Shortform Books

What Is a Refrigerium? The Origin of the Eucharist

What is a “refrigerium”? What was the meaning behind the rituals performed during the refrigerium ceremony? The refrigerium was an ancient Roman custom conducted by female priestesses and centered on the consumption of wine. The function of these rituals was originally the commemoration of the dead, but over time, it evolved into remembering the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Keep reading to learn about the refrigerium, its meaning and function, and its connection to the Christian Eucharist.

Hacking Growth by Sean Ellis & Morgan Brown: Book Overview

What is Sean Ellis and Morgan Brown’s Hacking Growth about? What is the key message to take away from the book? In Hacking Growth, Sean Ellis and Morgan Brown present a non-traditional method for driving your business’s growth. Their method has helped top tech companies go from small startups to billion-dollar giants. Dubbed “growth hacking,” it entails focused and rapid experimentation to continually optimize your business for growth. Below is a brief overview of Hacking Growth by Sean Ellis and Morgan Brown.

Captivate: The Science of Succeeding With People—Overview

Do you feel awkward in social situations? Do you know how to have interesting conversations and get people to like you? In Captivate: The Science of Succeeding With People, best-selling author Vanessa Van Edwards provides strategies to help you become a social superstar. By taking control of social situations and presenting your best self, you can dazzle the people you want to know and forge meaningful relationships. Keep reading for our overview of this practical and encouraging book, including an exercise that will help you prepare for social success.

What Are the Main Causes of Poverty? A Christian View

What are the main causes of poverty? How do your relationships affect your financial mindset? Despite poverty’s complexity, Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert (the authors of When Helping Hurts) argue that we can trace all of its components back to one source. This source is a breakdown of a person’s relationships with God, self, others, and the rest of creation. Let’s look at how these four relationships can cause poverty, according to Corbett and Fikkert.

The Origin and History of Globalization (The World Is Flat)

What are the origin and history of globalization? When—and how—did globalization start? Around the turn of the 21st century, the world changed more dramatically than perhaps at any other time in history. Seemingly all at once, shifts in the political landscape, technological advancements, and collaborative business practices came together to create a new globalized society. Keep reading to learn how this seemingly-sudden change was in the making for centuries.

The Eleusinian Mysteries: Inside the Secret Rituals

What was the purpose of the Eleusinian Mysteries? What happened during the secret rites of the Mysteries? The Eleusinian Mysteries was a secret cult practice that existed for almost 2,000 continuous years. Yet, despite the enormous timespan and the profound importance of the Mysteries, there is no detailed record of what exactly happened during these rituals. Keep reading to learn about the Eleusinian Mysteries, according to Brian Muraresku.

The 4-Stage Customer Development Process for Growth

What exactly is meant by “customer development”? What are the four stages of the customer development process? Customer development refers to how you take your customers from signing up to staying loyal for the long term. “Developing” a customer means crafting an experience, from top to bottom, that gets and keeps your customers excited and engaged by your product. Let’s look at the four phases of the customer development process—getting customers to sign up, stick around, stay loyal, and spend money.

The Step-by-Step Hiring Plan Every Business Should Follow

What is a hiring plan? Why are hiring plans important for a business? Employees are an essential part of a business, and to have employees, you need to create a hiring plan. This process may be intimidating, but it’s important to ensure you’re hiring the right people to fit your team. Continue reading for a step-by-step hiring process that works for any business.

The World Is Flat by Thomas Friedman: Book Overview & Lessons

What’s globalization? Is it good or bad? What can we do to benefit from it? The World Is Flat by Thomas Friedman examines the causes, effects, and potential future of a globalized world. He argues that globalization is ultimately a good thing, and he offers recommendations on how governments and individuals can thrive even amid globalization’s challenges. Continue reading for an overview of this thought-provoking book.

Human Progress: Steven Pinker Explains What It Means

What is human progress? Can it be defined objectively? What’s “better”? Psychologist Steven Pinker believes that humanity is on the path of progress. But, exactly what that means can be hard to pin down. He tackles the definition in his book Enlightenment Now. Keep reading to learn what human progress is, according to Pinker.