The World's Best Book Summaries
What was Paul Farmer’s family like? What role did they play in his life and career as a doctor? Paul Farmer’s family was big and poor. They lived in humble quarters for most of his childhood, which helped Farmer develop the ability to work and sleep anywhere. Read more about Paul Farmer’s family and early life.
What is it like to live with bipolar depression disorder? What experiences did Kay Redfield Jamison share in An Unquiet Mind? Bipolar depression disorder is a two-sided illness. One side of the coin involves episodes of joy and clarity, while the other is despair and confusion. Read about Kay Redfield Jamison’s experience living with bipolar depression disorder, as she recounts it in her memoir An Unquiet Mind.
When was the invention of race? How does the origin of race correspond to racism and slavery? The invention of race did not come before slavery. In fact, the self-serving policy of enslaving Africans was justified by creating the notion of race. Keep reading to understand how the invention of race came about and the historical context.
What is intersectional racism? How do different identities collide to create further discrimination against marginalized groups? Intersectional racism is a term that covers a variety of different types of racism, each combining race with another identity. How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi identifies class, gender, and sexual orientation as intersecting with race. Keep reading to understand intersectional racism and some examples of it from How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi.
What is natural aggression? Do all humans have natural aggression and how can you tell? All people have some form of natural aggression, but we don’t like to admit to having this emotion. But once we recognize our natural aggression, we can learn how to counter it. Read more about natural aggression and where it comes from.
What is The Goal bottleneck analysis? How can it help you improve a production line with poor output? The Goal bottleneck analysis is the process of evaluating where your bottlenecks are and what you can do about them. According to the book, an increase in production capacity translates to increased revenue. Keep reading for The Goal bottleneck analysis and how to do it.
Is there such a thing as healthy narcissism? How can someone become a healthy narcissist. Healthy narcissism is when a narcissist uses their strong self image and projects outward, casting empathy so that they’re not the center of attention. All narcissists should strive for healthy narcissism. Read more about healthy narcissism and how to achieve it.
What is the myth of neutrality? Why are the only two choices racism and antiracism? The myth of neutrality is the theory that you cannot be neutral on the issue of racism. Either you are racist or you’re antiracist; being “not racist” is insufficient. Keep reading to understand how Ibram X. Kendi explains the myth of neutrality in How to Be an Antiracist.
What happens in the Fun Home NYC scenes? What does Alison Bechdel learn about herself from traveling to New York City? In Fun Home, NYC offers one of Alisons’ first experiences seeing an LGBT community. She first visited with her father, and learned more about him through the trip. Read about Fun Home, NYC, and how the trip changed Alison’s perspective.
Can bipolar be genetic? More generally, what role does genetics play in mental illness? Dr. Jamison, a clinical psychologist and professor of psychiatry, was fascinated with the study of genetic predisposition to bipolar disorder. In light of her mental illness lineage, she couldn’t help but wonder, “Can bipolar be genetic?” Keep reading for the answer to the question: can bipolar be genetic?