The World's Best Book Summaries
How much money went missing from FTX? Has the mystery been solved? In Going Infinite, financial journalist Michael Lewis provides a rare glimpse into the inner workings of Sam Bankman-Fried’s astounding rise and fall. Lewis shares what’s known about billions of dollars that went missing, including what Bankman-Fried told him about it. Read more to learn about the mysterious case of FTX’s missing money.
What’s cancel culture? Who’s behind it? Are conservative voices silenced more than others? Douglas Murray believes that one of the most destructive effects of wokeism is the suppression of free speech through cancel culture. In his book The Madness of Crowds, he explains why conservatives in particular are often the target of this suppression. Read more to learn Murray’s take on the censorship of conservatives in today’s society.
What do you want to be sure to include in every story you write? What are the essential ingredients that help make a story coherent and compelling? According to storytelling experts, readers want two things: an emotional impact and a truth about life. If you want to satisfy these desires, the experts agree that your story needs three basic elements: a realistic and relatable protagonist, a goal that’s blocked by obstacles, and a big-picture theme. Continue reading to find out what the experts have to say about each of these basic elements of a story.
Have you followed a traditional career path? Would you like to exercise more freedom in work and life? Paul Millerd abandoned a conventional career and became a freelancer. In his book The Pathless Path: Imagining a New Story for Work and Life, he shows others how to do the same. He relates the history of the cultural emphasis on work, shares his own story, and provides advice for switching to freelancing. Continue reading for an overview of this book that could inspire you to take a new path.
What does it mean to “write what you know”? Do you make the most of serendipity? Before you can sit down and write a story, you have to figure out what to write about. Coming up with story ideas can be hard. But, ideas are out there; you just need to know where they can be found and be sure to notice them. We’ve collected tips from several storytelling experts on how to find story ideas. Read on to get advice from Rob Biesenbach, Stephen King, and Elizabeth Gilbert.
Updated March 28, 2024 Did Sam Bankman-Fried commit fraud? Did his customers’ money truly end up in someone else’s pockets? Sam Bankman-Fried’s financial empire crumbled in November 2022 when FTX lost nearly $10 billion of its clients’ money. Although he’s charged with various counts of fraud, financial journalist Michael Lewis suggests that the case against Bankman-Fried is less damning than outsiders believe. Keep reading to learn two reasons why Lewis questions Sam Bankman-Fried’s fraud charges.
Do you feel free to express your opinions and share facts? Do you wonder whether you’re getting the whole truth and all perspectives on important matters? Douglas Murray argues that woke ideology attempts to force consensus where it doesn’t exist and punishes those who don’t conform. In this “cancel culture,” free speech is the victim. Murray identifies a couple of examples that illustrate how this works in today’s society. Read more to learn about cancel culture and free speech.
Is your job a big priority in your life? Do you feel pressured to work more and more? In his book The Pathless Path, Paul Millerd discusses the traditional approach to work in America. He points to the historical events that made it popular to prioritize work ahead of everything else. And, he outlines the negative consequences of prioritizing work. Read more to learn how the American work culture came about and the ways it causes harm.
What’s intersectionality? Where does the adoption of this framework lead? Does it tend to bring people together or drive them apart? The intersectionality framework has been around since the 1980s. Douglas Murray believes that it’s a pillar of the leftist ideology that’s tearing Western society apart. We’ll explore his views, as well as the perspectives of Ben Shapiro and the woman who first used the term—Kimberlé Crenshaw. Keep reading to learn about the intersectionality framework, its aims, and its consequences.
Is the freelancing life for you? What can you learn from others who’ve made the switch? Like most people, Paul Millerd was taught to place conventional, full-time work at the center of his life—but it made him miserable. Now, he’s a freelance blogger, consultant, career coach, and online course creator—and he’s much more satisfied with his life. Keep reading to get informed and inspired by Millerd’s story.