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  • Ego Is the Enemy

  • Written by: Ryan Holiday
  • Narrated by: Ryan Holiday
  • Length: 6 hrs and 56 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (752 ratings)

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Ego Is the Enemy

Written by: Ryan Holiday
Narrated by: Ryan Holiday
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Publisher's Summary

"While the history books are filled with tales of obsessive visionary geniuses who remade the world in their images with sheer, almost irrational force, I've found that history is also made by individuals who fought their egos at every turn, who eschewed the spotlight, and who put their higher goals above their desire for recognition." (From the prologue)

©2016 Portfolio (P)2016 Tim Ferriss Audio

What listeners say about Ego Is the Enemy

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

An easy listening that makes some good points

Not as good as the obstacle is the way but it makes good points. I particularly liked the alive time/dead time dichotomy that the author explains. However, as with many self-help and pop-psychology books, the author overreaches in his conclusions. As I was listening to the examples he gave, I was thinking of counter-examples and other variables not considered. Since the book is about ego, he reduces every problem to a problem with ego. Also, for the most part, he ignores the fact that many people may have the opposite problem: low self-esteem. So, for instance, you could listen to "You are a Badass" by Jen Sincero and reach different conclusions. I am not saying that one approach is better than the other; I just wish all these authors had a bit more nuance in the way they present their ideas. The voice of the narrator is a bit monotonous.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Not worth my time

Don’t be selfish. Don’t think too highly of yourself. Move on and read another book.

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10 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Not the information I was expecting.

It is a good concept, but it is not concrete. the best part was the interview at the end. You can skip the book and go directly there

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9 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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  • Ty
  • 2019-12-04

contrary to my beliefs

I follow many many positive entrepreneurship pages and read many books that directly oppose many points this book offered. I understand keeping the ego in check but this book consistently debunks the power of positive thinking, confidence and the law of attraction.

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5 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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Got half way and stopped listening ..

This book was a recommended read. I agree with one concept when it comes to ego and like my grandmother used to say - if you don’t know what you’re talking about, close your mouth and open your ears because you may just learn something. I think this is one concept in this book. Aside from that, I feel like this book blurs the lines and confuses the concept of what is ego vs what is drive, accomplishment, ambition, self-confidence and self-esteem. It’s almost as if the author is saying, hey, you’re not allowed to feel proud of yourself for your accomplishments or you’ll look like a show off. I completely disagree with this book. Sorry.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful Book and a Well Needed Kick in the Pants

What Ryan ultimately gets at here is that we are in control of ourselves, our actions and reactions, and how we respond to the world. This book acts as a warning for those who let themselves get too far encompassed in their own narrative. What he delivers is a truly timeless exposé of how to wrestle with yourself, and the consequences of doing so. I will be listening to this one again many times over. Bravo.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Must read for leaders

Ego made me resist listening and it was the new found awareness that made me realize how critical these ideas are.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Ego is the enemy, obstacle is the way

The book is a great companion to the other excellent book obstacle is the way. Ryan Holiday has an engaging writing style with convincing arguments. Easy to understand and follow. Great book for modern stoicism. #Audible1

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2 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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Waste of time

Pointless book, very opinionated and 90% of references about military, politicians, or sports figures. Just a long drawn out waste of time.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Inspirational and Painful

Ryan Holiday has a great way of presenting that illuminate some of the the worst in us while providing wisdom infused prescriptions that provoke deeper thinking and an antidote to those traits. Having read The Obstacle and Stillness, this book provides a powerful diagnostic and remedy to that which impedes our ability to embrace both the obstacle and stillness. Our Ego. Highly recommended and I would also highly recommend that one listen to the other two books in this trilogy to gain the larger picture of his compelling thesis.

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1 person found this helpful