12 Rules for Life

2018 book by Jordan Peterson November 2022 March 2022 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos 12 Rules for Life Front Cover (2018 first edition).jpg yes First edition cover Jordan Peterson Jordan Peterson Ethan Van Sciver Canada English Self-help psychology philosophy Random House CanadaPenguin Books (UK) January 23, 2018 (Canada)January 16, 2018 (UK) Print, digital, audible 448 (hardcover)320 (ebook) 978-0-345-81602-3 (Canada)978-0-241-35163-5 yes (UK) 170/.44 BJ1589 P48 2018 Beyond Order 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos is a 2018 self-help book by the Canadian clinical psychologist Jordan Peterson. It provides life advice through essays in abstract ethical principles, psychology, mythology, religion, and personal anecdotes. The book topped bestseller lists in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, and had sold over ten million copies worldwide, as of May 2023.https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=761020548801766&id=100046814838133&set=a.296385148598644 Facebook www.facebook.com Peterson went on a world tour to promote the book, receiving much attention following an interview with Channel 4 News.aMcjxSThD54 Jordan Peterson debate on the gender pay gap, campus protests and postmodernism The book is written in a more accessible style than his previous academic book, Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief (1999).Christie Blatchford Christie Blatchford https://nationalpost.com/feature/christie-blatchford-sits-down-with-warrior-for-common-sense-jordan-peterson Christie Blatchford sits down with "warrior for common sense" Jordan Peterson January 19, 2018 National Post January 19, 2018 September 23, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200923051738/https://nationalpost.com/feature/christie-blatchford-sits-down-with-warrior-for-common-sense-jordan-peterson liveTom Bartlett https://www.chronicle.com/article/What-s-So-Dangerous-About/242256 What's So Dangerous About Jordan Peterson? January 17, 2018 The Chronicle of Higher Education January 19, 2018 August 6, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190806235055/https://www.chronicle.com/article/What-s-So-Dangerous-About/242256 liveTim Lott Tim Lott https://www.theguardian.com/global/2018/jan/21/jordan-peterson-self-help-author-12-steps-interview Jordan Peterson: 'The pursuit of happiness is a pointless goal' January 21, 2018 The Observer January 21, 2018 May 20, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190520195357/https://www.theguardian.com/global/2018/jan/21/jordan-peterson-self-help-author-12-steps-interview livePark MacDougald http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/02/why-they-listen-to-jordan-peterson.html Why They Listen to Jordan Peterson February 11, 2018 New York March 3, 2018 September 25, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180925090108/http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/02/why-they-listen-to-jordan-peterson.html liveJames Grainger https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2018/01/22/jordan-peterson-on-embracing-your-inner-lobster-in-12-rules-for-life.html Jordan Peterson on embracing your inner lobster in 12 Rules for Life January 22, 2018 Toronto Star March 3, 2018 March 2, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180302113342/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2018/01/22/jordan-peterson-on-embracing-your-inner-lobster-in-12-rules-for-life.html live A sequel, Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life, was published in March 2021.Suzanne Moore Suzanne Moore Suzanne Moore February 27, 2021 Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life, review: Jordan Peterson is back with a self-help book that is not here to hug you better https://www.telegraph.co.uk/books/what-to-read/beyond-order-12-rules-life-review-jordan-peterson-back-self/ subscription March 2, 2021 The Daily Telegraph December 9, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211209125302/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/books/what-to-read/beyond-order-12-rules-life-review-jordan-peterson-back-self/ live Overview Background Peterson's interest in writing the book grew out of a personal hobby of answering questions posted on Quora.Manne Kate 2018-05-25 Reconsider the lobster. Kate Manne on Jordan Peterson’s failed antidote for ‘toxic masculine despair’ https://www.the-tls.com/philosophy/contemporary-philosophy/jordan-peterson-12-rules-kate-manne-review 2026-03-10 The Times Literary Supplement en-US One such question being "What are the most valuable things everyone should know?", to which his answerJordan B Peterson's answer to What are the most valuable things everyone should know? - Quora https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-most-valuable-things-everyone-should-know/answer/Jordan-B-Peterson live https://archive.today/20190824110858/https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-most-valuable-things-everyone-should-know/answer/Jordan-B-Peterson August 24, 2019 July 22, 2018 www.quora.com en comprised 42 rules. The early vision and promotion of the book aimed to include all rules, with the title "42".Jordan Peterson on His New Book https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20omcnzM27Y https://web.archive.org/web/20130201223449/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20omcnzM27Y February 1, 2013 February 11, 2021 YouTube en The Agenda with Steve Paikin The Death of the Oceans (1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE29TM_YtR0&t=493 November 10, 2014 8:13 The Death of the Oceans February 11, 2021 YouTube en JordanPetersonVideos December 21, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181221234253/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE29TM_YtR0 live Peterson stated that it "isn't only written for other people. It's a warning to me." Rules The book is divided into chapters with each title representing one of the following twelve specific rules for life as explained through an essay. "Stand up straight with your shoulders back." "Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping." "Make friends with people who want the best for you." "Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today." "Do not let your children do anything that makes you dislike them." "Set your house in perfect order before you criticize the world." "Pursue what is meaningful (not what is expedient)." "Tell the truth – or, at least, don't lie." "Assume that the person you are listening to might know something you don't." "Be precise in your speech." "Do not bother children when they are skateboarding." "Pet a cat when you encounter one on the street."January 28, 2018 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B Peterson – digested read http://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/jan/28/12-rules-for-life-an-antidote-to-chaos-by-jordan-b-peterson-digested-read November 18, 2022 the Guardian en Content The book's central idea is that "suffering is built into the structure of being" and, although it can be unbearable, people have a choice either to withdraw, which is a "suicidal gesture", or to face and transcend it. Living in a world of chaos and order,Brooks David David Brooks (cultural commentator) https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/25/opinion/jordan-peterson-moment.html The Jordan Peterson Moment The New York Times January 25, 2018 January 31, 2018 January 30, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180130102616/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/25/opinion/jordan-peterson-moment.html live everyone has "darkness" that can "turn them into the monsters they're capable of being" to satisfy their dark impulses in the right situations. Scientific experiments like the Invisible Gorilla Test show that perception is adjusted to aims, and it is better to seek meaning rather than happiness. Peterson notes:It's all very well to think the meaning of life is happiness, but what happens when you're unhappy? Happiness is a great side effect. When it comes, accept it gratefully. But it's fleeting and unpredictable. It's not something to aim at – because it's not an aim. And if happiness is the purpose of life, what happens when you're unhappy? Then you're a failure. The book advances the idea that people are born with an instinct for ethics and meaning, and should take responsibility to search for meaning above their own interests (Rule 7, "Pursue what is meaningful, not what is expedient"). Such thinking is reflected both in contemporary stories such as Pinocchio, The Lion King, and Harry Potter, and in ancient stories from the Bible. To "Stand up straight with your shoulders back" (Rule 1) is to "accept the terrible responsibility of life," to make self-sacrifice,https://www.christianpost.com/voice/christ-vs-the-crowd-my-interview-with-jordan-b-peterson.html Christ vs. the Crowd: My Interview with Jordan B. Peterson David Gornoski January 29, 2018 The Christian Post March 3, 2018 April 2, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180402035842/https://www.christianpost.com/voice/christ-vs-the-crowd-my-interview-with-jordan-b-peterson.html live because the individual must rise above victimization and "conduct his or her life in a manner that requires the rejection of immediate gratification, of natural and perverse desires alike." The comparison to neurological structures and behavior of lobsters is used as a natural example to the formation of social hierarchies.http://theconversation.com/psychologist-jordan-peterson-says-lobsters-help-to-explain-why-human-hierarchies-exist-do-they-90489 Psychologist Jordan Peterson says lobsters help to explain why human hierarchies exist – do they? Leonor Gonçalves January 24, 2018 The Conversation March 3, 2018 December 7, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211207005453/https://theconversation.com/psychologist-jordan-peterson-says-lobsters-help-to-explain-why-human-hierarchies-exist-do-they-90489 live The other parts of the work explore and criticize the state of young men; the upbringing that ignores sex differences between boys and girls (criticism of over-protection and tabula rasa model in social sciences); male–female interpersonal relationships; school shootings; religion and moral nihilism; relativism; and lack of respect for the values that built Western society.Rubenstein Adam http://www.weeklystandard.com/jordan-peterson-i-dont-want-people-falling-down-in-an-ideological-abyss/article/2011777 Jordan Peterson: 'I Don't Want People Falling Down in an Ideological Abyss' The Weekly Standard March 1, 2018 March 3, 2018 March 2, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180302143424/http://www.weeklystandard.com/jordan-peterson-i-dont-want-people-falling-down-in-an-ideological-abyss/article/2011777 deadhttps://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/03/05/jordan-petersons-gospel-of-masculinity Jordan Peterson's Gospel of Masculinity March 5, 2018 Kelefa Sanneh Kelefa Sanneh The New Yorker March 3, 2018 March 8, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180308021518/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/03/05/jordan-petersons-gospel-of-masculinity live In the last chapter, Peterson outlines the ways in which one can cope with the most tragic events, which are very often out of one's control. In it, he describes his own personal struggle upon discovering that his daughter, Mikhaila, had a rare bone disease. The chapter is a meditation on how to maintain a watchful eye on, and cherish, life's small redeemable qualities, e.g., to "pet a cat when you encounter one". It also outlines a practical way to deal with hardship: to shorten one's temporal scope of responsibility, e.g., by focusing on the next minute rather than the next three months.Jordan Peterson Jordan Peterson Dave Rubin Jordan Peterson LIVE: 12 Rules for Life - An Antidote to Chaos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJJClhqGq_M The Rubin Report Los Angeles, California November 1, 2017 website April 1, 2018 April 25, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180425205431/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJJClhqGq_M live Canadian psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Norman Doidge wrote the book's foreword, with the help of Anuar Kul-Mukkhamed, a student at the University of Chicago.Mukhtar Kul-Mukhammed Publication Marketing thumb|Jordan Peterson speaking at an event in Dallas, Texas, in June 2018 To promote the book, Peterson went on a world tour, initially from January 14, 2018, to February 17, 2018, including events in England, Canada, and the United States.https://jordanbpeterson.com/events/ Jordan Peterson Events jordanbpeterson.com March 3, 2018 March 17, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180317094912/http://jordanbpeterson.com/events/ live The sold-out venues included 1,000-seat conference hall Emmanuel Centre in London,https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/jordan-peterson-canadian-psychologist-snowflake-millennial-a3742586.html Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson: the 'anti-snowflake' crusader speaks out Katie Law January 20, 2018 London Evening Standard January 20, 2018 January 21, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180121071215/https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/jordan-peterson-canadian-psychologist-snowflake-millennial-a3742586.html livehttps://www.spectator.co.uk/2018/01/the-curious-star-appeal-of-jordan-peterson/ The curious star appeal of Jordan Peterson Douglas Murray Douglas Murray (author) January 20, 2018 The Spectator January 20, 2018 January 20, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180120104601/https://www.spectator.co.uk/2018/01/the-curious-star-appeal-of-jordan-peterson/ live and 2,000-seat Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles.http://nymag.com/selectall/2018/02/jordan-peterson-reddits-new-favorite-philosopher.html Talking Basement-Dwellers With Jordan Peterson, Reddit's New Favorite Philosopher Max Read February 4, 2018 New York March 3, 2018 March 1, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180301043137/http://nymag.com/selectall/2018/02/jordan-peterson-reddits-new-favorite-philosopher.html live The February 11 event at Citadel Theatre in Edmonton was cancelled by the theatre's board of directors and management, for which they later apologized, and instead was held at a sold-out Hyatt Place.https://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/columnists/david-staples-edmonton-should-welcome-home-jordan-peterson-not-shun-him David Staples: Dark day as Citadel Theatre snubs controversial author David Staples January 18, 2018 Edmonton Journal January 22, 2018 January 22, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180122184625/http://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/columnists/david-staples-edmonton-should-welcome-home-jordan-peterson-not-shun-him livehttps://globalnews.ca/news/3977194/jordan-peterson-citadel-theatre-university-of-toronto-12-rules-of-life-edmonton/ Edmonton's Citadel Theatre apologizes over how it handled Jordan Peterson event Phil Heidenreich January 20, 2018 Global News January 20, 2018 January 20, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180120065945/https://globalnews.ca/news/3977194/jordan-peterson-citadel-theatre-university-of-toronto-12-rules-of-life-edmonton/ live The second part included three sold-out events in March in Australia,Albrechtsen Janet Albrechtsen https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/inquirer/jordan-peterson-six-reasons-that-explain-his-rise/news-story/2466de41292be34e26e6c29041688eba Jordan Peterson: six reasons that explain his rise The Australian February 24, 2018 March 3, 2018 September 23, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200923051739/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=TAWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnews%2Finquirer%2Fjordan-peterson-six-reasons-that-explain-his-rise%2Fnews-story%2F2466de41292be34e26e6c29041688eba&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&nk=abf03e300db0806d2c63e58ac2bd31c9-1600838259 live continuing at Beacon Theatre in New York, and the third part held between early May and June initially numbering ten events in the US and Canada and one in the UK.http://markets.on.nytimes.com/research/stocks/news/press_release.asp?docTag=201802201700PR_NEWS_USPRX____TO18794&feedID=600&press_symbol=3744685 Dr. Jordan Peterson Announces 12 Rules for Life Tour February 20, 2018 The New York Times March 5, 2018 April 3, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180403234804/http://markets.on.nytimes.com/research/stocks/news/press_release.asp?docTag=201802201700PR_NEWS_USPRX____TO18794&feedID=600&press_symbol=3744685 dead Until June, the tour visited 45 cities in North America, Europe and Australia, reaching an audience of over 100,000 people.Claremont https://www.claremont.org/crb/article/the-jordan-peterson-phenomenon/ The Jordan Peterson Phenomenon Glenn Ellmers August 1, 2018 Claremont Review of Books XVIII 3 October 24, 2018 Peterson said that nearly 200,000 people have already come to see him "with no danger, and very little controversy." October 24, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181024073605/https://www.claremont.org/crb/article/the-jordan-peterson-phenomenon/ live According to Peterson, nearly 200,000 people attended the live events until late July.https://globalnews.ca/news/4353534/jordan-peterson-calgary-arts-commons-open-letter/ Jordan Peterson responds to open letter calling for Calgary appearance to be cancelled Heide Pearson Lauren Pullen Kaylen Small July 25, 2018 Global News October 24, 2018 Peterson said that nearly 200,000 people have already come to see him "with no danger, and very little controversy." October 24, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181024035749/https://globalnews.ca/news/4353534/jordan-peterson-calgary-arts-commons-open-letter/ live As part of the tour, Peterson had an interview on Channel 4 News that went viral, receiving considerable attention and nearly 49 million views on YouTube.Doward Jamie https://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/jan/21/no-excuse-for-online-abuse-says-professor-in-tv-misogyny-row 'Back off', controversial professor urges critics of C4 interviewer January 21, 2018 The Observer January 21, 2018 January 21, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180121012603/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/jan/21/no-excuse-for-online-abuse-says-professor-in-tv-misogyny-row live He also appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC's HARDtalk;https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06gh65z HARDTalk, Jordan Peterson, There is 'a backlash against masculinity' August 6, 2018 BBC October 24, 2018 January 30, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190130201215/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06gh65z live LBC's Maajid Nawaz radio show; Fox & Friends and Tucker Carlson Tonight;http://insider.foxnews.com/2018/02/06/jordan-peterson-justin-trudeau-peoplekind-mankind-remark-gender-neutral-language Professor on Trudeau's 'Mankind' Objection: Canada Will 'Pay' for This Leftist Ideology February 6, 2018 Fox News March 3, 2018 March 2, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180302094907/http://insider.foxnews.com/2018/02/06/jordan-peterson-justin-trudeau-peoplekind-mankind-remark-gender-neutral-language live ABC's 7.30;http://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/jordan-peterson-says-hate-speech-will-be-policed-by-last-people-in-the-world-you-would-want-to/news-story/4a37ae224fcc96986dac176374d817ae Jordan Peterson says hate speech will be policed by 'last people in the world you would want to' Frank Chung March 14, 2018 news.com.au April 21, 2018 April 22, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180422070850/http://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/jordan-peterson-says-hate-speech-will-be-policed-by-last-people-in-the-world-you-would-want-to/news-story/4a37ae224fcc96986dac176374d817ae live Sky News Australia's Outsiders;https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_5753454974001 Governments should not 'mandate' gender speech Sky News Australia April 21, 2018 April 22, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180422062213/https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_5753454974001 live HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher;https://www.mediaite.com/tv/jordan-peterson-clashes-w-maher-panel-about-political-divide-you-need-to-have-respect-for-trump-voters/ Jordan Peterson Clashes w/ Maher Panel About Political Divide: 'You Need To Have Respect' For Trump Voters April 21, 2018 Mediaite April 21, 2018 April 21, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180421102732/https://www.mediaite.com/tv/jordan-peterson-clashes-w-maher-panel-about-political-divide-you-need-to-have-respect-for-trump-voters/ live and The Dr. Oz Show, among others.https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2018/10/14/dr_jordan_peterson_shares_personality_quiz_to_help_you_accomplish_your_goals.html Dr. Jordan Peterson Shares Personality Quiz to Help You Understand Yourself, Accomplish Your Goals Tim Hains April 14, 2018 RealClearPolitics April 24, 2018 October 24, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181024035454/https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2018/10/14/dr_jordan_peterson_shares_personality_quiz_to_help_you_accomplish_your_goals.html live Release Penguin Allen Lane published the book on January 16, 2018, in the UK.https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/309610/12-rules-for-life/ 12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson Penguin March 3, 2018 April 6, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180406164723/https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/309610/12-rules-for-life/ live Random House Canada published it on January 23 in Canada.https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/258237/12-rules-for-life-by-jordan-b-peterson--foreword-by-norman-doige-md-illustrated-by-ethan-van-sciver/9780345816023/ 12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson Penguin Random House March 3, 2018 March 7, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180307011157/https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/258237/12-rules-for-life-by-jordan-b-peterson--foreword-by-norman-doige-md-illustrated-by-ethan-van-sciver/9780345816023/ livehttps://publishingperspectives.com/2017/12/rights-roundup-agency-reports-sweden-spain-germany-greece-canada-australia/ Rights Roundup: Reports From Sweden, Spain, Germany, Greece, Canada, Australia December 14, 2017 Porter Anderson Publishing Perspectives October 22, 2018 October 22, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181022073805/https://publishingperspectives.com/2017/12/rights-roundup-agency-reports-sweden-spain-germany-greece-canada-australia/ live As of September 2018, the book was slated to be translated into 45 languages.About Dr. Jordan B Peterson - Clinical Psychologist, Professor, Author https://jordanbpeterson.com/about/ October 29, 2018 jordanbpeterson.com https://web.archive.org/web/20180927023726/https://jordanbpeterson.com/about/ September 27, 2018 The 12 Rules for Life audiobook was number one on Audible in Canada, and number three in the US.https://edmontonjournal.com/news/canada/could-jordan-peterson-become-the-best-selling-canadian-author-of-all-time/wcm/46d59986-21ef-4b18-a7c6-b0edfd4b75ae Could Jordan Peterson become the best-selling Canadian author of all time? Tristin Hopper March 7, 2018 Edmonton Journal March 12, 2018 March 14, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180314102550/http://edmontonjournal.com/news/canada/could-jordan-peterson-become-the-best-selling-canadian-author-of-all-time/wcm/46d59986-21ef-4b18-a7c6-b0edfd4b75ae live In Canada, since its debut, it topped The Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star nonfiction bestsellers lists.https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/bestsellers/bestsellers-hardcover-non-fiction-feb-3-2018/article37816346 Bestsellers: Hardcover Non-Fiction, Feb. 3, 2018 The Globe and Mail March 3, 2018 March 2, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180302025032/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/bestsellers/bestsellers-hardcover-non-fiction-feb-3-2018/article37816346/ livehttps://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/bestsellers/bestsellers-hardcover-non-fiction-march-3-2018/article38160757/ Bestsellers: Hardcover Non-Fiction, March 3, 2018 The Globe and Mail March 3, 2018 March 3, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180303065423/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/bestsellers/bestsellers-hardcover-non-fiction-march-3-2018/article38160757/ livehttps://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2018/02/08/toronto-star-bestsellers-for-the-week-ending-feb-10.html Toronto Star bestsellers for the week ending Feb. 10 Toronto Star March 3, 2018 February 10, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180210034847/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2018/02/08/toronto-star-bestsellers-for-the-week-ending-feb-10.html livehttps://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2018/03/08/toronto-star-bestsellers-for-the-week-ending-march-10.html Toronto Star bestsellers for the week ending March 10 Toronto Star March 12, 2018 March 27, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180327023802/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2018/03/08/toronto-star-bestsellers-for-the-week-ending-march-10.html live According to CBC Books, it was the 4th-bestselling Canadian book of the year.https://www.cbc.ca/books/the-top-10-bestselling-canadian-books-of-2018-1.4948874 The top 10 bestselling Canadian books of 2018 December 26, 2018 CBC January 5, 2019 October 2, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201002001948/https://www.cbc.ca/books/the-top-10-bestselling-canadian-books-of-2018-1.4948874 live According to the Toronto Star, it was the "biggest Canadian book success story of the year", topping original nonfiction and Canadian nonfiction categories, with only Canadian poet writer Rupi Kaur having similar sales.https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2018/12/26/big-bestsellers-list-the-books-you-bought-in-2018.html Big bestsellers list: the books you bought in 2018 Sarah Murdoch December 26, 2018 Toronto Star January 6, 2019 January 7, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190107072054/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2018/12/26/big-bestsellers-list-the-books-you-bought-in-2018.html live Kobo Inc. reported that it was the 2nd-bestselling audiobook of 2018 in Canada.https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/international/international-book-news/article/78804-a-j-finn-is-kobo-s-bestselling-author-of-2018.html A.J. Finn is Kobo's Bestselling Author of 2018 Ed Nawotka December 12, 2018 Publishers Weekly January 6, 2019 January 7, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190107072304/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/international/international-book-news/article/78804-a-j-finn-is-kobo-s-bestselling-author-of-2018.html live Per BookNet Canada and BNC SalesData, the print book was 3rd, and Peterson was the bestselling Canadian author of the year.https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/international/international-book-news/article/79008-canadian-print-book-sales-stayed-flat-in-2018.html Canadian Print Book Sales Stayed Flat in 2018 Ed Nawotka January 15, 2019 Publishers Weekly January 17, 2019 January 15, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190115222135/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/international/international-book-news/article/79008-canadian-print-book-sales-stayed-flat-in-2018.html live In the UK the book enjoyed five weeks at the top of The Sunday Times bestsellers list for general hardcover (February 18 – March 25,https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/books-the-sunday-times-bestsellers-february-18-mclf8b002 Books: The Sunday Times Bestsellers, February 18 The Sunday Times March 3, 2018 February 20, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180220085448/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/books-the-sunday-times-bestsellers-february-18-mclf8b002 livehttps://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/books-the-sunday-times-bestsellers-february-25-gwvqw83wd Books: The Sunday Times Bestsellers, February 25 The Sunday Times March 3, 2018 February 25, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180225103251/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/books-the-sunday-times-bestsellers-february-25-gwvqw83wd livehttps://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/books-the-sunday-times-bestsellers-march-4-rfsqclhbr Books: The Sunday Times Bestsellers, March 4 The Sunday Times March 5, 2018 March 4, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180304220157/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/books-the-sunday-times-bestsellers-march-4-rfsqclhbr livehttps://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-sunday-times-bestsellers-march-11-wtnwx22f9 Books: The Sunday Times Bestsellers, March 11 The Sunday Times March 12, 2018 March 11, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180311101805/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-sunday-times-bestsellers-march-11-wtnwx22f9 livehttps://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-sunday-times-bestsellers-march-25-kmjqj69px Books: The Sunday Times Bestsellers, March 25 The Sunday Times March 26, 2018 March 25, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180325203516/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-sunday-times-bestsellers-march-25-kmjqj69px live again on April 15),https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/books-the-sunday-times-bestsellers-chart-april-15-l8hbvxs3h Books: The Sunday Times Bestsellers, April 15 The Sunday Times May 22, 2018 May 22, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180522183434/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/books-the-sunday-times-bestsellers-chart-april-15-l8hbvxs3h live selling over 120,000 copies by September 16.https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/books-the-sunday-times-bestsellers-september-16-9wjcqvjjq Books: The Sunday Times Bestsellers, September 16 The Sunday Times October 22, 2018 October 22, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181022232455/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/books-the-sunday-times-bestsellers-september-16-9wjcqvjjq live According to The Sunday Times, the hardback edition was the year's 4th-biggest seller in the "general hardbacks" category with 153,160 copies sold by end of the year.https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/books-the-sunday-times-bestsellers-of-the-year-2018-k9wn67tw6 Books: The Sunday Times Bestsellers of the Year, 2018 December 30, 2018 The Sunday Times January 6, 2019 January 7, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190107072228/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/books-the-sunday-times-bestsellers-of-the-year-2018-k9wn67tw6 live According to The Guardian, the Nielsen BookScan reported sales of 147,899 copies made it only the 32nd bestselling book of the year.https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/dec/29/100-bestselling-books-of-the-year-from-eleanor-oliphant-to-michelle-obama#comments The 100 bestselling books of the year: from Eleanor Oliphant to Michelle Obama John Dugdale December 29, 2018 The Guardian January 6, 2019 November 30, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201130014214/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/dec/29/100-bestselling-books-of-the-year-from-eleanor-oliphant-to-michelle-obama#comments live The Nielsen BookScan reported sales of over 10,000 copies until March 12 in Australia.https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/mar/12/not-all-he-says-is-defensible-but-jordan-peterson-deserves-to-be-taken-seriously Not all he says is defensible, but Jordan Peterson deserves to be taken seriously Gareth Hutchens March 12, 2018 The Guardian March 12, 2018 March 12, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180312071435/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/mar/12/not-all-he-says-is-defensible-but-jordan-peterson-deserves-to-be-taken-seriously live In Ireland it was the 23rd-bestselling book of the year with 14,408 copies.https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/ireland-s-bestselling-books-of-2018-revealed-1.3737156 Ireland's bestselling books of 2018 revealed Martin Doyle December 19, 2018 The Irish Times January 6, 2019 December 20, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181220165711/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/ireland-s-bestselling-books-of-2018-revealed-1.3737156 live In the US, the book became the number-one nonfiction book and e-book on The Wall Street Journals Best-Selling Books list.https://www.wsj.com/articles/best-selling-books-week-ended-feb-11-1518813119 Best-Selling Books Week Ended Feb. 11 February 16, 2018 The Wall Street Journal March 2, 2018 February 28, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180228015534/https://www.wsj.com/articles/best-selling-books-week-ended-feb-11-1518813119 live It also topped The Washington Posthttps://www.washingtonpost.com/books/best-sellers/2018/02/11/national-nonfiction/ Bestsellers: National nonfiction February 11, 2018 The Washington Post March 3, 2018 April 6, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180406163842/https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/best-sellers/2018/02/11/national-nonfiction/ livehttps://www.washingtonpost.com/books/best-sellers/2018/02/25/national-nonfiction/ Bestsellers: National nonfiction February 25, 2018 The Washington Post March 3, 2018 April 6, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180406163840/https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/best-sellers/2018/02/25/national-nonfiction/ live and Reuters's US bestsellers list,https://uk.reuters.com/article/usa-books-bestsellers/table-hannahs-the-great-alone-again-tops-u-s-best-sellers-idUKL2N1QJ2IC Table-Hannah's 'The Great Alone' again tops U.S. best-sellers March 1, 2018 Reuters March 4, 2018 April 6, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180406163759/https://uk.reuters.com/article/usa-books-bestsellers/table-hannahs-the-great-alone-again-tops-u-s-best-sellers-idUKL2N1QJ2IC dead reached number two on USA Todays overall list,https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/books/2013/06/21/12-rules-for-life-an-antidote-to-chaos/2444877/isbn/9780345816023/ 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos charting USA Today March 3, 2018 February 24, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180224074856/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/books/2013/06/21/12-rules-for-life-an-antidote-to-chaos/2444877/isbn/9780345816023/ live and topped the hardcover nonfiction and top 10 overall category for Publishers Weekly,https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bookselling/article/79055-breaking-down-the-bestsellers-of-2018.html https://web.archive.org/web/20190119060028/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bookselling/article/79055-breaking-down-the-bestsellers-of-2018.html dead January 19, 2019 Publishers Weekly Best-Sellers January 18, 2019 Miami Herald March 3, 2018https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/nielsen/HardcoverNonfiction.html Publishers Weekly Bestseller Lists – Hardcover Nonfiction Publishers Weekly March 3, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180303025420/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/nielsen/HardcoverNonfiction.html March 3, 2018https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/nielsen/top100.html Publishers Weekly Bestseller Lists – Top 10 Overall Publishers Weekly March 3, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180303063139/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/nielsen/top100.html March 3, 2018 dead selling over 559,000 copies by September 24, 2018.https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/nielsen/HardcoverNonfiction.html Publishers Weekly Bestseller Lists – Hardcover Nonfiction Publishers Weekly July 9, 2018 March 3, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180303025420/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/nielsen/HardcoverNonfiction.html live In the category it replaced Michael Wolff's Fire and Fury.https://www.independent.ie/life/rules-to-live-by-from-a-grumpy-old-man-36634342.html Rules to live by from a grumpy old man February 25, 2018 Irish Independent March 3, 2018 February 27, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180227213859/https://www.independent.ie/life/rules-to-live-by-from-a-grumpy-old-man-36634342.html live At the end of the year the hardcover version was the 11th-bestselling book, with 692,238 copies.Jim Milliot January 4, 2019 https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bookselling/article/78941-becoming-is-top-selling-title-in-2018.html 'Becoming' Is Top-Selling Title In 2018 Publishers Weekly January 5, 2019 January 5, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190105034509/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bookselling/article/78941-becoming-is-top-selling-title-in-2018.html live Penguin Random House CEO Markus Dohle said in late March that the book had already sold over 700,000 copies in the US.https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/financial-reporting/article/76447-prh-has-stable-2017.html PRH Has Stable 2017 Jim Milliot March 27, 2018 Publishers Weekly April 17, 2018 April 18, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180418035113/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/financial-reporting/article/76447-prh-has-stable-2017.html live The book did not chart on The New York Times, Los Angeles Times and IndieBound bestsellers list. According to Toronto Star books editor Deborah Dundas, the New York Times stated it was not counted because it was published by a Canadian company.Deborah Dundas https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2018/02/09/jordan-petersons-book-is-a-bestseller-except-where-it-matters-most.html Jordan Peterson's book is a bestseller – except where it matters most February 9, 2018 Toronto Star March 3, 2018 March 3, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180303003913/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2018/02/09/jordan-petersons-book-is-a-bestseller-except-where-it-matters-most.html live According to Random House Canada, the book was handled properly for the US market.Brian Stelter Brian Stelter https://money.cnn.com/2018/04/16/media/trump-new-york-times-best-selling-books/index.html Every top New York Times best-seller this year has been about Trump April 16, 2018 CNN April 17, 2018 April 18, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180418032439/http://money.cnn.com/2018/04/16/media/trump-new-york-times-best-selling-books/index.html dead Peterson announced the book had sold over 2 million copies (August 6, 2018),Jordan B Peterson August 2018 Patreon Q & A August 6, 2018 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VpxJg6jeMo August 7, 2018 August 10, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180810090948/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VpxJg6jeMo livehttps://lareviewofbooks.org/article/straw-gods-a-cautious-response-to-jordan-peterson/#! Straw Gods: A Cautious Response to Jordan B. Peterson Guy Stevenson October 1, 2018 Los Angeles Review of Books October 22, 2018 shifted two million books October 1, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181001170401/https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/straw-gods-a-cautious-response-to-jordan-peterson/#! live then 3 million copies (January 13, 2019),Jordan B Peterson January 2019 Q & A January 13, 2019 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXPmLZRAPSo January 13, 2019 January 13, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190113144941/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXPmLZRAPSo live and later that work had begun on a sequel (January 2019).https://www.jordanbpeterson.com/podcast/episode-61/ The Jordan B Peterson Podcast - #61 - January 2019 Q&A January 22, 2019 JordanBPeterson.com March 20, 2019 June 13, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190613235010/https://www.jordanbpeterson.com/podcast/episode-61/ live The book reached 5 million sales by November 2020.https://global.penguinrandomhouse.com/announcements/dr-jordan-b-peterson-announces-the-follow-up-to-his-global-bestseller-12-rules-of-life/ Dr. Jordan B. Peterson Announces the Follow-Up to His Global Bestseller 12 RULES OF LIFE By May 2023 the book had sold over 10 million copies. In March 2019, Whitcoulls, one of New Zealand's leading book retailers, temporarily removed the book from their stores and online catalogue, apparently in reaction to the Christchurch mosque shootings. The withdrawal of the book was prompted by social media photos of Peterson posing with a fan wearing a T-shirt saying "I'm a proud Islamophobe." Peterson and his supporters strongly criticized Whitcoulls's decision because Whitcoulls continued to sell Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf and Henry Malone's Islam Unmasked. The book was reinstated six days after it was removed.https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/111472744/whitcoulls-removes-jordan-petersons-books-from-sale Whitcoulls appears to have removed Jordan Peterson's books from sale March 22, 2019 Stuff.co.nz March 22, 2019 March 21, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190321173853/https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/111472744/whitcoulls-removes-jordan-petersons-books-from-sale liveRutledge Daniel Jordan Peterson's 12 Rules for Life removed from Whitcoulls following Christchurch terror attack https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/entertainment/2019/03/jordan-peterson-s-12-rules-for-life-removed-from-whitcoulls-following-christchurch-terror-attack.html March 22, 2019 Newshub March 22, 2019 March 21, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190321194723/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/entertainment/2019/03/jordan-peterson-s-12-rules-for-life-removed-from-whitcoulls-following-christchurch-terror-attack.html dead Crowe Jack New Zealand Retailer Pulls Jordan Peterson Book after Mosque Shootings https://www.nationalreview.com/news/new-zealand-retailer-pulls-jordan-peterson-book-after-mosque-shootings/ March 22, 2019 National Review March 22, 2019 March 22, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190322094052/https://www.nationalreview.com/news/new-zealand-retailer-pulls-jordan-peterson-book-after-mosque-shootings/ live Flood Alison Jordan Peterson book returns to New Zealand bookshops after Christchurch attack https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/mar/27/jordan-peterson-12-rules-for-life-new-zealand-bookshops-christchurch-attack The Guardian March 27, 2019 March 27, 2019 March 27, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190327140445/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/mar/27/jordan-peterson-12-rules-for-life-new-zealand-bookshops-christchurch-attack live Reception thumb|Jordan Peterson, the book's author, in conversation with Kimberly Ells, 2025 The book was received with mixed reviews.January 2025 Melanie Reid, for The Times, said the book is "aimed at teenagers, millennials and young parents...If you peel back the verbiage, the cerebral preening, you are left with a hardline self-help manual of self-reliance, good behaviour, self-betterment and individualism that probably reflects [Peterson's] childhood in rural Canada in the 1960s."https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/review-12-rules-for-life-anantidote-to-chaos-by-jordan-b-peterson-hv3dx0rwz Review: 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B Peterson Melanie Reid The Times January 12, 2018 subscription March 2, 2018 April 7, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180407124830/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/review-12-rules-for-life-anantidote-to-chaos-by-jordan-b-peterson-hv3dx0rwz live Bryan Appleyard, also in The Times, describes it as "a less dense and more practical version of Maps of Meaning...a baggy, aggressive, in-your-face, get-real book that, ultimately, is an attempt to lead us back to what Peterson sees as the true, the beautiful and the good – i.e., God."https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/12-rules-life-antidote-chaos-jordan-b-peterson-review-zg0kfq9wv Book review: 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B Peterson Bryan Appleyard The Times January 13, 2018 subscription March 2, 2018 January 20, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180120235845/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/12-rules-life-antidote-chaos-jordan-b-peterson-review-zg0kfq9wv live Hari Kunzru of The Guardian said it collates advice from Peterson's clinical practice with anecdotes, accounts of his academic work as a psychologist and "a lot of intellectual history of the 'great books' variety", but the essays are explained in an overcomplicated style. Kunzru called Peterson sincere, but found the book irritating because he considers Peterson failed to follow his own rules.https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/jan/18/12-rules-for-life-jordan-b-peterson-review 12 Rules for Life by Jordan B Peterson review – a self-help book from a culture warrior Kari Kunzru The Guardian January 18, 2018 March 2, 2018 April 15, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180415005608/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/jan/18/12-rules-for-life-jordan-b-peterson-review live In an interview with Peterson for The Guardian, Tim Lott called the book atypical of the self-help genre. For The Scotsman, Bill Jamieson praised it as "richly illustrated and packed with excellent advice on how we can restore meaning and a sense of progression to our everyday lives", describing it as "verbal waterboarding for supporters of big government".https://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/bill-jamieson-i-ve-found-two-antidotes-to-our-cult-of-unhappiness-1-4694153 Bill Jamieson: I've found two antidotes to our cult of unhappiness Bill Jamieson February 22, 2018 The Scotsman March 3, 2018 April 6, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180406163607/https://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/bill-jamieson-i-ve-found-two-antidotes-to-our-cult-of-unhappiness-1-4694153 live The New York Times David Brooks wrote, "The Peterson way is a harsh way, but it is an idealistic way – and for millions of young men, it turns out to be the perfect antidote to the cocktail of coddling and accusation in which they are raised". Joe Humphreys of The Irish Times argued people should not be stopped "from reading what is a veritable powerhouse of a book: wise, provocative, humorous and also maddeningly contradictory...".https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/the-gospel-according-to-jordan-b-peterson-1.3463372 The gospel according to Jordan B Peterson Joe Humphreys April 21, 2018 The Irish Times April 29, 2018 April 23, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180423204411/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/the-gospel-according-to-jordan-b-peterson-1.3463372 live Glenn Ellmers in Claremont Review of Books wrote that Peterson "does not shrink from telling readers that life means pain and suffering. His deft exposition, however, makes clear that duty is often liberating and responsibility can be a gift". Dorothy Cummings McLean, writing for The Catholic World Report, called the book "the most thought-provoking self-help book I have read in years", with its rules reminding her of those by Bernard Lonergan, and content "serving as a bridge between Christians and non-Christians interested in the truths of human life and in resisting the lies of ideological totalitarianism".Dorothy Cummings McLean http://www.catholicworldreport.com/2018/02/11/jordan-b-petersons-12-rules-for-life-is-not-the-usual-fluff-filled-self-help-book/ Jordan B. Peterson's "12 Rules for Life" is a call to clarity in an age of chaos March 4, 2018 The Catholic World March 4, 2018 February 21, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180221105607/http://www.catholicworldreport.com/2018/02/11/jordan-b-petersons-12-rules-for-life-is-not-the-usual-fluff-filled-self-help-book/ live In a review for the same magazine, Bishop Robert Barron praised the archetypal reading of the story about Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden with Jesus representing "gardener" and the psychological exploration of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn and The Gulag Archipelago, but did not support its "gnosticizing tendency to read Biblical religion purely psychologically and philosophically and not at all historically", or the idea that "God ... [is] simply a principle or an abstraction". It is "valuable for the beleaguered young men in our society, who need a mentor to tell them to stand up straight and act like heroes", Barron wrote.Robert Barron Robert Barron (bishop) http://www.catholicworldreport.com/2018/02/27/the-jordan-peterson-phenomenon/ The Jordan Peterson Phenomenon February 27, 2018 The Catholic World March 4, 2018 March 2, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180302001058/http://www.catholicworldreport.com/2018/02/27/the-jordan-peterson-phenomenon/ live Adam DeVille took a very different view, calling 12 Rules for Life "unbearably banal, superficial, and insidious" and saying "the real danger in this book is its apologia for social Darwinism and bourgeois individualism covered over with a theological patina" and that "in a just world, this book would never have been published".DeVille Adam A. J. Jordan Peterson's Jungian best-seller is banal, superficial, and insidious – Catholic World Report https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2018/04/03/jordan-petersons-jungian-best-seller-is-banal-superficial-and-insidious/ www.catholicworldreport.com June 3, 2018 April 3, 2018 June 8, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180608202916/https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2018/04/03/jordan-petersons-jungian-best-seller-is-banal-superficial-and-insidious/ live Ron Dart, for The British Columbia Review, considered the book "an attempt to articulate a more meaningful order for freedom as an antidote to the erratic ... chaos of our age", but although "necessary" with exemplary advice for men and women it is "hardly a sufficient text for the tougher questions that beset us on our all too human journey and should be read as such."Douglas Todd https://vancouversun.com/news/staff-blogs/review-of-one-of-the-most-popular-books-ever-written-by-a-canadian Review of one of the most popular books ever by a Canadian March 3, 2018 The Vancouver Sun March 3, 2018 March 3, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180303231045/http://vancouversun.com/news/staff-blogs/review-of-one-of-the-most-popular-books-ever-written-by-a-canadian liveRon Dart Ron Dart https://thebcreview.ca/2018/10/03/251-the-stupid-mans-smart-person/ The stupid man's smart person February 23, 2018 The Ormsby Review 251 March 4, 2018 March 8, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180308112643/https://thebcreview.ca/2018/10/03/251-the-stupid-mans-smart-person/ dead For the Financial Times, Julian Baggini wrote, "In headline form, most of his rules are simply timeless good sense.... The problem is that when Peterson fleshes them out, they carry more flab than meat".https://www.ft.com/content/40c05b84-f7a7-11e7-a4c9-bbdefa4f210b 12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson – back to basics Julian Baggini Financial Times January 19, 2018 March 2, 2018 April 4, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180404004218/https://www.ft.com/content/40c05b84-f7a7-11e7-a4c9-bbdefa4f210b live In The Spectator, Peter Hitchens wrote that he did not like the "conversational and accessible" style and amount of "recapitulation", but believed it had "moving moments", "good advice" with a message "aimed at people who have grown up in the post-Christian West" with special appeal to young men.https://www.spectator.co.uk/2018/02/jordan-peterson-doesnt-go-nearly-far-enough/ Jordan Peterson doesn't go nearly far enough Peter Hitchens February 10, 2018 The Spectator March 3, 2018 April 6, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180406230114/https://www.spectator.co.uk/2018/02/jordan-peterson-doesnt-go-nearly-far-enough/ live Park MacDougald of New York shared a similar view, writing that on paper Peterson lacks the "coherence, emotional depth" of his lectures but "still, he produces nuggets of real insight." Pankaj Mishra's review in The New York Review of Books called 12 Rules a repackaged collection of pieties and late 19th-century Jungian mysticism that has been discredited by modern psychology. Mishra compared the book to historical authors who influenced Peterson, but whose serious moral failings, including racism and fascism, Peterson fails to address. He criticized Peterson's book for failing to recognize how traditionalism and myth can be used in support of demagoguery and anti-democratic ideas, and asserts that Peterson's work is a symptom of the problems it attempts to cure.Pankaj Mishra Pankaj Mishra http://www.nybooks.com/daily/2018/03/19/jordan-peterson-and-fascist-mysticism/ Jordan Peterson & Fascist Mysticism March 19, 2018 The New York Review of Books April 29, 2018 April 30, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180430175311/http://www.nybooks.com/daily/2018/03/19/jordan-peterson-and-fascist-mysticism/ live Peterson responded to the review on Twitter, taking umbrage at Mishra's description of Peterson's friendship with First Nations artist Charles Joseph as "the latest in a long line of eggheads pretentiously but harmlessly romancing the noble savage"; Peterson responded, "If you were in my room at the moment, I'd slap you happily."Jeet Heer Jeet Heer https://newrepublic.com/minutes/147570/jordan-peterson-joins-club-macho-writers-thrown-fit-bad-review Jordan Peterson joins the club of macho writers who have thrown a fit over a bad review New Republic April 29, 2018 April 29, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180429222631/https://newrepublic.com/minutes/147570/jordan-peterson-joins-club-macho-writers-thrown-fit-bad-review liveClara Fox https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/04/jordan-peterson-racism-accusations-misguided-views-mischaracterized/ The Rush to Condemn Jordan Peterson as Racist April 20, 2018 National Review April 29, 2018 April 21, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180421202032/https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/04/jordan-peterson-racism-accusations-misguided-views-mischaracterized/ liveJames Varney https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/mar/26/jordan-peterson-clinical-psychologist-and-scholar-/ Jordan Peterson's refusal to kowtow to modern liberal pieties makes him a star — and a marked man March 26, 2018 The Washington Times April 29, 2018 April 29, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180429093636/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/mar/26/jordan-peterson-clinical-psychologist-and-scholar-/ live For Psychology Today, philosopher Paul Thagard called the book flimsy and said Peterson's views fail to stand up to philosophical scrutiny, "If you go for Christian mythology, narrow-minded individualism, obscure metaphysics, and existentialist angst, then Jordan Peterson is the philosopher for you. But if you prefer evidence and reason, look elsewhere."Paul Thagard https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/hot-thought/201802/jordan-peterson-s-flimsy-philosophy-life Jordan Peterson's Flimsy Philosophy of Life: Peterson's claims about morality, reality, and the meaning of life are dubious. February 14, 2018 Psychology Today September 7, 2018 April 27, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220427013124/https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/hot-thought/201802/jordan-peterson-s-flimsy-philosophy-life live Psychologist John Grohol, in PsychCentral, said the advice was sound, self-evident, and harmless, but could not recommend it because Peterson justified his advice with rambling tangential anecdotes and religious dogma instead of scientific data.Grohol John M. Book Review: 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos – Psych Central https://psychcentral.com/lib/book-review-12-rules-for-life-an-antidote-to-chaos/ PsychCentral October 29, 2018 September 25, 2018 October 30, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181030035739/https://psychcentral.com/lib/book-review-12-rules-for-life-an-antidote-to-chaos/ dead In the Los Angeles Review of Books, Guy Stevenson wrote that Peterson's work is ignored by serious academics, in part because of his inflated claims targeting a conspiracy of "postmodern neo-Marxists", but that his level of celebrity had not been seen for a public intellectual since Marshall McLuhan in the 1960s. According to Stevenson, Peterson's practical advice and Jungian mysticism reflect a new counterculture movement similar to that of the 1960s. He called 12 Rules aggressive and overeager to blame problems on "bogeymen", and recommended as an alternative the work of John Gray, who has addressed the same issues. Kelefa Sanneh of The New Yorker noted: some of his critics might be surprised to find much of the advice he offers unobjectionable, if old-fashioned: he wants young men to be better fathers, better husbands, better community members. In this way, he might be seen as an heir to older gurus of manhood like Elbert Hubbard, who in 1899 published a stern and wildly popular homily called A Message to Garcia ... At times, Peterson emphasizes his interest in empirical knowledge and scientific research—although these tend to be the least convincing parts of 12 Rules for Life. David French of National Review called the book a "beacon of light" for the current time, with a simple but profound purpose "to help a person look in the mirror and respect the person he or she sees."https://www.nationalreview.com/magazine/2018/03/19/jordan-peterson-12-rules-for-life-book-times/ A Book for Our Times David A. French David A. French March 1, 2018 National Review April 17, 2018 January 18, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190118222700/https://www.nationalreview.com/magazine/2018/03/19/jordan-peterson-12-rules-for-life-book-times/ live Some critics, such as National Review Heather Wilhelmhttps://www.nationalreview.com/2018/01/outrage-culture-backlash-jordan-peterson-12-rules-life-antidote-chaos/ The Last Gasps of Outrage Culture? Heather Wilhelm January 26, 2018 National Review March 3, 2018 August 19, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200819222444/https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/01/outrage-culture-backlash-jordan-peterson-12-rules-life-antidote-chaos/ livehttp://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-wilhelm-0129-story.html Commentary: The last gasps of America's outrage culture Heather Wilhelm January 29, 2018 Chicago Tribune March 3, 2018 March 16, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180316200205/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-wilhelm-0129-story.html live and Toronto Star James Grainger, were critical of negative reviews they believed had misinterpreted Peterson. In September 2018, Peterson threatened to sue Cornell University philosopher Kate Manne for defamation after she called his work misogynistic in an interview with Vox. Manne called Peterson's threat an attempt to chill free speech. Vox considered the threat baseless and ignored it.https://www.thecut.com/2018/09/jordan-peterson-threatened-to-sue-feminist-critic-kate-manne.html Exclusive: Jordan Peterson Threatened to Sue Author for Calling Him a Misogynist Carmon Irin The Cut September 21, 2018 en September 20, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180920224720/https://www.thecut.com/2018/09/jordan-peterson-threatened-to-sue-feminist-critic-kate-manne.html liveEnsor Jamie Professor Jordan Peterson threatens to sue after critic calls him misogynist https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2018/09/professor-jordan-peterson-threatens-to-sue-after-critic-calls-him-misogynist.html November 1, 2018 Newshub September 22, 2018 en October 4, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181004145833/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2018/09/professor-jordan-peterson-threatens-to-sue-after-critic-calls-him-misogynist.html dead Illing Sean A feminist philosopher makes the case against Jordan Peterson https://www.vox.com/conversations/2018/6/6/17409144/jordan-peterson-12-rules-for-life-feminism-philosophy November 1, 2018 Vox June 6, 2008 November 1, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181101095708/https://www.vox.com/conversations/2018/6/6/17409144/jordan-peterson-12-rules-for-life-feminism-philosophy live In a critique often shared by prominent intellectual Noam Chomsky,Robinson Nathan A Chat With Chomsky https://www.currentaffairs.org/news/2019/06/a-chat-with-chomsky Current Affairs September 2, 2019 June 24, 2019 September 1, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190901194012/https://www.currentaffairs.org/2019/06/a-chat-with-chomsky live Nathan Robinson of Current Affairs called Peterson a "charlatan" who gives "the most elementary fatherly life-advice" while adding "convolutions to disguise the simplicity of his mind."Robinson Nathan The Intellectual We Deserve https://www.currentaffairs.org/news/2018/03/the-intellectual-we-deserve Current Affairs September 2, 2019 March 14, 2018 January 1, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220101083752/https://www.currentaffairs.org/2018/03/the-intellectual-we-deserve live In an article published in 2020 in the International Journal of Jungian Studies, "Carl Jung, John Layard and Jordan Peterson: Assessing Theories of Human Social Evolution and Their Implications for Analytical Psychology", Gary Clark offers a sustained critique of Peterson's thought as outlined in 12 Rules for Life.Clark, Gary. Carl Jung, John Layard and Jordan Peterson: Assessing Theories of Human Social Evolution and Their Implications for Analytical Psychology.' https://web.archive.org/web/20201224135424/https://brill.com/view/journals/ijjs/12/2/article-p129_1.xml?rskey=t520Um&result=1 December 24, 2020 International Journal of Jungian Studies 12 (2020) 129–158. The article asserts that Peterson fails to take account of research in paleoanthropology, evolutionary anthropology and ethnographic studies of egalitarian societies. Such societies, which are believed to represent the ancient forager adaptation of H. sapiens, are matrilineal and lack social hierarchy. The author argues that a major sociocultural transformation occurred from this ancient adaptive complex with the onset of agriculture giving rise to modern patrilineal and hierarchical cultures. This view contrasts with Peterson's, which postulates modern social and economic structures are an outgrowth of the hierarchical impulses of our premammalian, mammalian and primate ancestors. This led the author to conclude that Peterson seems to have "projected his own cultural biases back into the deep past".Clark, Gary. Carl Jung, John Layard and Jordan Peterson Assessing Theories of Human Social Evolution and Their Implications for Analytical Psychology. https://web.archive.org/web/20201224135424/https://brill.com/view/journals/ijjs/12/2/article-p129_1.xml?rskey=t520Um&result=1 December 24, 2020 International Journal of Jungian Studies 12 (2020) p. 136. In one of the only academic reviews of the book, B.V.E. Hyde wrote in Philosophy Now that Peterson has been misrepresented as pessimistic and far-right, arguing instead that his work is ultimately optimistic and sensible.Hyde B.V.E 2025 12 Rules for Life & Beyond Order Philosophy Now 169 50-51 Hyde concluded that Peterson's significance stems from "his realism about the human condition, his optimism about how to transcend it, and the simplicity of his injunctions," which provide psychological guidance during complex times. Hyde noted that Peterson's self-help advice is "almost commonsensical" and that he "writes forcefully for propositions which are largely unremarkable and, at bottom, totally agreeable," crediting this as the source of his books' appeal. References External links JordanBPeterson.com – Peterson's website 12 Rules for Life – Penguin United Kingdom 12 Rules for Life – Penguin Random House Canada 12 Rules For Life by Jordan B. Peterson: An Excerpt – Penguin Random House India Category:2018 non-fiction books Category:2018 English-language non-fiction books Category:Canadian non-fiction books Category:Philosophy books Category:Psychology books Category:Self-help books Category:Random House books Category:Allen Lane (imprint) books Category:Books by Jordan Peterson