The World's Best Book Summaries
What is it like to live with bipolar depression disorder? What experiences did Kay Redfield Jamison share in An Unquiet Mind? Bipolar depression disorder is a two-sided illness. One side of the coin involves episodes of joy and clarity, while the other is despair and confusion. Read about Kay Redfield Jamison’s experience living with bipolar depression disorder, as she recounts it in her memoir An Unquiet Mind.
What is intersectional racism? How do different identities collide to create further discrimination against marginalized groups? Intersectional racism is a term that covers a variety of different types of racism, each combining race with another identity. How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi identifies class, gender, and sexual orientation as intersecting with race. Keep reading to understand intersectional racism and some examples of it from How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi.
What is natural aggression? Do all humans have natural aggression and how can you tell? All people have some form of natural aggression, but we don’t like to admit to having this emotion. But once we recognize our natural aggression, we can learn how to counter it. Read more about natural aggression and where it comes from.
Is there such a thing as healthy narcissism? How can someone become a healthy narcissist. Healthy narcissism is when a narcissist uses their strong self image and projects outward, casting empathy so that they’re not the center of attention. All narcissists should strive for healthy narcissism. Read more about healthy narcissism and how to achieve it.
Can bipolar be genetic? More generally, what role does genetics play in mental illness? Dr. Jamison, a clinical psychologist and professor of psychiatry, was fascinated with the study of genetic predisposition to bipolar disorder. In light of her mental illness lineage, she couldn’t help but wonder, “Can bipolar be genetic?” Keep reading for the answer to the question: can bipolar be genetic?
What is short sighted thinking? How can short sighted thinking be harmful to us? Short sighted thinking, or short term thinking, is when you don’t think through long term consequences of your action. Instead, you focus on short term benefits. Read more about short sighted thinking and how it can lead to long term consequences.
What is high performance? How do successful people achieve high performance in their areas of focus? Brendon Burchard defines high performance as consistent and continued success and growth at a high level. In his view, people who consistently achieve high performance owe it to their practice of certain deliberate habits. Read about what it takes to achieve high performance, according to personal development coach Brendon Burchard.
Are there different types of negative attitudes? How are they different from one another and how can you tell if you have one? There are five different types of negative attitudes. Each one can be harmful so it’s helpful to identify it and learn how to manage it. Read more about these different types of negative attitudes and how to identify them.
Why do people want what they can’t have? Are people doomed to always be unsatisfied? The question “why do people want what they can’t have” can be answered with the grass-is-greener syndrome. This is the idea that we are motivated by desire, not satisfaction, and it’s impossible for us to be happy with what we have. Keep reading to find out the answer to the question, “why do people want what they can’t have?”
What does it mean to be closeted? How is this explored in the book Fun Home? Throughout most of Fun Home, Alison makes it clear that her father was a closeted gay or bisexual man. Later, Alison comes out to her family as a lesbian. Read more about how Alison Bechdel explores what it means to be closeted, through her own experience and through her father.