Shortform Books

3 Eras of Right Hemisphere Dominance: A Fresh Look at History

What can we learn about the brain by studying history? What do the Classical period, the Renaissance, and the Romantic era have in common? Contrary to popular opinion, Iain McGilchrist contends that the left brain hemisphere should be subservient to the right. He contends that three historical eras embody the primacy of the right hemisphere: classical antiquity, the Renaissance, and Romanticism. Read on to get a new perspective on history by seeing it through the lens of right hemisphere dominance.

How to Know Your Partner’s Love Language (and Speak It)

What love language does your partner primarily speak? How can you tell when you’ve identified it correctly? If you want to build and maintain a healthy relationship, you must understand your own needs and your partner’s needs. One way to do this is to understand the various love languages, identify which ones you and your partner speak the most, and then communicate accordingly. Read more to learn Gary Chapman’s advice on how to know your partner’s love language and use it well.

How EMP Became the Number-One Restaurant in the World

How did Eleven Madison Park become the number-one restaurant in the world? What lessons did Will Guidara take away from this journey? In 2010, Eleven Madison Park placed 50th on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, mortifying Will Guidara. So, he committed to making EMP the world’s best restaurant, which he achieved in 2017. Keep reading to learn how Will Guidara and Daniel Humm successfully transformed EMP into the world’s best restaurant.

The Future of ADHD: How Society Can Prevent the Disorder

What does the future of ADHD look like? What role does society play in treating ADHD? ADHD most often develops in children who live in stressful environments. Even if you aren’t a parent, there’s a way you can help prevent ADHD in children by making society a better place to live in. Continue reading to learn how you can contribute to preventing ADHD in children of the future.

How to Become a Hero in Real Life: Sharma’s 5 Principles

Do you admire heroes like Superman and Wonder Woman? Did you know you can also be a superhero? For Robin Sharma, a hero is an ordinary person who lives in an extraordinary way. You don’t need to be a genius or have any exceptional talents to be a hero in Sharma’s eyes—you just need to fully commit to your purpose in life, exhibit positive attributes, and try to make the world a better place. Discover how to become a hero, according to The Everyday Hero Manifesto.

New Beginnings in Life: 3 Ways to Accept Endings

Why should you learn to accept endings? What are ways to welcome new beginnings in life? According to Necessary Endings by Henry Cloud, endings are an inevitable and often beneficial part of life. For new, healthy patterns to begin, old patterns must end. Let’s take a look at the mindset you need to be in to accept that these new beginnings aren’t a bad thing.

The Procrastination Equation by Piers Steel: Book Overview

What is The Procrastination Equation by Piers Steel about? Do you frequently delay important work until right before the deadline? In The Procrastination Equation, Piers Steel discusses the reasons behind procrastination and its consequences. He also provides strategies for combating the most common procrastination triggers. Read below for a brief overview of The Procrastination Equation.

How to Compliment People: Make Them Feel Validated & Seen

What kind of compliments do you appreciate most? How can you compliment others in a way that’s received especially well? Some compliments feel better than others. That’s because they come in different categories. Social interaction expert Patrick King draws vital distinctions among categories of compliments and shows why some go a lot further than others when it comes to making people feel validated, seen, and appreciated. Keep reading for King’s advice on how to compliment people in meaningful ways.

International Trade Geography: Why Trade Routes Matter

Why do Latin American countries struggle to grow and connect with each other? Why do superpowers want close relations with Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia? According to Tim Marshall in Prisoners of Geography, the answer to these questions lies in geography, specifically the geography related to trade routes. He explains how trade routes shape development and why nations compete to secure these routes. Read more to learn the basics of international trade geography with some examples to illustrate the ideas.

How Does Life Work? Nick Lane Answers the Vital Question

What is life? How does life work? Can organization and complexity arise from chaos? Biochemist Nick Lane answers these questions as a starting point in his exploration of life’s origins. He says that, to explain the origin of life, we have to understand how cells process energy and the physical conditions that gave rise to the peculiar mechanisms that all life uses to power itself. Read more for Lane’s explanation of how life works.