The Shawn Ryan Show
Book Recommendations

The Shawn Ryan Show

The "Shawn Ryan Show" is hosted by Shawn Ryan, former U.S. Navy SEAL, CIA Contractor, and Founder of Vigilance Elite. We tell REAL stories about REAL people from all walks of life. We discuss the ups and downs, wins and losses, successes and struggles, the good and bad in a respectful but candid way...

Episodes 386
Books 310
Imperial (Imperial (2025)) Cover

Jonathan Hickman

Imperial (Imperial (2025))

Blerim said the book "Imperial" was one of the best books he had read while in prison.

"

the best books I read, it was Imperial and Animus. Two of these books, he was Mike Scheuer.

— Episode: #198 Blerim Skoro - CIA & FBI Asset / A...

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Episode: #198 Blerim Skoro - CIA & FBI Asset / Al-Qaeda In...

Blerim said the book "Imperial" was one of the best books he had read while in prison.

"

the best books I read, it was Imperial and Animus. Two of these books, he was Mike Scheuer.

Animus: An Erotic Dragon Shifter Romance (Sleeping Dragons Book 1) Cover

Ophelia Bell

Animus

An Erotic Dragon Shifter Romance (Sleeping Dragons Book 1)

Blerim mentioned "Animus" as another top book he read during his time in prison.

"

the best books I read, it was Imperial and Animus. Two of these books, he was Mike Scheuer.

— Episode: #198 Blerim Skoro - CIA & FBI Asset / A...

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Episode: #198 Blerim Skoro - CIA & FBI Asset / Al-Qaeda In...

Blerim mentioned "Animus" as another top book he read during his time in prison.

"

the best books I read, it was Imperial and Animus. Two of these books, he was Mike Scheuer.

Fire in the Hole!: The Untold Story of My Traumatic Life and Explosive Success Cover

Bob Parsons

Fire in the Hole!

The Untold Story of My Traumatic Life and Explosive Success

Bob Parsons identified his memoir Fire in the Hole as a NewYorkTimes bestseller and explained that a childhood letter he wrote served as the introduction to the book.

"

New York Times bestselling author of the book, Fire in the Hole

— Episode: #197 Bob Parsons - Founder of GoDaddy &...

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Episode: #197 Bob Parsons - Founder of GoDaddy & PXG

Bob Parsons identified his memoir Fire in the Hole as a NewYorkTimes bestseller and explained that a childhood letter he wrote served as the introduction to the book.

"

New York Times bestselling author of the book, Fire in the Hole

And as a matter of fact, I used that paper that I turned in. That is the introduction to my book or the preface.

Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today's Young Kids Cover

Kristen A. Jenson

Good Pictures Bad Pictures

Porn-Proofing Today's Young Kids

It was highlighted as a useful, decadesold book for parents to address porn and its harmful images, noted as helpful even for adults.

"

There's a book called a good book. I think it's good book, bad pictures. And, um, so it's, I think it's been around for about 20 years, but there's a theme in it that's helpful for even adults.

— Episode: #196 Joshua Broome - "Rocco Reed," Insid...

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Episode: #196 Joshua Broome - "Rocco Reed," Inside The Adul...

It was highlighted as a useful, decadesold book for parents to address porn and its harmful images, noted as helpful even for adults.

"

There's a book called a good book. I think it's good book, bad pictures. And, um, so it's, I think it's been around for about 20 years, but there's a theme in it that's helpful for even adults.

7 Lies That Will Ruin Your Life: What My Journey from Porn Star to Preacher Taught Me About the Truth That Sets Us Free Cover

Joshua Broome

7 Lies That Will Ruin Your Life

What My Journey from Porn Star to Preacher Taught Me About the Truth That Sets Us Free

He said his own book listed seven cultural lies that damage lives and paired each with biblical truths to provide a new foundation.

"

I have a copy of my book, and what I love to do... so seven lies that'll ruin your life. So really it's like, Hey, here's seven lies from culture that negatively impacted my life, and then here's seve...

— Episode: #196 Joshua Broome - "Rocco Reed," Insid...

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Episode: #196 Joshua Broome - "Rocco Reed," Inside The Adul...

He said his own book listed seven cultural lies that damage lives and paired each with biblical truths to provide a new foundation.

"

I have a copy of my book, and what I love to do... so seven lies that'll ruin your life. So really it's like, Hey, here's seven lies from culture that negatively impacted my life, and then here's seven truths from God's word.

Your Story Has a Villain: Identify Spiritual Warfare and Learn How to Defeat the Enemy Cover

Jonathan "JP" Pokluda

Your Story Has a Villain

Identify Spiritual Warfare and Learn How to Defeat the Enemy

He described Jonathan Pekluda's new book that frames the reader as the villain in their own story and delves into spiritual warfare.

"

He's a friend, Jonathan Pekluda's new book. It says Your Story Has a Villain. And he just did like a two or three year deep dive into spiritual warfare.

— Episode: #196 Joshua Broome - "Rocco Reed," Insid...

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Episode: #196 Joshua Broome - "Rocco Reed," Inside The Adul...

He described Jonathan Pekluda's new book that frames the reader as the villain in their own story and delves into spiritual warfare.

"

He's a friend, Jonathan Pekluda's new book. It says Your Story Has a Villain. And he just did like a two or three year deep dive into spiritual warfare.

The Master Plan of Evangelism Cover

Robert E Coleman

The Master Plan of Evangelism

He cited this book as an excellent resource on evangelism that stresses showing rather than merely explaining the gospel.

"

There's a really great book I love, Master Plan of Evangelism. Robert E. Coleman wrote it, and he talks about how it's good to tell people something, but it's better to show that people are often not...

— Episode: #196 Joshua Broome - "Rocco Reed," Insid...

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Episode: #196 Joshua Broome - "Rocco Reed," Inside The Adul...

He cited this book as an excellent resource on evangelism that stresses showing rather than merely explaining the gospel.

"

There's a really great book I love, Master Plan of Evangelism. Robert E. Coleman wrote it, and he talks about how it's good to tell people something, but it's better to show that people are often not looking for an explanation. They're looking for a demonstration.

Death Is Our Business: Russian Mercenaries and the New Era of Private Warfare Cover

John Lechner

Death Is Our Business

Russian Mercenaries and the New Era of Private Warfare

John Lechner authored a study on Russian mercenaries and the new era of private warfare.

"

Author of the book Death Is Our Business, Russian Mercenaries in the New Era of Private Warfare

— Episode: #195 Marat Gabidullin - Wagner Group Com...

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Episode: #195 Marat Gabidullin - Wagner Group Commander’s A...

John Lechner authored a study on Russian mercenaries and the new era of private warfare.

"

Author of the book Death Is Our Business, Russian Mercenaries in the New Era of Private Warfare

The Bible from 30,000 Feet: Soaring Through the Scriptures in One Year from Genesis to Revelation Cover

Skip Heitzig

The Bible from 30,000 Feet

Soaring Through the Scriptures in One Year from Genesis to Revelation

Skip Heitzig authored this book to give a concise, aerial overview of the entire Bible.

"

I have a friend named Skip Heitzig who wrote a book called The Bible from 30,000 Feet.

— Episode: #192 Lee Strobel & John Burke - The Resu...

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Episode: #192 Lee Strobel & John Burke - The Resurrection

Skip Heitzig authored this book to give a concise, aerial overview of the entire Bible.

"

I have a friend named Skip Heitzig who wrote a book called The Bible from 30,000 Feet.

Build a Business You Love: Mastering the Five Stages of Business Cover

Dave Ramsey

Build a Business You Love

Mastering the Five Stages of Business

His upcoming title was announced as set to release on April15th and presented as the latest addition to his bestselling catalog.

"

Your newest book, Build a Business You Love, is set to release on April 15th.

— Episode: #191 Dave Ramsey - CEO, Ramsey Solutions...

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Episode: #191 Dave Ramsey - CEO, Ramsey Solutions: Build a...

His upcoming title was announced as set to release on April15th and presented as the latest addition to his bestselling catalog.

"

Your newest book, Build a Business You Love, is set to release on April 15th.

We're going to talk about your new book, Build a Business You Love. What's the premise of it?

EntreLeadership: 20 Years of Practical Business Wisdom from the Trenches Cover

Dave Ramsey

EntreLeadership

20 Years of Practical Business Wisdom from the Trenches

He called it his numberone bestselling book that serves as a playbook for building Ramsey's business from a cardtable start.

"

I've got a number one bestselling book called Entree Leadership that was the playbook.

— Episode: #191 Dave Ramsey - CEO, Ramsey Solutions...

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Episode: #191 Dave Ramsey - CEO, Ramsey Solutions: Build a...

He called it his numberone bestselling book that serves as a playbook for building Ramsey's business from a cardtable start.

"

I've got a number one bestselling book called Entree Leadership that was the playbook.

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Cover

John C. Maxwell

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership

Follow Them and People Will Follow You

He referenced John Maxwell's leadership classic as a source of advice on personal growth and business leadership.

"

John Maxwell talks about, um, in his book, 21 irrefutable laws of leadership, which is his bestselling book and my favorite of his.

— Episode: #191 Dave Ramsey - CEO, Ramsey Solutions...

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Episode: #191 Dave Ramsey - CEO, Ramsey Solutions: Build a...

He referenced John Maxwell's leadership classic as a source of advice on personal growth and business leadership.

"

John Maxwell talks about, um, in his book, 21 irrefutable laws of leadership, which is his bestselling book and my favorite of his.

The Pledge to America: One Man's Journey from Political Prisoner to U.S. Navy SEAL Cover

Drago Dzieran

The Pledge to America

One Man's Journey from Political Prisoner to U.S. Navy SEAL

Drago's authored book was referenced as a recent release that highlighted his experiences and viewpoints.

"

You're the author of the book, The Pledge to America.

— Episode: #189 Thomas "Drago" Dzieran - From Commu...

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Episode: #189 Thomas "Drago" Dzieran - From Communist Gulag...

Drago's authored book was referenced as a recent release that highlighted his experiences and viewpoints.

"

You're the author of the book, The Pledge to America.

I saw when your book came out and I've been kind of watching you from afar on social media.

And I'm the author of The Pledge to America, a book about my life and what I stand for.

I think the book will serve as a lens for people to see America from a different perspective.

In my book I described the case when one of my fellow political prisoners was testifying in his defense.

In Memoriam: A novel Cover

Alice Winn

In Memoriam

A novel

They described it as a long poem that serves as a book tracking grief after losing a close friend, which they read in college and found impactful.

"

very, very long poem. It's basically a book called In Memoriam that tracks his experience through grief after losing his best friend. And I remember I read it in college and I was jus...

— Episode: #186 Brett Cooper - The Real Reason She...

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Episode: #186 Brett Cooper - The Real Reason She Left The D...

They described it as a long poem that serves as a book tracking grief after losing a close friend, which they read in college and found impactful.

"

very, very long poem. It's basically a book called In Memoriam that tracks his experience through grief after losing his best friend. And I remember I read it in college and I was just like, hit because I'd never heard anybody show the waves of grief over like the course of, you know, 10 years of like, and there was these moments each year that he would cover in the poem about holidays and Christmas specifically.

Take the Risk: A College Hockey Romance (For The Arena Book 2) Cover

Bree Hayden

Take the Risk

A College Hockey Romance (For The Arena Book 2)

Carson mentioned that he authored this book to explain his fourquestion riskassessment framework.

"

I wrote a book called Take the Risk.

— Episode: #183 Dr. Ben Carson - Neuralink, God’s H...

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Episode: #183 Dr. Ben Carson - Neuralink, God’s Hand in Neu...

Carson mentioned that he authored this book to explain his fourquestion riskassessment framework.

"

I wrote a book called Take the Risk.

Faith Through the Storm: Memoirs of Major James Capers, Jr. Cover

Major James Capers Jr

Faith Through the Storm

Memoirs of Major James Capers, Jr.

The memoir was presented as a firsthand account of Major Capers' combat missions, personal sacrifices, and the challenges he overcame during his military career.

"

You are the author of Faith Through the Storm, Memoirs of Major James Capers Jr.

— Episode: #180 Major James Capers Jr. - Vietnam Ma...

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Episode: #180 Major James Capers Jr. - Vietnam Marine Comma...

The memoir was presented as a firsthand account of Major Capers' combat missions, personal sacrifices, and the challenges he overcame during his military career.

"

You are the author of Faith Through the Storm, Memoirs of Major James Capers Jr.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Mental Disorders Cover

American Psychiatric Association

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Mental Disorders

Ben read the DSMIV front to back multiple times as a teenager to impress his father and deepen his knowledge of mental health.

"

I was reading the DSM. It was the DSM four back then, front to back. I read it to impress my dad and to learn about mental health disorders.

— Episode: #178 Ben Owen - Veteran’s Escape from Ad...

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Episode: #178 Ben Owen - Veteran’s Escape from Addiction &...

Ben read the DSMIV front to back multiple times as a teenager to impress his father and deepen his knowledge of mental health.

"

I was reading the DSM. It was the DSM four back then, front to back. I read it to impress my dad and to learn about mental health disorders.

I was reading the DSM four because I wanted to impress my dad. I read it front to back, memorizing the whole damn thing.

Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.