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Existentialism books

Existentialism   The Best 9 Books to Read

W hat is existence? What does it mean to exist as a human being? Having been ‘thrown’ into a universe apparently devoid of objective meaning, how can we live our lives authentically, when we didn’t even ask to exist in the first place? Do our existences matter? What should we do if they don’t?

These are, broadly, the questions that thinkers tagged with the term ‘existentialist’ — be they philosophers, authors, or artists — have set out to answer over the last 200 years or so of existentialist thought.

Before diving into existentialism’s best books, if you’re interested in quickly learning more about existentialism generally, check out our brief introduction to existentialist philosophy , in which we outline its three core principles, as well as our explainer of the slogan Sartre dubbed the first principle of existentialism, existence precedes essence , and our overview of Sartre’s famous discussion of the waiter and bad faith .

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Otherwise, this reading list puts together the top eight books of and about the philosophical movement of existentialism. It contains a mix of primary and secondary literature — from introductions and anthologies to the original texts of the deeply influential existentialist figureheads themselves. Let’s jump in!

1. At the Existentialist Café, by Sarah Bakewell

At the Existentialist Café, by Sarah Bakewell

At the Existentialist Café

BY SARAH BAKEWELL

Published in 2016, Sarah Bakewell’s At the Existentialist Café is a fantastic place to start for anyone with a budding interest in existentialism. With brilliant narrative storytelling, Bakewell outlines the intersecting lives and philosophies of key existentialist figures — from Sartre, de Beauvoir and Merleau-Ponty, to Husserl, Heidegger, and Camus .

As well as lucidly introducing their thinking, Bakewell contextualizes it to the troubled times in which most core existentialist thinkers lived (i.e. immediately before, during, and after the Second World War), granting deep insight into why different strands of existentialism emerged the way they did.

The 464 pages of At the Existentialist Café fly by and are a joy to read, making this book a very nice entry point to existentialism.

2. Existentialism from Dostoevsky to Sartre, by Walter Kaufmann

Existentialism from Dostoevsky to Sartre, by Walter Kaufmann

Existentialism from Dostoevsky to Sartre

BY WALTER KAUFMANN

Walter Kaufmann was a 20th-century philosopher, poet, and renowned translator of Friedrich Nietzsche. In his 1956 Existentialism from Dostoevsky to Sartre , Kaufmann assembles extracts from key existentialist influencers and thinkers including Dostoevsky (see our reading list on Dostoevsky’s best books here ), Kierkegaard, Nietzsche (see our reading list on Nietzsche’s best books here ), Rilke, Kafka, Ortega, Jaspers, Heidegger, Sartre, and Camus (see our reading list on Camus’s best books here ).

Beyond the fantastic selected works, what makes this collection so invaluable is Kaufmann's excellent introductory essays that contextualize each extract. A classic anthology, this book belongs on the bookshelf of anyone interested in existentialism.

3. The Cambridge Companion to Existentialism, by Steven Crowell

The Cambridge Companion to Existentialism, by Steven Crowell

The Cambridge Companion to Existentialism

BY STEVEN CROWELL

If you’re seeking to complement Kaufmann's existentialist anthology with some hardcore critical analysis, look no further than philosophy professor Steven Crowell’s The Cambridge Companion to Existentialism , published in 2012.

In this volume of original essays, Crowell brings together a team of distinguished commentators to discuss the ideas of Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre, Merleau-Ponty and de Beauvoir, showing how their focus on existence provides a compelling perspective on contemporary issues in moral psychology, philosophy of mind, language, and history.

At 428 pages, The Cambridge Companion to Existentialism is for those looking to take their understanding of existentialism to the next level.

4. How to Live a Good Life (According to 7 of the World’s Wisest Philosophies), by Philosophy Break

How to Live a Good Life

How to Live a Good Life (According to 7 of the World’s Wisest Philosophies)

BY PHILOSOPHY BREAK

★★★★★ (50+ reviews)

If you’re interested in learning not just about Existentialism, but comparing its insights to six rival philosophies for life, look no further than the 2023 How to Live a Good Life (According to 7 of the World’s Wisest Philosophies) . This concise online guide is instantly accessible from any device and distills the best and most important wisdom from Existentialism, Stoicism, Buddhism, and more.

Of course, we’re a little biased, as we produced this one — but if you’re seeking to understand some of life’s most influential ethical frameworks, examine the pros and cons of each, and discover how they might apply to your own life, then this is the guide for you. How to Live a Good Life (According to 7 of the World’s Wisest Philosophies) gets rave reviews, is better value than buying introductory books for all philosophies covered, and might be just what you’re looking for!

5. Either/Or, by Søren Kierkegaard

Either/Or, by Søren Kierkegaard

BY SØREN KIERKEGAARD

Turning from introductions and anthologies to primary existentialist texts, where better to start than with the philosopher often regarded as the precursor to the movement as a whole?

In his 1843 epic Either/Or (which also features in our reading list of Kierkegaard’s best books ), the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard discusses the search for a meaningful existence using the voice of two distinct characters.

A fascinating work on duality, the book’s first section is written from the perspective of an aesthetic and rather callous young man named simply A; the second from the reasonable, ethical Judge Vilhelm. Kierkegaard invites us to explore subjects like boredom, romance, meaning, and culture from these two seemingly irreconcilable perspectives. In doing so, he writes some utterly heart-wrenching, deeply witty, and memorable prose.

For anyone interested in the origins of existentialist thinking, Either/Or is a fantastic place to start.

6. Being and Nothingness, by Jean-Paul Sartre

Being and Nothingness, by Jean-Paul Sartre

Being and Nothingness

BY JEAN-PAUL SARTRE

Arguably the cornerstone of existentialist thinking, French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre’s epic 1943 Being and Nothingness — coming in at over 800 pages — is a dense, vivid, and challenging depiction of human existence, and the most explicit expression of existentialist philosophy on this list.

If you’re seeking a less daunting introduction to Sartre’s ideas, a lecture he gave in 1945, published as the short text Existentialism Is a Humanism , is brilliantly accessible and articulate, and is the work that propelled Sartre into international stardom.

Sartre’s 1938 philosophical novel Nausea , too, wonderfully communicates key existential themes of alienation, anxiety, and authenticity.

7. The Ethics of Ambiguity, by Simone de Beauvoir

The Ethics of Ambiguity, by Simone de Beauvoir

The Ethics of Ambiguity

BY SIMONE DE BEAUVOIR

In her classic 1947 introduction to existentialist thinking, The Ethics of Ambiguity , French philosopher Simone de Beauvoir outlines her position in relation to Sartre and Merleau-Ponty, and argues that in order to achieve true freedom, we must battle against the choices and activities of those who suppress it.

The book that launched de Beauvoir’s feminist and existential philosophy, The Ethics of Ambiguity is a concise yet thorough examination of existence and what it means to be human, and belongs on the bookshelf of anyone interested in existentialism.

8. Being and Time, by Martin Heidegger

Being and Time, by Martin Heidegger

Being and Time

BY MARTIN HEIDEGGER

Throughout the history of philosophy, argues the German philosopher Martin Heidegger, we’ve all massively missed something: we’ve never really contemplated what it means to exist, to be .

The philosophical branch of metaphysics has skimmed over this question, focusing instead on things like substance and the categories of our experience; but behind these things, says Heidegger, lies existence itself. What do we mean when we say something exists?

With his landmark 1927 Being and Time , Heidegger seeks to redress the balance by focusing like a laser, for hundreds of pages, on what it means to Be. What is the nature of our existence, as we experience it? Only by paying proper attention to this question, argues Heidegger, can we hope to get anywhere.

Not for the faint hearted, this startling book has had a staggering influence on philosophy, art, literature, and existentialism since its publication — and deeply rewards those who tackle it.

9. The Myth of Sisyphus, by Albert Camus

The Myth of Sisyphus, by Albert Camus

The Myth of Sisyphus

BY ALBERT CAMUS

Though the French thinker Albert Camus rejected the label ‘existentialist’, his writings are widely considered core to the existentialist tradition. His particular brand of existentialism, dubbed ‘absurdism’, explores how even in the face of the outrageous absurdity of the human condition , we can salvage meaning and happiness.

In his hugely influential 1942 philosophical essay, The Myth of Sisyphus , Camus argues that the ultimate question human beings face is not whether there is a God or if certain actions are good or evil, but if life is even worth living. With lyrical eloquence, Camus recommends a path out of despair, affirming the value of personal existence, and the possibility of a life lived with dignity and authenticity.

One of the seminal works of the 20th century, anyone interested in existentialism or indeed the meaning of life will not regret reading The Myth of Sisyphus .

Further reading

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The Seven Best Books on Existentialism

Lennox Johnson September 6, 2018 Books

From beginner-friendly introductions to classic books on existentialism, this page features books to suit any learning style. It’s important to note that there is no single best book on existentialism. The best book for you will depend heavily on your preferred learning style and the amount of time/energy you’re willing to spend reading. For example, if you tend to find classic works of philosophy difficult to understand, you might want to start with a short, beginner-friendly introduction. If you prefer more depth, you can choose a more comprehensive introduction or pick up one of the classics.

It’s also worth noting that it is not a list of personal recommendations. Personal book recommendations tend to be highly subjective, idiosyncratic, and unreliable. This list is part of a collection of over 100 philosophy reading lists which aim to provide a central resource for philosophy book recommendations. These lists were created by searching through hundreds of university course syllabi , internet encyclopedia bibliographies , and community recommendations . Links to the syllabi and other sources used to create this list are at the end of the post. Following these links will help you quickly find a broader range of options if the listed books do not fit what you are looking for.

Here are the best books on existentialism in no particular order.

An Introduction to Existentialism – Robert G. Olsen

books on existentialism

At the Existentialist Café: Freedom, Being, and Apricot Cocktails – Sarah Bakewell

At the Existentialist Café: Freedom, Being, and Apricot Cocktails Book Cover

Publisher’s Description: Paris, 1933: three contemporaries meet over apricot cocktails at the Bec-de-Gaz bar on the rue Montparnasse. They are the young Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and longtime friend Raymond Aron, a fellow philosopher who raves to them about a new conceptual framework from Berlin called Phenomenology. “You see,” he says, “if you are a phenomenologist you can talk about this cocktail and make philosophy out of it!”

It was this simple phrase that would ignite a movement, inspiring Sartre to integrate Phenomenology into his own French, humanistic sensibility, thereby creating an entirely new philosophical approach inspired by themes of radical freedom, authentic being, and political activism. This movement would sweep through the jazz clubs and cafés of the Left Bank before making its way across the world as Existentialism. …

Basic Writings of Existentialism – Gordon Marino

Basic Writings of Existentialism Book Cover

Publisher’s Description: Basic Writings of Existentialism, unique to the Modern Library, presents the writings of key nineteenth- and twentieth-century thinkers broadly united by their belief that because life has no inherent meaning humans can discover, we must determine meaning for ourselves. This anthology brings together into one volume the most influential and commonly taught works of existentialism. Contributors include Simone de Beauvoir, Albert Camus, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Ralph Ellison, Martin Heidegger, Søren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Nietzsche, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Miguel de Unamuno y Jugo.

The Cambridge Companion to Existentialism – Steven Crowell

The Cambridge Companion to Existentialism Book Cover

Publisher’s Description: Existentialism exerts a continuing fascination on students of philosophy and general readers. As a philosophical phenomenon, though, it is often poorly understood, as a form of radical subjectivism that turns its back on reason and argumentation and possesses all the liabilities of philosophical idealism but without any idealistic conceptual clarity. In this volume of original essays, the first to be devoted exclusively to existentialism in over forty years, a team of distinguished commentators discuss the ideas of Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre, Merleau-Ponty and Beauvoir and show how their focus on existence provides a compelling perspective on contemporary issues in moral psychology and philosophy of mind, language and history. A further sequence of chapters examines the influence of existential ideas beyond philosophy, in literature, religion, politics and psychiatry. The volume offers a rich and comprehensive assessment of the continuing vitality of existentialism as a philosophical movement and a cultural phenomenon.

The Sickness unto Death: A Christian Psychological Exposition of Edification & Awakening – Søren Kierkegaard

The Sickness unto Death: A Christian Psychological Exposition of Edification & Awakening Book Cover

Publisher’s Description: One of the most remarkable philosophical works of the nineteenth century, famed for the depth and acuity of its modern psychological insights

Writing under the pseudonym Anti-Climacus, Kierkegaard explores the concept of “despair,” alerting readers to the diversity of ways in which they may be described as living in this state of bleak abandonment—including some that may seem just the opposite—and offering a much-discussed formula for the eradication of despair. With its penetrating account of the self, this late work by Kierkegaard was hugely influential upon twentieth-century philosophers including Karl Jaspers, Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus. The Sickness unto Death can be regarded as one of the key works of theistic existentialist thought—a brilliant and revelatory answer to one man’s struggle to fill the spiritual void.

Jean-Paul Sartre: Basic Writings – Jean-Paul Sartre

Jean-Paul Sartre: Basic Writings Book Cover

Publisher’s Description: Jean-Paul Sartre is one of the most famous philosophers of the twentieth century. The principle founder of existentialism, a political thinker and famous novelist and dramatist, his work has exerted enormous influence in philosophy, literature, politics and cultural studies.

Jean-Paul Sartre: Basic Writings is the first collection of Sartre’s key philosophical writings and provides an indispensable resource for all students and readers of his work. Stephen Priest’s clear and helpful introductions set each reading in context, making the volume an ideal companion to those coming to Sartre’s writings for the first time.

The Ethics of Ambiguity – Simone de Beauvoir

The Ethics of Ambiguity Book Cover

The following sources were used to build this list:

University Course Syllabi:

  • Introduction to Existentialism – George Washington University
  • Existentialism – Georgetown University
  • Existentialism – University of Hawaii
  • Introduction to Existentialism – University of Victoria
  • Existentialism – University of Oregon

Bibliographies:

  • Bibliography for the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy article on Existentialism
  • Bibliography for the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy article on Existentialism

Other Recommendations:

  • Books on existentialism.
  • Anyone recommend a good reference book on Existentialism
  • Book or readings on existentialism ?
  • A Beginner’s Guide to Existentialism?

Additional Resources

If you want to learn more about existentialism, you can find a collection of free articles, videos, and podcasts here .

You might also be interested in the following reading lists:

  • The Best Introductory Philosophy Books
  • The Best Books on the Meaning of Life
  • The Best Books on or by Kierkegaard
  • The Best Books on or by Sartre
  • The Best Books on or by Simone de Beauvoir

The Daily Idea aims to make learning about philosophy as easy as possible by bringing together the best philosophy resources from across the internet.

  • Find the best philosophy books on a wide variety of topics with this collection of over 120 philosophy reading lists .
  • Find free online philosophy articles, podcasts, and videos with this organised collection of 400+ free philosophy resources .

You can also follow The Daily Idea on Facebook and Twitter for updates.

A History of Western Philosophy in 500 Essential Quotations – Lennox Johnson

books on existentialism

Category: Reference | Length: 145 pages | Published: 2019

Publisher’s Description: A History of Western Philosophy in 500 Essential Quotations is a collection of the greatest thoughts from history’s greatest thinkers. Featuring classic quotations by Aristotle, Epicurus, David Hume, Friedrich Nietzsche, Bertrand Russell, Michel Foucault, and many more, A History of Western Philosophy in 500 Essential Quotations is ideal for anyone looking to quickly understand the fundamental ideas that have shaped the modern world.

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Philosophy Books » How to Live » Existentialism

Underrated existentialist classics, recommended by jonathan webber.

Rethinking Existentialism by Jonathan Webber

Rethinking Existentialism by Jonathan Webber

As questions of identity become a focus of political debate, interest in existentialism has been booming once more. Here, the philosopher Jonathan Webber discusses five classic books dealing with existentialist themes that deserve a bigger audience.

Interview by Nigel Warburton

Underrated Existentialist Classics - When Things of the Spirit Come First: Five Early Tales by Simone de Beauvoir

When Things of the Spirit Come First: Five Early Tales by Simone de Beauvoir

Underrated Existentialist Classics - Pyrrhus et Cinéas by Simone de Beauvoir

Pyrrhus et Cinéas by Simone de Beauvoir

Underrated Existentialist Classics - Saint Genet: Actor and Martyr by Jean-Paul Sartre

Saint Genet: Actor and Martyr by Jean-Paul Sartre

Underrated Existentialist Classics - Black Skin, White Masks by Frantz Fanon

Black Skin, White Masks by Frantz Fanon

Underrated Existentialist Classics - Charlotte Sometimes by Penelope Farmer

Charlotte Sometimes by Penelope Farmer

books on existentialism

1 When Things of the Spirit Come First: Five Early Tales by Simone de Beauvoir

2 pyrrhus et cinéas by simone de beauvoir, 3 saint genet: actor and martyr by jean-paul sartre, 4 black skin, white masks by frantz fanon, 5 charlotte sometimes by penelope farmer.

The heyday – at least of French existentialism – was the period immediately after the Second World War. There was a lot of enthusiasm for it in the 1960s and 1970s in Britain, and then it fell by the wayside. In France it was actually vilified by many in the 1980s. Do you think it’s time to look back at existentialism and re-evaluate it?

Yes, I think certainly it is. You mention the vilification of existentialism in the eighties, and I think partly that was because people saw it as reflecting a very naïve, individual-centred perspective on the world, and a lot of the theoretical emphasis at the time was on social structures and linguistic structures. But I think in part that is a mischaracterisation of existentialism. We get given this cartoon-style history of European thought that says there’s a break with existentialism when structuralism and post-structuralism throw out the existentialist stuff and the emphasis on freedom and the emphasis on the individual. Really, it’s a much more fluid, continuous development. People like Michel Foucault and Jacques Derrida admitted that what happened when they were writing their first publications was that they had to emphasise their disagreements with existentialism, because existentialism ruled the roost and attacking it was the only way to get an audience. But what they downplayed was the continuities. I think now that people have spent a lot of time thinking about structuralism and post-structuralism and their relevance to society, it’s time to reboot those discussions and refresh them with a renewed focus on existentialism.

You’ve written a book called Rethinking Existentialism , which presumably paves the way for this. In order to re-think it, though, we must be clear what it is that we’re re-thinking. It’s a bit of a cruel question, but what do you think are the core tenets of existentialism?

Actually, I think there’s a straightforward answer to that, and I think it’s the answer that both Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre gave in 1945, when they gave the word ‘existentialism’ its definition. It had only been coined shortly before and it was a media buzzword that meant just about anything. They gave it a definition and they defined it in terms of their own philosophy. It is the theory that existence precedes essence: the individual person doesn’t have a set, fixed personality, but instead develops a character depending on the projects they pursue and the social environment in which they pursue them. That’s the existential element of existentialism. It’s also the ethical theory that one ought to respect the structure of human existence, which means that one ought to value human freedom above everything else.

What’s being re-thought then, here? That’s a description of what existentialism is, where does the rethinking come in?

In two places. One is that not everybody agrees that that’s what existentialism is. The second is that there’s some development in that thought from 1945 up to about 1952, and that’s what’s tracked in my book. Not everyone agrees about the definition of existentialism because in 1945 both Sartre and Beauvoir were defining their view partly by referring to other philosophers and writers, like Kierkegaard , Heidegger, Dostoevsky. And so this continued when people started writing books about existentialism and compiling anthologies of existentialist writings: they then extended the word backwards in literary history and included all kinds of characters they decided had been existentialists or proto-existentialist. Once you start reading all those people side by side and you then ask yourself what existentialism is, what do all these people have in common, you find you can’t answer that question in a straightforward way since they don’t really have anything in common. So you end up with this idea that it’s just a family resemblance category. But that makes it a bit arbitrary. You can develop those kinds of family resemblance categories, you can draw those kinds of patterns in the history of thought until the cows come home, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that your pattern is really tracking anything.

You’re suggesting that it’s more appropriate to stick with Sartre and Beauvoir’s definition, and see it as a historical movement that emerged from that, rather than an emotional attitude with precedent going way back?

One way to do this is to distinguish existentialism from existential thought. The latter is any philosophy that tries to come up with a kind of systematic understanding of what it is to exist as a human individual; whereas existentialism is a particular theory that tries to answer that question. It is a substantive philosophical theory. There’s a lot to gain from that approach and I think that helps us to clarify a lot of what’s going on in Beauvoir and Sartre and other philosophers as well. Although Beauvoir and Sartre gave the same sort of definition of existentialism in 1945, if you look closely they don’t actually agree with each other on what it meant. There’s an important difference between what Beauvoir meant by ‘existence precedes essence’ and what Sartre meant by it. Sartre famously believed in what he called ‘radical freedom’, which is the view that none of your character traits or values or projects, no part of your outlook carries any weight or inertia of its own: it’s only there because you continue to endorse and underwrite it, and you can just change that.

Beauvoir, in contrast, believes in ‘sedimentation’: she thinks that you become a particular kind of person through your upbringing and the projects you pursue, and although you can develop new projects to replace them, that’s not just an instantaneous radical conversion like you get in Sartre’s thought; rather, it’s a slow and difficult process, and the projects don’t necessarily disappear simply because you want to get rid of them. What happened over the course of the 1940s was that Sartre realised his view wasn’t going to work and that he needed to adopt Beauvoir’s view. By the time we get to his book Saint Genet in 1952, one of my choices, Sartre had dispensed with radical freedom and replaced it with the theory of sedimentation. So he rethought existentialism across that time.

It strikes me that existentialism as a movement was a catalyst for creative writing in many different genres. We know Sartre and Beauvoir were both prolific as philosophers, but also both reasonably prolific as novelists, playwrights, critics, and biographers. In some way existentialism liberated them to become writers in a variety of genres rather than exclusively academic philosophers. They were not constrained in any way by the definition of being a philosopher. I love this theme you’ve picked out, ‘underrated existentialist classics’. None of the five books you’ve selected is a straightforward philosophical tract.

Thanks. Yes. Several of them are pretty unusual pieces of writing full stop.

Let’s discuss Simone de Beauvoir’s When Things of the Spirit Come First  (1979).

This is a slightly odd book because it’s not quite a novel and not quite a collection of short stories either. They’re five stories of varying lengths that centre around the same cluster of characters, but the narratives of those stories don’t necessarily fit together to create a single overarching novel. If you read it that way you encounter a lot of loose ends. She wrote it in the late 1930s and tried to get it published, but it was turned down by the publishers she sent it to and she gave up on it. She then found it forty years later in the late 1970s and thought it was worthy of publication, and so published it as it was. So it was certainly underrated by the publishers at the time it was written.

That seems to predate the formulation of existentialism proper. Is it even fair to call it ‘existentialist’ by your definition?

Good question. Well yes, I think it is. You can see in that work the important features of Beauvoir’s own philosophy that she develops in much more detail in the 1940s. Take the idea of sedimentation that I’ve already mentioned. These characters are all emerging from a very conservative, closed upbringing, which is also very spiritual in a Roman Catholic way, and they’re all dealing with the effects of that on their outlook of the world. Some characters still very much have those ideas, while others are trying to break away from it and develop their own perspective, but are finding that these elements of themselves are so sedimented that they are surprisingly difficult to budge and that this makes it harder for them to be the people they want to be. Most of these key characters are women as well, so the fact that their upbringing is the kind of upbringing that sediments them with a particular notion of femininity, but also a particular kind of spirituality, is important. Beauvoir later explains this at great length in The Second Sex .

Were you drawn to this book as an interesting work of fiction , or is it more that it effectively illustrates a philosophy ?

It’s an interesting work of fiction in its own right. It gives us a really interesting insight into life growing up as a woman, or a man, in early twentieth-century France, a taste of French culture at that time. It gives you an insight into the way in which the roots of French existentialism grow out of, in part, this widespread theologically-orientated upbringing, a very spiritual kind of upbringing.

Is it spiritual rather than moral? From Beauvoir’s autobiography we see there were very high expectations put upon her as to how she should behave, what she should do with her life. For instance she was expected to marry and have children, not have a career as a public intellectual.

That’s right. But I think what comes out in this novel, at least with these characters, is that the moral expectations themselves have a spiritual sheen: they are at least presented as being led by spirituality – an idea I don’t think she’s very sympathetic to. I think she sees it as very constraining and problematic. Most of Beauvoir’s fiction, particularly from that era, consists of huge novels, and these can be quite a slow and difficult read; whereas this book is a great place to get a shorter introduction to her work.

Your second choice is also by Simone de Beauvoir:  Pyrrhus and Cinéas (1944). So, who are Pyrrhus and Cinéas?

Pyrrhus is a king and Cinéas is his adviser. The book opens with a conversation between the two of them. Pyrrhus declares that he is going to conquer Greece, and Cinéas asks him, ‘Why? What are you going to do after that?’. To which Pyrrhus replies, ‘Well then I’ll conquer Africa.’ Cinéas asks again, ‘Well what are you going to do once you’ve done that?’ ‘Then I’m going to conquer Asia’, Pyrrhus replies. Cinéas keeps asking this same question until Pyrrhus runs out of lands to conquer, at which point he says, ‘After all this I will rest.’ Cinéas replies: ‘Well why not just rest now?’ Indeed. Why bother doing all those other things first?

“Cinéas replies, ‘Well why not just rest now?’ Indeed.”

There’s a lot going on in that conversation, but what Cinéas seems to be suggesting is that there’s something absurd about these projects, about all projects. You value the goal you’re trying to achieve while you’re trying to achieve it. But then once it’s been achieved you just move on to something else. So, that’s one of the problems Beauvoir wants to raise in the book: the problem of absurdity.

Absurdity not just for wannabe world leaders but for anybody, whatever project, whether it’s to write a book, get a job or have children? Is she saying that anything that you do is always going to be reduced to absurdity by the question ‘and then what?’

Exactly. But what Cinéas is wrong about, she thinks, is the suggestion that you could just give up committing to these projects, because on Beauvoir’s view you can’t. What it is to be human is to pursue projects. So that’s the problem of absurdity, as she sees it: we are stuck, we have projects and must value our goals, and yet are aware from some perspectives that these goals seem valueless.

Is this book another novel, or does it take a different form?

No, it’s a philosophical essay in the style of Michel de Montaigne’s Essais . It was originally published as a short book in 1944, but only translated into English in 2004.

Why do you think it hasn’t been discussed more, because it sounds fascinating?

It is fascinating. It strikes me as a much more insightful and interesting analysis of the problem of absurdity than Camus’ The Myth of Sisyphus which is the go-to text for that topic. It’s also an important moral argument: her analysis of absurdity produces an argument for Kantian morality, the idea that it’s imperative that you respect and promote human freedom. Her other moral and political writings of the 1940s, including The Second Sex , all are built on that claim. She’s often accused of simply assuming it without any argument, but she hasn’t assumed it, she’s published her argument in this book that was very well received in 1944 in Paris. I don’t know whether it then disappeared in French culture or just never got translated into English. I think the reception of all her moral and political work, certainly in the English language, has been distorted by that crucial missing piece of the jigsaw.

The Second Sex is the philosophical work that Beauvoir is known for. She’s almost always portrayed as a feminist philosopher, less often as an existentialist, except in relation to Sartre and her famous relationship with him and to the themes of the novels. It seems that Sartre took the limelight, and everyone gravitated towards his version of existentialism. But from what you’ve been saying Beauvoir sounds a lot saner. For me, Sartre’s existentialism is attractive and empowering in some ways, but philosophically naïve by contemporary standards when it comes to the extent of human freedom he assumes and the ease with which he thinks one can move from deciding to be something else to becoming something else. It seems to be splitting away from history, and the complexity of people’s obligations and networks of commitments. Whereas for Beauvoir that’s always the issue: this awareness of the things that are holding you back as well as those that push you away and forward.

I think that’s right. But the contrast between them has even got to the point where some people think that, because of exactly the contrast you’ve described, and because people think existentialism has to be defined in terms of Sartre’s philosophy, that it somehow shows that Beauvoir was not fully an existentialist. But I think it’s exactly the other way around. If you define existentialism as what they were both saying in 1945, then you see this as a tension within existentialism, one that got resolved in Beauvoir’s favour across the 1940s.

You’re interested in rethinking existentialism. How do you view existentialism, even of Beauvoir’s kind, in the light of recent neuroscience which seems to be constantly moving in the direction of showing us that the stories we tell ourselves about choice are mostly confabulations rather than accurate descriptions of our powers to do things differently?

I’m not sure that is what neuroscience is necessarily telling us, and a certain take on it often overlooks this. The neuroscience story isn’t that what appear to be our decisions are completely epiphenomenal, it’s not that they have no effect, it’s that their effect isn’t directly on our immediate behaviour but rather it’s on training and programming the system that produces our behaviour. I think this is exactly what you find in Beauvoir’s style of existentialism based on her notion of sedimentation.

I managed to study existentialism without ever even encountering that word ‘sedimentation’. Studying it at university in the 1980s ‘sedimentation’ was not a word that came up in the seminars I attended. Sartre’s discussions of the ‘slimy’ and the ‘viscous’ were mentioned as glue-like things holding us back, ‘the revenge of the in-itself’, but never ‘sedimentation.’

Sartre’s whole model doesn’t make sense without a notion of sedimentation. Why might ‘slimy’ things be disgusting because they conflict with your projects, unless it’s because your projects have become so engrained in your cognitive system that they are even shaping your perception. It looks like sedimentation is required for a lot of Sartre’s existentialism. That’s why I think it’s a mistake to think that existentialism is just the theory of radical freedom and that Beauvoir’s theory is not really existentialist. The radical freedom version of Sartre in 1943 was not even internally coherent for that reason, and that’s ultimately what he came to realise over the 1940s.

Your next choice is Jean-Paul Sartre’s Saint Genet: Actor and Martyr (1952). Jean Genet was a fascinating character, a professional thief who served time in prison, a brilliant novelist and also a highly-regarded poet and playwright, openly homosexual at a time when that was an incredibly difficult thing to be. Why does Sartre call him a saint?

It is a reference to the third-century martyr Saint Genestus, the patron saint of actors, who is known in French as Genêt. He was supposedly an actor who converted to Christianity on stage during a play that mocked Christian rituals. Sartre is drawing parallels between the life of Genet and the mythology surrounding this saint. He’s not necessarily holding Genet up as a hero.

The book does seem to give a lot of internal details of Genet’s life. It’s a biography, but written by an existentialist who has a particular theory about the nature of understanding one’s life, and Sartre seems to be imagining that all from Genet’s viewpoint.

I have to admit this is one of the strangest books I’ve ever read. It’s a biography, as you say, of Genet, who was quite famous at the time as a novelist, a playwright, and a poet. But he wasn’t hugely famous. Sartre had been asked to write a preface to a collected works of Genet, and what he ended up writing was a 700-page psychoanalytic tome.

It’s more existential psychoanalytic than Freudian psychoanalytic, isn’t it? Sartre didn’t believe in the subconscious, which a conventional psychoanalyst would consider something of an omission.

He didn’t believe in the particular Freudian structure of the mind, but he did think that a lot of what Freud described about patterns of behaviour was correct. He just thought Freud had developed the wrong theory of the mind to account for it. In fact, he thought Freud’s theory of mind failed to explain it.

For Sartre, there is a kind of Original Choice a defining choice that each of us makes that goes on to shape our future choices. Right at the heart of this book Sartre talks about Genet’s choice to be a thief, a choice he made in childhood.

That’s right. He was trying to present an analysis of Genet’s life and all the details of it as if in the first person. But on the other hand, he does sometimes describe the book as a true novel. There are various places in it where he describes some event, and you’re reading it thinking, ‘how could you possibly know this event took place like this when Genet was ten years old?’ And then Sartre quite disarmingly writes ‘oh, well maybe it didn’t happen exactly like that, but something like this happened.’

He did talk to Genet and studied his writings, which were strongly autobiographical. But to some extent what he was doing with Saint Genet was not just presenting a biography of a particular person, but rather showing how a whole person, with all of their tastes and mannerisms and works, can actually be a manifestation of a single underlying project. In a way, it’s a description of a possible person, a description of how the theory can be coherent and give a story about a person. In that way it doesn’t matter whether it’s actually true about Genet; that’s what I think he means when he deflects with those disarming comments.

He does employ the apparatus of existential vocabulary: the book includes many reflections on self-understanding and bad faith and how individuals act in relation to other people’s versions of themselves. It strikes me that in some ways Saint Genet provides an easier access to the themes of Being and Nothingness than Being and Nothingness itself.

That’s certainly right. It’s a much more lucid piece of writing. Some passages in Being and Nothingness are great, but some of them are absolutely tortuous. In many respects, what he’s doing in Saint Genet is rethinking the existentialism of Being and Nothingness because he has abandoned the idea of radical freedom because he’s been persuaded finally that Beauvoir is right about sedimentation. That’s why he cites The Second Sex a few times in Saint Genet . It’s also the first time really that he’s paid much attention to childhood: there is a lot about Genet’s formation throughout his childhood; whereas in Being and Nothingness it’s as though we simply appear out of nowhere as fully formed adults.

Obviously later he wrote The Words which is a short autobiography. He won the Nobel Prize for Literature for that, but went on to reject the prize. So, he did later devote time to thinking about childhood and in particular his own childhood…

Just before we go on to your penultimate book choice, I want to ask why anyone should read Saint Genet ?

It’s probably the definitive statement of Sartre’s existentialism. His existentialism developed until this point, because of the tensions between radical freedom and sedimentation that we’ve discussed. Once he had finally accepted the theory of sedimentation, he didn’t want to throw out his existing existentialism, but could see that this alteration in the metaphysical theory had far-reaching ramifications. So, this is all thoroughly rethought throughout Saint Genet . The book also weaves together various threads he’d been working on in the previous decade. The work on imagination in particular, and the way it developed in Genet’s own aesthetic sensibilities, the way it came out in his poetry and prose – these were all things Sartre had talked about in different ways, but he had never tried to coalesce them all into a single picture before.

I wonder whether the reason this book isn’t better known, even today, is partly to do with homophobia? Certainly, when I read it in the 1980s, I had to buy it in Gay’s the Word bookshop in Bloomsbury: it wasn’t on the standard bookshelves then, you didn’t see it in bookshops then in those pre-Amazon days.

That may well be true, although to be honest there might be other reasons why it wasn’t mainstream. It is just such an odd book. You wouldn’t necessarily intuitively think that some great philosopher’s definitive work might be found in the biography of a playwright and poet. Admittedly Being and Nothingness is a strange book too, although that’s strange in a way that’s fairly familiar from the history of philosophy.

Your fourth book choice is Frantz Fanon’s Black Skin, White Masks  (1952). Could you say a little bit about who Fanon was?

Fanon was a psychiatrist by training. In fact, he originally wrote Black Skin, White Masks as his final-year dissertation for his medical degree, but was promptly told by his supervisor that there was no way he would pass with a paper like that. So he wrote something different on neuropharmacology for that instead. He was black, and was born and raised in Martinique, which was a French colony that then became a département of France. He fought for the French forces in the Second World War and in recognition of his service in the war he was awarded a scholarship to the University of Lyon where he trained to be a psychiatrist. He’s especially well known for his second book, The Wretched of the Earth , which came out in 1961 and is a central text in anti-colonial political thought. But his first book doesn’t take the same kind of political perspective. Rather it focuses on the individual person. It was very much influenced by existentialism as a movement, and was published in the same year as Saint Genet . Fanon was particularly interested in the psychiatric problems you could face if you were a victim of racism , particularly of anti-black racism in France. This book is often misunderstood, I think, and its existentialism is usually completely overlooked.

Interesting. So, obviously it’s recognised as a classic, in the way some of your other choices aren’t, but it’s not necessarily recognised as an existentialist classic. What is it that makes the book existentialist: its influences, or its focus on the subjectivity of people’s experience?

Both of those things are important features of its existentialism. What he develops is an existentialist view, that existence precedes essence, that people don’t have fixed personalities. It follows that there are no ethnic natures, or essences of particular groups of people, and that anything that might appear to be this way is therefore the result of social construction. That operates, in his view, through a kind of sedimentation of the idea that there are different races of people with different fixed natures. Fanon places a lot of emphasis on childhood and upbringing here, so there’s a strong similarity between Black Skin, White Masks and The Second Sex in that regard. The underlying theory of the whole book does seem to be that same kind of existentialism you get in Beauvoir’s work from the late 1930s onwards and in Sartre’s work from Saint Genet onwards.

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Each chapter in the book develops work of a different kind of analysis: he has some literary criticism, some historical analysis, some psychoanalytic and political theory, followed by short chapters on Hegel and Adler. So, it’s often been seen as quite an eclectic work that’s trying to address racism in a number of ways but doesn’t really have any theoretical unity to it. Some people think that’s the point of the book, that there is no correct single way to address these problems; but I think that’s mistaken, that what he’s doing consistently throughout the book is developing this existentialist viewpoint of the sedimentation of a social racism into the outlook of the individual.

And is it a relatively easy read, or not?

Again, it’s quite an odd book. He changes literary register all the time, and he’s drawing on a wide range of intellectual sources, both academic ones in psychology, history and anthropology, and literary sources, novelists, poets and musicians. And he’s not only drawing on those influences, but also switching between those literary registers himself. So, some of it is quite autobiographical and confessional, almost meditative. Much of it is objective and forensic. So it can be a challenging read, trying to keep up with him as he keeps shifting gears.

Like Saint Genet it’s not a conventional book then. There’s a sense in which existentialists are sometimes genre-rejecters, almost as though it’s considered a form of bad faith to accept that there is one way to write a book.

I think that’s definitely what’s going on with Black Skin, White Masks . The actual writing of the text is a kind of performance of the theory itself. So, who is Frantz Fanon, the author? Well, he’s the person who has all these influences and whose outlook is developed through all this sedimentation, and when he expresses himself authentically, as the person that he is, he must express himself in these different registers and draw on all these influences, because otherwise it’s only a partial presentation of his thought and his voice.

The final book you’ve chosen is Charlotte Sometimes , by Penelope Farmer. Could you tell me a little bit about Farmer?

She’s written a number of novels, mostly children’s novels, but this is the one that she’s best known for. This is partly because it is the title of The Cure’s sixth single, which is a take on the story in this book. To call this an underrated existentialist classic might be a little bit of a stretch, because I don’t think that it is presenting a theory, or the theory that existence precedes essence, or anything like that. But it is a meditation on the kinds of questions, and the kinds of reasons, why people might come to that theory.

Without giving too much away, can you give us a sense of what happens in the book, or at least a flavour of it?

I’m reluctant to give anything away. The book was first published in 1969, but was set in 1958 and 1918, moving between the end of the First World War and a period forty years later. The central character, Charlotte Makepeace, comes to understand the role of her social setting and the temporal sequence of her life in forming who she is, in a way that wouldn’t have been obvious to her, had she not been through the adventures that she’s gone through.

Do you think it was actually influenced by existentialism, or is that just coincidental?

I don’t know. There was a lot of literature around at the time that was influenced by existentialism in various ways, though it tended to have been influenced by the Camus model of a lone alienated figure rather than this socially-embedded existentialism that you get in the works of Beauvoir. I have read an interview with the author where she says she was surprised that a lot of people consider it a book about identity, because that’s not what she had in mind when she was writing it. But I’m not sure really what that amounts to, because people mean different things by ‘identity’. I think it’s clearly a meditation on what makes a person who they are, the historical contingencies of that, the people you’re around, the larger historical context, and the navigation of all that is available to you at your particular stage of life. As I mentioned, one part of the story is at the end of the First World War, a major shock to European culture, and then the other part of the novel is 40 years later. Not only is the First World War well and truly over, but we’ve seen its ramifications in the Second World War as well by then.

And you’re recommending this book as a book for adults? Or do you just think that it’s a good children’s book ?

I would recommend it for adults, yes. I think I would recommend it as a children’s book as well. Perhaps it sounds a little sophisticated, but the lead character is ten years old and the story is told entirely from her perspective. The way in which a reading of this book might cause you to come to question your own identity, and see your personality as a reflection of the contingencies of your background and upbringing, is perhaps the kind of realisation you wouldn’t want children to have too early in their lives. But it is certainly something to recommend to teenagers.

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In a way that seems to be the theme of all of these books. I guess that is the big existentialist theme, that you read these books and they have the potential to change how you understand yourself. Saint Genet isn’t just about Genet, it’s about any human being, how a human being is shaped; and Fanon’s book isn’t just about those with black skin.

Yes. It’s about the construction of race itself.

Sarah Bakewell ’s book At The Existentialist Café has brought existentialism back into the literary public’s awareness in a positive way recently, not as something to get beyond as it were, but as a movement which had really significant things to say about every human being. Are you sympathetic with that view? Obviously, you’ve devoted a lot of time to studying existentialism and are recommending existentialist books. Is it because these books shed light on existentialism, or is it because they shed light on what is it to be human to some extent?

It’s the latter for sure. One of the reasons why people are becoming interested again in existentialism is that there’s been a resurgence of interest in identity and in the origins of identity , especially gender and racial identity. This is why there’s a resurgence of interest in Beauvoir and Fanon. I absolutely think their analyses of the way sedimentation occurs, and of the prospects for a person moving away from a sedimented outlook, speak very directly to contemporary concerns. The other books I’ve recommended are relevant to these concerns too, just less directly.

June 1, 2018

Five Books aims to keep its book recommendations and interviews up to date. If you are the interviewee and would like to update your choice of books (or even just what you say about them) please email us at [email protected]

Jonathan Webber

Jonathan Webber

Jonathan Webber is a philosophy professor at the University of Cardiff. He is the author of five books, most recently  Rethinking Existentialism , published by Oxford University Press in 2018.

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100 Best Existential Books of All Time

We've researched and ranked the best existential books in the world, based on recommendations from world experts, sales data, and millions of reader ratings. Learn more

books on existentialism

Man's Search for Meaning

Viktor E. Frankl, William J. Winslade, et al. | 5.00

books on existentialism

Tony Robbins Another book that I’ve read dozens of times. It taught me that if you change the meaning, you change everything. Meaning equals emotion, and emotion equals life. (Source)

Jimmy Fallon I read it while spending ten days in the ICU of Bellevue hospital trying to reattach my finger from a ring avulsion accident in my kitchen. It talks about the meaning of life, and I believe you come out a better person from reading it. (Source)

books on existentialism

Dustin Moskovitz [Dustin Moskovitz recommended this book on Twitter.] (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

books on existentialism

The Stranger

Albert Camus, Jonathan Davis, et al | 4.53

books on existentialism

David Heinemeier Hansson Seminal novel on existentialism and the absurd by Albert Camus from 1946. Explores that feeling of disconnectedness from society, its norms, and the absurdity of every day life. Striking first-person account in a powerful, direct language. (Source)

Kyle Maynard [Kyle Maynard said this is one of his most-recommended books.] (Source)

books on existentialism

Jean-Paul Sartre, Lloyd Alexander, et al. | 4.41

books on existentialism

David Heinemeier Hansson Existentialists like Sartre are big on the idea that you can’t just relate a philosophical worldview by simply stating values, techniques, and facts. To understand existentialism, you must feel it. Breathe its ambience. It’s like a tonal curve for life. Yes, we can talk about highlights, shadows, and all the mechanical elements of that tonal curve, but you won’t become an artist just by knowing... (Source)

Sarah Bakewell It’s (Source)

Samantha Harvey The question of mental illness comes down to whether Sartre’s right about his philosophy, which is an interesting question. (Source)

books on existentialism

Albert Camus, Stuart Gilbert | 4.39

books on existentialism

Jenny Davidson Albert Camus’s The Plague probably remains the best-known novel on the topic of epidemic disease. It tells the story of those involved in an epidemic in a North African setting. It is very interested in the details about how quarantines are enforced and the role not just of the government, but of individuals who band together into groups to manage the epidemic. (Source)

Stephen Breyer He talks about the plague. Well, the plague is that part of a human being which can be very evil. That germ, he says at the end, never dies, it simply goes into remission. It lurks. It lurks in the cupboards, it lurks in the hallways, it lurks in the filing cabinets. (Source)

books on existentialism

Arthur Ammann It’s an amazing book, considering Camus probably never personally experienced a plague. In his novel, Camus captured everything that we were dealing with in the Aids epidemic without Aids existing at that time. Without his knowing what the consequences of the HIV plague were going to be, he seems to have gotten all the actors in there and the myriad of things that you wrestle with. (Source)

books on existentialism

Crime and Punishment

A Russian Realistic Novel

Fyodor Dostoyevsky | 4.38

books on existentialism

Esther Perel You can reread the Russians. They are timeless. (Source)

Irvine Welsh It is not a crime book in the way that we understand crime fiction today. Instead it is like an existential psychological thriller. (Source)

Ben Domenech @SohrabAhmari @li88yinc @jgcrum @BlueBoxDave @InezFeltscher @JarrettStepman Maybe the best book ever written. (Source)

books on existentialism

The Unbearable Lightness of Being

Milan Kundera | 4.38

books on existentialism

Evan Spiegel [Evan Spiegel said this was his favorite book.] (Source)

Iulia Ghita I like Milan Kundera’s books with his philosophical digressions that sometimes remind me of my own dilemmas, with The Unbearable Lightness of Being as my favourite. I find Kundera’s stories awfully sad, but yet so real, so close to human nature. I admit, I’m not a fan of happy endings, I prefer thought provoking endings. (Source)

Carlos Eire The title, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, comes from the main character’s obsession with the fact that all we have is the now, nothing else except the ever-moving now. (Source)

books on existentialism

The Brothers Karamazov

Fyodor Dostoevsky, Richard Pevear, Larissa Volokhonsky | 4.35

books on existentialism

Randall Stephenson Favorite book: The Brothers Karamazov. (Source)

Kenan Malik Dostoevsky was a devout Christian and The Brothers Karamazov, his last and possibly greatest novel, was a heartfelt plea for the necessity of faith. The phrase If God does not exist, everything is permitted is often attributed to Dostoevsky. He actually never wrote that, but the sentiment certainly runs through much of his work, and most especially through The Brothers Karamazov. (Source)

Rachel Kushner This book taught me something I knew on a much deeper level but did not have the language or the reasoning to state: that innocence is something very durable and interior, and also evanescent. (Source)

books on existentialism

The Metamorphosis

Franz Kafk | 4.34

books on existentialism

David Lynch [David Lynch said this is one of his most-recommended books.] (Source)

books on existentialism

Steppenwolf

Hermann Hesse, Basil Creighton | 4.33

books on existentialism

Amanda Palmer Has a fantastical realism that pierces to the bottom of the psyche. I've re-read and re-read this sucker every five years. (Source)

Sanja Zepan Favourite non-business book would be Der Steppenwolf, by Hermann Hesse. It's a book that's often read by privileged people who feel misunderstood (usually teens), so everyone focuses on the first part about loneliness in the bourgeois world and forgets about the whole second part of the book that's about overcoming that and finding a sense of humour, a shift in perspective, and a bit of distance.... (Source)

books on existentialism

Franz Kafka, Breon Mitchell | 4.33

books on existentialism

David Heinemeier Hansson It’s a fascinating writing style with a 3rd party observer that’s treated as an extension of the protagonists own sentiments and mind. It’s also just exquisitely written. And the concept of being on trial for charges unknown by a vast, impersonal, yet petty, bureaucracy pulls from a timeless well of societal anxieties. So far, so very good. About half way through. (Source)

Michael Peel I read this before going to Nigeria but moving there made me think about it a lot. The idea that the system always wins. (Source)

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books on existentialism

George Orwell | 4.31

books on existentialism

Richard Branson Today is World Book Day, a wonderful opportunity to address this #ChallengeRichard sent in by Mike Gonzalez of New Jersey: Make a list of your top 65 books to read in a lifetime. (Source)

Steve Jobs called this book "one of his favorite" and recommended it to the hires. The book also inspired one the greatest TV ad (made by Jobs) (Source)

books on existentialism

D J Taylor In terms of how technology is working in our modern surveillance powers, it’s a terrifyingly prophetic book in some of its implications for 21st-century human life. Orwell would deny that it was prophecy; he said it was a warning. But in fact, distinguished Orwell scholar Professor Peter Davis once made a list of all the things that Orwell got right, and it was a couple of fairly long paragraphs,... (Source)

books on existentialism

When Breath Becomes Air

Paul Kalanithi, Abraham Verghese | 4.31

books on existentialism

Bill Gates I don’t know how Kalanithi found the physical strength to write this book while he was so debilitated by the disease and then potent chemotherapy. But I’m so glad he did. He spent his whole brief life searching for meaning in one way or another -- through books, writing, medicine, surgery, and science. I’m grateful that, by reading this book, I got to witness a small part of that journey. I just... (Source)

Ryan Holiday Despite its popularity, When Breath Becomes Air is actually underrated. It’s make-you-cry good. (Source)

Bethany S. Mandel More Shabbat reading recommendations: This book was breathtaking and such a powerful advertisement for the joy of parenthood. https://t.co/V8BH97eiL9 (Source)

books on existentialism

The Catcher in the Rye

J. D. Salinger | 4.30

books on existentialism

Bill Gates One of my favorite books ever. (Source)

Woody Allen It was such a relief from the other books I was reading at the time, which all had a quality of homework to them. (Source)

books on existentialism

Chigozie Obioma He sees everybody as phony because they take life too seriously. (Source)

books on existentialism

The Little Prince Family Storybook

Unabridged Original Text

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry | 4.29

books on existentialism

Ryan Holiday Equally allegorical, I read The Little Prince for the first time which for some reason I’d never been exposed to before. If you’re in the same boat, read it. It’s short but great. (Source)

Brandon Stanton [Brandon Stanton recommended this book on the podcast "The Tim Ferriss Show".] (Source)

Karen Paolillo The Little Prince has influenced me in every aspect of my life, from my own emotions and how I feel inwardly, to how I like to view our planet. (Source)

books on existentialism

Waiting for Godot

Samuel Becket | 4.29

books on existentialism

Elon Musk Have recently come to appreciate the awesome, absurdist humor of [this book]. (Source)

books on existentialism

The Alchemist

Paulo Coelho | 4.26

books on existentialism

Daniel Ek It was fascinating to talk to [the author] about how this book came to be such a hit—he never backed down, and he allowed people to read it for free in order to then boost sales—much like how Spotify’s freemium model was perceived in the early days. (Source)

Eric Ripert Speaks of everyone having an ultimate goal in life, but most of us are too afraid to pursue it. The encouragement to fulfill your dreams is very inspirational! (Source)

books on existentialism

Brené Brown There's a great quote in [this book]: When you're on the right path the universe conspires to help you! (Source)

books on existentialism

The Myth of Sisyphus and Other Essays

Albert Camu | 4.25

David Heinemeier Hansson Camus’ philosophical exposition of absurdity, suicide in the face of meaninglessness, and other cherry topics that continue on from his fictional work in novels like The Stranger. It’s surprisingly readable, unlike many other mid 20th century philosophers, yet no less deep or pointy. It’s a great follow-up, as an original text, to that book The Age of Absurdity, I recommended last year. Still... (Source)

Kenan Malik The Myth of Sisyphus is a small work, but Camus’s meditation on faith and fate has personally been hugely important in developing my ideas. Writing in the embers of World War II, Camus confronts in The Myth of Sisyphus both the tragedy of recent history and what he sees as the absurdity of the human condition. There is, he observes, a chasm between the human need for meaning and what he calls... (Source)

books on existentialism

Albert Camus, Justin O'Brien | 4.24

books on existentialism

Existentialism is a Humanism

Jean-Paul Sartre, Carol Macomber, Arlette Elkaïm-Sartre, Annie Cohen-Solal | 4.24

books on existentialism

David Heinemeier Hansson As a newcomer to existentialism, it can be hard to wrap your brain around the core concepts when reading novels like The Stranger or Nausea, or writers like Kierkegaard. You get a great feel for the existentialist ambience, but what are the core tenets? This (short) book delivers it about as directly as you can get it, as it’s basically just two parts: 1) An account of a lecture/defense that... (Source)

Julian Baggini Serious Sartreans get quite annoyed with this book because it’s a very accessible, easy-to-read, non-technical, public lecture. (Source)

books on existentialism

Notes From The Underground

Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky, Richard Pevear, David Magarshack | 4.24

books on existentialism

David Heinemeier Hansson It’s such a lovely weird book. Partly, it’s Dostoyevsky giving us an account, through the fictional narrator, of his view on the human condition. Just one quote: “But man has such a predilection for systems and abstract deductions that he is ready to distort the truth intentionally, he is ready to deny the evidence of his senses only to justify his logic”. The idea of humans being suckered into... (Source)

Jordan B Peterson Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky https://t.co/WuSwComIfi, a book from my great books list https://t.co/AxBNX3QpMb (Source)

books on existentialism

No Exit and Three Other Plays

Jean-Paul Sartre | 4.22

books on existentialism

The Fault in Our Stars

John Green | 4.22

books on existentialism

Elon Musk Must admit to liking [this book]. Sad, romantic and beautifully named. (Source)

James Comey @johngreen You should not be. It is a great book. Was recently in Amsterdam and walked some of the scenes with your huge fan, my youngest daughter. Loved hearing from you and meeting you at Kenyon. (Source)

books on existentialism

Journey to the End of the Night

Louis-Ferdinand Céline, Ralph Manheim, William T. Vollmann | 4.21

books on existentialism

Neil Strauss [Neil Strauss recommended this book in the book "Tools of Titans".] (Source)

Rachel Kushner This novel taught me, early on, about hyperbole … I took it as a lesson and challenge, about description, accuracy, truth, and the powers of exaggeration to produce humour. (Source)

David Downie I was particularly fascinated by Céline’s portrait of the city because Paris is one of the characters in the book. You get a real sense of what Paris looked like. (Source)

books on existentialism

Brave New World

Aldous Huxley | 4.21

books on existentialism

Yuval Noah Harari The most prophetic book of the 20th century. Today many people would easily mistake it for a utopia. (Source)

books on existentialism

Ellen Wayland-Smith It is a hilarious, and also very prescient, parody of utopias. Huxley goes back to the idea that coming together and forming a community of common interests is a great idea – it’s the basis of civil society. At the same time, when communities of common interests are taken to utopian degrees the self starts to dissolve into the larger community, you lose privacy and interiority; that becomes... (Source)

John Quiggin The lesson I draw from this is that the purpose of utopia is not so much as an achieved state, as to give people the freedom to pursue their own projects. That freedom requires that people are free of the fear of unemployment, or of financial disaster through poor healthcare. They should be free to have access to the kind of resources they need for their education and we should maintain and... (Source)

books on existentialism

Slaughterhouse-Five

Kurt Vonnegut and Kevin Power | 4.19

books on existentialism

Carlos Eire Even though he is no philosopher Vonnegut is still able to ask the questions that all of us think about – how time affects our lives. (Source)

Dan Christensen @MetaHumean Love that book. (Source)

Bernard Tan I’m also a Murakami and Vonnegut fan, Kafka on the Shore, The Wind-up Bird Chronicle, Norwegian Wood, Slaughterhouse-Five, etc. Now that I look at the books listed, they seem to carry an existential theme. I guess I like to understand humanity and human behaviour ultimately to better understand myself. I find reading a means to connect with people who may have lived before my time, or in a... (Source)

books on existentialism

The Five People You Meet in Heaven

Mitch Albom | 4.19

books on existentialism

Chuck Palahniuk | 4.19

books on existentialism

Ryan Holiday I’m amazed how many young people haven’t read this book. Truly life-changing. This is the classic of my generation; it is the book that defines our age and ultimately, how to find meaning in it. It’s a cautionary tale too—about being too caught up in revolutionary ideas. (Source)

Van Badham SUPER EXCITED to receive my copy of “Solved! How Other Countries Have Cracked the World’s Biggest Problems and We Can, Too” by Andrew Wear. SO GREAT to read a political book that’s about both pragmatic action *and* hope. Squee! #auspol https://t.co/jIYgr36kZO (Source)

books on existentialism

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

An Inquiry Into Values

Robert M. Pirsig | 4.18

books on existentialism

Brad Feld I think every entrepreneur or aspiring entrepreneur should read the book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. It was written in the 1970s by a guy named Robert Pirsig. It was his first book, it's kind of a hippie philosophy treatised journey. The word that sort of came out of it was Chautauqua, he's like having a conversation with his son as they do a motorcycle trip across the country, and... (Source)

Drew Houston [There are] engineers who [dismiss] all these things that can’t be fit into an algorithm, or that don’t have some kind of mathematical rigor underpinning them, [this book] is about that question. (Source)

books on existentialism

Tyler Cowen Honorable mentions: Jonathan Livingston Seagull, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, and The Joy of Sex, all given to me by my mother. I believe they helped inculcate some of the 1960s-70s ethos of individual freedom into my thinking. (Source)

books on existentialism

Animal Farm

George Orwell and Christopher Hitchens | 4.18

books on existentialism

Whitney Cummings [Whitney Cummings recommended this book on the podcast "The Tim Ferriss Show".] (Source)

Vlad Tenev When I was in sixth grade I remember being very upset by the ending of [this book]. (Source)

Sol Orwell Question: What books had the biggest impact on you? Perhaps changed the way you see things or dramatically changed your career path. Orwell's Animal Farm and 1984 (though Huxley's Brave New World is a better reflection of today's society). (Source)

books on existentialism

Love's Executioner and Other Tales of Psychotherapy

Irvin D. Yalom | 4.18

Stephen Lew When asked what books he would recommend to youngsters interested in his professional path, Stephen mentioned Love's executioner and other tales of psychotherapy. (Source)

books on existentialism

The Power of Now

A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment

Eckhart Tolle | 4.17

books on existentialism

Roxana Bitoleanu [One of the books that had the biggest impact on ] The power of now, as time is a limited resource and we should spend it as wonderfully as possible. (Source)

Darrah Brustein Others include The Power Of Now which is powerful reminder that all we have is the present and helps give you meaningful ways to live in it, not in the past or the future. (Source)

Valeria Mercado @Ye_Ali The best book (Source)

books on existentialism

William Shakespeare | 4.17

books on existentialism

Ryan Holiday Philosophy runs through this play–all sorts of great lines. There are gems like “..for there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so” which I used in my last book and “Beware of entrance to a quarrel; but, being in, bear it, that the opposed may beware of thee.” was a favorite of Sherman. (Source)

Tim Lott I love the speech when Hamlet’s uncle Claudius admits to being inflicted with the primal eldest curse for killing his brother, and begs on his knees for forgiveness for this ultimate violation of the law of nature. (Source)

books on existentialism

Notes from Underground, White Nights, The Dream of a Ridiculous Man, and Selections from The House of the Dead

Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Andrew R. MacAndrew, Ben Marcus | 4.16

books on existentialism

Thus Spake Zarathustra

A Book For All And None

Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche | 4.16

Stephane Grand My favorite book is “Thus spoke Zarathustra” by Friedrich Nietzsche. I do not think I have ever read a book that had more resonance for me. (Source)

books on existentialism

The Bell Jar

Sylvia Plath, Maggie Gyllenhaal, et al | 4.16

books on existentialism

Bryony Gordon As a teenage girl, you have to read The Bell Jar. It’s a rite of passage. (Source)

The CEO Library Community (through anonymous form) One of the best 3 books I've read in 2019 (Source)

Tim Kendall Despite its subject matter, The Bell Jar is often a very funny novel. Perhaps we miss it because the pall of Plath’s biography descends across the whole work and reputation. But The Bell Jar is viciously funny. There are people still alive today who won’t talk about it because they were so badly hurt by Plath’s portrayal of them. (Source)

books on existentialism

John Williams, John McGahern | 4.15

books on existentialism

Simon Winchester It is a story of intellectual determination and the ability of a man to find love simply in what he does. It is a book about love of learning. (Source)

books on existentialism

Being and Nothingness

Jean-Paul Sartre | 4.15

books on existentialism

The Woman in the Dunes

Kobo Abe | 4.14

books on existentialism

The Book of Disquiet

Fernando Pessoa, RICHARD Zenith | 4.14

Tyler Cowen This is a book of ideas. It’s not a book about the internet. It was written much earlier, in the 20th century, and written in Portuguese. It’s really a book of meditations. It’s very philosophical. It applies to the internet in that the main point is how much joy you can take in small things and small changes and the true drama of life can be extraordinarily minute in scale, and this, I think,... (Source)

books on existentialism

The Last Lecture

Randy Pausch, Jeffrey Zaslow, et al | 4.13

Gabriel Coarna I read "The Last Lecture" because I had seen Randy Pausch give this talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo (Source)

books on existentialism

Kafka on the Shore

Haruki Murakami | 4.13

books on existentialism

Brian Koppelman If you have always wanted to read [this author], I think this [Covid-19] period of time is perfect for it. He could have conceived of this whole thing. (Source)

John Craig The only book, or should I say author, that takes priority is Haruki Murakami. He is a Japanese novelist that takes me into the next world. His style is surreal. Check it out. Start with Kafka on the Shore. (Source)

books on existentialism

Being and Time

Martin Heidegger, John Macquarrie, et al. | 4.13

books on existentialism

Simon Critchley Heidegger gives us the analytical tools for understanding human existence in the world. (Source)

books on existentialism

Lord of the Flies

out of 5 stars5,34 | 4.13

books on existentialism

Scott Belsky [Scott Belsky recommended this book on the podcast "The Tim Ferriss Show".] (Source)

Chigozie Obioma William Golding imbues some of these children with wisdom that would read, in the hands of a lesser author, as implausibly knowing (Source)

Disco Donnie @JoshRHernandez1 I love the book “Lord of the Flies” so just started watching The Society (Source)

books on existentialism

Freakonomics

A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything

Stephen J. Levitt, Steven D.; Dubner | 4.12

books on existentialism

Malcolm Gladwell I don’t need to say much here. This book invented an entire genre. Economics was never supposed to be this entertaining. (Source)

Daymond John I love newer books like [this book]. (Source)

books on existentialism

James Altucher [James Altucher recommended this book on the podcast "The Tim Ferriss Show".] (Source)

books on existentialism

The Picture of Dorian Gray

Oscar Wilde | 4.12

books on existentialism

Eric Berkowitz The Picture of Dorian Gray is now a part of the canon that no one would admit to not having read. Most of us have read it and delighted in its witticisms. It’s hard to imagine, but when Dorian Gray was first published, the book was not well received at all. It was totally panned. It was held against him as being an example of an effete character. It was being serialised by Lippincott’s Magazine,... (Source)

Marc Montagne My favorite fiction book is the The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. I'm a huge Oscar Wilde fan, he has one of the brightest minds and the Picture is a masterpiece and his unique novel. I consider that you should only read books that you would consider reading again at some point while still enjoying the same pleasure. The Picture is definitely one of those. (Source)

Andra Zaharia A copy from 1903 of this book is my most prized possession. (Source)

books on existentialism

Meditations

Marcus Aurelius | 4.11

books on existentialism

Arianna Huffington I find [this book] so inspirational and instructive, it lives on my nightstand. (Source)

Chip Conley I have given [this book] away to a number of people. (Source)

Marvin Liao My list would be (besides the ones I mentioned in answer to the previous question) both business & Fiction/Sci-Fi and ones I personally found helpful to myself. The business books explain just exactly how business, work & investing are in reality & how to think properly & differentiate yourself. On the non-business side, a mix of History & classic fiction to understand people, philosophy to make... (Source)

books on existentialism

Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?

Philip K. Dick | 4.11

books on existentialism

Anna Karenina

Leo Tolstoy | 4.11

books on existentialism

Chelsea Handler I don't know if I have to expound on why I love this book, but everyone should read [this author], and this was the first one of his works I read. So, it's like a first boyfriend. Or my first Cabbage Patch Kid. (Source)

books on existentialism

Rupert Isaacson Anna’s trying to be her authentic self, a sexual and loving woman and she gets whopped for it and that’s not fair. (Source)

books on existentialism

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Ken Kesey, John C. Reilly, et al | 4.11

books on existentialism

The Myth of Sisyphus

Albert Camus, Justin Obrien | 4.10

books on existentialism

Elie Wiesel, Marion Wiesel | 4.10

books on existentialism

Johanna Reiss Elie Wiesel wrote..that he was considering running into the barbed wire once, but he didn’t because his father needed him. (Source)

Steven Katz Probably the best known memoir that has been written about the experience of the death camps. (Source)

books on existentialism

Cat's Cradle

Kurt Vonnegut | 4.10

books on existentialism

Andy Stern I think it's something that progressives need to think about, because the book talks a lot about two tendencies that people can adopt, to try to find meaning and purpose. One is kind of a sheer technological approach, and the other is more of a spiritual and religious approach. The book talks about the perils and challenges of each way. Sometimes we as progressives defend technology and science... (Source)

books on existentialism

Knut Hamsun, Sverre Lyngstad, Jo Nesbo, Paul Auster | 4.09

Ryan Holiday A dark and moving first-person narrative, about the conflicting drives for self-preservation and self-immolation inside all of us. Hunger is about a writer who is starving himself. He cannot write because he is starving and cannot eat because writing is how he makes his living. It’s a vicious cycle and the book is a first-person descent into it. Strangely modern for being published in 1890 and... (Source)

Stephane Grand This is an amazing book about being true to your engagements. (Source)

books on existentialism

Tuesdays with Morrie

Mitch Albom | 4.09

books on existentialism

Invisible Man

Ralph Ellison | 4.09

books on existentialism

Barack Obama As a devoted reader, the president has been linked to a lengthy list of novels and poetry collections over the years — he admits he enjoys a thriller. (Source)

Jacqueline Novogratz I read it as a 22-year-old, and it made me think deeply about how society doesn’t “see” so many of its members. (Source)

Dan Barreiro Riveting time capsule material. Literary giant Ellison on the blues, on race, on his powerful book, Invisible Man. https://t.co/iS6xQ7ojE8 (Source)

books on existentialism

The Metamorphosis and Other Stories

Franz Kafka, Donna Freed, Jason Baker | 4.08

books on existentialism

Cormac McCarthy | 4.08

books on existentialism

Oprah Winfrey It's got everything that's grabbing the headlines in America right now. It's about race and class, the economy, culture, immigration and the danger of the us-versus-them mentality. And underneath it all, pumps the heart and soul of family love, the pursuit of happiness, and what home really means. (Source)

James Miller It is such a powerful story … against an utterly bleak scenario you have the father and the son, and the novel builds up this incredibly emotive relationship. (Source)

Mark Boyle In my view, The Road is the greatest novel ever written, and McCarthy one of the most important writers of the last hundred years. Its bleakness is interspersed with sentences so beautiful I wept. (Source)

books on existentialism

Paul Bowles, Jean-Paul Sarte, Jean-Paul Sartre | 4.08

books on existentialism

Beyond Good and Evil

Friedrich Nietzsche | 4.08

books on existentialism

Simon Critchley What did you think of it then? We should talk about your reaction to it! (Source)

Brian Leiter Yes, I think that’s right. It touches on almost all Nietzsche’s central concerns – on truth, on the nature of philosophy, on morality, on what’s wrong with morality, will to power. (Source)

books on existentialism

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Stephen Chbosky | 4.08

books on existentialism

Richard Speight Jr. A pal for 30 years, @StephenChbosky ‘s first book #ThePerksofBeingaWallflower had a MASSIVE impact on me & countless others. Then came his great movies. Now..THE NEXT BOOK! Be like me & buy it THE DAY it comes out. (Then harass him until he agrees to put me in the movie! 🎥 🤠) https://t.co/02bMKPgF9A (Source)

Jamie Grayson Holy shit there’s no way this book is that old because that really ages me but I COMPLETELY agree. This book is a masterpiece and a must-read. Lessons about being human are in there and those are important right now. https://t.co/fF1spEFrUH (Source)

books on existentialism

Rae Earl It is a tremendously powerful study of PTSD, a mental health issue that isn’t talked about enough (Source)

books on existentialism

The Handmaid's Tale

Margaret Atwood | 4.07

books on existentialism

Grady Booch I read this several years ago but — much like Orwell’s 1984 — it seems particularly relevant given our current political morass. (Source)

books on existentialism

Cliff Bleszinski @HandmaidsOnHulu Done. Love the show, book is a classic, can't wait for season 2. (Source)

books on existentialism

Jason Kottke @procload Not super necessary, since you've seen the TV show. This first book is still a great read though...different than the show (tone-wise more than plot-wise). (Source)

books on existentialism

Joseph Heller, Christopher Buckley | 4.07

books on existentialism

Mark Bittman I used to buy [this book] for a lot of people because I just thought if you hadn’t read it, you had to but maybe that era is over. (Source)

William Boyd The most wonderful novel ever written, because of its absurdist sense of humour and the way it looked at war. (Source)

books on existentialism

At the Existentialist Café

Freedom, Being, and Apricot Cocktails

books on existentialism

Nigel Warburton This is the best philosophy book that I’ve read this year. (Source)

books on existentialism

Never Let Me Go

Kazuo Ishiguro | 4.06

books on existentialism

Jean-Paul Sartre, Andrew Brown | 4.06

books on existentialism

The Great Gatsby

Francis Scott Fitzgerald | 4.06

Barack Obama When he got to high school, the president said, his tastes changed and he learned to enjoy classics like “Of Mice and Men” and “The Great Gatsby.” (Source)

Bill Gates Melinda and I really like [this book]. When we were first dating, she had a green light that she would turn on when her office was empty and it made sense for me to come over. (Source)

Marvin Liao For Non-Business, I'd have to say Dune (Herbert), Emergency (Strauss), The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald) or Flint (L'Amour). I re-read these books every year because they are just so well written & great stories that I get new perspective & details every time I read them. (Source)

books on existentialism

Emotional Intelligence 2.0

Travis Bradberry, Jean Greaves, Patrick M. Lencioni | 4.06

books on existentialism

Stephen R. Covey Gives abundant, practical findings and insights with emphasis on how to develop EQ. Research shows convincingly that EQ is more important than IQ. (Source)

Patrick Lencioni This book can drastically change the way you think about success...read it twice. (Source)

Deke Bridges Current read... fascinating IQ vs EQ. Worthy book. #books #education #growth #LifeLessons @LeadersBest https://t.co/j0fjFstOWb (Source)

books on existentialism

The Second Sex

Simone de Beauvoir, Constance Borde, Sheila Malovany-Chevallier | 4.06

books on existentialism

Arianna Huffington Great Thrive Questionnaire by @smlafleur, founder of M.M.LaFleur. On the book that changed her life, The Second Sex: "it changed my entire perception about what it means to be a woman, and it may be the unconscious reason behind why I started my company." https://t.co/tudVOb28J2 (Source)

Erica Jong The French literary world is incredibly sexist and here was one of their darlings pointing out how much they discriminate. (Source)

Belinda Jack In making a distinction between sex and gender she drew attention to how much of what women had to contend with was actually something that society imposes. (Source)

books on existentialism

The Denial of Death

Ernest Becker | 4.06

books on existentialism

Eric Weinstein [Eric Weinstein recommended this book on Twitter.] (Source)

Darren Aronofsky A good one. (Source)

Antonio Eram This book was recommended by Antonio when asked for titles he would recommend to young people interested in his career path. (Source)

books on existentialism

Looking for Alaska

John Green | 4.05

books on existentialism

Angel Dei My favorite John Green book 😭😭 https://t.co/Aqkvmuu9Q5 (Source)

books on existentialism

The Tartar Steppe

Dino Buzzati, Stuart C. Hood | 4.05

books on existentialism

Robert Baer This book is all about Italians stationed on a remote Eurasian frontier. Of course they never were, but The Tartar Steppe is a metaphor for devoting your life to a higher good, for wanting to do public service and to make a difference. And you essentially give up everything. The main character, Giovanni Drogo, gives up his fiancée, his mother and his friends to wait for the Tartars who never... (Source)

The Divided Self

An Existential Study in Sanity and Madness

R D Laing | 4.05

Simon Critchley The question that he’s asking in the book is about how we categorise the mad and the sane. (Source)

books on existentialism

Fear and Trembling

Soren Kierkegaard | 4.05

David Heinemeier Hansson While most of the 20th century existentialists, like Sartre and Camus, were devout atheists, Kierkegaard is an existentialist obsessed with faith. Fear and Trembling is a very long, and at times obtuse, meditation on the topic of faith and doubt. It uses the story of Abraham and Isaac to contrast the ideas of faith and humanism. Kierkegaard is in awe of Abraham’s faith and how it compels him to... (Source)

books on existentialism

Flowers for Algernon

Daniel Keye | 4.05

Irina Botnari It’s pretty hard to pick only one favorite book because as we get wiser (to be read: get older ☺) our interests change and so do our books, but it’ll stick to the plan. The highlight of this year for me was Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes. The idea behind is heartbreaking and completely brilliant, being in the same time so perfect and so horribly disturbing. (Source)

books on existentialism

Jose Saramago | 4.05

Samantha Harvey It because it brings up the question of what conditions are necessary for sanity and what happens when you take those conditions away. (Source)

Leah Lizarondo The version of dystopia in this book is provocative but truly, the style and structure is what makes the book even more memorable. I always think about our humanity and how fallible we are. I love that this book tackles that but ultimately, our true core--what is good--triumphs. That is pretty much how I look at life. (Source)

Existential Psychotherapy

Irvin D. Yalom | 4.05

books on existentialism

Henry David Thoreau | 4.05

books on existentialism

Laura Dassow Walls The book that we love as Walden began in the journal entries that he wrote starting with his first day at the pond. (Source)

Roman Krznaric In 1845 the American naturalist went out to live in the woods of Western Massachusetts. Thoreau was one of the great masters of the art of simple living. (Source)

books on existentialism

John Kaag There’s this idea that philosophy can blend into memoir and that, ideally, philosophy, at its best, is to help us through the business of living with people, within communities. This is a point that Thoreau’s Walden gave to me, as a writer, and why I consider it so valuable for today. (Source)

books on existentialism

Die Geschichte von Emil Sinclairs Jugend

Hermann Hesse | 4.05

books on existentialism

The Remains of the Day

Kazuo Ishiguro | 4.04

books on existentialism

Jeff Bezos If you read The Remains of the Day, which is one of my favorite books, you can't help but come away and think, I just spent 10 hours living an alternate life and I learned something about life and about regret. You can't do that in a blog post. (Source)

Riz Khan About missed chances and what the British character does to a person’s emotions. There is this brick wall that they can’t crack through and after a while a bit of the grout wears away. (Source)

books on existentialism

On the Road

Jack Kerouac | 4.04

Bogdan Iordache My favourite book is "On the road" by Jack Kerouac. Apart from being probably one of the best well written books in the world, I appreciate Kerouac's philosophy to dedicate himself entirely to what was important to him, something that I have applied in my life as much as possible. I've simplified my life in many ways, and stay focused on what I think it's really important. For Jack it was the... (Source)

books on existentialism

Exile and the Kingdom

Albert Camus | 4.03

books on existentialism

Cloud Atlas

David Mitchell | 4.03

books on existentialism

Robert Eaglestone In this novel, you find stories that interlock like Russian dolls…an obvious example of a writer learning clever postmodern tricks, but domesticating them. (Source)

The Centre for the Study of Existential Risk This is the perfect book if you want to read about human extinction but you still need to be ‘seduced’ into it. (Source)

books on existentialism

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle

Haruki Murakami, Jay Rubin | 4.03

books on existentialism

Sung J. Woo He’s the best-known Japanese writer right now and this book I would consider to be his opus. It’s a big sprawling book that deals with weighty subjects like the Second World War and Japan’s part in that. There is a horrifying section set when the Japanese had occupied Manchuria and the Chinese are approaching and it’s told from the point of view of a soldier who is told to kill all the animals in... (Source)

books on existentialism

A Happy Death

books on existentialism

Narcissus and Goldmund

Hermann Hesse, Ursule Molinaro | 4.03

books on existentialism

The Age of Reason

Jean-Paul Sartre | 4.03

The Death of Ivan Ilych

Leo Tolstoy | 4.03

books on existentialism

Elegance of the Hedgehog

Barbery M Muriel Barbery | 4.02

books on existentialism

Herman Melville | 4.02

books on existentialism

Steve Jobs Jobs told me that "Moby-Dick" was among his favorite books and he reread it a lot when he was a teen. (Source)

Barack Obama According to the president’s Facebook page and a 2008 interview with the New York Times, this title is among his most influential forever favorites. (Source)

Rebecca Goldstein I actually have quite an idiosyncratic reading of this great metaphysical masterpiece. (Source)

books on existentialism

The Ethics of Ambiguity

Simone de Beauvoir | 4.02

books on existentialism

The Beautiful Mystery (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #8)

Louise Penny | 4.02

books on existentialism

Staring at the Sun

Overcoming the Terror of Death

Irvin D. Yalom | 4.01

books on existentialism

Existential Dialogues

DANIEL CHECHICK, Yair Ben-Hur, et al. | 4.01

books on existentialism

A Tale for the Time Being

Ruth Ozeki | 4.01

books on existentialism

No Longer Human

Osamu Dazai | 4.01

books on existentialism

Yann Martel | 4.01

books on existentialism

The Old Man and the Sea

Ernest Hemingway | 4.00

books on existentialism

Jack Dorsey I keep coming back to it. I love the straightforwardness, the tightness, and the poetry. I think it shows a common struggle that is repeated over and over in so many narratives both fictional and nonfictional. (Source)

Jordan B Peterson The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway https://t.co/7dJE4Pfn56, a book from my great books list https://t.co/AxBNX3QpMb (Source)

books on existentialism

May Witwit I taught this book to my students in Iraq during the economic sanctions. And I feel like it gave me some kind of strength to continue. (Source)

books on existentialism

Franny and Zooey

J. D. Salinger | 4.00

books on existentialism

Fahrenheit 451

Ray Bradbury | 4.00

books on existentialism

Timothy Ferriss This classic work on state censorship remains as relevant in today’s world of digital delights as it was when published in the black-and-white world of 1953. In a futuristic American city, firefighter Guy Montag does not put out blazes; instead, he extinguishes knowledge and promotes ignorance by conducting state decreed book burnings. After an elderly woman chooses a fiery death with her books... (Source)

Ryan Holiday I’m not sure what compelled me to pick Fahrenheit 451 back up but I’m so glad I did because I was able to see the book in a very different context. Bradbury’s message (made explicit in his 50th Anniversary Afterword) is much less a warning against government control and much more about a road to hell paved by people attempting to rid the world of offensive speech and conflicting ideas. In a world... (Source)

A Young Adult Edition

Viktor E. Frankl and John Boyne | 4.00

taylorakins.com

The 13 Best Books on Existentialism

Table of Contents

books on existentialism

What is Existentialist philosophy?

Existentialism is a contemporary philosophical movement that has been gaining traction in recent years, with its focus on individual freedom and responsibility.

It encourages us to look beyond the traditional constraints of society and consider our own existence from an independent perspective.

With this in mind, it’s no surprise that many people are looking for books which explore existentialism further.

Here we will discuss some of the best books on existentialism currently available and provide brief descriptions of each one.

Existentialism is a multifaceted concept that can be explored from various angles.

For instance, it focuses on the idea of free will and encourages us to make our own choices as opposed to being bound by tradition or popular opinion.

This means that we must take responsibility for our actions and consider how they will affect our future and the lives of others.

Similarly, existentialism can be seen as a way of questioning our place in the world and exploring what it truly means to be alive.

Getting familiar with Existentialist thought

One of the best ways to learn more about existentialism is through reading books written by experts in the field.

Many people are intimidated by the complex literature of some existentialist philosophers.

One especially daunting example are the English translations of Friedrich Nietzsche, who wrote to a target audience of German intellectual elites.

Sifting through philosophical texts in order to find something approachable for the ordinary man (or woman) in a modern library can indeed be difficult.

Hence, I’ve put together a list of books for all levels of thinkers interested in this philosophical movement.

What makes these the best books on existentialism?

The criteria that these books are judged on is relatively vague, as many lines in philosophy are.

In my opinion, the makings of the best books on existentialism are either their legacy as source material, their cultural impact on thought, and their evolution of the original philosophy into a new thought, such as absurdism.

There may be a few books I didn’t manage to fit onto this list, and if you think so please let me know in the comments.

Which Existentialist Philosophers should I start with?

In my personal opinion, the first existential philosophy books a beginner should start with are the works of Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus.

I feel like these are the most easily digestible texts on existentialism and the fact that they lived in the twentieth century should make their writing style a bit easier to understand.

The novel format that Albert Camus used for some of his books makes them more approachable than many on this list as well.

Here’s a list of the best books on existentialism that I would recommend:

‘Being and Nothingness’ by Jean-Paul Sartre

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Jean-Paul Sartre outlined his key beliefs in his classic book, Being and Nothingness, which is considered to be the cornerstone of his philosophical thought.

It elaborates on the human condition, especially human identity and purpose in a world without predetermined order or meaning.

This work is deeply rooted in existential philosophy, defining human beings as free agents capable of creating their own personal identities while being responsible for their choices.

One of the key concepts that Jean Paul Sartre pioneered was the theory that “existence precedes essence”, which means that while a human being may exist, it is every individual’s duty to find their own essence and decide their life’s own ultimate goal.

Sartre believed that human beings were doomed to nothingness, prone to feelings of loneliness and facing an uncertain future due only to what they make out of it.

Through Being and Nothingness, Jean-Paul Sartre made the world aware of his ideas on existentialism, highlighting the need for human connection, understanding our place in the universe, and making conscientious decisions in life.

‘The Myth of Sisyphus’ by Albert Camus

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Albert Camus’ famous essay ‘The Myth of Sisyphus’ dives deep into the concept of human existence and its meaning in a world that often appears absurd.

Camus’ existential philosophy argues human beings cannot find true purpose or reason for their lives and must instead humanistically accept the human condition as is.

In this essay, Camus explored a compelling perspective about human existence with an allegory from Greek mythology involving Sisyphus—a man cursed to push an immense boulder up a hill only to see it roll back down over and over again.

This conveys his idea that human existences are, like Sisyphus, futile and without any real purpose, yet the important thing is that we choose to continue on despite our fate.

Camus insisted we imagine Sisyphus to be happy, regardless of his absurd ordeal.

Ultimately Camus concludes there may be no point to life itself, but we have the power to choose how to live it anyway.

‘The Stranger’ by Albert Camus

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Albert Camus’s “The Stranger” is regarded as a seminal work of existentialist literature.

The novel follows Meursault, a Frenchman who lives an emotionally detached and apathetic life.

Meursault is an ordinary man unwittingly drawn into the senseless murder of an Arab man on an Algerian beach.

In this novel, Camus explored themes such as absurdity, freedom, and the human condition.

Camus’ portrayal of Meursault as a “outsider” who rejects societal norms and values reflects the existentialist belief that in a meaningless world, individuals must create their own meaning.

Furthermore, the novel’s emphasis on the freedom of the individual to make choices and accept responsibility for them is an important aspect of existentialist thought.

Overall, “The Stranger” is regarded as a classic example of existentialist literature, and it is still widely studied and debated in literary and philosophical circles.

Max Stirner’s ‘The Ego and Its Own’

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Max Stirner’s The Ego and Its Own is an influential 19th-century work that can be seen as a foundational text of existential philosophy.

Stirner takes the human being at its core, emphasizing the concept that self-assertion and freedom can only be accomplished by recognizing one’s identity as an individual above all else.

This challenges pre-existing concepts of morality and societal standards, proposing that human beings should instead focus on their own goals and motivations.

Stirner draws on both atheistic and humanist ideas, advocating for a form of humanism that elevates us above external forces in defining our lives.

By liberating us from the constraints of society, religion, and any doctrine which we are taught to conform to without questioning, Stirner brings a powerful message of self-determination through his work The Ego and Its Own.

‘Being & Time’ by Martin Heidegger

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‘Being & Time’ by Martin Heidegger, one of the foundational works of modern existential philosophy, explores the concept of human beings’ existence and their capacity to shape their individual and collective identity.

In the text, Heidegger argues that as a human being we are ultimately caught in a web of human-created meanings, which can only be accessed through human experience.

Consequently, human beings must embrace a journey of self-discovery as they evaluate and understand their own experiences.

This journey is known as existentialism and is based on human responsibility for their actions and destiny, as opposed to predetermination from outside forces.

By embracing this approach, human beings have access to understanding their own existence in greater depth and recognize their part in forming who they are now.

‘Thus Spoke Zarathustra’ by Friedrich Nietzsche

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‘Thus Spoke Zarathustra’ is debateably the best work of Friedrich Nietzsche and presented existentialist ideas in a unique collection of aphorisms.

The novel follows the spiritually-inspired teachings of Zarathustra, a man who has reached enlightenment from a long period of isolation from society and the trials he faces as he seeks to encourage others to pursue self-actualization and reach our potential as a species.

Throughout the work, Nietzsche outlines existentialist philosophy and its implications for everyday life — from his thoughts on death and suffering to the importance of individuality and autonomy.

On top of that, Zarathustra looks into themes like human duty and morality, with the overarching goal of promoting self-actualization through open-minded growth.

Through this narrative and its accompanying philosophical musings, Nietzsche offered an accessible way to understand existentialism – a movement that has become increasingly relevant in contemporary society.

While this book is possibly the magnum opus of Friedrich Nietzsche, I would recommend ‘The Geneaology of Morals’ and ‘Beyond Good and Evil’ as prerequisite reads to ‘Thus Spoke Zarathrustra’

Maurice Merleau-Ponty’s ‘Phenomenology of Perception’

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Maurice Merleau-Ponty’s ‘Phenomenology of Perception’ is a philosophical text that examines existentialist thought through the lens of human perception.

Merleau-Ponty argues that consciousness and our bodies are not just two separate entities, but rather a single entity connected by our experience of the world and how it affects us.

He further explains that existentialism is much more complex than simply being aware of one’s existential freedom, as it also entails being conscious and open to being connected with others in the entire world.

By understanding existentialism within this framework, Merleau-Ponty paints existentialism as an inclusive notion which invites us to consider the implications of our own perception and the ways in which we can find meaning in life through connecting with others.

Victor Frankl’s ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’

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Victor Frankl’s ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’ is a ground-breaking insight into existentialist thought, offering a roadmap to achieving meaning in life.

He emphasizes the importance of embracing existential freedom where individuals are free to assume responsibility and give meaning to their lives.

He argues that suffering can become an existential achievement and imparting a sense of meaning in our lives should be seen as a moral obligation.

We must learn to face our difficulties with courage, self-determination, and resilience, thereby liberating ourselves from existential despair.

Frankl notes that it is ultimately up to each individual to discover what gives meaning and purpose to their life, helping them create positive experiences out of difficult situations.

When we can satisfy this inner need for meaning, despite the sufferings of life, we open ourselves up to joy and fulfillment.

Hannah Arendt’s ‘The Human Condition’

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The Human Condition, a classic existentialist text by philosopher Hannah Arendt, is a groundbreaking inquiry into the nature of being human and how existentialist thought plays out in political theory.

Arendt posited that all humans exist within two core conditions or realms – one in which they are present (laboring or working) and another in which they can reflect upon their existence and consider what it means to be human (in action).

Thus, ‘The Human Condition’ delved deep into existentialism as it relates to labor, politics, and our understanding of who we are as individuals.

Arendt’s philosophy sought to integrate existential questions about living an authentic life with the overall condition of being our shared reality.

Furthermore, this work speaks consistently to issues concerning control over freedom, authenticity vs conformity, and individual rights vis-à-vis collective responsibility for each other – whilst also exploring existential themes around personal mortality and awareness of death as part of our very being.

In short, if we wish to understand existentialism then The Human Condition should be demanded reading.

Karl Jaspers’ ‘General Psychopathology’

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Karl Jaspers’ General Psychopathology revolutionized the study of mental health and illness, introducing existentialist thought in a clinical setting.

Jaspers believed that existential psychology was the only true way to identify and treat psychological disorders due to its focus on ultimate existential questions such as life’s meaning, responsibility, courage and transcendence.

He used these existential insights to bridge the gap between scientific research and philosophical ideas.

Through his work, he argued that everyone has an individual experience of certain universal concepts, emphasizing how each person’s unique worldview impacts their mental health.

By introducing existentialism into his field of psychiatry, Jaspers offered clinicians a more holistic approach to psychotherapy and diagnosis.

‘Existential Psychoanalysis’ by Jean-Paul Sartre

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Jean-Paul Sartre’s ‘Existential Psychoanalysis’ examines existentialist thought and how it applies to the psyche.

According to Sartre, existential psychoanalysis seeks to reveal our unconscious ambivalences that are rooted in existential dilemmas.

He argued that our choices, experiences, and interactions with the outside world give rise to existential questions and could cause us psychological discomfort if left unexamined or unaddressed.

By recognizing, exploring, and reflecting on existential issues, individuals can increase their self-awareness and consequently make more meaningful decisions about how to live their lives authentically.

Ultimately, existential psychoanalysis provides individuals with greater insight into themselves and helps them achieve a more fulfilling life.

‘Fear & Trembling’ by Søren Kierkegaard

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Søren Kierkegaard’s ‘Fear & Trembling’ summarized existentialist thought by exploring the tension between faith and reason.

He proposed that there was a moral obligation to go beyond one’s own understanding of reason and embrace a higher form of understanding associated with faith.

This ‘leap of faith’ requires complete trust in God, as well as obedience and willingness to sacrifice earthly desires in order to follow a divine plan.

Kierkegaard argued that existential living involves recognizing that the individual must be responsible for making decisions without relying on static principles or external guidance.

Ultimately, his philosophy led him to emphasize the importance of personal choice, which he believed should be based on authentic reflection, integrity, and true intention.

‘What Is Called Thinking?’ by Martin Heidegger

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Martin Heidegger’s timeless work ‘What Is Called Thinking?’ explores the definition of what a human being really is and how human thinking, when unconstrained by cultural biases and philosophies, can provide insights into human existence.

Heidegger provides examples of human consciousness and awareness to demonstrate his existential philosophy on the human experience of being in the world.

His ideas are that humans have the capacity to be fully present in the “here-and-now” and to explore life through contemplation of their own finitude and mortality.

In his book, he emphasizes that free thinking is essential in unlocking an understanding of human purpose, meaning, or identity, as opposed to relying upon preconceived notions or constructed ideologies.

Honorable Mentions and Related Reads

In addition to books written specifically about existentialism, there are also many works that discuss related topics such as philosophy, psychology, and sociology which may offer insights into this area too.

Some books in this category include Thomas Nagel’s ‘What Does It All Mean?’, Philippa Foot’s ‘Natural Goodness’, Iris Murdoch’s ‘Metaphysics As A Guide To Morals’, Richard Rorty’s ‘Philosophy, And The Mirror Of Nature’.

Thank you for dropping by!

It means a lot to me that you came by.

I hope you found the books you needed to get started learning about my favorite philosophical movement.

Even when life seems bleak and meaningless, you can always give an essence to your life and create your own purpose.

I hope you can smile like Sisyphus as you push your own boulder up a hill.

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Hemingway's Books and Records

Hemingway's Books and Records

Books on Existentialism: 2024 Update of the Best Titles

If you’re looking for a thought-provoking read that delves into the complexities of human existence, then you’ll definitely want to check out our list of the 20 best books about existentialism. These books explore the philosophical concept of existentialism, addressing questions about the meaning of life, free will, and the nature of existence itself. Whether you’re a seasoned philosopher or just starting to explore this fascinating subject, there’s a book on existentialism for everyone on this list.

  • 1 20 Best Books About Existentialism
  • 2 The Myth of Sisyphus
  • 3 Being and Nothingness
  • 4 The Stranger
  • 6 The Plague
  • 7 The Rebel
  • 8 The Ethics of Ambiguity
  • 10 Existentialism Is a Humanism
  • 11 The Second Sex
  • 12 The Outsider
  • 13 The Age of Reason
  • 14 The Wall
  • 15 The Existentialist Café
  • 16 The Philosophy of Existentialism
  • 17 The Transcendence of the Ego
  • 18 The Rebel Angels
  • 19 The Existentialist Reader
  • 20 No Exit and Three Other Plays
  • 21 Consciousness and the Acquisition of Language
  • 22 Conclusion

20 Best Books About Existentialism

best books about Existentialism The Myth of Sisyphus

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The Myth of Sisyphus

By albert camus.

The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus is a thought-provoking book about existentialism. Camus explores the absurdity of life and the human struggle to find meaning in a world devoid of inherent purpose. The central metaphor of Sisyphus, condemned to endlessly roll a boulder up a hill only for it to roll back down, captures the futility and repetitive nature of existence. Camus delves into the philosophical implications of this myth, arguing that despite the absurdity of life, we can find meaning through rebellion and embracing the present moment. He challenges readers to confront the absurdity of their own lives and to create their own meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe. The Myth of Sisyphus is a timeless exploration of the human condition and an essential read for anyone interested in existentialism.

best books about Existentialism Being and Nothingness

Being and Nothingness

By jean-paul sartre.

Being and Nothingness, a book on existentialism by Jean-Paul Sartre , delves into the fundamental questions of human existence. Sartre explores the nature of consciousness, freedom, and the individual’s struggle to find meaning in a seemingly indifferent world. He argues that human beings are condemned to be free, burdened with the responsibility of creating their own essence and defining their existence. Through intricate philosophical inquiry and profound insights, Sartre examines the concept of ‘bad faith’ and the ways in which individuals evade their freedom and responsibility. This existentialism book challenges readers to confront the anxiety and uncertainty that accompany the human condition, ultimately urging them to embrace their freedom and create their own meaning in a world devoid of inherent purpose. Being and Nothingness is a thought-provoking and essential read for anyone interested in the complexities of human existence.

best books about Existentialism The Stranger

The Stranger

The Stranger, written by Albert Camus , is a thought-provoking book about existentialism. The story follows Meursault, a detached and apathetic man who becomes embroiled in a murder case. As the plot unfolds, the reader is confronted with the underlying themes of alienation, absurdity, and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent world. Camus’s exploration of the human condition and the struggles of the individual in a universe devoid of inherent purpose, makes The Stranger a captivating read for anyone interested in existentialism. The novel challenges readers to question the nature of existence and the consequences of living in a society that often dictates our behavior. With its philosophical depth and compelling narrative, The Stranger is a must-read for anyone seeking to delve into the complexities of the human experience.

best books about Existentialism Nausea

Nausea, written by Jean-Paul Sartre, is a captivating book on existentialism that delves into the inner turmoil of its protagonist, Antoine Roquentin. Set in the fictional town of Bouville, the novel explores Roquentin’s overwhelming sense of nausea and existential angst as he grapples with the absurdity and meaninglessness of existence. Through Roquentin’s introspective musings and encounters with the mundane, Sartre paints a vivid portrait of the human experience and the struggle to find purpose in a world devoid of inherent meaning. The novel’s introspective narrative and philosophical themes make it a thought-provoking read for anyone interested in delving into the depths of existentialism.

best books about Existentialism The Plague

The Plague by Albert Camus is a powerful novel that delves into the human condition in the face of an epidemic. Set in a quarantined Algerian town, the story follows Dr. Rieux as he witnesses the devastating effects of the plague on the townspeople. Through this gripping narrative, Camus explores the themes of isolation, suffering, and the search for meaning in a world filled with despair. This book on existentialism challenges readers to confront the absurdity of life and the inevitability of death, making it a thought-provoking and introspective read for those interested in philosophical literature. The Plague is a must-read for anyone looking for a profound and impactful book about existentialism, and it continues to resonate with readers as a timeless exploration of the human experience.

best books about Existentialism The Rebel

The Rebel by Albert Camus is a thought-provoking book on existentialism that delves into the nature of rebellion and revolt. Camus explores the concept of the ‘absurd’ and the inherent conflict between individual freedom and the oppressive forces of society. Through a series of essays, he examines historical and philosophical examples of rebellion, from the French Revolution to the rise of totalitarianism. He challenges the reader to confront the moral complexities of rebellion and the consequences of both violent and non-violent resistance. The Rebel is a powerful and compelling existentialism book that forces us to question our own beliefs and the nature of human existence. Camus’s lucid and impassioned writing makes this book about existentialism a timeless and essential read for anyone seeking to understand the human condition.

best books about Existentialism The Ethics of Ambiguity

The Ethics of Ambiguity

By simone de beauvoir.

The Ethics of Ambiguity by Simone de Beauvoir is a thought-provoking book on existentialism that delves into the complexities of human existence. Beauvoir explores the concept of freedom and responsibility, arguing that individuals must embrace their ambiguity and make choices in a world filled with uncertainty. She challenges the idea of a predetermined human nature, instead emphasizing the importance of personal autonomy and the ability to create one’s own identity. Through her philosophical insights and engaging writing style, Beauvoir encourages readers to confront the moral dilemmas of existence and take ownership of their actions. This existentialism book offers a compelling exploration of the human experience and the ethical implications of living in a world characterized by ambiguity.

best books about Existentialism The Fall

The Fall by Albert Camus is a thought-provoking book on existentialism, delving into the complexities of human nature and morality. The story is narrated by Jean-Baptiste Clamence, a former successful lawyer who now spends his days in a seedy bar in Amsterdam, confessing his sins to strangers. As he recounts his past, he grapples with the concept of guilt, the meaning of life, and the human condition. The novel explores the themes of alienation, responsibility, and the absurdity of existence, offering a profound and introspective look at the human experience. With its introspective narrative and philosophical musings, The Fall is a captivating book about existentialism that challenges readers to contemplate the meaning of their own lives.

best books about Existentialism Existentialism Is a Humanism

Existentialism Is a Humanism

Existentialism Is a Humanism by Jean-Paul Sartre is a thought-provoking book on existentialism that challenges readers to confront the meaning of their existence. In this classic work, Sartre argues that individuals have the freedom to create their own essence and meaning in a world without inherent purpose. He emphasizes the responsibility that comes with this freedom, urging readers to embrace their autonomy and make meaningful choices. Sartre’s passionate and engaging prose makes this book a compelling introduction to the philosophy of existentialism. Whether you’re new to the concept or a seasoned existentialist, this book about existentialism will stimulate your thinking and encourage you to reflect on the nature of human existence.

best books about Existentialism The Second Sex

The Second Sex

The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir is a groundbreaking feminist manifesto that explores the concept of womanhood through the lens of existentialism. This influential book delves into the social, cultural, and philosophical constructs that have shaped women’s roles in society, challenging the notion of women as the “other” and advocating for their equality and autonomy. De Beauvoir’s insightful analysis of the oppression and marginalization of women has had a profound impact on feminist theory and continues to provoke thought and discussion. This seminal work is not only a book about existentialism, but also a powerful call to action for gender equality and empowerment.

Recommended for you:

hegel books. books on hegel

The Outsider

By colin wilson.

The Outsider, written by Colin Wilson, is a thought-provoking book on existentialism that explores the concept of the ‘outsider’ in society. Wilson delves into the lives of various literary and historical figures, such as Kafka, Nietzsche, and Van Gogh, to examine the existential angst and alienation experienced by individuals who do not conform to societal norms. The book offers a fascinating insight into the human condition, exploring the themes of isolation, creativity, and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent world. Wilson’s engaging and insightful writing style makes The Outsider a captivating read for anyone interested in the human experience and the complexities of the human psyche. This existentialism book is a timeless exploration of the outsider’s struggle to find their place in the world.

best books about Existentialism The Age of Reason

The Age of Reason

The Age of Reason, a book on existentialism by Jean-Paul Sartre, delves into the life of a philosophy teacher, Mathieu, as he grapples with the choices he has made and the impending consequences. Set in the aftermath of World War II, the novel explores the concept of freedom and responsibility, key themes of existentialism. Sartre’s thought-provoking narrative challenges readers to contemplate the significance of individual agency and the impact of personal decisions on one’s existence. The novel serves as a compelling exploration of the human condition, making it a must-read for anyone interested in delving into the complexities of human existence. The Age of Reason is a timeless existentialism book that continues to captivate and provoke introspection in readers worldwide.

best books about Existentialism The Wall

The Wall by Jean-Paul Sartre is a gripping book on existentialism that delves into the complexities of human existence and the concept of freedom. Set during the Spanish Civil War, the collection of short stories explores themes of alienation, despair, and the absurdity of life. Through the experiences of the characters, Sartre paints a vivid picture of the human condition, addressing the fundamental questions of existence and the choices we make. The book about existentialism captures the essence of Sartre’s philosophical ideas, portraying the anguish and anguish of individuals as they confront the meaninglessness and uncertainty of their lives. The Wall is a thought-provoking and powerful existentialism book that challenges readers to contemplate their own existence and the freedom to create meaning in a seemingly chaotic world.

best books about Existentialism The Existentialist Café

The Existentialist Café

By sarah bakewell.

The Existentialist Café by Sarah Bakewell is a captivating exploration of the lives and ideas of the key figures of existentialism. Bakewell skillfully weaves together the biographies of Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and other influential thinkers, taking the reader on a journey through the smoky cafés of Paris where existentialism took root. Through vivid storytelling and insightful analysis, Bakewell brings to life the intellectual and personal struggles of these philosophers, shedding light on their revolutionary ideas about freedom, choice, and the human experience. This book about existentialism is a must-read for anyone interested in philosophy, psychology, or the human condition. With its engaging narrative and thought-provoking content, The Existentialist Café is a thought-provoking and illuminating exploration of the existentialist movement.

best books about Existentialism The Philosophy of Existentialism

The Philosophy of Existentialism

By gabriel marcel.

The Philosophy of Existentialism by Gabriel Marcel is a thought-provoking book on existentialism, delving into the complexities of human existence and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent world. Marcel explores the themes of freedom, choice, and personal responsibility, challenging readers to confront the fundamental questions of existence and the nature of being. Through engaging prose and philosophical inquiry, the book offers a compelling examination of the human experience, highlighting the struggles and triumphs of individuals as they navigate the inherent uncertainties of life. Whether you’re a seasoned philosopher or simply curious about the human condition, this existentialism book is sure to stimulate your mind and provoke deep introspection.

best books about Existentialism The Transcendence of the Ego

The Transcendence of the Ego

The Transcendence of the Ego by Jean-Paul Sartre is a groundbreaking book about existentialism that delves into the nature of consciousness and the self. In this thought-provoking work, Sartre challenges traditional notions of the ego and explores the idea of transcendence, or the ability of the individual to surpass their own limitations and create their own essence. Through a series of intricate philosophical arguments, Sartre argues that the ego is not a stable entity, but rather a dynamic and ever-changing construct that is constantly in flux. By addressing fundamental questions about the nature of existence and the self, Sartre’s book on existentialism offers a profound and compelling exploration of human consciousness and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe.

best books about Existentialism The Rebel Angels

The Rebel Angels

By robertson davies.

The Rebel Angels by Robertson Davies is a captivating and thought-provoking book about existentialism. Set in a university setting, this novel follows a group of eccentric academics and students as they grapple with the complexities of life, art, and philosophy. The story delves into the themes of individuality, free will, and the search for meaning in a seemingly chaotic world. With rich character development and a touch of mystery, Davies skillfully weaves together a tale that will leave readers pondering the existentialism of the human experience. The Rebel Angels is a must-read for anyone interested in diving deep into the complexities of the human condition.

best books about Existentialism The Existentialist Reader

The Existentialist Reader

By paul s. macdonald.

The Existentialist Reader by Paul S. MacDonald is a comprehensive exploration of the key ideas and writings of existentialist thinkers. This thought-provoking book delves into the works of renowned philosophers such as Sartre, Camus, Kierkegaard, and Nietzsche, offering a rich tapestry of existentialist thought. MacDonald’s anthology provides readers with a deep insight into the existentialist movement, which emphasizes the individual’s freedom, responsibility, and search for meaning in an uncertain world. Through a collection of essays, letters, and excerpts, The Existentialist Reader immerses readers in the profound and often challenging concepts of existentialism, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the complexities of human existence.

best books about Existentialism No Exit and Three Other Plays

No Exit and Three Other Plays

No Exit and Three Other Plays by Jean-Paul Sartre is a captivating collection of plays that delves into the complexities of human existence. This thought-provoking book on existentialism presents four riveting plays that explore the depths of human emotions, choices, and relationships. Sartre’s masterful storytelling and keen insights into the human psyche make this a must-read for anyone interested in existentialism. The plays in this existentialism book confront the characters with moral dilemmas, the consequences of their actions, and the underlying existential angst that accompanies the human experience. Through powerful dialogue and compelling narratives, Sartre challenges readers to contemplate the nature of existence and the freedom to choose one’s own path. No Exit and Three Other Plays is a mesmerizing exploration of the human condition that will leave a lasting impact on its readers.

best books about Existentialism Consciousness and the Acquisition of Language

Consciousness and the Acquisition of Language

By maurice merleau-ponty.

Consciousness and the Acquisition of Language is an insightful exploration of the relationship between perception, language, and thought. Maurice Merleau-Ponty, a renowned philosopher, delves into the intertwined nature of consciousness and language acquisition, offering a profound perspective on how our understanding of the world is shaped through linguistic expression. This book on existentialism delves into the existential dimensions of language, shedding light on the ways in which our experiences and interactions are influenced by our linguistic abilities. Merleau-Ponty’s thought-provoking analysis is a captivating journey into the complex interplay between consciousness, language, and the existential aspects of human existence. This book about existentialism is a must-read for anyone interested in delving into the philosophical depths of language and perception.

Exploring the depths of human existence and the search for meaning, these 20 books about Existentialism offer profound insights into the human condition. From timeless classics to modern interpretations, these works delve into the complexities of existence, freedom, and authenticity. Whether you’re a philosopher at heart or simply intrigued by the big questions of life, these books are essential reads that will challenge and inspire you.

Embark on a journey of self-discovery and existential reflection with these thought-provoking books, and uncover the universal truths that resonate with us all.

Which Existentialism book is best?

The best book on Existentialism can vary with personal preference, but three widely recommended titles are:

  • The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus ,
  • Being and Nothingness by Jean-Paul Sartre ,
  • The Stranger by Albert Camus .

Each offers valuable insights and could be a great starting point.

What are the best books to learn about Existentialism?

For those looking to learn about Existentialism, there is a wealth of literature that can provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject. Some of the most highly recommended books include:

  • The Stranger by Albert Camus ,
  • Nausea by Jean-Paul Sartre ,
  • The Plague by Albert Camus ,
  • The Rebel by Albert Camus ,
  • The Ethics of Ambiguity by Simone de Beauvoir ,
  • The Fall by Albert Camus ,
  • Existentialism Is a Humanism by Jean-Paul Sartre ,
  • The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir

These books offer a range of perspectives on Existentialism, covering various aspects and approaches to the subject.

What are the best books on Existentialism?

The best books on Existentialism include:

  • The Outsider by Colin Wilson ,
  • The Age of Reason by Jean-Paul Sartre ,
  • The Rebel by Albert Camus .

Each offers unique insights into the subject. While these books on the topic of Existentialism are highly regarded, it’s important to note that any list of ‘best’ books is subjective and reflects a range of opinions.

What are the best Existentialism books of all time?

Choosing the best Existentialism books of all time can vary depending on who you ask, but seven titles that are often celebrated include

  • The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir ,
  • and The Outsider by Colin Wilson .

Each of these books has made a significant impact in the field of Existentialism and continues to be influential today.

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books on existentialism

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Existentialism: A Beginner's Guide (Beginner's Guides)

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Thomas E. Wartenberg

Existentialism: A Beginner's Guide (Beginner's Guides) Paperback – August 1, 2008

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  • Print length 224 pages
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  • Publisher Oneworld Publications
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  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oneworld Publications; Beginner's Guides edition (August 1, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1851685936
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1851685936
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
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  • #389 in Existentialist Philosophy

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books on existentialism

Thomas E. Wartenberg

I recently retired in order to devote myself to writing full-time. I found the demands of teaching made it hard for me to focus on the various writing projects that I had in mind. This decision proved to be very productive. Despite the pandemic, I finished two books: Thinking Through Stories and Thoughtful Images. More is on the way.

For over 30 years, I taught philosophy at Mount Holyoke College. It was, in many ways, a wonderful job but very demanding. I wrote a good deal during my time there, mostly in the areas of the philosophy of film (or what’s now called “film-philosophy”), philosophy for children, and the philosophy of art.

I received two Senior Fulbright Fellowships (most recently to New Zealand) and a National Endowment for the Humanities Research Fellowship and a German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) fellowship as a graduate student. I directed NEH Summer Seminars for School Teachers a number of times and they were very rewarding.

My website, www.teachingchildrenphilosophy.org, receives thousands of visits each month. It, together with my program, "Teaching Children Philosophy," won the 2011 Award for Research and Innovation in Philosophy from the American Philosophical Association and the Philosophy Documentation Center. The Prindle Center at Depauw University has taken over management of the site along with my site museumphilosophy.com, for teaching philosophy through works of art.

Together with the filmmaker Julie Akeret, I have developed a website for middle and high school philosophy that uses clips from popular films to introduce ethical issues: http://whatsthebigideaprogram.com.

Aside from my academic work, I enjoy bicycling, hiking, kayaking, and playing the flute and penny whistle.

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59 Best Books on Existentialism

October 5, 2017.

In the post modern era that we exist in, there is an atmosphere of skepticism around. The old conservative conventions of beliefs are falling apart to new ideas of relativity, subjectivity, and individuality. For existentialists like me, it soothes our souls to visit the great literary and philosophical works written on the themes of existentialism, absurdism, pessimism and nihilism. Here is a list of 59 best books on these themes that have been arranged author-wise.

  Nietzsche

*Beyond good and evil

Beyond Good and Evil: Prelude to a Philosophy of the Future is a book by philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, first published in 1886. It draws on and expands the ideas of his previous work, Thus Spoke Zarathustra, but with a more critical and polemical approach. In Beyond Good and Evil, Nietzsche accuses past philosophers of lacking critical sense and blindly accepting dogmatic premises in their consideration of morality. Specifically, he accuses them of founding grand metaphysical systems upon the faith that the good man is the opposite of the evil man, rather than just a different expression of the same basic impulses that find more direct expression in the evil man. The work moves into the realm “beyond good and evil” in the sense of leaving behind the traditional morality which Nietzsche subjects to a destructive critique in favour of what he regards as an affirmative approach that fearlessly confronts the perspectival nature of knowledge and the perilous condition of the modern individual.

  *Will to Power

The Will to Power (German: Der Wille zur Macht) is a book of notes drawn from the literary remains of philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche by his sister Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche and Peter Gast (Heinrich Köselitz). The title derived from a work that Nietzsche himself had considered writing. After Nietzsche’s breakdown in 1889, and the passing of control over his literary estate to his sister Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche, Nietzsche’s friend Heinrich Köselitz, also known as Peter Gast, conceived the notion of publishing selections from his notebooks, using one of Nietzsche’s simpler outlines as a guide to their arrangement. As he explained to Elisabeth on November 8, 1893: “Given that the original title appears as: The Antichrist. Revaluation of All Values (and therefore not ‘The first book of the revaluation of all values’), you may think that your brother at the time of his incipient madness, thought the book completed. … Notwithstanding, the consequences of this revaluation must also be explicitly illustrated in the field of morality, philosophy, politics. No one today is able to imagine such consequences – that’s why the vast preparations by your brother, the other three books of the Revaluation, must be ordered according to my suggestion and gathered in a kind of system.” Between 1894 and 1926, Elisabeth arranged the publication of the twenty volume Großoktavausgabe edition of Nietzsche’s writings by C. G. Naumann. In it, following Köselitz’ suggestion she included a selection from Nietzsche’s posthumous fragments, which was gathered together and entitled The Will To Power. She claimed that this text was substantially the magnum opus, which Nietzsche had hoped to write and name “The Will to Power, An Attempt at a Revaluation of All Values”. The first German edition, containing 483 sections, published in 1901, was edited by Köselitz, Ernst Horneffer, and August Horneffer, under Elisabeth’s direction. This version was superseded in 1906 by an expanded second edition containing 1067 sections. This later compilation is what has come to be commonly known as The Will to Power.

*Thus Spoke Zarathustra

When Zarathustra was 30 years old, he left his home and the lake of his home, and went into the mountains. There he enjoyed his spirit and solitude, and for 10 years did not weary of it. But at last his heart changed – and rising one morning with the rosy dawn, he went before the sun, and spake thus unto it: “Thou great star! What would be thy happiness if thou hadst not those for whom thou shinest!”

  Jean-Paul Sartre

*Being and Nothingness

Born in Paris in 1905, Sartre was a professor of philosophy when he joined the French Army at the outbreak of World War II. Captured by the Germans, he was released, after nearly a year, in 1941. He immediately joined the French resistance as a journalist. In the postwar era Jean-Paul Sartre – philosopher, critic, novelist, and dramatist – became one of the most influential men of this century. He died in Paris in 1980.

*The Wall and other short stories

One of Sartre’s greatest existentialist works of fiction, The Wall contains the only five short stories he ever wrote. Set during the Spanish Civil War, the title story crystallizes the famous philosopher’s existentialism.

*Existentialism is a Humanism

It was to correct common misconceptions about his thought that Jean-Paul Sartre, the most dominent European intellectual of the post-World War II decades, accepted an invitation to speak on October 29, 1945, at the Club Maintenant in Paris. The unstated objective of his lecture (“Existentialism Is a Humanism”) was to expound his philosophy as a form of “existentialism,” a term much bandied about at the time. Sartre asserted that existentialism was essentially a doctrine for philosophers, though, ironically, he was about to make it accessible to a general audience. The published text of his lecture quickly became one of the bibles of existentialism and made Sartre an international celebrity.

Sartre’s greatest novel ― and existentialism’s key text ― introduced by James Wood, Nausea is the story of Antoine Roquentin, a French writer who is horrified at his own existence. In impressionistic, diary form he ruthlessly catalogs his every feeling and sensation. His thoughts culminate in a pervasive, overpowering feeling of nausea which “spreads at the bottom of the viscous puddle, at the bottom of our time ― the time of purple suspenders and broken chair seats; it is made of wide, soft instants, spreading at the edge, like an oil stain.”

  *Iron in the soul

June 1940 was the summer of defeat for the French soldiers, deserted by their officers, utterly demoralized, awaiting the Armistice. Day by day, hour by hour, Iron in the Soul unfolds what men thought and felt and did as France fell. Men who shrugged, men who ran, men who fought and tragic men like Mathieu, who had dedicated his life to finding personal freedom, now overwhelmed by remorse and bitterness, who must learn to kill. Iron in the Soul, the third volume of Sartre’s Roads to Freedom Trilogy, is a harrowing depiction of war and what it means to lose.

  *The Reprieve (Roads to Freedom)

An extraordinary picture of life in France during the critical eight days before the signing of the fateful Munich Pact and the subsequent takeover of Czechoslovakia in September 1938. Translated from the French by Eric Sutton.

An existential portrayal of Hell in Sartre’s best-known play, as well as three other brilliant, thought-provoking works: the reworking of the Electra-Orestes story, the conflict of a young intellectual torn between theory and conflict, and an arresting attack on American racism.

*The Devil and the Good Lord

The Devil and The Good Lord is an essay on humanity like few others. It is a spectacular investigation of good and evil — of the human condition — of human emotions and desires. And of the curious transposition through which too much of a good thing may even be worse than too much of a bad thing.

­ Dostoevsky

  *Notes from the underground

Dostoevsky’s most revolutionary novel, Notes from Underground marks the dividing line between nineteenth- and twentieth-century fiction, and between the visions of self each century embodied. One of the most remarkable characters in literature, the unnamed narrator is a former official who has defiantly withdrawn into an underground existence. In full retreat from society, he scrawls a passionate, obsessive, self-contradictory narrative that serves as a devastating attack on social utopianism and an assertion of man’s essentially irrational nature.

  *The House of the Dead

In 1849, Dostoevsky was sentenced to four years at hard labor in a Siberian prison camp for participating in a socialist discussion group. The novel he wrote after his release, based on notes he smuggled out, not only brought him fame, but also founded the tradition of Russian prison writing. Notes from a Dead House  (sometimes translated as  The House of the Dead ) depicts brutal punishments, feuds, betrayals, and the psychological effects of confinement, but it also reveals the moments of comedy and acts of kindness that Dostoevsky witnessed among his fellow prisoners.

*The Brothers Karamazov

The Brothers Karamasov is a murder mystery, a courtroom drama, and an exploration of erotic rivalry in a series of triangular love affairs involving the “wicked and sentimental” Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov and his three sons―the impulsive and sensual Dmitri; the coldly rational Ivan; and the healthy, red-cheeked young novice Alyosha. Through the gripping events of their story, Dostoevsky portrays the whole of Russian life, is social and spiritual striving, in what was both the golden age and a tragic turning point in Russian culture.

*Crime and Punishment

(This is the english version) Crime and Punishment ( is a novel by the Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky. It was first published in the literary journal The Russian Messenger in twelve monthly installments during 1866. It was later published in a single volume. It is the second of Dostoyevsky’s full-length novels following his return from ten years of exile in Siberia. Crime and Punishment is the first great novel of his “mature” period of writing. Crime and Punishment focuses on the mental anguish and moral dilemmas of Rodion Raskolnikov, an impoverished ex-student in St. Petersburg who formulates and executes a plan to kill an unscrupulous pawnbroker for her cash. Raskolnikov argues that with the pawnbroker’s money he can perform good deeds to counterbalance the crime, while ridding the world of a worthless vermin. He also commits this murder to test his own hypothesis that some people are naturally capable of such things, and even have the right to do them. Several times throughout the novel, Raskolnikov justifies his actions by comparing himself with Napoleon Bonaparte, believing that murder is permissible in pursuit of a higher purpose.

Inspired by the true story of a political murder that horried Russians in 1869, Fyodor Dostoevsky conceived of Demons as a “novel-pamphlet” in which he would say everything about the plague of materialist ideology that he saw infecting his native land. What emerged was a prophetic and ferociously funny masterpiece of ideology and murder in pre-revolutionary Russia.

  Franz Kafka

One of the great works of the twentieth century, Kafka’s The Trial has been read as a study of political power, a pessimistic religious parable, or a crime novel where the accused man is himself the problem. In it, a man wakes up one morning to find himself under arrest for an offence which is never explained. Faced with this ambiguous but threatening situation, Josef K. gradually succumbs to its psychological pressure. One of the iconic figures of modern world literature, Kafka writes about universal problems of guilt, responsibility, and freedom. He offers no solutions, but provokes his readers to arrive at meanings of their own. Mike Mitchell’s translation captures Kafka’s distinctive style. Based on the best available German text, it includes not only the main text but the chapters Kafka left incomplete. In his Introduction, Ritchie Robertson considers the many puzzles in the novel and the different interpretations to which the novel has been subjected. The book also includes a Biographical Preface, an up-to-date bibliography, and a chronology of Kafka’s life.

*The Metamorphosis

“The Metamorphosis” (original German title: “Die Verwandlung”) is a short novel by Franz Kafka, first published in 1915. It is often cited as one of the seminal works of fiction of the 20th century and is widely studied in colleges and universities across the western world. The story begins with a traveling salesman, Gregor Samsa, waking to find himself transformed into an insect.

“I have only one request,” Kafka wrote to his publisher Kurt Wolff in 1913. “‘The Stoker,’ ‘The Metamorphosis,’ and ‘The Judgment’ belong together, both inwardly and outwardly. There is an obvious connection among the three, and, even more important, a secret one, for which reason I would be reluctant to forego the chance of having them published together in a book, which might be called The Sons .”

Albert Camus

*The Stranger

Through the story of an ordinary man unwittingly drawn into a senseless murder on an Algerian beach, Camus explored what he termed “the nakedness of man faced with the absurd.”

*The Myth of Sisyphus

One of the most influential works of this century, The Myth of Sisyphus and Other Essays is a crucial exposition of existentialist thought. Influenced by works such as Don Juan and the novels of Kafka, these essays begin with a meditation on suicide; the question of living or not living in a universe devoid of order or meaning. With lyric eloquence, Albert Camus brilliantly posits a way out of despair, reaffirming the value of personal existence, and the possibility of life lived with dignity and authenticity.

*The Adulterous Woman

“The Adulterous Woman” is a short story written in 1957. It is the first short story published in the volume Exile and the Kingdom by Albert Camus.

*The Plague

A haunting tale of human resilience in the face of unrelieved horror, Camus’ novel about a bubonic plague ravaging the people of a North African coastal town is a classic of twentieth-century literature.

Elegantly styled, Camus’ profoundly disturbing novel of a Parisian lawyer’s confessions is a searing study of modern amorality.

Philip. K. Dick

*Do androids dream of electric sheep

A masterpiece ahead of its time, a prescient rendering of a dark future, and the inspiration for the blockbuster film Blade Runner.

By 2021, the World War has killed millions, driving entire species into extinction and sending mankind off-planet. Those who remain covet any living creature, and for people who can’t afford one, companies built incredibly realistic simulacra: horses, birds, cats, sheep. They’ve even built humans. Immigrants to Mars receive androids so sophisticated they are indistinguishable from true men or women. Fearful of the havoc these artificial humans can wreak, the government bans them from Earth. Driven into hiding, unauthorized androids live among human beings, undetected. Rick Deckard, an officially sanctioned bounty hunter, is commissioned to find rogue androids and “retire” them. But when cornered, androids fight back—with lethal force.

“Dick is one of the ten best American writers of the twentieth century, which is saying a lot. Dick was a kind of Kafka steeped in LSD and rage.”—Roberto Bolaño

What is VALIS? This question is at the heart of Philip K. Dick’s ground-breaking novel, and the first book in his defining trilogy. When a beam of pink light begins giving a schizophrenic man named Horselover Fat (who just might also be known as Philip K. Dick) visions of an alternate Earth where the Roman Empire still reigns, he must decide whether he is crazy, or whether a godlike entity is showing him the true nature of the world.

VALIS is essential reading for any true Philip K. Dick fan, a novel that Roberto Bolaño called “more disturbing than any novel by [Carson] McCullers.” By the end, like Dick himself, you will be left wondering what is real, what is fiction, and just what the price is for divine inspiration.

­ Douglas Adams

*Hitchhiker’s guide to galaxy

Seconds before the Earth is demolished for a galactic freeway, Arthur Dent is saved by Ford Prefect, a researcher for the revised Guide . Together they stick out their thumbs to the stars and begin a wild journey through time and space.

  Dan Brown

*The Lost Symbol

Famed Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon answers an unexpected summons to appear at the U.S. Capitol Building. His planned lecture is interrupted when a disturbing object—artfully encoded with five symbols—is discovered in the building. Langdon recognizes in the find an ancient invitation into a lost world of esoteric, potentially dangerous wisdom. When his mentor Peter Solomon—a longstanding Mason and beloved philanthropist—is kidnapped, Langdon realizes that the only way to save Solomon is to accept the mystical invitation and plunge headlong into a clandestine world of Masonic secrets, hidden history, and one inconceivable truth . . . all under the watchful eye of Dan Brown’s most terrifying villain to date. Set within the hidden chambers, tunnels, and temples of Washington, D.C., The Lost Symbol is an intelligent, lightning-paced story with surprises at every turn–Brown’s most exciting novel yet.

Candide, the illegitimate nephew of a German baron and student of eternal optimist Pangloss, is living a simple and sheltered life in “the best of all possible worlds.”

But when Candide falls in love with the wrong woman, his uncle’s young daughter, he is exiled from the baron’s castle and suffers great tragedy and catastrophe, which leaves him disillusioned and questioning the goodness of the universe.

Penned in just three days—and published in secret because of its blasphemous and seditious nature—Voltaire’s legendary satire deftly skewers religious, romantic, and political naïveté with an acerbic and ribald wit that delights to this day.

Kierkegaard

*Fear and trembling

The infamous and controversial work that made a lasting impression on both modern Protestant theology and existentialist philosophers such as Sartre and Camus.

Writing under the pseudonym of “Johannes de silentio,” Kierkegaard expounds his personal view of religion through a discussion of the scene in Genesis in which Abraham prepares to sacrifice his son Isaac at God’s command. Believing Abraham’s unreserved obedience to be the essential leap of faith needed to make a full commitment to his religion, Kierkegaard himself made great sacrifices in order to dedicate his life entirely to his philosophy and to God. The conviction shown in this religious polemic—that a man can have an exceptional mission in life—informed all Kierkegaard’s later writings. His “teleological suspension of the ethical” challenged the contemporary views of Hegel’s universal moral system, and was also hugely influential for both protestant theology and the existentialist movement.

Alastair Hannay’s introduction evaluates Kierkegaard’s philosophy and the ways in which it conflicted with more accepted contemporary views. This edition also includes detailed notes to complement this groundbreaking analysis of religion, and a new chronology.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

­ Samuel Beckett

*Waiting for Godot

From an inauspicious beginning at the tiny Left Bank Theatre de Babylone in 1953, followed by bewilderment among American and British audiences, Waiting for Godot has become of the most important and enigmatic plays of the past fifty years and a cornerstone of twentieth-century drama. As Clive Barnes wrote, “Time catches up with genius … Waiting for Godot is one of the masterpieces of the century.”

Samuel Beckett was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1969; his literary output of plays, novels, stories and poetry has earned him an uncontested place as one of the greatest writers of our time. Endgame , originally written in French and translated into English by Beckett himself, is considered by many critics to be his greatest single work. A pinnacle of Beckett’s characteristic raw minimalism, it is a pure and devastating distillation of the human essence in the face of approaching death.

*Three Novels: Molloy, Malone Dies, The Unnamable

Few works of contemporary literature are so universally acclaimed as central to our understanding of the human experience as Beckett’s famous trilogy. Molloy , the first of these masterpieces, appeared in French in 1951. It was followed seven months later by Malone Dies and two years later by The Unnamable . All three have been rendered into English by the author.

  *On the Road

The classic novel of freedom and the search for authenticity that defined a generation. September 5th, 2017 marks the 60th anniversary of the publication of On the Road.

Inspired by Jack Kerouac’s adventures with Neal Cassady, On the Road tells the story of two friends whose cross-country road trips are a quest for meaning and true experience. Written with a mixture of sad-eyed naiveté and wild ambition and imbued with Kerouac’s love of America, his compassion for humanity, and his sense of language as jazz, On the Road is the quintessential American vision of freedom and hope, a book that changed American literature and changed anyone who has ever picked it up.    

  *Dharma Bums

Jack Kerouac’s classic novel about friendship, the search for meaning, and the allure of nature. First published in 1958, a year after On the Road put the Beat Generation on the map, The Dharma Bums stands as one of Jack Kerouac’s most powerful and influential novels. The story focuses on two ebullient young Americans–mountaineer, poet, and Zen Buddhist Japhy Ryder, and Ray Smith, a zestful, innocent writer–whose quest for Truth leads them on a heroic odyssey, from marathon parties and poetry jam sessions in San Francisco’s Bohemia to solitude and mountain climbing in the High Sierras.

*The death of Ivan Ilyich

Tolstoy’s most famous novella is an intense and moving examination of death and the possibilities of redemption, here in a powerful translation by the award-winning Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky.

Ivan Ilyich is a middle-aged man who has spent his life focused on his career as a bureaucrat and emotionally detached from his wife and children. After an accident he finds himself on the brink of an untimely death, which he sees as a terrible injustice. Face to face with his mortality, Ivan begins to question everything he has believed about the meaning of life. The Death of Ivan Ilyich is a masterpiece of psychological realism and philosophical profundity that has inspired generations of readers.

­ Alison Bechtel

A fresh and brilliantly told memoir from a cult favorite comic artist, marked by gothic twists, a family funeral home, sexual angst, and great books.

This breakout book by Alison Bechdel is a darkly funny family tale, pitch-perfectly illustrated with Bechdel’s sweetly gothic drawings. Like Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis, it’s a story exhilaratingly suited to graphic memoir form.

­ Karl Jaspers

*Philosophy of existence

Philosophy of Existence was first presented to the public as a series of lectures invited by The German Academy of Frankfurt. In preparing these lectures Jaspers, whom the Nazis had already dismissed from his professorship at Heidelberg, knew that he was speaking in Germany for the last time. Jaspers used the occasion to offer an account of the cultural and intellectual situation from which existentialism emerged as well as a summary of his own philosophy.

John Steinbeck

*The Grapes Of Wrath and Other Writings

The second volume in The Library of America’s authoritative edition of John Steinbeck features his acknowledged masterpiece,  The Grapes of Wrath . Written in an incredibly compressed five-month period, the novel had an electrifying impact upon publication in 1939, unleashing a political storm with its vision of America’s dispossessed struggling for survival. It continues to exert a powerful influence on American culture, and has inspired artists as diverse as John Ford, Woody Guthrie, and Bruce Springsteen. Tracing the journey of the Joad family from the dust bowl of Oklahoma to the migrant camps of California, Steinbeck creates an American epic, spacious, impassioned, and pulsating with the rhythms of living speech. The novel won the Pulitzer Prize and has since sold millions of copies worldwide. ­

A profoundly beautiful and uniquely insightful description of the universe, Benedict de Spinoza’s Ethics is one of the masterpieces of Enlightenment-era philosophy.

Published shortly after his death, the Ethics is undoubtedly Spinoza’s greatest work – an elegant, fully cohesive cosmology derived from first principles, providing a coherent picture of reality, and a guide to the meaning of an ethical life. Following a logical step-by-step format, it defines in turn the nature of God, the mind, the emotions, human bondage to the emotions, and the power of understanding – moving from a consideration of the eternal, to speculate upon humanity’s place in the natural order, the nature of freedom and the path to attainable happiness. A powerful work of elegant simplicity, the Ethics is a brilliantly insightful consideration of the possibility of redemption through intense thought and philosophical reflection. The Ethics is presented in the standard translation of the work by Edwin Curley. This edition also includes an introduction by Stuart Hampshire, outlining Spinoza’s philosophy and placing it in context.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators. ­

Rene Descartes

* Discourse on the Method

One of the most influential works in the history of modern philosophy, and important to the development of natural sciences.

In this work, Descartes tackles the problem of skepticism, which had previously been studied by Sextus Empiricus, Al-Ghazali and Michel de Montaigne. Descartes modified it to account for a truth he found to be incontrovertible. Descartes started his line of reasoning by doubting everything, so as to assess the world from a fresh perspective, clear of any preconceived notions.

Bernard Lonergan

* Insight: A Study of Human Understanding

Insight is Bernard Lonergan’s masterwork. It aim is nothing less than insight into insight itself, a comprehensive view of knowledge and understanding, and to state what one needs to understand and how one proceeds to understand it.

In Lonergan’s own words: ‘Thoroughly understand what it is to understand, and not only will you understand the broad lines of all there is to be understood but also you will possess a fixed base, and invariant pattern, opening upon all further developments of understanding.’

The editors of the Collected Works of Bernard Lonergan have established the definitive text for Insight after examining all the variant forms in Lonergan’s manuscripts and papers. The volume includes introductory material and annotation to enable the reader to appreciate more fully this challenging work.

William A. Luijpen

*Existential phenomenology

After describing man as existence and its implications, this book explores the meaning of knowledge and truth in terms of existential thinking. Next, it develops the concrete notion of human freedom, implied in existence, and man’s fundamental intersubjective attitudes of hatred, indifference, love, and justice. In the final chapter it raises the problem of man’s metaphysical dimension and the existence of God.

Will Durant

*The pleasures of philosophy

There is a pleasure in philosophy, and a lure even in the mirages of metaphysics, which every student feels until the coarse necessities of physical existence drag him from the heights of thought into the mart of economic strife and gain PLEASURES OF PHILOSOPHY.

  Viktor Frankl

*Man’s Search for Meaning

Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl’s memoir of life in Nazi death camps has riveted generations of readers. Based on Frankl’s own experience and the stories of his patients, the book argues that we cannot avoid suffering but we can choose how to cope with it, find meaning in it, and move forward. Man’s Search for Meaning has become one of the most influential books of our times, selling over twelve million copies worldwide. With a foreword by Harold S. Kushner, Frankl’s classic is presented here in an elegant new edition with endpapers, supplementary photographs, and several of Frankl’s previously unpublished letters, speeches, and essays.

­ Heidegger

*Being and Time

“What is the meaning of being?” This is the central question of Martin Heidegger’s profoundly important work, in which the great philosopher seeks to explain the basic problems of existence. A central influence on later philosophy, literature, art, and criticism—as well as existentialism and much of postmodern thought— Being and Time forever changed the intellectual map of the modern world. As Richard Rorty wrote in the New York Times Book Review , “You cannot read most of the important thinkers of recent times without taking Heidegger’s thought into account.”

*Modern man in search of a soul

A book about improvements to psychoanalysis. The book states that psychoanalyst focuses on the negative side of the unconscious and how psychoanalyst and psychotherapy must discover the positive side of the unconscious and man, which includes religious concepts, art, love,benevolence, and positive energies. It is my understanding that these positive concepts have been or are being incorporated into psychotherapy. Jung was ahead of his time and is still ahead of our times. One of the great thinkers of the 20th century.

William Barrett

*Irrational Man – A Study in Existential Philosophy

Widely recognized as the finest definition of existentialist philosophy ever written, this book introduced existentialism to America in 1958. Barrett speaks eloquently and directly to concerns of the 1990s: a period when the irrational and the absurd are no better integrated than before and when humankind is in even greater danger of destroying its existence without ever understanding the meaning of its existence.

Irrational Man  begins by discussing the roots of existentialism in the art and thinking of Augustine, Aquinas, Pascal, Baudelaire, Blake, Dostoevski, Tolstoy, Hemingway, Picasso, Joyce, and Beckett. The heart of the book explains the views of the foremost existentialists—Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Sartre. The result is a marvelously lucid definition of existentialism and a brilliant interpretation of its impact. ­

Christopher Panza

*Existentialism For Dummies

Have you ever wondered what the phrase “God is dead” means? You’ll find out in Existentialism For Dummies , a handy guide to Nietzsche, Sartre, and Kierkegaard’s favorite philosophy. See how existentialist ideas have influenced everything from film and literature to world events and discover whether or not existentialism is still relevant today.

You’ll find an introduction to existentialism and understand how it fits into the history of philosophy. This insightful guide will expose you to existentialism’s ideas about the absurdity of life and the ways that existentialism guides politics, solidarity, and respect for others. There’s even a section on religious existentialism. You’ll be able to reviewkey existential themes and writings. Find out how to:

  • Trace the influence of existentialism
  • Distinguish each philosopher’s specific ideas
  • Explain what it means to say that “God is dead”
  • See culture through an existentialist lens
  • Understand the existentialist notion of time, finitude, and death
  • Navigate the absurdity of life
  • Master the art of individuality

Complete with lists of the ten greatest existential films, ten great existential aphorisms, and ten common misconceptions about existentialism, Existentialism For Dummies is your one-stop guide to a very influential school of thought.

  Cormac McCarthy

Great American novelist Cormac McCarthy takes on the genre of the Post-Apocalyptic novel. Graced with his near biblical prose, The Road portrays a stark world burnt to ash as seen through the eyes of a man “carrying the fire” in the personage of his young son. The novel explores what becomes of humanity in the aftermath of man’s greatest inhumanity.

Touching, heartbreaking, often times harrowing, The Road will leave you terrified and amazed.

The Giver, the 1994 Newbery Medal winner, has become one of the most influential novels of our time. The haunting story centers on twelve-year-old Jonas, who lives in a seemingly ideal, if colorless, world of conformity and contentment. Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver of Memory does he begin to understand the dark, complex secrets behind his fragile community. Lois Lowry has written three companion novels to The Giver, including Gathering Blue, Messenger, and Son.  

George Orwell

*Animal Farm & *1984

This edition features George Orwell’s best known novels – 1984 and Animal Farm – with an introduction by Christopher Hitchens.

In 1984 , London is a grim city where Big Brother is always watching you and the Thought Police can practically read your mind.  Winston Smith joins a secret revolutionary organization called The Brotherhood, dedicated to the destruction of the Party. Together with his beloved Julia, he hazards his life in a deadly match against the powers that be.

Animal Farm is Orwell’s classic satire of the Russian Revolution — an account of the bold struggle, initiated by the animals, that transforms Mr. Jones’s Manor Farm into Animal Farm–a wholly democratic society built on the credo that All Animals Are Created Equal. But are they?

Joseph Heller

Joseph Heller was born in Brooklyn in 1923. In 1961, he published Catch-22, which became a bestseller and, in 1970, a film. He went on to write such novels as Good as Gold, God Knows, Picture This, Closing Time (the sequel to Catch-22), and Portrait of an Artist, as an Old Man. Heller died in December 1999.

Herman Hesse

*Steppenwolf

With its blend of Eastern mysticism and Western culture, Hesse’s best-known and most autobiographical work is one of literature’s most poetic evocations of the soul’s journey to liberation

Harry Haller is a sad and lonely figure, a reclusive intellectual for whom life holds no joy. He struggles to reconcile the wild primeval wolf and the rational man within himself without surrendering to the bourgeois values he despises. His life changes dramatically when he meets a woman who is his opposite, the carefree and elusive Hermine. The tale of the Steppenwolf culminates in the surreal Magic Theater―For Madmen Only!

Originally published in English in 1929, Steppenwolf ‘s wisdom continues to speak to our souls and marks it as a classic of modern literature.

*Siddhartha

This classic novel of self-discovery has inspired generations of seekers. With parallels to the enlightenment of the Buddha, Hesse’s Siddhartha is the story of a young Brahmin’s quest for the ultimate reality. His quest takes him from the extremes of indulgent sensuality to the rigors of ascetism and self-denial. At last he learns that wisdom cannot be taught — it must come from one’s own experience and inner struggle. Steeped in the tenets of both psychoanalysis and Eastern mysticism, Siddhartha presents a strikingly original view of man and culture, and the arduous process of self-discovery that leads to reconciliation, harmony, and peace.

Thomas Mann

*The magic mountain

In this dizzyingly rich novel of ideas, Mann uses a sanatorium in the Swiss Alps–a community devoted exclusively to sickness–as a microcosm for Europe, which in the years before 1914 was already exhibiting the first symptoms of its own terminal irrationality. The Magic Mountain is a monumental work of erudition and irony, sexual tension and intellectual ferment, a book that pulses with life in the midst of death.

­ Eric Carle

*The Very Hungry Caterpillar

THE all-time classic picture book, from generation to generation, sold somewhere in the world every 30 seconds! Have you shared it with a child or grandchild in  your  life?

Including a special feature, dye cuts, this beautiful board book edition, perfect for teaching the days of the week, offers readers an interactive experience.

“The very hungry caterpillar literally eats his way through the pages of the book—and right into your child’s heart…” — Mother’s Manual

“Gorgeously illustrated, brilliantly innovative…” — The New York Times Book Review

Faust is the protagonist of a classic German legend. He is a scholar who is highly successful yet dissatisfied with his life, so he makes a pact with the Devil, exchanging his soul for unlimited knowledge and worldly pleasures. The Faust legend has been the basis for many literary, artistic, cinematic, and musical works that have reinterpreted it through the ages. Faust and the adjective Faustian imply a situation in which an ambitious person surrenders moral integrity in order to achieve power and success for a delimited term. The Faust of early books—as well as the ballads, dramas, movies, and puppet-plays which grew out of them—is irrevocably damned because he prefers human to divine knowledge; “he laid the Holy Scriptures behind the door and under the bench, refused to be called doctor of Theology, but preferred to be styled doctor of Medicine”. Plays and comic puppet theatre loosely based on this legend were popular throughout Germany in the 16th century, often reducing Faust and Mephistopheles to figures of vulgar fun. The story was popularised in England by Christopher Marlowe, who gave it a classic treatment in his play, The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus. In Goethe’s reworking of the story two hundred years later, Faust becomes a dissatisfied intellectual who yearns for “more than earthly meat and drink” in his life.

Shakespeare

This Oxford Shakespeare edition of Hamlet represents a radically new text of the best known and most widely discussed of all Shakespearean tragedies. Arguing that the text currently accepted is not, in fact, the most authoritative version of the play, this new edition turns to the First Folio of 1623–Shakespeare’s “fair copy”–that has been preserved for us in the Second Quarto. Introducing fresh theatrical momentum, this revision provides, as Shakespeare intended, a better, more practical acting script.

Professor Hibbard’s illuminating and original introduction explains the process by which variant texts were fused in the eighteenth century to create the most commonly used text of today. Drawing on both critical and theatrical history, he shows how this gusion makes Hamlet seem a much more ‘problematic’ play than it was when it originally appeared in the First Folio of 1623.

Content Source: Amazon.com

Please comment below if you know of other existential books that may be a part of this list. Thanks!

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Great list of books.

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  1. The Philosophy of Existentialism by Jean-Paul Sartre (1965) hardcover book

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  2. [PDF] Existentialism For Beginners by David Cogswell eBook

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  3. Existentialism from Dostoevsky to Sartre by Walter Kaufmann

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  4. Top 11 Books About Existentialism That You Should Reading

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  5. Basic Writings of Existentialism by Gordon Marino · OverDrive: ebooks

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COMMENTS

  1. Existentialism Reading List

    The book that launched de Beauvoir's feminist and existential philosophy, The Ethics of Ambiguity is a concise yet thorough examination of existence and what it means to be human, and belongs on the bookshelf of anyone interested in existentialism. 8. Being and Time, by Martin Heidegger.

  2. The best books on Existentialism

    recommended by Sarah Bakewell. Existentialist philosophy isn't about bringing despair and angst into our lives, it's about discovering our inner freedom, explains Sarah Bakewell, the author of At the Existentialist Café: Freedom, Being, and Apricot Cocktails. She recommends books to learn more about existentialism.

  3. 20 Best Existentialism Books of All Time

    The 20 best existentialism books recommended by Tony Robbins, Beth Doane, Robin Black, Simon Sinek and Ryan Holiday. The 20 best existentialism books recommended by Tony Robbins, Beth Doane, Robin Black, Simon Sinek and Ryan Holiday. Categories Experts. BookAuthority; BookAuthority is the world's premier site for book recommendations, helping ...

  4. 6 essential books on existentialist philosophy

    Learn about the existentialist school of thought that deals with the search to find meaning through free will and choice. Explore six books by Camus, Sartre, Nietzsche, Kafka, Camus, Kafka and Sartre that introduce the key ideas and themes of existentialism.

  5. Existentialism Books

    Books shelved as existentialism: The Stranger by Albert Camus, Nausea by Jean-Paul Sartre, The Plague by Albert Camus, Existentialism is a Humanism by Je...

  6. The Seven Best Books on Existentialism

    A list of seven books to suit any learning style and interest in existentialism, the philosophical movement that explores the meaning and value of human existence. From introductions to classics, from pop-nonfiction to comprehensive overview, these books cover the main themes, thinkers, and issues of existentialism.

  7. Amazon.com: Existentialism: Books

    Existentialism from Dostoevsky to Sartre, Revised and Expanded Edition, Book Cover May Vary. Part of: Meridian S (2 books) 4.4 out of 5 stars. 393. Paperback. $17.79 $ 17. 79. List: $20.00 $20.00. Save 50% on 1 when you buy 2. FREE delivery Tue, Feb 20 on $35 of items shipped by Amazon.

  8. On Being and Becoming: An Existentialist Approach to Life (Guides to

    While existentialism has long been associated with Parisian Left Bank philosophers sipping cocktails in smoke-filled cafés, or with a brooding, angst-filled outlook on life, Gosetti-Ferencei shows how vital and heterogeneous the movement really was. In this concise, accessible book, Gosetti-Ferencei offers a new vision of existentialism.

  9. 20 Best Existentialism eBooks of All Time

    Newsletter. The 20 best existentialism ebooks recommended by Tony Robbins, Beth Doane, Robin Black, Simon Sinek and James Altucher.

  10. Underrated Existentialist Classics

    5 Charlotte Sometimes by Penelope Farmer. T he heyday - at least of French existentialism - was the period immediately after the Second World War. There was a lot of enthusiasm for it in the 1960s and 1970s in Britain, and then it fell by the wayside. In France it was actually vilified by many in the 1980s.

  11. 100 Best Existential Books of All Time (Updated for 2021)

    Recommended by Randall Stephenson, Kenan Malik, Rachel Kushner, and 6 others. Randall Stephenson Favorite book: The Brothers Karamazov. (Source) Kenan Malik Dostoevsky was a devout Christian and The Brothers Karamazov, his last and possibly greatest novel, was a heartfelt plea for the necessity of faith.

  12. Existentialism from Dostoevsky to Sartre, Revised and Expanded Edition

    Walter Kaufmann was a philosopher and poet, as well as a renowned translator of Friedrich Nietzsche. His books include Nietzsche: Philosopher, Psychologist, Antichrist, From Shakespeare to Existentialism, and Existentialism: From Dostoevsky to Sartre.He was a Professor of Philosophy at Princeton University, where he taught after receiving his Ph.D. from Harvard in 1947 until his death in 1980.

  13. Best Books On Existentialism

    Book recommendations from the controversial professor and thinker. 6 items. This Is German Philosophers. The who's who of German thinkers and intellectuals. 7 items. Books by Ryan Holiday. Your quintessential Ryan Holiday experience. 11 items. Philosophies for Inner Strength.

  14. Best Existentialist Novels (38 books)

    Best Existentialist Novels. Novels that have a theme of existentialism, whether it be intentional or unintentional. flag. All Votes Add Books To This List. 1. The Stranger. by. Albert Camus. 4.02 avg rating — 1,069,809 ratings.

  15. The Best Books on Existentialism

    Existentialism, an influential philosophical movement, has captivated the minds of scholars, philosophers, and other wannabes. ... The Best Books on Existentialism — Inside Man's Search For ...

  16. The Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Existentialism

    Of the philosophical movements of the twentieth century existentialism is one of the most powerful and thought-provoking. Its engagement with the themes of authenticity, freedom, bad faith, nihilism, and the death of God captured the imagination of millions. However, in the twenty-first century existentialism is grappling with fresh questions and debates that move far beyond traditional ...

  17. The 13 Best Books on Existentialism

    Which Existentialist Philosophers should I start with? 'Being and Nothingness' by Jean-Paul Sartre. 'The Myth of Sisyphus' by Albert Camus. 'The Stranger' by Albert Camus. Max Stirner's 'The Ego and Its Own'. 'Being & Time' by Martin Heidegger. 'Thus Spoke Zarathustra' by Friedrich Nietzsche.

  18. Books on Existentialism: 2024 Update of the Best Titles

    These books explore the philosophical concept of existentialism, addressing questions about the meaning of life, free will, and the nature of existence itself. Whether you're a seasoned philosopher or just starting to explore this fascinating subject, there's a book on existentialism for everyone on this list.

  19. Existentialism Books

    5 Best Existentialism Books - Conclusion. Well, there you have it, folks - a whirlwind tour of existentialism through some of the best existentialism books out there. We've wrestled with life's big questions, delved into the absurd, and hopefully come out the other side a little wiser, or at least a little more thoughtful.

  20. Existentialism: A Beginner's Guide (Beginner's Guides)

    This book is great! I was completely new to existentialism and loved the pace and clarity of the book without becoming existentialism for dummies or too condescending. I didn't give it 5 starts because the book claims to use lots of modern culture examples which is not true. It just uses a couple of movies (principally Matrix along the whole book).

  21. Existentialism by Jean-Paul Sartre

    Based on my reading, this book contains "the first sustained exposition of Sartre's existential philosophy to appear in English" (Frechtman, 1947, pp. 2-3). Sartre's existentialism varied greatly from Christian existentialism described by Kierkegaard in the sense that Sartre espoused an existential model for "a universe without purpose ...

  22. 59 Best Books on Existentialism

    Irrational Man begins by discussing the roots of existentialism in the art and thinking of Augustine, Aquinas, Pascal, Baudelaire, Blake, Dostoevski, Tolstoy, Hemingway, Picasso, Joyce, and Beckett. The heart of the book explains the views of the foremost existentialists—Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Sartre.

  23. For Cities, 'Transit Is Existential'

    In a new edition of his book "Human Transit," Jarrett Walker confronts the US public transportation crisis (and Elon Musk) in an era of disruption and innovation.

  24. Best Existential Fiction (443 books)

    Clear rating. 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars. 2. Crime and Punishment. by. Fyodor Dostoevsky. 4.26 avg rating — 887,623 ratings. score: 13,471 , and 137 people voted. Want to Read.