Shortform Books

Barbra Streisand’s Film Career: Highlights From Hollywood

An Academy Award statue standing in the middle of two film reels.

In what way does Barbra Streisand prefer her film performances to her stage performances? What insecurity did she have in relation to her first film? Perhaps movies aren’t the first thing you think of when you consider Barbra Streisand’s long career. But, she found success in Hollywood just as she did on Broadway and in the music charts. She writes about her Hollywood acting career in her memoir My Name Is Barbra. Read more to learn the highlights of Barbra Streisand’s film career.

Impacts of the National Association of Realtors Lawsuit

What does the National Association of Realtors lawsuit mean for major brokerages? What changes could the verdict realistically bring about? Who stands to benefit if commissions drop? In October, a federal antitrust lawsuit verdict found the National Association of Realtors and other big brokerages guilty of colluding to inflate home selling commissions. Experts forecast a substantial shakeup in the industry. Below we’ll take a look at the National Association of Realtors lawsuit and what it means for brokerages and home buyers alike.

Your Inner Artist: 5 Steps to Tap Into It (Julia Cameron)

A man surrounded by gears as he unleashes his inner artist.

How is artistry a spiritual practice? What, exactly, is art? Is there any untapped creativity inside you? In The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron asserts that your inner artist is your deeper creative self that contains your seemingly crazy ideas, raw emotions, dreams, desires, and so on. This is a conduit for the creative force. The more intimate you are with this self, the more creative and artistically guided you’ll be. Keep reading to learn Cameron’s five-step process for connecting with your inner artist.

Barbra Streisand’s Career: Highlights From Her Memoir

How did Barbra Streisand’s career begin? What awards has she won? How has she combined her talents and style to achieve unique success? Barbra Streisand has been in the spotlight for decades. Although she’s made waves in her personal life, her career as a performer is what she’s best known for. In her autobiography, she writes about her remarkable professional achievements and the manager who recognized her talent from the start. Read more to learn about Barbra Streisand’s career in theater, as a singer, on television, and in movies.

Pesticide Regulation: Silent Spring’s Life-Changing Difference

A poison bottle with a pesticides regulation warning.

What’s the current status of pesticide regulation? Why was the public unaware of the dangers of pesticides in the 20th century? Rachel Carson’s groundbreaking book Silent Spring influenced governments to take a closer look at the chemical makeup of pesticides. Even though pesticide spraying is still controversial today, there’s no doubt her book made a difference in the environmental community. Keep reading to learn how public and government opinions on pesticides have changed.

Elon Musk’s Tesla Cybertruck: Can It Save Tesla?

What led to the Cybertruck’s protracted production problems? How vital is the vehicle’s success to Tesla’s business strategy? Does the polarizing truck have breakout potential or niche appeal? Elon Musk’s Tesla Cybertruck, unveiled recently, has been besieged by production challenges, largely associated with the company’s use of the notoriously difficult-to-manipulate hardened stainless steel. Tesla confronts economic headwinds and slipping market share, and hopes the Cybertruck can ignite sales growth. Here’s a look at the Cybertruck’s production issues and why sales are so vital for Tesla.

Deflation in America: A Cause for Celebration or Concern?

Is deflation in America a good or bad thing? How does it impact American households and the broader economy? In mid-November, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon and investor Cathie Wood flagged the potential of a deflationary period in the US, citing shifting consumer behavior and falling prices. Deflation, while promising lower prices for consumers, can signal a slowing economy and lead to wage cuts, job losses, and potentially a recession. Here’s a look at what deflation would mean for US citizens.

The Rise of the East India Company: From Traders to Rulers

The rise of East India Company illustrated with soldiers and ships on water.

How did England’s East India Company get so powerful? How did it pave the way for colonial rule in India? In his book The Anarchy, historian William Dalrymple traces the ascent of the English East India Company. Originally a modest group of traders, the company transformed over the 17th and 18th centuries into an imperial powerhouse that imposed British rule across the Indian subcontinent. Continue reading to learn about the fascinating rise of the East India Company.

2023 US Holiday Sales Show a Complicated Economy

Is holiday spending breaking records or masking economic troubles? What’s the outlook for shopping trends? How are retailers being impacted? US holiday sales over Thanksgiving topped $10 billion online, but growth lags behind previous years. Shoppers are flocking to discount retailers, leaving traditional stores in the cold. “Buy now, pay later” programs are gaining traction, offering relief and risks for strained consumers. Continue reading to learn what the holiday sales numbers say about the US economy.

Walden (Life in the Woods): Overview of Thoreau’s Classic

What did Henry David Thoreau expect when he went to live in the woods? How did the experience affect him? Walden (Life in the Woods) is Henry David Thoreau’s book about the life he lived, alone, in the woods of eastern Massachusetts. More than 160 years after it was first published in 1854, people still read and find inspiration in this memoir. Continue reading for an overview of this classic book.