Shortform Books

Theodore Roosevelt’s Leadership: Bias Towards Action

What was the greatest accomplishment of Theodore Roosevelt? How did a family tragedy help Theodore Roosevelt end a coal strike that threatened the lives of thousands? Teddy Roosevelt, who led the country from 1901 to 1909, was instrumental during the coal strike of 1902, when coal miners and mine owners faced off in a months-long strike that threatened to plunge the nation into crisis. According to historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, Roosevelt’s decision to intervene during this strike is evidence of courage and a bias towards action—both of which he developed after experiencing his own personal crisis. Here’s how a personal

How to Save Money for College: Mutual Funds & More

Do you have a plan to pay for your child’s education? What option is best? Paying for your child’s education likely will require advance planning and many years of investment. In The Wealthy Barber, David Chilton recommends having a mutual fund for this purpose. He discusses the advantages and the timing for when to redeem the funds. Read more for advice on how to save money for college.

The Assumption of Rational Behavior in Economics

What is rational behavior in economics? How accurate is this assumption that humans are inherently rational agents seeking to maximize their economic utility at the expense of everything else? In economics, human beings are seen as largely rational agents. The rational economic man cares only about increasing his material wealth and will always follow incentives to do so. According to Kate Raworth, this portrait of humankind is grossly inaccurate. In her book Doughnut Economics, she calls into question the power of extrinsic incentives in driving human behavior. Here’s why the assumption of rational behavior is ultimately flawed.

Why Independent Thinkers Can’t Be Taken by the Devil

What kind of person does the devil target in particular? Who’s in a better position to resist the devil’s influence? If you aren’t in control of your own life, the devil is happy to assume that control for you. That’s the view of Napoleon Hill. In his book Outwitting the Devil, he discusses how independent thinkers can resist the devil far more easily than passive people who just drift through life without minds of their own. Read more to learn what independent thinkers are like and how this makes them stronger.

How to Live Within Your Means: 6 Tips for Saving

Do you spend more than you make? How much credit card debt do you carry? Do you have an emergency fund? A great way to save money is to live within your means. David Chilton, the author of The Wealthy Barber, says that living within your means doesn’t have to mean careful budgeting. If you implement big-picture financial planning, day-to-day spending choices like whether you buy coffee or order take-out don’t matter too much. Keep reading for advice on how to live within your means.

How to Look at the Bigger Picture: A Novel Approach

As you go through life, how clearly are you seeing things? Are you seeing them in their true and full context? You’ll stand the best chance of success if you have an accurate view of the world. Unfortunately, because each of us has a limited perspective, sometimes it’s hard to see the big picture—and easy to misinterpret some situations as a result. The Great Mental Models Volume 3 argues that understanding distributions—a model drawn from mathematics—can help us see the big picture more clearly. The basic idea is that, by thinking statistically, you’ll have a clearer context for the things

Written Business Communication: 3 Rules of Thumb

Do you write a lot for business or work? What are some things you should keep in mind when writing any kind of business documentation or correspondence? Writing is a necessary part of any professional field. When it comes to written business communication, you should write in a manner that’s concise, clear, and to-the-point. Nobody likes to waste their time reading long emails that beat around the bush. Here are some tips on how to write documents and emails that people will actually read.

Show Your Work! Quotes to Inspire Your Inner Artist

Are you looking for Show Your Work! quotes by Austin Kleon? What are some of the most noteworthy passages worth visiting? In Show Your Work!, Austin Kleon guides readers through his view of effective self-promotion. He advises you to publicly share it through your process, from the earliest phases to the finished product. Read below for inspirational Show Your Work! quotes with explanations.

Your Purpose in Life: How to Stay Committed to Goals

What does it mean to have a purpose in life? Why is it important to determine a strong purpose? In The Alter Ego Effect, Todd Herman advises finding a purpose to push yourself to achieve your goals. Furthermore, he says to have an emotional connection to your purpose to stay committed. Read below to learn why finding your purpose in life can improve your lifestyle.

Carl von Clausewitz’s Strategy of War

Is Clausewitz still relevant in the 21st century? What is Carl von Clausewitz’s strategy of war? Carl von Clausewitz was a Prussian general who fought in the Napoleonic wars in the early 1800s, and he wrote extensively about military philosophy, strategy, and tactics. In his book On War, Clausewitz explains the principles that underpin his philosophy of war and discusses the rationale behind his military tactics and strategies. In this article, we’ll describe the chronology of a hypothetical war and examine Carl von Clausewitz’s strategy as it would apply to that situation.