Mark Sisson: A Journey To An Awesome Life
Mark Sisson’s reading list
9 books mentioned in this interview
- Code of Conduct · Brad Thor
- Mysterious Island · Jules Verne
- The Elements of Style · William Strunk JrRecommended 3 times
- Money: Master the Game · Tony RobbinsRecommended 3 times
- Atlas Shrugged · Ayn RandRecommended 9 times
- The 4-Hour Work Week · Tim FerrissRecommended 8 times
- Sometimes a Great Notion · Ken Kesey
- The Mosquito Coast · Paul Theroux
- On the Road · Jack KerouacRecommended 8 times
Books by Mark Sisson: The Primal Blueprint
Mark Sisson is an American fitness writer who has published numerous popular books, with perhaps his most notable release being The Primal Blueprint. Mark is a former elite endurance athlete who has dedicated his life to the study of health and fitness, and educating others on his findings. As a young man, Mark Sisson was studying at medical school but he was distracted by the allure of making the US Olympic team as a marathon runner. However, as Mark grew older, his true calling of independent research and motivating others became clear. With the goal of inspiring people to take responsibility for their health and fitness, Mark Sisson is a prolific blogger on his website Mark’s Daily Apple. I have personally read Mark’s work, and found his writing to be informative and inspiring; so I was excited to speak with him about his favourite books. Please enjoy my interview with Mark Sisson…
When someone asks you ‘what do you do for a living?’ – How do you respond?
I teach people how to live an awesome life by taking full control of their health.
What are you reading at the moment?
I am currently reading Code of Conduct by Brad Thor.
What’s your earliest memory of reading?
From memory, I believe the first ‘real’ book I read was Mysterious Island by Jules Verne. I remember trading a kid a bag of M&Ms for the book.
If you could encourage young people to read one book in particular, what would it be?
If I could encourage young people to read just one book, it would be The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. In my opinion, effective written communication is the single most important skill one can have in business. I am appalled at how poorly most young people write. Elements of Style is an easy read that quickly covers the basics in grammar, syntax and proper usage.
What is the worst job you’ve ever had?
The worst job I’ve had is painting cabin interiors with oil-based paint in the summer heat.
Do you read as much as you’d like to?
Not even close.
What books do you feel are important reading for people on your career path?
The three books I’d recommend for people to read on my career path would be; Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, Money: Master the Game by Tony Robbins, The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss. Atlas Shrugged sets a stage for becoming a self-determined moral capitalist; Money: Master the Game puts wages and wealth into perspective; and finally The 4-Hour Work Week makes it OK to work hard when it makes sense, but makes it also OK to plan a life around leisure and fulfilment.
Is there a book that you’ve read more than once? What is it and why did you revisit it?
No, I can’t think of one I have re-read.
What book have you recommended the most to friends and family?
The book I’ve recommended most is Sometimes a Great Notion by Ken Kesey. It is, in my opinion, the Great American Novel. It is extremely well written and encapsulates the rugged, independent mindset of what I believe is (or should be) the prototypical American family.
What’s your favourite genre of book?
My favourite genre is mystery. I like not knowing what’s about to happen. I especially enjoy the kind of twists that not only defy prediction, but make it useless to try.
What do you think a world without books would be like?
I believe it would be far less imaginative and less empathetic.
Is there an author whose writing you’re such a fan of, that you’ll read everything they release?
I’ll read anything by Ted Bell. With his colorful and engaging style, I know I will be fully immersed in the story from the first line in each of his books.
Do you think digital books will ever completely replace real books?
Certainly…but not for a long while, I hope.
What book do you feel humanity needs right now?
I’d have to say my book, The Primal Blueprint.
What is the book that you feel has had the single biggest impact on your life?
The books that had the biggest impact on my life is The Mosquito Coast by Paul Theroux. I identify so closely with the protagonist, that I use his eventually going mad as a barometer for where I am in my outrage at who we’ve become as a society.
Are there any books you haven’t mentioned that you feel would make your reading list?
I would also have to include On the Road by Jack Kerouac.
What books or subject matter do you plan on reading in the next year?
In the next year, I’ll be reading lots of materials on the Ketogenic Diet.
If you were to write an autobiography – what would it be called?
A Journey to an Awesome Life.
If you’d like to learn more about Mark Sisson, you can find him on his website, Facebook and Twitter.
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