Shortform Books

King Midas Story: How Greed Ruined His Hero’s Journey

What is the King Midas story about? How does it conform to the conventions of Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey? The King Midas story is about what happens when we’re greedy and don’t think things through. The phrase “Midas touch” comes from this story, and while the phrase refers to someone who has good luck, in the King Midas story, the king’s luck runs out. We’ll cover the King Midas story and how it fits into the traditional hero’s journey template.

Science of Happiness: How Can You Make Yourself Happier?

What can the science of happiness tell us about how to be happier? What can it tell us about our happiness compared to the happiness of our ancestors? Are we getting happier over time? Or unhappier? We’ll cover recent research on the science of happiness and look at how researchers determine how our happiness compares to that of our ancestors.

The Greatest Victory Is That Which Requires No Battle: Why?

In The Art of War, Sun Tzu says, “The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.” Why is this the greatest victory? How can you be victorious over your enemy if there’s no battle? We’ll cover how preemptive strikes are the key to the best kind of victory and why the easy victory is actually the greatest victory.

Animism’s Origin: How Our Ancestors Respected Nature

What is animism? How is it related to theism? Who held animistic beliefs? Animism is the belief that every animate and inanimate thing has thoughts and feelings and can communicate with people. This belief system is non-hierarchical—all beings are equal. We’ll dive deep into the animism definition, discussion animism’s origin, and look at animism’s history.

Victorious Warriors Win First: Sun Tzu on Preparation

In The Art of War, Sun Tzu says, “Victorious warriors win first.” What does Tzu mean by this? How can you win before you’ve begun? We’ll cover what it takes to prepare so thoughtfully for battle that you win before the battle starts. Learn what it means for victorious warriors to win first.

5 Critical Sun Tzu Quotes On Leadership, Explained

What are some of the greatest Sun Tzu quotes on leadership? Are they applicable today, outside the battlefield? According to Sun Tzu, The leadership describes the acuity and competence of the person charged with leading a fighting force. A good leader should be intelligent, trustworthy, humane, courageous, and stern. When all of these factors are at play, the leader is capable of making sound decisions and can count on the people to support them. We’ll cover Sun Tzu’s quotes on leadership and expand on what they meant on the battlefield. You’ll find that many of them are just as applicable

Sun Tzu’s Philosophy: The Goals and Art of War

What is Sun Tzu’s philosophy in The Art of War? What are his main themes? The Art of War by Sun Tzu is a renowned guide for how to engage in conflict and be successful in battle. Written more than two thousand years ago, Sun Tzu, a Chinese warrior and philosopher, details the nature of competition and psychology of leadership and provides strategies for how to approach both. Although his teachings are geared toward actual military conflict, the principles can be useful in all arenas of conflict or competition, even at a personal level. We’ll cover some of the primary aspects

The Ultimate Boon: The Hero’s Journey, Stage 11 (Explained)

What is stage 11 of Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey? What is “the ultimate boon”? The ultimate boon is the stage of the hero’s journey in which the hero achieves limitless bounty or indestructible life. The ultimate boon is stage 11 of Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey, from The Hero with a Thousand Faces. We’ll cover what the ultimate boon may entail and look at two examples of the ultimate-boon stage of the hero’s journey.

Woman as Temptress: The Hero’s Journey, Stage 8 (Explained)

What is stage 8 of Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey? What is the significance of the “woman as temptress”? The woman as temptress is the stage of the hero’s journey in which the hero is tempted by a “bad” mother figure, a goddess who attempts to either harm the hero, spurn his advances, hamper him in his quest, or tempt him into desire. The woman as temptress is stage 8 of Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey, from The Hero with a Thousand Faces. We’ll cover what the woman as temptress entails and look at an example of a hero encountering the woman

Three Kingdoms Period: Lessons on War and Loyalty

What was the Three Kingdoms Period? What can its wars teach us about the value of location, alliance, and loyalty in battle? The Three Kingdoms Period was the era in which three kingdoms ruled China: the Wei, Shu, and Wu. This period began in 220 AD and ended in 280 AD with the rise of the Jin Dynasty. We’ll cover what the Three Kingdoms Period can teach us about the importance of location, alliances, and loyalty.