Reading List

These books give you the scientific, historical, and strategic contexts you need to build your body and your mind.

 

The 3 Categories

 

I encourage you to get these books at your local library or purchase them at your preferred bookseller. All links on this page are Amazon affiliate links. The small commissions support Upright Health but do not raise the cost of your purchases. 

Busting Medical Myths

One of the biggest hurdles to fixing yourself is believing that the medical system is the only path to healing. This is often accompanied by a faith in the scientific rigor underlying the medical industry. 

These well-researched books pull back the curtain so you understand what's really happening behind the scenes. 

Surgery: the Ultimate Placebo

Written by an orthopedic surgeon, this book takes you on a tour of the shocking state of science behind so many modern surgical procedures. 

Bad Pharma

A British physician, academic, and science writer takes you through a detailed, digestible tour of the pharmaceutical industry and how it develops, tests, and markets its products. You will never look at a pill bottle the same way again. 

Hippocrasy: How doctors are betraying their oath

An orthopedic surgeon and an epidemiologist investigate the stunning lack of evidence behind common modern medical treatments (and the evidence of harms from these treatments). 

Crooked: Outwitting the Back Pain Industry

A journalist hit with chronic back pain dives deep into the treatments and the science of the back pain industry. She exposes a long history of highly profitable scams and shams that hurt patients but produce massive profits for surgeons, hospitals, and device manufacturers. 

Back in control

A spinal surgeon explains the lack of evidence and lack of efficacy behind a surgery he once championed. He shows you the science and encourages back pain sufferers to engage with exercise and other alternatives for long periods before ever considering spinal surgery. 

Understanding the Human Body

Learn how the body works and what you need to feel truly healthy. 

Move Your DNA

A wonderfully concise, practical, and illuminating book on the need for regular movement. Includes some practical exercise recommendations as well.

Exercised

A deep dive into why exercise for the sake of one’s health can feel so unnatural and unattractive. This is a fascinating and useful look at “exercise” in human history and some of the practical ways to get more into “exercise.”

The Story of the Human Body

Discover the history of the human body and the root causes of many ailments of modern life. 

Strategic Living

Practical books to help you get the most out of your life. 

Atomic Habits

Learn how to break bad habits and create new ones. Powerful practical strategies that anyone can implement and overcome the inevitable failures of will power. 

Digital Minimalism

Learn how and why to make conscientious choices about your digital life and all the digital clutter that accumulates and clogs your brain. 

Deep Work

Rules for focused success in a distracted world. 

Flow: the psychology of optimal experience

Learn how to get “in the zone” and experience more happiness on a regular basis.

Breath

Learn how to breathe for maximum relaxation and rejuvenation and the importance of chewing hard stuff (!). 

Hunt, Gather, Parent

Simply the best and most helpful modern parenting book I’ve read. 

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