Shortform Books

Is Market Self-Regulation a Thing? Adam Smith Thinks So

How are prices set? What role does competition play in an economy? Do markets actually regulate themselves if they’re free? In The Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith argues that free markets are the most efficient way of directing the production and exchange of goods to grow a nation’s wealth (and thereby enable the specialization of labor). He explains the mutually-beneficial interplay of markets and prices. Read more to understand Smith’s argument that market self-regulation really works.

5 Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! Quotes to Delight You

What kind of freedom does Richard Feynman advocate in particular? What’s his opinion about rote learning? Why did he want to learn to draw? Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! doesn’t take the form of a traditional autobiography. It’s a collection of Richard Feynman’s personal stories that give us a good look into the life of this extraordinary scientist and human being. Keep reading to see several Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! quotes, along with context and explanation.

How to Build Trust With Employees as a Leader

What are some good ways to build trust with employees? How can leaders connect better with their employees? To build trust with employees, performance consultant Sir John Whitmore suggests that leaders learn coaching skills to empower their employees and make the most of their potential. In Coaching for Performance, he provides coaching strategies for leaders hoping to build trust in the workplace. Read on to learn how to build trust with employees as a leader, according to Whitmore’s advice.

Nelson Mandela and Apartheid: The Battle of a Lifetime

What was apartheid? How did it impact people’s lives? When and how was it defeated? Long Walk to Freedom chronicles Nelson Mandela’s decades-long fight against the evil policy of apartheid in South Africa. He discusses the background of apartheid, the rise of policy, his efforts during his imprisonment, and the ultimate defeat of apartheid. Read more to learn the history of Nelson Mandela and apartheid.

How to Take Action on Your Goals: Build Hopeful Rituals

Are you tired of being set back? How do you take action on your goals? We all have goals we want to achieve, but life always manages to get in the way. With advice from Jon Acuff’s book Soundtracks, you can finally achieve your wildest dreams by stopping overthinking and starting to live in the moment. Read on to learn how to take action on your goals and live out your dreams.

The Rise of Superman by Steven Kotler: Book Overview

What’s The Rise of Superman by Steven Kotler about? What is a flow state? How does flow impact your brain and life? In recent decades, athletes have been shattering performance barriers at a faster rate than ever before. In The Rise of Superman by Steven Kotler, he argues that mastering flow is the secret to these, and other, seemingly superhuman feats. Read on to learn about mastering flow in our brief overview of The Rise of Superman by Steven Kotler.

5 Ways to Improve Emotional Intelligence in Communication

Want to know how to connect authentically with others? How can improving emotional intelligence in communication help? Emotional intelligence in communication means the ability to intelligently bond with someone by understanding the emotions behind their words or actions. If this sounds desirable, The School of Life offers several methods for strengthening your emotional intelligence in communication. Read on to learn five ways to strengthen your emotional intelligence in communication, according to The School of Life.

How to Improve the Criminal Justice System in 2 Steps

How can we improve the criminal justice system? Why do we need to rethink our idea of justice? In Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson suggests that progress toward making the criminal justice system fair is possible. But first, we need to have a clear understanding of justice and the legal system’s conception of just punishment. Here’s how to improve the criminal justice system, one step at a time.

Sadhguru: Suffering Is the Result of Separateness

Why is there so much suffering in the world? Are humans predisposed to be unhappy? According to yogi master Sadhguru, suffering is the result of feeling separated from the outside world. At the root of this cycle of suffering is our deep unconscious knowledge that we belong in union with everything in the universe, but we’re not living that way. Here’s how humans create their own suffering, according to Sadhguru.

What Makes a Story “Good”? Robert McKee Explains

What makes a story good? What basic human longing does it fulfill, and how does it fulfill it? Robert McKee began teaching stories in a university class and has since become one of the most sought-after lecturers on the topic. In his book Story, he discusses why people love stories and shows writers how to take advantage of this obsession. He also explains why writers should learn story theory. Continue reading to learn McKee’s ideas on what makes a story good as well as the purpose of story theory.