The World's Best Book Summaries
Who is Walter McMillian in the book Just Mercy? Why is his case so famous? In Just Mercy, Walter McMillian is described as an inmate who was wrongfully convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death. Lawyer and author Bryan Stevenson took an interest in McMillian’s case since he believed racial bias was involved in his conviction. Continue reading to learn more about the McMillian case, from the initial arrest to freedom.
What was Nelson Mandela’s childhood like? Why, exactly, did he go to prison? What legacy did he leave? Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela chronicles his extraordinary life story. Mandela is known as one of history’s great peacemakers, but his own life wasn’t a peaceful one. He had to fight, every step of the way. Continue reading for an overview of this important book, along with a short exercise to reflect on what you’ve read.
How did Nelson Mandela get involved in the struggle against apartheid? Why didn’t he stick to nonviolent methods? Nelson Mandela fought against South Africa’s racist government policies and its system of apartheid from the 1940s to the 1960s. He then spent 27 years in prison, where he became a worldwide symbol of the South African struggle for freedom. He tells his story in Long Walk to Freedom. Continue reading to see three Long Walk to Freedom quotes that provide insight into Mandela and his life.
Should we expect a New World Order one of these days? Are the Illuminati behind it? Are aliens involved? In Behold a Pale Horse, William Cooper lays out his belief, based on his own research and the writings of other conspiracists, that the world is secretly ruled by a shadowy organization known as the Illuminati. He explains their goals and methods to bring about the New World Order. Keep reading for an overview of this intriguing book.
What is I Contain Multitudes by Ed Yong about? Aside from common microorganisms, how do the trillions of other microbes affect us and the environment? I Contain Multitudes by Ed Yong is about the mysterious and fascinating world of microbes. In the book, Yong claims that although we often think of ourselves as individuals, we’re essentially walking ecosystems containing countless species of microbes living in symbiotic partnership with us. Read on for a brief overview of I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us by Ed Yong.
According to Adam Smith, how are humans different from dogs? What’s the real price of something? How did Smith regard taxation? Adam Smith, an 18th-century Scottish philosopher, is widely considered one of the founding fathers of capitalism. Published in 1776, his book The Wealth of Nations makes the case for free markets and individual self-interest as the best ways to grow a nation’s economy. Continue reading for several quotes from The Wealth of Nations that give you a good idea of the book’s ideas.
Are you looking for the key to a joyful life? How will these The Book of Joy quotes help you find the answer? The Book of Joy, written by Douglas Abrams, documents a week-long conversation between Archbishop Desmond Tutu and His Holiness the Dalai Lama about the nature of joy. The conversation, facilitated by Abrams, took place in 2015, leading up to the celebration of the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday. Let’s look at some quotes from The Book of Joy to give you a better picture of Tutu and the Dalai Lama’s teachings.
How can you naturally reduce inflammation in your body? What’s the best way to rebalance your gut bacteria? Is it possible to reverse hormonal imbalances? In the Super Human book, Dave Asprey draws on advancements in anti-aging science to explore ways to slow down and reverse the aging process, optimize your mental and physical health, and extend your lifespan. He shares practical advice on how to keep your body young. Continue reading for an overview of Super Human by Dave Asprey.
Do you have to deal with narcissists in your life? What are the best books on narcissism to fight entitlement? Self-love is an admirable trait to have, but sometimes people take it too far. Excessive self-love can lead to narcissism, which means someone admires themselves too much and usually lacks empathy for others. To learn how to deal with selfish people, here are the eight best books on narcissism.
Why do people love stories? What’s story theory? What’s the difference between text and subtext? In Robert McKee’s book Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting, he discusses what makes a story good, the elements of a story, and how a story is structured. He also shares his recommended writing process. Here’s our overview of McKee’s guide for screenwriters, which covers fundamental principles that apply to any kind of storytelling.