The World's Best Book Summaries
Who were the Transcendentalists? What did they believe? What’s their legacy? Transcendentalism was a 19th-century movement in New England. The Transcendentalists, predominantly philosophers and writers, believed in the goodness of humans and nature and promoted the idea that following your intuition enables you to find meaning in your life. Read more to learn about the Transcendentalists and their ideas.
What factors contribute to personal development and growth? How do you recover your body after periods of strain? According to Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness, achieving maximal performance requires understanding how to grow in the first place. Consequently, they begin by outlining their formula for the type of growth that allows you to harness your potential. Continue reading to learn more about the top two personal development factors.
Who was Shah Alam? How did he come to power? Was his rule legitimate? Shah Alam, a prince of the Mughal Empire, aided the British East India Company’s (EIC) takeover of Bengal. However, after playing a messy chess game with the company and Mughal rivals, Alam ended up becoming a figurehead ruler controlled by the EIC. Continue reading to learn the history of Shah Alam—specifically, his complicated political journey from a young Mughal royal, to a facilitator of British rule, to a titular leader stripped of his autonomy.
Do you know how to resist temptations? What type of people bring out the best in you? Although it’s important to have a strong foundation for discipline in your mind and behaviors, your environment plays a large role in your success. If you’re constantly surrounded by unhealthy temptations, your discipline will be more likely to waver. Let’s discuss the importance of surrounding yourself with discipline in your environment and relationships.
Why are female sexual assault statistics high in America? Where is sexual assault and rape most likely to happen? As of 2014, Rebecca Solnit estimated that tens of millions of women are raped in America every year. Further, she notes that sexual assault and harassment tend to happen in workplace or educational settings where victims are sometimes held accountable for preventing these instances of violence. Learn more about why the statistics for female sexual assault are so high in America.
What is the law of one price? How do closed-end funds violate the law of one price? According to economist Richard H. Thaler, one argument against the efficient market hypothesis is the violation of the law of one price. This is a thesis from traditional economics that a security should never sell at two different prices at the same time. Continue reading to learn more about why the law of one price isn’t consistent with the efficient market hypothesis.
Do you feel stuck in your artistry? What’s standing between you and what you want to produce? Are you blocking your own creativity? A major step in cultivating artistry is overcoming negative thoughts and behaviors that block your connection to the creative force. Julia Cameron discusses three major barriers that prevent people from reaching their artistic destiny: perfectionism, limiting beliefs, and addictions. Let’s look at these blocks to creativity and how to overcome them.
Why does Weena become attached to the Time Traveller? What does she represent in the story? The Time Machine is a story about a scientist who travels into the distant future. He finds that humanity has evolved into two separate species—the childlike Eloi and the bestial Morlocks. One of the Eloi latches on to him and leaves a lasting impression. Read more to learn about Weena, The Time Machine’s promise of hope for the future.
How far into the future does H.G. Wells’s Time Traveller go? What kind of people (or creatures) does he encounter? Are they friends or foes? In H.G. Wells’s science fiction classic The Time Machine, a Time Traveller goes to the distant future. There, he finds that humanity has evolved into two separate species—the childlike Eloi and the bestial Morlocks. Continue reading to travel to the year A.D. 802701 and meet the Eloi and Morlocks.
Did Henry David Thoreau build the cabin he lived in at Walden Pond? How much did it cost him? What famous philosopher owned the land? We often focus on the philosophical reasons why Henry David Thoreau went to the woods to live and think little about the logistical aspects of such a move. Before he could make Walden his home, he had to turn a patch of woods into a cabin. Read more to learn about Henry David Thoreau’s cabin at Walden Pond.