12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson is a personal-development book about taking responsibility, creating order, finding meaning, and developing the strength to deal with life's difficulties.

Peterson presents twelve principles for living a more purposeful life, drawing from psychology, philosophy, religion, mythology, and personal experience. Key themes include personal responsibility, discipline, honesty, meaningful goals, strong relationships, and focusing on what you can improve in your own life.

The book emphasizes that life inevitably includes uncertainty and suffering, but meaning can be found by accepting responsibility and continually working to become a more capable person.

In short: 12 Rules for Life encourages you to bring greater order to your life, take responsibility for your choices, and pursue what is meaningful rather than simply what is easy.

Core message: A meaningful life is built by taking responsibility for yourself and consistently becoming someone capable of carrying it.