Navy SEAL Books That Made Me Who I Am: A Recommended Reading List

I’m a Christian, A.K.A. “Infidel” and proud of it. This is the instruction on how to live your life. If you haven’t actually read it, now is the time. That goes for Christians and non-Christians alike. As much as The Bible is talked about, it seems very few people have taken the time to read and understand it. The Bible has been the guiding book of principals for many people for hundreds of years. It is one of the Navy SEAL recommended reading lists because it is an everyone book. If you only read one book this year, this is the one.

Fine, this one is on the top of a list for a reason too, but this will be the last one in any type of order. Maybe it’s because I’m 98% Norwegian, but this is the best told, most gripping (true) story ever told. If you were to ask me what my favorite book is, We Die Alone is the easy choice. Telling the story of a man’s escape from Nazi-occupied Norway, We Die Alone is a treatise on resilliance and strength, which is what the recommended reading list is all about.

I believe that how we think directly relates to the experiences in our lives. This book is a classic for a reason. If you have a desire for more money in your life, read this book on the psychology of wealth. 

This is a great book for anyone who wants to get ahead in life. This is a Navy SEAL recommended reading because it deals with personal agency and will. The difference between highly successful people and people with no inclination towards success lies in their ability to think and act by themselves. 

This is actually an audiobook, but it’s still a book. This is a lecture on grammar that is surprisingly interesting. I didn’t care for parts one or two, so you’re not missing anything. If you can’t stand the way people talk these days, this is the (audio) book for you!

After reading this book, I have stopped eating gluten completely and avoid other grains like the plague. I’ve never been overweight, but in two weeks I lost twelve pounds (my love handles) and felt great. If you want to change your physical health in one step, read this book and stop eating grains! (OK, that’s two steps, but still pretty short.)

Most likely because this is another book written by a reporter, but this book about a dying old man teaches a great lesson about living life. Like most of the books on the list, Tuesdays with Morrie is a crash course in philosophy for someone who thought they were too busy, and almost realized their mistake too late.

One of the few books interesting enough to make me want to read it more than once. This book starts at the big bang and ends with you having a greater understanding of everything from the universe down to the atom. As much as this Navy SEAL book list focuses on psychology and philosophy, we aren’t about to neglect science! Surprise: Also a reporter…

If you own your own business or want to, this book will change your life (if you follow Tim’s directions). It’s a road map for finding freedom from work and is written in a fun and easy to read format. Chris tested, Navy SEAL approved. 

Simply put, an amazing true story. You’ll need to fight through the first chapter as I stopped reading the first time until everyone told me I had to finish it. After getting through that, it’s hard to put down. Guess that’s why it’s a movie now. 

Another amazing story about war and warriors written by…wait for it…a reporter (are you seeing a trend in this navy seal recommended reading list?).

Malcolm Gladwell’s books are easy to read and hard to put down. This book talks about the phenomenon of when an idea changes the world and how a hobby becomes a world class skill. A very important book for anyone who would rather their shooting be a skill than a hobby.

Another great book by a dying man who teaches us how to live. Don’t wait until the end of your life to make these realizations.

This is an amazing story about the quest to solve a math problem. You’ll have to read it to see how solving a math problem can be interesting, but this is one of the many books on this list I couldn’t put down. Yes, math! Bear with me, and give this book a read.

Another epic true story of survival. Sure, growing up in Wisconsin I had to walk to school, uphill — both ways — but this story has me beat. Plus unlike my story, it’s true.

As you can see, I like true stories of survival and this one’s a classic. From survival from impossible odds to amazing leadership lessons, this book has it all.

There are a few books with the same title, so make sure you get the right one, written by Slavomir Rawicz. Another great survival story and the last one on my list. If you find these stories inspirational, there are many others like it you might enjoy. For the sake of brevity, this recommended reading list only contains my favorites. 

Martial arts have been a big part of my life from the time I was twelve years old and the original version of this book was one of my guiding instructional manuals. The theories on fighting that the last great master penned in this book translate amazingly well into any style of fighting and is a must read for those who consider martial arts an “Art.”