrastinating and not getting shit done (young me). Really opened my eyes to how much time is wasted by your average employee and why some people move up while others don't (snippet here: https://books.google.com/books?isbn=0814433448).
EDIT 3: The reading of these books are what I consider time "investments." My definition of investment is something that you do now that will pay you back at a greater rate later. Education is a great example. We have pre-meds in society in school not making money until they're in their late 20s, but their lack of pay and money spent on tuition pays itself off and more for the rest of their lives. These books are education, but not a formal type. You pay ~$10+ and spend a day reading, and it'll help you in the future. You may have to read many times to cement the ideas in your mind (I definitely do), but it is an investment nevertheless. With that said, they may be boring to read, because this isnt' Harry Potter or A Song of Fire and Ice -- there's no compelling story. But in the end, it will help you for the rest of your life (and hopefully you can pass these principles to your good friends, children, etc) and really that is why the TRP is so powerful: it is meant to impact your life for the better.
CraftingAmbition 7y ago
Great list, OP! Haven't heard of The Attraction Code, so I'll check it out. Would also highly recommend Models by Mark Manson. Great book about attraction, and also a critique of the PUA industry. Covers what they got right/wrong. Very interesting read.
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ionforge 7y ago
This and the sex god method are my favorite ones.
GingerPaddy 7y ago
I bought the sex god method and mislaid it, can you send pm the link to me, I don't want to pay another 100 odd for this again
Maddin143 7y ago
are you me? These are exactly the two books i'd recommend every man to read.
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EmDeeEx 7y ago
If you don't mind, I'll also be pm-ing
ionforge 7y ago
I can also send a link if someone still need it.
mrpCamper 7y ago
Please send me a link. Thanks.
DabReligion 7y ago
Could you link me? Thank you sir
99LuftBaboons 7y ago
A link for me would be appreciated if possible
GoatwithHorns 7y ago
Me as well. Thank you kindly in advance.
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RedMaelstrom 7y ago
Could I have one too please. Thanks
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adam-l Endorsed Contributor 7y ago
For more resources, also check out this past thread:
Your top 5 books for men - in reading order?
lifedesign00 7y ago
I would also add: New Psycho-Cybernetics
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EmDeeEx 7y ago
I'm a few chapters into "Day Bang" by Rollo and there's some good stuff on conversations and such..which if you're like me, is something tough to do under pressure. Actually might pick up "bang" as well.
I also swear by the Tao of jkd, not only some real good MA stuff there, but a few good things on fighting overall. And some philosophy tidbits for that ass as well.
Way_Of_Man 7y ago
A book that I don't see get a lot of love around here is Aaron Sleazy's Minimal Game.
The dude is very "anti-pua fluff" type personality and the book is extremely to the point. Plus you can buy it for like $10.00 on Amazon.
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meh613 7y ago
Yes, just because it shows up as the 6th link on Google, he needs to understand SEO and search engines. Have you done any better, buddy?
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Eyes_Of_The_Dragon 7y ago
Watch Alone In The Wilderness by Richard Proenneke. The dude was definitely useful. Might be a little too mgtow for some.
The Way Of The Peaceful Warrior. Let it flow and let it go. Holding frame. Some new age hippie dippie shit too but overall I enjoyed it. Your restaurant burned down? Scream then reframe and move on.
Winning Through Intimidation. Overall a good book but dated. Haven't seen if it was updated since the 1970s.
Joseph_the_Carpenter 7y ago
I recommend The Art of the Deal for business and negotiation in general, and the Book of Five Rings as CONTINUOUS reading for the essence of what mastering something is.
[deleted] 7y ago
Nice list. I agree with something more user-friendly than 7 Habits for time management. Tracy's book is okay, but I like Dan Kennedy's No BS Time Management book.
Time management is about prioritization. There is a lot of BS out there, but it all boils down to knowing what you need to get done and doing it. Spend some time figuring out your goals and such, make a plan the night before for the next day, use a list if you need to, and start plowing through it.
ronsoness 7y ago
honestly, i go with brian tracy just b/c he has a wide variety of helpful things in his audio books -- time management, self confidence, achievement, mending relationships with parents as an adult. i don't think he is an authority in any one area, but he is well-read and references scientific studies, psychology books, great authors, or other authority figures in the many fields he tries to advise on. basically, he's a good entrepreneur, haha.
[deleted] 7y ago
No problem, I agree. Tracy is helpful. I read Eat That Frog many years ago and it was very helpful. Since then, I've found his books repetitive. But you're right--he breaks things down and provides helpful ways of processing and proceeding.
kanji_sasahara 7y ago
Would also add:
RcskaSedd 7y ago
Anyone have a pdf of attraction code?
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mack_and_the_boys 7y ago
Pirating books so alpha bro !
Polaris382 7y ago
Making snarky, sarcastic, passive aggressive comments...so alpha bro!
Espada18 7y ago
With that logic, you shouldn't be on TRP improving yourself.
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ChadThundercockII 7y ago
lol, he is downloading something that someone else pirated. Now, it's free.
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DabReligion 7y ago
Reading Models now, my first "PUA" style book I've read. I'm enjoying it a lot, almost done.
79811996 7y ago
Where is: -Art of Seduction -Models -Book of Pook?
For me(non-native) How to Win Friends and Influence People is totally unreadeable.
ChadThundercockII 7y ago
The Way of The Superior Man is a MUST READ. It will teach you about masculine polarity, and purposefulness.
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ronsoness 7y ago
cool man. i was just posting 5 i thought were good reads and very relevant, directly or indirectly with trp.
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Battle-Scars 7y ago
Good list, I would add both of Rollo's books.
ronsoness 7y ago
i am actually reading 'the rationale male' right now, which is why it's not up there. feels like dejavu as some of the parts are very similar to the TRP readings i see on these subreddits.
TNNRR 7y ago
A LOT of what we read on TRP is just someone re-phrasing what Rollo and Roosh have written.
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CraftingAmbition 7y ago
Glad you mentioned the 6 Pillars of Self-esteem by Nathaniel Brandon. To this day, I still consider it one of the best books ever written. His breakdown of self-esteem being a balance between self-efficacy and self-respect is genius.
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BabaxGanoosh 7y ago
I would also recommend Gorilla Mindset, The Way Of Men, Meditations, and Breakfast With the Dirt Cult.
Jyontaitaa 7y ago
For people with no time to read but time to listen to music during a commute or at the gym; you can get , 48 laws of power, how to win friends and influence people and the 7 habits of highly effective people on amazons audible as an audio book.
Also better than an inflight movie any day.
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AlerioX 7y ago
Models, 48 Laws of Power and Mastery are my favourites.
throwawaycomedian95 7y ago
Very good list!
48 Laws is a must read and is scientifically accurate. I may read Sperm Wars.
theredpill1000 7y ago
Could you please tell some more about the book "sperm wars"? Sounds pretty interessting...
ronsoness 7y ago
it's a look at evolution in regards to human behaviors around sex. i recall it also points out some behaviors in other animals that are some ways similar to humans. for example, a type of monkey is polyamorous, so they have sex with many males, so no one knows who the father is. this benefits the baby because these types of monkey might kill a baby that is not theirs. we humans would not kill babies not ours, but we might not raise them or might leave the woman. it's stuff like this. evolutionary psychology.
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ronsoness 7y ago
cuck_fag, i don't believe in common sense. if you think the ideas are, then good for you, you have had good lessons from someone in your life, be it mentor, sibling, boss, parents, etc. for the general populace, it's not common sense, and that's why you will see people negatively criticizing their underlings/children (when positive reinforcement would be more effective) and people coming with proposals talking about about what they can get out of it instead of using a strategy and persuading the person based on what they can get out of it. i wouldn't say it's a circle jerk, it's just a collection of strong principles for interpersonal and management relations that has held up. oh, and ever had a friend who complained of a shit boss? i am sure that boss has not read this book :)
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Helmut_Newton 7y ago
I've got The Red Queen on my "to read" list.
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Beachbum74 7y ago
Can you explain a little more on the benefits of 33 strategies of war
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[deleted] 7y ago
This book is so against my equal treat rule:
"I just made a million dollars today"
"That's nice."
"That's nice!!?? You know how hard I've been working for this.
"I know. It feels like I haven't seen you in months. Did you remember to pick up the milk on the way home?"
"Oh, sorry. I forgot. But who cares? We could buy a dairy farm now!"
"I asked you to pick up the milk three times this morning, and I put a note on your briefcase. How could you forget?"
"I said I'm sorry. Look, I'll go get the damn milk....
Treat your SO the same way she/he treats you. TRP talk about how to pass shit test, which I strongly disagree. My ideas is shit back the shit tester because you don't deserve to be shit tested.
Here is my redpill way:
"I know. It feels like I haven't seen you in months. Did you remember to pick up the milk on the way home?"
"No, i was busy getting a vacation house west coast."
"Honey is my name on the deed?"
"No, it is for me to spend time with Sara. She just graduated from Tire-1 university, top student and understood about manner. I am sure she will get any types of milk for me without problem."
Edited: formatting
ronsoness 7y ago
read this too. the concept of it is good, but i recall "the flowery talk" made it
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ronsoness 7y ago
a good way to describe it. i've always had hard times with spiritual content. philosophical is okay, but spiritual usu. evades me. perhaps it's for the older audience?
astrozombie543 7y ago
Tell me how superior man changed your life. I just finished reading it. It really helped me understand the way the female mind works, but sometimes it was a little broad.
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ChadThundercockII 7y ago
Floweriness fades away when you spend enough time reading posts in TRP. Anyone who still finds it too "flowery" needs to read more here. I am re-reading it right now, and it is an amazing book.
astrozombie543 7y ago
Yeah, I finished reading it not too long ago, but I really needed to hear that quote. Thanks brother. Good luck on your journey.
[deleted] 7y ago
Great list. No More Mr. Nice Guy by Robert Glover is also essential reading.
Scriptopeia 7y ago
I highly recommend: The Slight Edge
dabrah1 7y ago
Great book. Pete Carroll gives a copy to every new member of the seattle seahawks.
penhova 7y ago
Adding more books because whatever
_the book of pook _bachelor's pad economics _mastery _gorilla mindset
bogeyd6 7y ago
Going to go ahead and agree. Gorilla mindset is definitely recommended. The book is very instrumental in changing behaviors and has valid techniques to achieve results.
dabrah1 7y ago
bachelor pad economics was great- gorilla mindset wasn't in my opinion. It was all common sense surface info. Weird because I really like Mike Cernovichs podcast
ronsoness 7y ago
for anyone intersted, "bachelor's pad economics", it seems to be a personal financial management type book, in the lines of suze orman or dave ramsey, mixed in with some male-wisdom. i have always been good with money and have never had a cash flow crunch or debt, but for anyone who isn't, it's really something that needs to be taken care of, especially if you grew up without someone who taught you how to handle money. http://amzn.to/1XMS45i
VasiliyZaitzev 7y ago
thewaytoawesome 7y ago
Anyone here have a link for Models?
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TNNRR 7y ago
I'd add in "Pimp" by Iceberg Slim - an autobiography of a pimp. Its full of RP truth.
Also, "The Prince" really is worth reading a few times. Yes, its old. And yeah - it can be inaccessible at times. But no self-respecting man should look at a book and go, "this is too hard, I'll just read something else".
If you like anything that Robert Greene has written - Machiavelli is his spiritual grandfather.
Also, for "fiction": Bukowski's "Women", and Hemingway's "The Sun also rises" are great choices. In the former, Buk recounts his various affairs, and in the latter, Hem describes the life of man who is left without a penis after a war injury and how the woman he loves decides to behave.
mexblackbird 7y ago
Dale Carnegie is outdated. Read something fresh. I'm sick and tired of people always recommending his books like they're all that matters.
ronsoness 7y ago
hahaha... well, his book was from the 80s or so. he has a lot of life experience, but the examples he gives are from another generation. there may be a better author who wrote on a similar topic, but i haven't found one yet. feel free to suggest something ebtter.
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Roguesquadron1w 7y ago
I would recommend the Superdrive Publishing books on self improvement. 30 days, Becoming the Bull and Casual Style are the best/most practical and i like the fact that the authors are Red Pill guys.
Id add the 48 laws of power, the indestrucible mind and Gorilla mindset to the list too.