The World's Best Book Summaries
Have you wanted to try your hand at creating some form of art? How can you fit creativity into your busy life? According to the “writer who draws,” Austin Kleon, there are three steps you can take to add more creativity to your life. You can do this by prioritizing financial security, setting aside time for your hobbies, and using the right tools. Below, we’ll get into Kleon’s advice on how to improve creativity.
What is Sun Tzu’s theory of war? Under what circumstances should you advance and retreat? According to Sun Tzu, if victory is not certain, you should not engage in conflict. Before you advance, you must attain an advantage over your opponent. In The Art of War, Sun Tzu describes several tactics for securing an advantage. Here are Sun Tzu’s tactics to gain an advantage in a battle.
Why is it important to know your competitors? What can you learn about yourself? Robert Greene, the author of The 33 Strategies of War, says that clearly identifying your competitors is not just a prerequisite for developing a plan to overcome them. Seeing the contrast between you and your competitors helps to unify and motivate your forces. It also can reveal a clearer path to victory. Read more to learn why it’s important to know your competitors.
What is William Zinsser’s book On Writing Well about? How can Zinsser’s tips help you improve your nonfiction writing? No matter your current skill level, William Zinsser believes anyone can practice the craft of writing. On Writing Well offers a back-to-basics approach, focusing on honing essential writing skills rather than trying to employ complex stylistic techniques. Here’s a brief overview of the key ideas discussed in On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction by William Zinsser.
How are memoirs different from autobiographies? What is the main focus of a memoir? In his book On Writing Well, William Zinsser discusses how to write a memoir. He says that memoirs, in contrast to autobiographies, should have a narrow focus on a specific event in one’s life. Here are some memoir writing tips from William Zinsser.
Why are babies so curious? Do you think human curiosity has helped you learn and mature? Human curiosity, also known as epistemic curiosity, is about seeking and gaining knowledge. In his book, Brain Rules, Dr. John Medina explains human curiosity as the innate human desire that is with you since birth—it even imitates the steps in the scientific method. Here’s how human curiosity is developed through the early stages of life.
How did humans come into existence on Earth? Why do monotheistic religions challenge Stephen Hawking’s evolution theory? In his book Brief Answers to the Big Questions, Stephen Hawking gives a brief overview of how humans got here. He begins his timeline in the present day and goes back to the singularity that created time. Here’s Stephen Hawking’s evolution timeline—and why many religions disagree with him.
Can you inspire creativity on demand? Or does creativity only come in fits of spontaneity? Your creative muse can come and go of its own volition. But you can also conjure creative inspiration on demand. To this end, create triggers for creative states. Here’s how to inspire creative states whenever you want.
What is Josh Waitzkin’s The Art of Learning about? What is the essence of effective learning? In his book The Art of Learning, Josh Waitzkin argues that effective learning comes from a resilient commitment to your growth process. His learning philosophy can be boiled down to three themes: 1) to always strive for “presence,” 2) to learn through trial and error, and 3) to balance tensions as you grow. Let’s explore each theme in detail below.
What are the three points of view in writing? Which point of view should you choose? There are three common points of view in writing: first person, second person, and third person. The first thing you should decide when writing a narrative piece is which point of view you are going to use. Here are some things to consider when choosing which point of view to use.