The World's Best Book Summaries
What is the subversion of expectation? How does it keep a story going? How does it impact the audience? One of the main ingredients in a story is the subversion of expectation. This element is extremely important. Robert McKee maintains that it’s the source of all energy in a story. Read more to understand what subverting expectations means and how to do it in a story.
How are wages set? Why does geography affect the cost of labor more than the cost of goods? The natural price of a good changes in accordance with changes in any of the costs of production. In The Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith identifies labor as one of these costs. He discusses how supply and demand, as well as the living conditions of workers, influence the cost of labor. Continue reading to understand how the cost of labor operates in an economy.
Why did Nelson Mandela join the African National Congress? Why did he later help create the ANC Youth League? Nelson Mandela’s struggle against a culture of oppression and apartheid wasn’t just about securing legal rights for Blacks but also about fostering national and racial pride. That led him to join the ranks of the African National Congress (ANC) in the early 1940s. Continue reading to learn his motivations to join the ANC and his early efforts within the party.
What is a controlling idea? What role does it play in a story? How many should one story have? A controlling idea, Robert McKee argues, is the glue that holds a story together. In his book Story, he explains why it’s important and how it works. He also shows writers how to connect all of the scenes of a story to the controlling idea. Continue reading to learn what McKee teaches about this important aspect of a story.
What does it mean to get a “good deal” on a product? What’s the natural price of a good? When supply and demand are in equilibrium, goods will be sold for their natural price. Adam Smith explains that the natural price is the cost of bringing a good to market. He discusses this concept in his classic work The Wealth of Nations. Read more to understand natural price and the three primary costs that determine it.
What was prison like for Nelson Mandela? Why didn’t he try to escape? Nelson Mandela spent a total of 27 years in three prisons. He endured the worst 18 of those years, from 1964 to 1982, in Robben Island Prison. He writes about the experience in his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom. Read more to learn about Robben Island, Mandela’s first prison.
What are some common biases and fallacies that you should be aware of? What’s a logic tree, and how can it help you make decisions? The book Critical Thinking, Logic & Problem Solving explains the process of critical thinking and shows how to apply critical thinking to solve problems more effectively. The book also explores how to craft logical and effective communication and stories. Continue reading for an overview of this highly practical book.
What are the various pieces of a story? How do they all fit together? According to Robert McKee, story structure is a critical element of the most impactful stories. They follow a consistent pattern that organizes all of the devices, such as escalating risk and a coherent theme, that make up the story. Continue reading to learn what McKee teaches about story structure.
What role does self-interest play in capital lending? How is it good for the economy as a whole? According to Adam Smith, capital grows a nation’s wealth. He identifies two main reasons. First, the self-interest of the capital lender encourages them to invest in productive labor. Second, the self-interest of the lender guides them to invest in less-developed portions of the economy and help them develop. Keep reading to learn how lending capital for profit plays an essential role in growing the wealth of nations.
Why was Nelson Mandela arrested? Why didn’t he receive the death penalty? At first, Nelson Mandela wanted to fight apartheid peacefully. Nonviolent efforts went nowhere, so he created a guerilla group that shook things up. This ultimately led to his arrest in 1962. Continue reading to learn about the arrest of Nelson Mandela.