The World's Best Book Summaries
Can water cooler conversations be productive? How important are routines at work? Are flexible schedules good for productivity? When employees don’t know what to expect, they expend valuable brain energy that could be used for productivity instead. Whether you’re a manager or not, you can contribute to creating mental comfort zones at work. Read more to learn four ways to get and keep consistency in the workplace.
What’s the best virtue? What’s the worst sin? Why? According to C. S. Lewis, humility is the most important Christian virtue. Its opposite—pride—is the greatest sin. In his classic book, Mere Christianity, Lewis explains why pride is so dangerous. Keep reading for a brief discussion of humility and pride from Lewis’s perspective, along with an explanation of the difference between pride and self-esteem, as understood by psychologists.
What exactly is moderation? When should we practice moderation, and when should we practice abstinence instead? God calls on everyone to choose good over evil, but how do we know what is “good”? In Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis argues that Christianity instructs us to be good by following Christian virtues, or moral principles that can be applied to a wide range of situations. One of these is moderation. Continue reading to understand Lewis’s take on the virtue of moderation, including his perspective on sexuality.
What’s the best way to start your work day? How should you handle stressful situations at work? How can you break through a creative impasse? In Your Brain at Work, David Rock argues that, by understanding the neuroscience behind the brain’s functions, you can increase your productivity by working with your brain’s natural rhythms. He shares the neuroscience you need to know and some strategies to optimize this knowledge. Keep reading for our overview of this interesting and practical book that will help you get the most out of your work day.
Do you believe that you are responsible for your own actions, even if the outcomes aren’t what you intended? Do you feel justified in making excuses? Courage involves saying and doing the right thing. This includes taking responsibility for your words and actions, even when they lead to negative outcomes. Ryan Holiday writes about this aspect of Stoic courage in his book Courage Is Calling. Continue reading to understand how you must accept responsibility for what you say and do, no matter what.
How does the Federal Reserve System affect the economy? Should it be abolished? If so, how? In his book The Creature from Jekyll Island, Edward Griffin argues that much of what the Federal Reserve does is contrary to the best interests of the American people. He lays out a case that the Fed harms the economy, and he offers a strategy to abolish the system. Continue reading for an overview of this thought-provoking book.
What were Soviet prison labor camps like? Why was The Gulag Archipelago so courageous and impactful? What lessons does it hold for us today? The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn describes life in Soviet prison labor camps from the late 1910s to the mid-50s. It exposed human rights abuses by the Soviet Union, counteracting decades of propaganda. Today, it acts as a warning of how governments can use violence, paranoia, and repression to control and exploit their citizens. Keep reading for an overview of this important book and an exercise you can use to apply Solzhenitsyn’s lessons to the modern
Do you treat people the way you want them to treat you? Do you forgive those who hurt you? The Bible calls people to love both their neighbors and their enemies. This love includes God’s spirit of forgiveness. In Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis discusses these Christian virtues that inform how we regard and treat people. Read more to understand Lewis’s view on Christian love and forgiveness.
Do you consider yourself to be brave? What if you cultivated more courage in your life? In Courage Is Calling: Fortune Favors the Brave, Ryan Holiday teaches the meaning of courage through the lens of Stoicism. He argues that every person has the innate ability to be courageous. When you overcome fear and choose to do the right thing every day, you can effect positive change in the world. Keep reading for an overview of this inspiring and practical book.
What was life in a gulag like? What was the worst part? How effective were the attempts to fight back? Throughout The Gulag Archipelago, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn emphasizes that the worst aspect of imprisonment was not the brutal conditions or mistreatment—but its inherent hopelessness. The only thing prisoners could focus on was survival, and this, again, often required them to steal from and abuse others. Continue reading to learn about life in a gulag from Solzhenitsyn’s perspective.