Bryan Johnson is a fascinating figure who, after several successful business ventures, amassed impressive wealth and became a multimillionaire. Still, his fame skyrocketed with the launch of his ambitious Project Blueprint, which aims to reverse his biological age.

Nowadays, this 47-year-old spends most of his time measuring and optimizing his body. As a result, he’s seen many improvements in his health and managed to reduce his aging speed, which is now slower than that of 99% of 20-year-olds.

Still, Johnson is more than a youth-obsessed rich person. He’s also a published author and an avid reader. If you want to get a glimpse into his thought process and the authors that shaped him both as a writer and an entrepreneur, check out our Bryan Johnson book breakdown. 

An overview of Bryan Johnson’s books

Johnson has established himself as a diverse writer, publishing two children’s books and two books for adults, as well as a few online articles. Before we tell you what the books are about, here’s a quick rundown with basic facts:

| Book title                                        | Date of publishing | Number of pages | Genre                                  |
| ------------------------------------------------- | ------------------ | --------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| Code 7: Cracking the Code for an Epic Life       | 2017               | 130             | Fiction for children aged 7–10        |
| The Proto Project: A Sci-Fi Adventure of the Mind | 2019               | 234             | Science fiction for children aged 8–12 |
| Don’t Die                                         | 2023               | 247             | Philosophical/fiction                  |
| We the People                                     | 2023               | 199             | Sci-fi novel

Code 7: Cracking the Code for an Epic Life 

Bryan Johnson’s first book is a children’s novel set in Flint Hill Elementary School. The story comprises seven chapters, each dedicated to one of the students that find themselves in funny but relatable situations. While entertaining, these stories teach young readers lessons about social responsibility, including kindness, work ethics, teamwork, and integrity.

The book also comes with a discussion guide ideal for the classroom setting, featuring questions and group activities corresponding to different chapters. According to GoodReads, Code 7 is best suited for kids aged 8–10, but it can also be a fantastic bedtime reading for younger children.

Source: Amazon

Code 7 was well-received by readers and critics and has earned several awards, including the 2018 Mom's Choice Award Gold Recipient. Here’s what Adam Grant, an organizational psychology professional and best-selling author, said about the book:

“This book is an inspiration to children who wish to pursue their passions and bring original ideas into the world.”

The Proto Project: A Sci-Fi Adventure of the Mind 

Aimed at slightly older children than Code 7, The Proto Project is a sci-fi novel with a dash of fantasy, suspense, and humor. The story follows Jason and his neighbor Maya in their attempt to save the world from a group of people who plan to overtake it with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). 

Source: Amazon

Besides being a thrilling, action-packed read, The Proto Project gets children thinking about the implications of AI’s growing presence in the world. It tackles topics such as social responsibility and teamwork and inspires readers to consider careers in STEM. 

Like Code 7, The Proto Project was praised by many readers, children and adults alike. It was recommended by US Review and received the 2019 Readers' Favorite® Five Star Award.

Don’t Die

In his book Don’t Die, Johnson wrote from the perspective of Zero, the first human to reach 500 years of age and the inventor of resurrection technology. 

The book has a unique structure, presenting its story and ideas through a series of conversations among friends. The group has reunited for the first time since their troublesome climb to Mount Kilimanjaro, which the author also conquered. Initiated by Scribe, the meeting aims to hone in on solutions to the existential challenges their world has been facing.

Source: Bryan Johnson on X

Don’t Die explores the future of humanity, tackling social and philosophical concepts like AI, self-directed evolution, and optional aging. It also reveals how Johnson’s recent biohacking endeavors and disciplined daily routine have influenced his thought processes and writing.

Here’s what one popular GoodReads review said about the book:

“The book reads like a prelude to his 'religion,' and yes, I’m slowly converting. Upon reading this book, it gave me the courage to think further ahead about my own life. I’m a big fan of Bryan’s work so far, and I’m excited to see where his health adventures will lead.”

We the People

Published only a few months after Don’t Die, We the People is also written from the perspective of Zero. Unlike Don’t Die, We the People doesn’t have standard literary characters because the dialogue happens between the author’s different personality aspects, such as Dark Humor and Model Builder. 

Source: Bryan Johnson’s website

This uniquely structured book presents some clever and intriguing ideas about technology and consciousness woven into an equally captivating backstory. 

Taking place at the end of the 21st century, the narrative revolves around a new world order brought forth by a new neurotechnology that allows people to program and enhance their bodies and minds. As this technology is only available to children, a war breaks out between them and the adults, who now become equals. 

Much like Bryan’s other books, We the People gives the readers plenty of food for thought, as this GoodReads reviewer suggests:

“I've never had a book make me question my own consciousness before, I loved it.”

Note: Bryan Johnson has another short book in the works. Called Zeroism, this piece touches on his personal experiences, biohacking journey, and philosophical views on humanity, technology, and the future.

Bryan Johnson’s book recommendations

Check out the table below to learn about Bryan Johnson’s favorite books and what he thought of them:

| Book                                                               | Author          | What Bryan said about the book                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products                        | Nir Eyal        | “Reading today to remind myself how to avoid being puppeteered and to care for the most valuable thing each of us has: time.”                                                                                                                                                            |
| Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life | N/A             | N/A                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
| Predictably Irrational                                             | Dan Ariely      | “I became increasingly convinced of my own fickleness and inability to actually act rationally in life. And once I became aware of that, I think I became much softer in my opinions and confidence levels in life where I want to question thoroughly everything I do all of the time.” |
| Thinking Fast and Slow                                             | Daniel Kahneman | N/A                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
| A Good Man                                                         | Mark Shriver    | “An exceptional father, a good friend, loyal, and he is a mental model of the kind of person I want to be in life.”                                                                                                                                                                      |
| Man’s Search for Meaning                                           | Victor Frankl   | N/A                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
| While We Sleep                                                     | Matthew Walker  | “Not only did I become convinced that getting high-quality sleep is the best protector and enhancer of health and cognition, but it is also the most underappreciated.”                                                                                                                  |
| Principles                                                         | Ray Dalio       | “...collectives can operate at higher levels when they are open and honest about and can see past their cognitive flaws.”                                                                                                                                                                |
| Zero                                                               | Charles Seife   | “He chronicles how hard it was for humanity to come up with and hold onto the concept of zero. No zero, no math. No zero, no engineering. No zero, no modern world as we know it.”

What we can learn from Bryan Johnson and his books

Bryan Johnson’s books and favorite reads give us a glimpse into his thoughts, desires, and core values. He has spent the last few years becoming a better human through:

1. A strict diet, sleep, skincare, and workout regime

2. More extreme interventions, such as gene therapy, red light therapy, and taking over 100 supplements and medications a day

His constant boundary-pushing attitude and dedication have inspired many, nudging them to think about the future, redefine their personal limits, and take better ownership of their lives and health.

Getting to know yourself is the first step to achieving physical and mental development. Since the body and mind are connected, understanding your body is equally important as understanding your thought processes. It can help you adopt healthy habits, prevent many diseases, and thrive physically and psychologically. 

Even though most of us can’t afford the type of care Bryan Johnson has, we can learn immensely about ourselves through whole-genome sequencing (WGS). 

As one of the most advanced types of DNA analysis, WGS allows you to understand your genetic profile and learn how your genes affect your health and traits. These key insights enable you to shape your habits and become the best version of yourself.

Until recently, getting your DNA sequenced cost thousands of dollars, but Nucleus offers this service for only a few hundred. 

[X](https://x.com/melanter/status/1782094104068862183)

Invest in a healthier future with Nucleus

With only a simple swab sample, Nucleus can provide a wealth of information about your DNA, what it holds, and what you can do to use this valuable information to your advantage. 

Nucleus Premium employs cutting-edge whole-genome sequencing technology that decodes close to 100% of your genome, detecting even rare genetic differences that commercial-grade tests like 23andMe miss. Those differences or genetic variants can have a major impact on your life. This comprehensive approach allows Nucleus to provide detailed genetic reports with 99.9% accuracy.

Source: Nucleus

With Nucleus’ easy-to-understand reports, you can learn about your:

• Genetic risk for over 170 diseases, including rare types of cancer

• Absolute risk based on your lifestyle factors

• Carrier status for inheritable conditions

• Genetic IQ and predisposition to traits like muscle strength

Nucleus Premium is a physician-ordered test provided in partnership with SteadyMD. Through this collaboration, Nucleus can also connect you with a genetic counselor in case you need additional input or advice regarding the next steps. 

When you provide your information to Nucleus, it will remain safe and private as Nucleus is a fully regulated and HIPAA-compliant company. The processing takes place in CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited U.S. labs that adhere to strict security and quality standards.

How Nucleus works

The first step is to order your Nucleus Premium kit, which costs only $399, less than most other whole-genome tests on the market. For the price, you’ll get all available reports as well as updated ones in light of new scientific advancements and your lifestyle changes. 

Once the kit arrives, you only have to swab your cheeks and mail the samples back. You can view your reports on the online portal within six to eight weeks.

Source: Nucleus

Follow these steps to get started with Nucleus:

1. Sign up

2. Provide the necessary personal information

3. Order the Nucleus Premium kit

Featured image source: Huy Phan