Thinking about how to begin a review of such a challenging and powerful book I determined not to cloud my thoughts by looking at any other reviews, although I had been aware of some recent coverage of an interview on UK’s Channel 4 TV news that had seemingly sparked some controversy. In the absence of prior knowledge I would expect Professor Jordan Peterson’s book to produce a full spectrum of reviews, but with a probable tendency for there to be a somewhat bipolar distribution, with reviewers finding either much to praise or much to criticise, since this is a book that will provoke and challenge what are often powerfully held beliefs, and the lazy reader (or the reader with a closed mind) will simply discount views that don’t accord with their politics or wider world view.

If you are reading this after you have read the book I am unlikely to change your mind, but - if you haven’t yet read it - I would urge you to pause before internally whooping with delight as an opinion is apparently endorsed or, conversely, discounting Professor Peterson’s ideas simply because they run counter to your most deeply-held convictions. Your enjoyment and benefit from reading this book will, instead, be increased dramatically if a priori assumptions are left behind and the evidence adduced by Professor Peterson in support of his carefully argued positions is carefully scrutinised against the historical record and the events reported daily across the written and broadcast media. Whilst the read-across from evidenced positions to the 12 rules is not always as explicit as some readers may like, the internal consistency is generally secure throughout.

In particular, the exploratory journey around the background to the rule in each chapter added significant benefit and context to the simply stated rules. However, this reader felt strongly that
the book would have benefited - and the 12 rules for life would have been more accessible - if there had been a rather more ruthless editing of the text. In rather too many places the trees were so thickly planted - and described in loving detail - that the woods and forests were indeed lost from sight.

Professor Peterson’s tendency to illustrate points and arguments with extracts from the Bible will also irritate some readers, although a careful reading will reveal that he is generally citing the stories to illustrate wider ideas and exemplify particular behaviours rather than to promote a specifically Judeo-Christian world-view. On balance, though, the decision to include so much from this source may be a mistake in terms of engaging the widest possible audience. Nevertheless this is a masterwork from a leader in his field. Love Professor Peterson or hate him, his arguments are carefully set out, well-evidenced and (crucially) relevant and applicable to both individual lives and wider society. Not a light read by any means, and - inevitably - some positions are less secure and well-argued than others, but a great antidote to the mindless groupthink that threatens to overwhelm.

Highly recommended.

I am in two (or more) minds about this one:

A provocative and outspoken promoter of free speech on campuses, confronter of victim-hood culture and identity politics - Peterson deploys the same conversational style here, as in his popular internet lectures. Research derived from evolutionary psychology, neuroscience, anthropology, archetypes of myth and religion influence his analysis of why things fall apart in human societies – and on which he bases his recommendations. Peterson has a great way of grabbing the reader's attention: I particularly enjoyed the chapter on the hierarchy systems found in all living creatures (and why it is important to stand tall! ) although his interpretations based on biblical stories seem far more contentious as solutions for 21st century civilisations. None the less, the twelve rules make for a thought provoking and debate-worthy contribution to the eternal question of how to live well.

Everyone should read this book and would also recommend watching some of Dr Peterson's lectures. His 12 rules for life are so much more than a self help book, they are a true guide to living life well and reaching your potential, inspiring the reader to never stop learning and growing.

Combining psychology with literature, religion and a huge dose of common sense - he is one of the most important and intelligent voices of today, and also the most sincere.

I was looking forward to this but found it to be full of opinion and lacking in evidence or facts. I expect a physcologist to be able to support his assertions with appropriate evidence, but the best we get here is anecdotal. Also the formatting of the text in this proof is quite bad- particularly in the chapter about disciplining children there are lots of omissions so that some of the meaning is lost.