Cal signed his first book deal with Random House soon after his 21st birthday, while still an undergraduate at Dartmouth College. He went on to publish eight books (and counting), which include multiple New York Times bestsellers, and have been translated into over 40 languages and cumulatively sold well over 2,000,000 copies worldwide. He’s also a regular contributor to major publications including the New York Times, the Atlantic, and WIRED. In recent years, his magazine work has been focused mainly on The New Yorker, where he became a Contributing Writer in 2021.
Cal’s early books focused on student advice. In 2012, he transitioned into the world of idea writing with his fourth title, So Good They Can’t Ignore You, which challenged the conventional career wisdom to “follow your passion.” This was followed by his Technology and Society trilogy: Deep Work (2016), Digital Minimalism (2019), and A World Without Email (2021), which combined his roles as an academic technologist and popular writer to examine, for a broad audience, the impact of technology on the quest to live and work in meaningful and deep ways. His most recent book Slow Productivity (2024) argues that digital office technologies introduced unsustainable overload to knowledge work, and then provides a concrete plan for reducing this problem.
In addition to his traditional book and article publications, Cal has also been an enthusiastic supporter of digital media. He’s published a popular blog/newsletter since 2007 and more recently has branched into podcasting and video. In the fall of 2022, he launched a dedicated online portal, TheDeepLife.com, to organize the various digital media he produces related to the major themes of his work.
More information on Cal’s books can be found below.
For more on Cal’s recent magazine writing, see his New Yorker archive.
For more on Cal’s podcast, videos, and courses, visit his online media portal at TheDeepLife.com
Books
New York Times bestseller
Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout
Do fewer things. Work at a natural pace. Obsess over quality.
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New York Times bestseller
A World Without Email: Reimagining Work in an Age of Communication Overload
A bold vision for liberating workers from the tyranny of the inbox–and unleashing a new era of productivity
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New York Times bestseller
Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World
The key to living well in a high tech world is to use much less technology.
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1,500,000+ copies sold
Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
The ability to focus without distraction is becoming increasingly valuable. Here’s how to hone this skill.
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The Time-Block Planner: A Daily Method for Deep Work in a Distracted World
Time blocking is the key to my productivity. This planner makes it easy for anyone to implement this powerful technique.
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350,000+ copies sold
So Good They Can’t Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love
“Follow your passion” is bad advice. Here’s what you should do instead.
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How to Be a High School Superstar: A Revolutionary Plan to Get into College by Standing Out (Without Burning Out)
Learn the secrets of relaxed superstars—students who get into top colleges without hating their high school lives.
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200,000+ copies sold
How to Become a Straight-A Student: The Unconventional Strategies Real College Students Use to Score High While Studying Less
Revealed for the first time: The proven study techniques used by real straight-A students.
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How to Win at College: Surprising Secrets for Success from the Country’s Top Students
Proven strategies for making the most of your college years, based on interviews with the country’s most successful students.
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