The World's Best Book Summaries
Are you a new parent? What should you know about raising a child for the first time? Parenting can be difficult at times, especially for first-time parents. Luckily, many books provide the best advice for new parents to make sure they’re equipped for the challenges that are coming their way. Read below for essential tips that will make your parenting journey go smoother.
How does Martin Seligman define learned optimism? What is an optimistic mindset? How can you learn to be more optimistic? Psychologist Martin Seligman coined the term “learned optimism” as a way of demonstrating that the traits of an optimistic person can be learned by anyone, even natural pessimists. In his book, Learned Optimism, Seligman explains the concept of learned optimism, including techniques for breaking out of a pessimistic mindset. Read on to learn Seligman’s definition of learned optimism, plus how you can teach yourself optimism.
What does Lisa Feldman Barrett say about emotions? How can it help you better understand your own emotions? According to neuroscientist and psychologist Lisa Feldman Barrett, emotions don’t simply happen to you, rather they are constructed by you depending on your past experiences. Barrett has spent years studying emotions in the human brain, publishing her book, How Emotions Are Made, to share her findings. Keep reading for Lisa Feldman Barrett’s surprising explanation of how you create your own emotions.
What are some of the best quotes from The Prince? What captures the essence of Machiavelli’s message? In his 16th-century political treatise The Prince, Niccolò Machiavelli describes how authoritarian leaders, or “princes,” should rule their states. The Prince is an unapologetic depiction of the “real truth” of politics, where states and leaders are motivated by ambition as much as by their ideals. Keep reading for several quotes from The Prince, along with context and explanation.
What is Siddhartha Mukherjee’s The Gene: An Intimate History about? What have we learned about genetics? The book The Gene: An Intimate History explores scientists’ efforts to learn about people by studying the genes that create us. The book traces the history of genetics from Darwin’s Origin of Species to modern gene sequencing technology, as well as taking a brief look at what genetic engineering might mean for humanity’s future. Here’s a brief overview of The Gene: An Intimate History by Siddhartha Mukherjee.
What are good work habits? Do you want to develop a strong work ethic? Exhibiting good work habits not only makes you stand out to managers or other employees, but it can help you achieve your work goals. These work habits can cater to anybody—whether you want to run your own business, want to get solo projects done, or want to get a raise. Here are some great work habits to develop so you can have a successful career.
Is product positioning necessary? What about repositioning? If you work in marketing yet still can’t define what “positioning” is, consultant and speaker April Dunford is here to tell you that you’re not alone. If you’re not sure what positioning is, you’re not likely to understand its importance—and you’re bound to make a few mistakes. Let’s look at Dunford’s insights into poor positioning and three marketing mistakes to avoid.
What types of market disruptions warrant a large-scale response? How do you know when your business is at a strategic inflection point? Intel CEO Andrew Grove offers guidance on how to know when a change in your business environment requires an overhaul of your company. He recommends that you foster a continual culture of debating and listening. Read more to learn Grove’s advice on pivoting in business.
Do you have a flight coming up and don’t know what books to take on the plane? What are the best books to read on short and long flights? Plane rides aren’t exactly known for being the most entertaining way to spend your time. And if there aren’t many good movie options, the clock seems to tick in slow motion. But a good book has a special way of making time speed up. Pick up one of these books before your trip and you’ll be at your destination before you know it.
Are there cultural differences in emotions? How does your culture shape your emotions? Are some emotions unique to certain cultures? Lisa Feldman Barrett says emotions don’t necessarily cross borders—cultural differences shape how you experience and express emotions. According to Barrett, universal emotions are mostly a myth because the experiments they’re based on were flawed. Keep reading to learn why there are cultural differences in emotions, according to Barrett’s research.