Shortform Books

Sun Tzu’s Principles of War: 5 Keys to Victory

Who was Sun Tzu? What’s the key premise of Sun Tzu’s philosophy? In The Art of War, Sun Tzu, a Chinese warrior and philosopher, details the nature of competition and psychology of leadership and provides strategies for how to approach both. Although Sun Tzu’s principles are geared toward actual military conflict, they can be useful in all areas of conflict or competition, even at a personal level. Keep reading for Sun Tzu’s principles of war and the rationale behind them.

Human Brain Evolution and the 3 Unique Human Traits

How did the evolution of the brain make humans so intelligent? What makes humans so special compared to other species? Humans are arguably the smartest creatures on Earth, and it all has to do with the human brain. Evolution played a key role in humans’ brain development, which created three distinct human characteristics that set humans apart from other species. Learn how the evolution of the brain made humans so unique, according to Dr. John Medina.

Fighting Spiritual Battles: 6 Signs You’re Under Attack

Are you aware of the spiritual battles going on in your mind? What are the signs? In Battlefield of the Mind, Joyce Meyer explains that you’re constantly fighting spiritual battles in your mind, whether you realize it or not. She describes several conditions that indicate that your mind is under attack from the devil. Keep reading to learn how to recognize attacks while you’re fighting spiritual battles.

Travel Writing: 5 Tips to Set Yourself Apart

Do you want to be a travel writer? What can you do to set yourself apart? The travel writing industry is booming. However, there are five common traps that travel writers fall into. If you avoid these traps, you will set your writing apart from the rest. Here are some tips to set yourself apart.

What Is Workplace Culture? Tony Hsieh Explains

What is workplace culture? How does it affect a company’s success? In Delivering Happiness, Tony Hsieh explains that fostering a healthy workplace culture is essential in developing a successful business. Culture is not something that can be concretely defined, but the two most important aspects of a company’s culture are employee behavior and belief, which Hsieh explains more in-depth. Learn more about what workplace culture is and its importance.

Stephen Hawking: Aliens Are Probably Out There

What did Stephen Hawking say about aliens in his book Brief Answers to the Big Questions? Did Hawking believe in the existence of extraterrestrials? According to famed theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, aliens most likely exist, but there’s a good chance humanity will never encounter them. This is because Hawking believed that extraterrestrial life is likely unintelligent and lacks the technology to communicate with others. Here’s an in-depth look at Stephen Hawking’s theories about aliens.

Shortform Reads: Game-Changers and Lifelines

What book totally changed how E handles their personal finances? How does a book help them settle into a new place after they move? E can tell you all about it. Based in Colorado, they’re a peer editor on the writing team at Shortform. We interviewed them recently to learn a bit about their relationship with books.

How to Write Creative Nonfiction That’s Not Boring

Do you write creative nonfiction? What can you do to spice your nonfiction piece up? In his book On Writing Well, William Zinsser explains that nonfiction writing doesn’t have to be flat and bland. You can write nonfiction in ways that will grip readers as much as fiction writing. From interviews to memoirs to sports writing, here’s how to add some flare to your nonfiction.

Should You Share Your Art Online, Despite the Risks?

Is it a good idea to share your art online? What steps can you take to grow your following? How should you deal with criticism? In his book Steal Like an Artist, Austin Kleon advises sharing your artwork online so you can connect with other artists. However, when you put anything online there will always be risks involved. Here’s some advice from an artist about sharing your art with others.

The 33 Strategies of War by Robert Greene

Are you beating the competition in business? Are you winning at life? Best-selling author Robert Greene (The 48 Laws of Power, The Laws of Human Nature) asserts that life is a daily struggle—a war between you and the people, organizations, or other forces that work against you. To be successful in life you need to win the war, and to win the war you need a winning strategy. Read more to learn the basics of The 33 Strategies of War by Robert Greene.