Eric Jorgenson - The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: A Guide to Wealth and Happiness

Dear Reader,

It feels strange for me to write these words, as I committed many years ago to never write forewords.

Im making a rare exception in this case for three reasons. First, a free version of this book is being offered to the world in a digital/Kindle/eBook format with no strings attached. Second, Ive known Naval for more than a decade and have long wanted someone to compile this book. Third, Im increasing the likelihood of Navals next child being named Tim (Ill settle for Timbo, if he prefers).

Naval is one of the smartest people Ive ever met, and hes also one of the most courageous. Not in the run into the fire without thinking twice sense, but in the think twice and then tell everyone theyre focusing on the wrong fire sense. He is rarely part of any consensus, and the uniqueness of his life, lifestyle, family dynamics, and startup successes is a reflection of conscious choices hes made to do things differently.

He can be as blunt as a foot to the face, but thats part of what I love and respect about him: you never have to guess what Naval is thinking. Ive never had to guess how hes feeling about me, someone else, or a situation. This is a huge relief in a world of double - talk and ambiguity.

Weve shared a lot of meals, shared a lot of deals, and hopped around the world together. Thats all to say that, while I consider myself a good people - watcher , I consider myself an excellent Naval - watcher . He is one of the people I call most for advice, and Ive watched him in many habitats through many seasons: easy times, hard times, recessions, boomsyou name it.

Sure, hes the CEO and a co - founder of AngelList. Sure, he previously co - founded Vast.com and Epinions, which went public as part of Shopping.com. Sure, hes an angel investor and has invested in many mega successes, including Twitter, Uber, Yammer, and OpenDNS, to name but a few.

Thats all great, of course, and it shows Naval is a world - class operator instead of an armchair philosopher.

But I dont take his perspectives, maxims, and thoughts seriously because of the business stuff. There are lots of miserable successful people out there. Be careful about modeling those, as you will get all the bathwater with the baby.

I take Naval seriously because he:

• Questions nearly everything
• Can think from first principles
• Tests things well
• Is good at not fooling himself
• Changes his mind regularly
• Laughs a lot
• Thinks holistically
• Thinks long - term
• Anddoesnt take himself too goddamn seriously.

That last one is important.

This book will give you a good taste of what that cocktail of bullets looks like in Navals head.

So, pay attentionbut dont simply parrot his words. Follow his advicebut only if it holds up after scrutiny and stress - testing in your own life. Consider everythingbut take nothing as gospel. Naval would want you to challenge him, as long as you bring your A - game .