The World's Best Book Summaries
Are you your own worst enemy? Do you tend to make excuses for why you’re not pursuing your dreams? In her book The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron shares practical advice on how to overcome limiting beliefs: ground yourself, disprove your belief, and use positive affirmations. Although her book is aimed at artists, her advice on this topic can apply to anyone. Keep reading to get the details on Cameron’s advice.
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.
Do you feel stuck in your artistry? What’s standing between you and what you want to produce? Are you blocking your own creativity? A major step in cultivating artistry is overcoming negative thoughts and behaviors that block your connection to the creative force. Julia Cameron discusses three major barriers that prevent people from reaching their artistic destiny: perfectionism, limiting beliefs, and addictions. Let’s look at these blocks to creativity and how to overcome them.
Why does Weena become attached to the Time Traveller? What does she represent in the story? The Time Machine is a story about a scientist who travels into the distant future. He finds that humanity has evolved into two separate species—the childlike Eloi and the bestial Morlocks. One of the Eloi latches on to him and leaves a lasting impression. Read more to learn about Weena, The Time Machine’s promise of hope for the future.
How far into the future does H.G. Wells’s Time Traveller go? What kind of people (or creatures) does he encounter? Are they friends or foes? In H.G. Wells’s science fiction classic The Time Machine, a Time Traveller goes to the distant future. There, he finds that humanity has evolved into two separate species—the childlike Eloi and the bestial Morlocks. Continue reading to travel to the year A.D. 802701 and meet the Eloi and Morlocks.
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.
Have you ever taken your inner artist on a date? Does the concept intrigue you? According to Julia Cameron, artist dates are a must for anyone who wants to cultivate their creativity. They provide essential ingredients—including solitude, inspiration, and reflection—that help you unleash your inner artist. Keep reading to learn how weekly artist dates can spark creativity.
Are you content in your career, or are you itching to make a change? Are you worried about where the job market is headed and wonder how to maintain a competitive edge? Your job is a big part of your life. The more thoughtful and strategic you are about it, the more rewarding it can be. We’ve put together 40 career questions that will help you evaluate your career, assess your professional self, navigate career challenges, and plan for a second career. Continue reading for these questions that could set you up for greater success and fulfillment.