The World's Best Book Summaries
Why did Henry David Thoreau plant beans at Walden? How did his bean field occupy so much of his time? In the 1840s, Henry David Thoreau built a cabin at Walden Pond, on the outskirts of Concord, Massachusetts, and lived there for two years. While we usually think of Thoreau spending time in the woods, he spent a considerable amount of time in his field. Keep reading to learn about the Walden bean field and what it provided Thoreau.
Who were the Jagat Seths? How did they make their money—and how did they use it to influence Mughal India? The Jagat Seths were one of Mughal India’s wealthiest and most influential families. They used their wealth and power to shape the political scene, financially backing coups in collusion with the East India Company. Read more to learn about the powerful Jagat Seth family of financiers.
How did the apple become one of America’s favorite fruits? Who first brought apples to the United States? Where did the idea of “apple picking” originate from? There’s no fruit more quintessentially American than the apple. We snack on apples year-round, pick them at orchards each fall, and bake them into pies at Thanksgiving. However, their lack of genetic diversity may pose a problem in the near future. Keep reading for a brief history of apples in America and the problems they face.
Who was Mir Jafar? Was he just a puppet of the East India Company and the British? How is he regarded today? Mir Jafar served as a military general before becoming the first Nawab of Bengal under the authority of the British East India Company, making him the first ruler of the region dependent on the British for power. He’s a complicated figure with a problematic reputation still today. Keep reading to learn the intriguing history of Mir Jafar.
What’s Barbra Streisand’s background? How does she view herself? What does she value most? My Name Is Barbra, Barbra Streisand’s memoir, tells us about the personal and professional life of one of the most successful and well-rounded performers in history. In addition to her career, Streisand is also known for being a feminist, environmentalist, and philanthropist. Continue reading for an overview of this 1,000-page autobiography.
Who were the Transcendentalists? What did they believe? What’s their legacy? Transcendentalism was a 19th-century movement in New England. The Transcendentalists, predominantly philosophers and writers, believed in the goodness of humans and nature and promoted the idea that following your intuition enables you to find meaning in your life. Read more to learn about the Transcendentalists and their ideas.
Who was Shah Alam? How did he come to power? Was his rule legitimate? Shah Alam, a prince of the Mughal Empire, aided the British East India Company’s (EIC) takeover of Bengal. However, after playing a messy chess game with the company and Mughal rivals, Alam ended up becoming a figurehead ruler controlled by the EIC. Continue reading to learn the history of Shah Alam—specifically, his complicated political journey from a young Mughal royal, to a facilitator of British rule, to a titular leader stripped of his autonomy.
Did Henry David Thoreau build the cabin he lived in at Walden Pond? How much did it cost him? What famous philosopher owned the land? We often focus on the philosophical reasons why Henry David Thoreau went to the woods to live and think little about the logistical aspects of such a move. Before he could make Walden his home, he had to turn a patch of woods into a cabin. Read more to learn about Henry David Thoreau’s cabin at Walden Pond.
Who won the Anglo-Mysore wars? What impact did the wars have on India? After the East India Company (EIC) established itself in Bengal, it began to assert itself on the larger stage of regional powers vying for control of the greater Indian subcontinent. The EIC rose to power in greater India through a series of wars against two major powers: the Mysore Sultanate and the Maratha Confederacy. Let’s take a look at a brief history of the Anglo-Mysore wars.
What did Thoreau do at Walden Pond? Did he spend all of his time in nature? How did he make a living? In the 1840s, Henry David Thoreau built a cabin at Walden Pond in the woods of eastern Massachusetts and lived there for two years. During that time, he walked in the woods and connected with nature, kept a large garden, worked odd jobs, read books, journaled, went into town, and entertained guests. Keep reading to learn more about these activities that Thoreau did at Walden Pond.