Ego Is the Enemy is an audiobook by Ryan Holiday, narrated by Ryan Holiday. The unabridged Audible edition runs 5 hrs 36 mins.
Publisher’s Summary
The instant Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and international bestseller
“While the history books are filled with tales of obsessive visionary geniuses who remade the world in their image with sheer, almost irrational force, I’ve found that history is also made by individuals who fought their egos at every turn, who eschewed the spotlight, and who put their higher goals above their desire for recognition.” —from the prologue
Many of us insist the main impediment to a full, successful life is the outside world. In fact, the most common enemy lies within: our ego. Early in our careers, it impedes learning and the cultivation of talent. With success, it can blind us to our faults and sow future problems. In failure, it magnifies each blow and makes recovery more difficult. At every stage, ego holds us back.
Ego Is the Enemy draws on a vast array of stories and examples, from literature to philosophy to history. We meet fascinating figures such as George Marshall, Jackie Robinson, Katharine Graham, Bill Belichick, and Eleanor Roosevelt, who all reached the highest levels of power and success by conquering their own egos. Their strategies and tactics can be ours as well.
In an era that glorifies social media, reality TV, and other forms of shameless self-promotion, the battle against ego must be fought on many fronts. Armed with the lessons in this book, as Holiday writes, “you will be less invested in the story you tell about your own specialness, and as a result, you will be liberated to accomplish the world-changing work you’ve set out to achieve.”
Audiobook Details
- Narrated by: Ryan Holiday
- Length: 5 hrs 36 mins
- Publisher: Penguin Audio
- Release year: 2026
- Audible category: Business & Careers / Career Success / Motivation & Self-Improvement
Listener Ratings
Ego Is the Enemy holds an average listener rating of 4.6/5 from 13760 Audible ratings.
On Audible, ratings for this title break down into narration performance and story separately:
- Performance (narration): 4.6/5
- Story: 4.6/5
- 5-star ratings: 75% of all ratings
What Audible Listeners Are Saying
5/5 stars — “belief in the indestructible self is destructive”
this book provides an amazing array of anecdotes and advice for pushing ego aside in favor of a dispassionate view of reality. our society parts us on the back so much that we all believe we are the best, and we kill ourselves getting to prove it. instead, take a step back and realize how much you still need to grow, and take the time to do the growing.— Tim, Audible listener
5/5 stars — “Sweep the floor.”
Great book. Recommended it to everyone I know and bought it for my staff. The interview is also a great tou— Max, Audible listener
5/5 stars — “Universally solid advice “
Excellent audio book that’s easy to listen to. I rarely am compelled to write a review, but this audio book motivated me to do so. I would recommend it to anyone.— Michael, Audible listener
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