Shortform Books

Abraham Lincoln’s Stance on Slavery & Its Historical Context

What’s the difference between abolition and emancipation? Why didn’t Abraham Lincoln support a federal mandate to free slaves? In And There Was Light, historian and biographer Jon Meacham discusses Abraham Lincoln’s stance on slavery. He explains where Lincoln’s beliefs came from and the actions he took in an effort to end the practice in the United States. Read more to learn about the Great Emancipator’s views and actions in relation to slavery.

Sam Bankman-Fried’s Personality: A Lifelong Social Outcast

How many childhood friends did Sam Bankman-Fried have? On what rare occasion did he wear a suit? In his recent biography Going Infinite, Michael Lewis provides a rare glimpse into the inner workings of Sam Bankman-Fried’s life. Lewis writes about the time before Bankman-Fried became a crypto mogul, explaining why he spent his life as a social outcast. Read more to understand Sam Bankman-Fried’s personality.

Breaking Down the Top 7 Qualities of a Good Salesperson

Do you want to boost your sales numbers? What are the qualities of a good salesperson? There’s no perfect formula that guarantees you’ll make a sale every time, but there are qualities that can push you toward success. Effective salespeople cultivate these core characteristics that improve their chances of closing a sale. Check out the seven qualities of a good salesperson and how to exhibit them on the job.

6 Qualities of an Effective Teacher That Set You Apart

Do you want to make a lasting impression on your students? What are the qualities of an effective teacher? Teachers are among the most important people in our lives. Not only do they prepare children for the real world, but they set students up for success and provide them with valuable skills. If you want to be someone who positively impacts the lives of students, uphold these six qualities of an effective teacher.

The 16 Best Books for Students: From Middle School to College

What are the best books for students to read? What types of books are recommended for middle school students vs. college undergraduates? School can be tough to get through. With all the papers, tests, and subjects to pass, a few books outside of your curricula may come in handy, no matter what grade you’re in. We’ve compiled a list of the best books for students of middle school, high school, and college levels.

The Importance of Employee Benefits & Supporting Workers

How to Be Persuasive and Always Get What You Want

What’s the importance of employee benefits? What types of benefits do employees deserve? Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson recommend supplying your team with generous benefits to make them want to stay at your company for the long haul. Retaining your current employees by offering them benefits is more effective than replacing them. Check out the reasons why it’s better to offer more benefits than replace employees.

Rising Strong by Brené Brown: Book Overview & Takeaways

Do you sometimes lash out or get angry at small things? How can emotional setbacks help you grow? In Rising Strong, Brené Brown says that the key to fulfillment is pursuing wholeheartedness, a way of life that fosters self-worth. Yet emotional setbacks such as heartbreak and loss can prevent you from being brave and cultivating meaningful relationships. Read below for a brief overview of Rising Strong.

Ageless: Book Overview and Takeaways (Andrew Steele)

What’s Ageless by Andrew Steele about? Is there a way to slow down aging altogether? Though we don’t like to think about it, we’re all going to get old. But in Ageless, Andrew Steele contends that aging isn’t as inevitable as it seems. Read below for a brief Ageless book overview.

Nick Bostrom’s Superintelligence: Overview & Takeaways

What’s Nick Bostrom’s Superintelligence about? Could artificial intelligence ever surpass human intelligence? According to Oxford philosopher Nick Bostrom’s book Superintelligence, there’s a very real possibility that AI could one day rival, and then vastly exceed, human intelligence. When and if this happens, the future of humankind will depend more on AI-generated decisions than human decisions. Read below for a brief overview of Superintelligence by Nick Bostrom.

Peter Drucker: Innovation and Management’s Connection

How do management and innovation go hand-in-hand? Where does innovation come from? Managers are responsible for keeping an organization afloat. In addition, says Peter Drucker, innovation is required by managers to steer their business toward the future, which requires experimenting with new ideas. Here’s how managers can use innovation to put their business on the right path.