Shortform Books

The Ups & Downs of Jennette McCurdy’s Bulimia Recovery

How did Jennette McCurdy recover from bulimia? What led her to bulimia in the first place? Like child star Jennette McCurdy, many people around the world suffer from bulimia. For McCurdy, hers began as a result of her mother restricting her calories when she was a child, but McCurdy had a hard time believing her mother was harming her. Discover the tremendous story of Jennette McCurdy’s bulimia recovery, as described in her memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died.

Alexander Hamilton and the Constitution—What Role Did He Play?

How did Alexander Hamilton influence the US Constitution? What part did he play in the Revolutionary War? Hamilton was one of George Washington’s most trusted allies in the Revolutionary War. As noted in Ron Chernow’s biography of him, this led to Hamilton becoming an admired delegate at the Constitutional Convention. Continuing reading to learn about the relationship between George Washington and Alexander Hamilton, the Constitution’s beginnings, and post-war reconstruction.

The Marginal Value Theorem In Relation to Humans

What is the marginal value theorem? Why is technology so distracting? To explain technology’s impact on interference and the brain, The Distracted Mind by Adam Gazzaley and Larry D. Rosen looks to the marginal value theorem. The MVT is used to examine food habits in animals but can be applied to humans’ excessive use of technology. Find out more about the marginal value theorem here.

Blue Mind by Wallace J. Nichols: Book Overview & Takeaways

Why are humans so drawn to water? How do we benefit by looking at, being near, and being in water? In Blue Mind, Wallace J. Nichols argues that water has a profound impact on our well-being and health because it induces a calming, meditative state he refers to as Blue Mind. He shares ways we can enjoy water’s benefits and discusses the challenges that some face in having access to water. Continue reading for an overview of this book that will have you thinking about water in a new way.

The Effects of Extreme Heat & How Cities Can Adapt

What’s behind the Earth’s rising temperatures? What are the effects of extreme heat? How can governments address the looming crisis? Global temperatures will hit record highs in the next five years, according to a report released last month by the World Meteorological Organization. There’s a 98% chance that in one of these years, the Earth will reach the hottest temperatures ever recorded. Keep reading to learn more about the impacts of extreme heat and what can be done to counter it.

Trust in Marketing: The Basis of Profitability (Seth Godin)

How important is trust in marketing? How can you concretely build it and keep it? In Permission Marketing, Seth Godin discusses two approaches: Interruption Marketing and Permission Marketing. Both owe their profitability to the fact that they built customer trust in a brand. However, Godin asserts that Permission Marketing builds trust in a far more cost-effective way. Read more to learn about building customer trust through Godin’s permission model.

John List’s The Voltage Effect: Book Overview & Takeaways

Is your idea scalable? If so, what’s the best way to scale it over time? In his book The Voltage Effect, John List uses the word “voltage” to describe the power and momentum of scalable ideas. He lays out a framework for building and preserving your idea’s voltage as you scale. Continue reading for an overview of John List’s The Voltage Effect.

The Third Door: Alex Banayan Uncovers the Mindset of Success

How do people like Steven Spielberg and Bill Gates succeed? What lessons from their lives and careers can you apply to your own? In The Third Door, Alex Banayan writes that success is like a nightclub with three doors. He argues that the third door is the best—and really, only—route to getting ahead of the crowd. He learned this from interviewing (and trying to interview) several wildly successful people. Continue reading for an overview of Banayan’s book, and find out what “the third door” is.

How to Choose a Topic & Develop Ideas for Maximum Impact

Have you been asked to give a speech or write an article? How should select the subject matter and flesh out what you’re going to say? In Public Speaking for Success, Dale Carnegie shares advice on how to choose a topic and develop ideas. While his tips are provided in the context of public speaking, they’re applicable to essays, books, and more. Continue reading to learn how to figure out what topic and ideas you should present.

Warren Buffett’s Intrinsic Value Formula: How He Finds Good Deals

How does Warren Buffett determine what companies he should invest in? Why does he look for a margin of safety? One of Warren Buffett’s investing strategies is to buy stock in companies that are undervalued. In order to identify such companies, he calculates a company’s intrinsic value. Then, he translates that value into a margin of safety. Keep reading to learn Warren Buffett’s intrinsic value formula, as described in The Warren Buffett Way by investment professional Robert G. Hagstrom.