The World's Best Book Summaries
Should you use humor to open a speech? What are some ways to appeal to people’s needs and desires? Dale Carnegie’s public speaking advice has helped countless people reach their audiences. In Public Speaking for Success, he shares several recommendations for speaking in ways that make people want to hear more. Continue reading to learn how to get the attention of your audience and keep it throughout your speech.
Why shouldn’t Zen Buddhism be considered a religion? How is it liberating? How does Zen Buddhism conceive of time? Though most of us have a passing familiarity with the concept of Zen, few of us really know what “Zen” means or could articulate how Zen Buddhism describes reality and human life. Philosopher Alan Watts explains the major principles and the history of Zen Buddhism in The Way of Zen. Read on for several The Way of Zen quotes that will give you a taste of the book’s ideas.
Was American politics always like this? Did politicians always seek to stir up partisan fervor among their supporters by antagonizing the other side? According to Ezra Klein, the answer to these excellent questions is “No.” In Why We’re Polarized, he writes that the story of modern polarization is rooted in cleavages in the political system that began in the 1950s and 1960s, during the civil rights era. Read on for a brief history of political polarization in America.
Do you blindly adopt or reject advice? What’s the best way to make the most of counsel? When Tim Ferriss wanted some advice, he sent the same list of 11 questions to scores of experts, promising to put his favorite responses into a book. The result is Tribe of Mentors. The book starts with a topic that might influence how you read the rest of it: how to take advice from others and even yourself. Keep reading for some insights on how to interpret and apply advice.
How did Warren Buffett learn to invest? What criteria does he use to choose his investments? How does he manage his portfolio? The Warren Buffett Way by Robert G. Hagstrom answers these questions and more. Hagstrom believes that, rather than hiring someone else to manage your investments for you, all you need to do is follow Buffett’s way of investing. Continue reading for an overview of this practical how-to book.
Is freebie marketing a smart approach? If so, how and when should it be done? In Permission Marketing, Seth Godin recommends opening a line of communication with consumers by offering them valuable freebies in exchange for their contact information. This is the first step in his three-part permission marketing strategy. Continue reading to learn how to break the ice with prospective customers by giving out freebies.
How detailed should you be when you plan the ending of your speech? Is it ever a good idea to close with a quote? In his classic book Public Speaking for Success, Dale Carnegie shares his essential teachings about crafting and delivering a memorable speech. He includes some guidelines on closing your speech effectively. Read more to learn how to close your speech in a way that leaves your audience wanting more.
What did Warren Buffett learn from Benjamin Graham? How did the 1929 stock market crash impact their investment mindset? In The Warren Buffett Way, Robert G. Hagstrom discusses the ways Buffett was influenced by his teacher Benjamin Graham. Warren Buffett learned about value investing from Graham, and Buffett embraced his teacher’s numbers-driven approach to evaluating companies. Read more to understand what Buffett picked up from Graham.
What’s more important in American politics—issues or identities? What’s fueling the increasing political polarization in the country? It seems that, more and more, America has an “us vs. them” mentality when it comes to politics. People used to discuss the issues; now, they talk about other people. Ezra Klein argues that this results in growing divisions among Americans. Read more to learn about this troubling function of identity politics in America.
What do you care about most? How much time do you give to what’s most important in your life? In Tribe of Mentors, Tim Ferriss shares advice from a variety of people on how you should spend your time. Many agree that, to make choices about your time investments, it’s necessary to identify what matters most to you and prioritize meaningful causes over other ways you could use your time. Continue reading to discover how to pinpoint and prioritize what you care about most in life.