Shortform Books

Jim Yong Kim: The Case for Cheaper Antibiotics

Who is Jim Yong Kim in Mountains Beyond Mountains? How did he contribute to lowering the price of antibiotics for treating multi-drug resistant tuberculosis? Jim Yong Kim is a Korean-American physician who co-founded Partners in Health, a non-profit organization committed to bringing medical care to those in need. Kim helped increase access to treatment for MDR tuberculosis. Read more to learn how Jim Yong Kim contributed to lowering the price of antibiotics for MDR TB treatment.

Fun Home Characters: 6 People You Should Know

Who are the Fun Home characters in Alison Bechdel’s graphic memoir? How did each of these characters shape Alison’s life? These Fun Home characters are Alison’s family members and notable people she mentioned throughout the book. Alison’s family was distant from one another, particularly her father. Read more about the Fun Home characters and their roles in the book.

What Does it Mean to Live Purposefully?

What does it mean to live purposefully? What are the four elements of purposeful living? To live purposefully means to pursue things that hold personal meaning in in your life. There are four elements of purposeful living: enthusiasm, connection, satisfaction, and coherence. Keep reading to understand what it means to live purposefully.

Generational Influences: Why We All Act Our Age

What are generational influences and how do they shape us? How does your generation affect the way you see the world? Generational influences are when people are collectively influenced by the time period in which they were born. These influences tend to bond people across the whole generation, forming a large social group. Read more about generational influences and how they work.

Signs of Mania in Bipolar Disorder: Kay Jamison’s Story

What are the signs of mania? How does mania manifest in everyday life? In her memoir An Unquiet Mind, Kay Jamison recounts her struggles with bipolar disorder, which hit in her senior year of high school. This is when she experienced her first signs of mania. Read about Kay Jamison’s experiences and signs of mania as she rode the emotional roller coaster of bipolar disorder.

Sophie in Eat Pray Love: A New Friend in Italy

Who is Sophie in Eat Pray Love? How do she and Elizabeth Gilbert meet and what is Sophie’s role in the story? Sophie in Eat Pray Love was a Swedish woman who Elizabeth met in Rome. Together, they made friends, ate delicious food, and explored the country. Read more about Sophie in Eat Pray Love and her friendship with Elizabeth Gilbert.

Biological Racism: There Is No Genetic Superiority

What is biological racism? How does it use biology and genetics to rationalize the superiority of one race over another? Biological racism is the idea that one race is better than another because of the biology of that race. But How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi notes that there are no biological or genetic differences between races. Keep reading to understand biological racism, how it started, and Ibram X. Kendi’s experiences with it.

Google, 10X Thinking, and Customer Acquisition

What is the relationship between Google and 10X thinking? How does Google represent 10X thinking? At Google, 10X thinking is a natural part of their business model. In particular, they approach the issue of acquiring customers with 10X in mind. Read more about Google, 10X thinking, and the issue customer acquisition versus customer satisfaction.

The Blue Vein Society and The History of Colorism

What was the Blue Vein Society? How did the Society and the one drop of blood rule demonstrate colorism in the 19th century? The Blue Vein Society was a type of organization that aimed to identify who was “white enough” to be considered white. If your skin was so dark you couldn’t see blue veins through it, you were not considered white. Read on to learn more about colorism with the Blue Vein Society and the one drop of blood rule.

Ketut Liyer: Medicine Man Starts and Ends Liz’s Journey

Who is Ketut Liyer? What is his role in the book Eat Pray Love? Ketut Liyer is a medicine man in Bali and an important figure in Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir, Eat Pray Love. Ketut Liyer is partly responsible for sparking Elizabeth’s journey to find herself. Read more about Eat Pray Love and Ketut Liyer.