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Aspirational & practical books for Peak Performance
 
        
        
      
    
    Recommended Reading
Aspirational & practical books for Peak Performance
All the books listed below fall into one or more of the following categories; Psychology of performance, overcoming adversity and human achievement. I’ve genuinely read or listened to all of them, typically in audiobook format on long solo trail runs or long drives. All the titles are linked to their respective Amazon page to give you the option to acquire them in the format that suits you best. I am not an Amazon affiliate, nor are any of the links. I do not receive any income from recommending these books, I’ve done so purely to highlight them as sources of learning and inspiration.
Life Under Fire by Jason Fox
Life Under Fire by former SBS sergeant Jason Fox explores how lessons from elite military operations can be applied to everyday resilience. Drawing on experiences from combat, ocean expeditions, and confronting drug cartels, Fox shares psychological tools forged in extreme conditions to manage fear, stress, and emotional turmoil. Through personal stories and practical insights, he shows how facing internal battles with courage and self-awareness enables anyone to build mental strength and thrive under pressure, on or off the battlefield.
Battle Scars by Jason Fox
Battle Scars follows Jason Fox’s journey from elite Special Forces missions, marked by gunfights, rescues, and high-risk operations, to his struggle with complex PTSD after leaving the military. Forced to confront his inner battles without the support of his unit, Fox reflects on what it means to fight when the enemy is within. The memoir is an unflinching portrayal of both battlefield bravery and the psychological cost of service, revealing courage in its rawest form, survival beyond war.
Unafraid by Eddie Penney
Unafraid is the memoir of Eddie Penney, a former Navy SEAL who achieved his dream of serving in America’s most elite military unit during the Global War on Terror. His greatest challenge, however, came off the battlefield—raising three children alone after becoming a single father. Through reflections on his dual roles as warrior and parent, Penney shares lessons on resilience, healing, and personal growth. The book reveals how confronting pain and taking responsibility can lead to redemption, showing that courage isn’t limited to combat, it’s found in the fight to become whole.
Fear by Sir Ranulph Fiennes
In Fear, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, one of the world’s greatest explorers, explores the nature of fear through his own extreme experiences. From Everest to war zones, he examines how fear shapes events and how he has overcome it. Blending history, research, and personal stories, Fiennes offers a gripping look at one of humanity’s most powerful emotions.
The Easy Day Was Yesterday by Paul Jordan
Imprisoned in a squalid Indian jail, ex-SAS soldier Paul Jordan reflects on his life of danger and ambition. From a tragic childhood, he rises through elite military ranks, facing war, genocide, and disaster. As a security adviser, he tackles criminals and conflict zones. In captivity, he discovers resilience, friendship, and dignity. The Easy Day was Yesterday is a raw, fast-paced memoir of survival and human spirit.
The Hard Way by Mark “Billy” Billingham
Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham escaped a tough upbringing and gang life by joining the British Army at 16. He passed the brutal Parachute Regiment selection before earning a place in the elite SAS, excelling in high-risk missions. After leaving the military, he became a bodyguard for Hollywood stars, including Tom Cruise and Angelina Jolie.
Objective Secure by Nick Lavery
Nick Lavery, an active-duty Green Beret, overcame a combat injury that led to his leg amputation, returning to Special Forces operations. Objective Secure details the battle-tested system he used to regain operational status and achieve the impossible. Through his philosophy, he equips others with the tools to reach any goal, no matter how unlikely, in a journey of resilience and determination.
Send Me by Marty Skovlund & Joe Kent
Shannon Kent, a trailblazing special operator, balanced hunting high-value targets on secret missions with life as a wife and mother. A Navy cryptologic technician, her language skills set her apart, earning her a role in an elite, covert unit. Send Me tells her heroic story, revealing the sacrifices of a Special Forces family and the extraordinary legacy of one of the military’s finest.
Who Dares Wins by Phil Campion
In Who Dares Wins, Big Phil Campion shares his journey from an abusive childhood to the SAS, private military work, and bodyguarding stars like Led Zeppelin. He recounts his time in war zones across Africa, Syria, and Iraq, including reporting under fire for Sky TV. Packed with gripping stories, the book also reveals the deep psychological toll of a life spent in conflict.
Born Fearless by Phil Campion
In his brutally honest account, former SAS soldier Big Phil Campion shares his dangerously thrilling life as a private military operator. From facing a suicide bomber in Kabul to battling pirates with his bare hands, this is a true-life, action-packed story of courage, survival, and intense danger.
Perfectly Wounded by Mike Day
On April 6, 2007, Navy SEAL Senior Chief Mike Day was shot 27 times and hit by grenade shrapnel while taking out four terrorists during a raid in Iraq. Despite his wounds, he cleared the house, rescued six women and children, and walked to safety. After nearly two years of recovery and facing PTSD and traumatic brain injury, Day’s remarkable survival and continued service highlight his heroism.
Strong Female Character by Fern Brady
Fern Brady was told she couldn't be autistic because she's had loads of boyfriends and is good at eye contact. This is a story of how being female can get in the way of being autistic and how being autistic gets in the way of being the 'right kind' of woman.
All Secure by Tom Satterly
Command Sergeant Major Tom Satterly, a senior Delta Force operator, recounts his 20 years of combat, facing deadly enemies, intense missions, and personal loss. All Secure reveals the dark world of elite special operations and the toll it took on his health, relationships, and mental well-being. Struggling with PTSD, he nearly took his life in 2014 but found hope through his wife. Together, they now fight to help fellow veterans battling similar struggles.
Windswept & Interesting by Billy Connolly
In his first autobiography, comedy icon Billy Connolly tells the remarkable story of his life, from a tough Glasgow childhood to international fame. Overcoming abuse and hardship, he found his escape in the shipyards and music before becoming a legendary comedian known for his fearless humor and unique style. His career spanned five decades until a cancer and Parkinson’s diagnosis ended his live performances. He continues to create TV shows, art, and writing.
The Unabomber Manifesto by Ted Kaczynski
In 1995, the New York Times published an essay by the Unabomber, whose violent actions were condemned, but whose ideas on technology's destructive impact gained attention. Critics, including political thinkers and experts, recognized his warnings on technology's effects, such as addiction, privacy issues, and societal decline. His message, though delivered violently, has become increasingly relevant as technology shapes modern life.
Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez
Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez exposes how society, from government policy to technology, is designed with men in mind, neglecting women’s needs. With case studies and new research, it highlights the gender bias that leads to harmful consequences for women, from health care to workplace safety. It reveals the profound impact this bias has on everyone.
The Authority Gap by Mary Ann Sieghart
The Authority Gap examines the bias women face in everyday life, from being patronised to having their authority undermined. It explores how this gap between men and women persists, using data and interviews with influential women like Baroness Hale and Mary Beard. The book provides a fresh feminist perspective on addressing systemic sexism for the benefit of all.
Coffee First Then The World by Jenny Graham
In Coffee First, Then the World, Jenny Graham recounts her solo, unsupported 18,000-mile bike ride around the world, crossing 16 countries in 124 days. Breaking the female speed record by nearly three weeks, she shares her adventure filled with physical challenges, near-collisions, weather extremes, and cultural encounters. With wit and honesty, Jenny reveals how she embraced the joy of the journey, made global connections, and conquered the world on her bike.
The Longest Kill by Craig Harrison
In The Longest Kill, sniper Craig Harrison recounts his remarkable career, including the longest confirmed kill at 2,475 meters in Afghanistan. He shares heart-stopping accounts from the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan, detailing sniper operations, battles, and the personal cost of heroism. After surviving an IED blast, he struggles with PTSD and Al Qaeda threats against his family.
The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek
In The Infinite Game, Simon Sinek introduces a new approach to business strategy, using game theory to emphasise the importance of long-term growth and value. He argues that playing the "infinite game" is the key to enduring success.
“The only good is Knowledge, the only evil is ignorance”
Herodotus
Greek Historian & Geographer
484- 425 BC
“The only good is Knowledge, the only evil is ignorance”
Herodotus
Greek Historian & Geographer
484- 425 BC
 
                         
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
