The World's Best Book Summaries
Who was Albert Dussel? What was the relationship between him and Anne Frank? Albert Dussel was a local dentist and an acquaintance of the Franks. He joined the Annex in early November 1942. Initially, Anne took a liking to Dussel, but as time went on, their relationship deteriorated. Read about Albert Dussel, his relationship with Anne Frank, and other residents of the Secret Annex.
What was former Disney CEO Michael Eisner like? How did Eisner revitalize Disney and then almost cause its downfall? Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner revitalized Disney, partially by putting its abundant assets to work and partially by expanding their footprint. However, his micromanagement and pessimism led to tensions with board members and ruined potential business deals. Continue on to read about former Disney CEO Michael Eisner’s rise and fall within Disney.
Who were the leading Orientalist scholars? How did their works influence the common perceptions of East Asian cultures? As a scholarly discipline, Orientalism emerged in the late 18th-century when the study of East Asian societies became the major focus of academic attention in Europe. Orientalist scholars specialized in the study of languages, cultures, and modes of thought of the Eastern World. Read about the most influential Orientalist scholars and their role in shaping the common perceptions of East Asian societies.
Who were the van Daans in The Diary of a Young Girl? What was their relationship with the other residents of the Annex? The van Daans are a Jewish family that hid alongside the Franks in the attic attachment of Otto Frank’s business premises (the Secret Annex). Mr. and Mrs. van Daan constantly fought with each other and with the other residents of the Annex. As for Peter, he and Anne ended up developing romantic feelings for each other. Read about the van Daans family and their life in the Secret Annex.
How did things change after Disney bought ABC? Why did Mike Ovitz fail as president of Disney? In his memoir The Ride of a Lifetime, Bob Iger talks about the struggles he went through when Disney bought ABC. Iger should have been first in line to become Disney’s new president, but Disney’s CEO Michael Eisner gave the position to his friend, Mike Ovitz instead. Keep reading to learn about how Disney bought ABC and Bob Iger was shoved to the side due to nepotism.
What is modern Orientalism? What differentiates it from its old, pre-war state? What was the change that spurred this differentiation? When scholars talk about modern Orientalism, they typically refer to the state of the discipline after WWI. It was at that time that there was a shift in the core assumptions of the subject, specifically the notion that the people of the Orient were unchanging through time. Keep reading to learn more about modern Orientalism.
How long was Anne Frank in hiding? What was life like in the Secret Annex? Anne Frank spent over two years in the Secret Annex. While in hiding, Anne Frank kept a personal diary where she documented her life including her experiences and her fears. Keep reading to learn about Anne Frank’s life in hiding.
Who is Antoine Isaac Silvestre de Sacy? What role did he play in the Oriental Studies of the nineteenth century? Antoine Isaac Silvestre de Sacy (1758-1838) was a French nobleman, linguist, and Orientalist scholar. He is widely regarded within European academic circles for his work in translating Arabic as well as his success as a leading Orientalist. Read about Antoine Isaac Silvestre de Sacy’s career and contributions.
What is the story of Anne Frank? How did her life change when the Nazis occupied Holland in 1940? In The Diary of a Young Girl, Anne Frank tells the story of her life in the Annex, an attic apartment where she was hiding with her family during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The diary was preserved by Anne’s friend, Miep Gies, and shared for publication by her father after the war. Here is a brief overview of Anne Frank’s story.
What is romantic Orientalism? What influence did Orientalism have on the movement of romanticism in the West? The movement of romantic Orientalism dates back to the first half of the 19the century. By revealing the ancient mysteries of the East, the Romantics sought to shake the West out of what they saw as its materialistic stupor and reacquaint it with the divine and mysterious. Keep reading to learn more about romantic orientalism.