42 pages 1 hour read

Ryan Holiday

The Obstacle is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2014

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Key Figures

Ryan Holiday (The Author)

Ryan Holiday is an American author best known for his self-help books on Stoic habits and values. His best-selling works The Daily Stoic, Courage Is Calling, and Discipline Is Destiny explain Stoic philosophy through ancient texts and real-life anecdotes. Holiday began his career in media strategy and marketing, working as a talent agent in Beverly Hills, and later becoming the director of marketing for American Apparel while still in his early twenties. He later published the memoir Trust Me, I’m Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator, as well as the business self-help books Growth Hacker Marketing and Perennial Seller. Holiday then shifted his focus to repackaging Stoic philosophy for a modern audience. In addition to his books, Holiday takes an active interest in Stoicism on his YouTube Channel and podcast “Daily Stoic,” as well as his Instagram account @DailyPhilosopher.

In The Obstacle Is the Way, Holiday draws on his passion for history, philosophy, and personal stories. His appreciation for Stoicism echoes his other books. Holiday weaves philosophy with real-life anecdotes from famous figures in politics, business, technology, and sports. He takes particular interest in people’s ability to overcome obstacles and demonstrates how they developed skills and traits by facing hardships.

Related Titles

By Ryan Holiday

Study Guide

logo

Ego Is the Enemy

Ryan Holiday

Ego Is the Enemy: The Fight to Master Our Greatest Opponent

Ryan Holiday

Study Guide

logo

The Daily Stoic

Ryan Holiday, Stephen Hanselman

The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living

Ryan Holiday, Stephen Hanselman