Elizabeth Whitworth, Author at Shortform Books

My Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte Taylor: Book Overview & Lessons

What’s it like to experience a stroke? What are some of the ways to recover with strength? Can you actually end up a “better” person as a result? Neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor suffered a stroke in 1996. In her book, she gives an account of her stroke and her recovery, and she shares the insights on mental and emotional self-care that the stroke gave her. She also provides recommendations on how best to support stroke survivors. Keep reading for an overview of My Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte Taylor.

Mitochondrial Efficiency: The Fountain of Youth?

What’s biological age? Is it possible to slow down biological aging? If so, how? Dave Asprey argues that mitochondrial efficiency plays a key role in biological aging. He discusses the role of mitochondria, how efficient mitochondria maintain cellular health while inefficient mitochondria degrade it, and how mitochondrial efficiency impacts overall health and biological aging. Continue reading to learn about the importance of your body’s mitochondrial efficiency.

After the 2012 Presidential Election: A Conservative Reboot

Why did the Republicans lose the 2012 presidential election? How did the loss shape the conservative approach to elections? Republicans received a shock in 2012 when Obama won reelection. In Dark Money, Jane Mayer discusses the aftermath of the 2012 presidential election in the context of the Koch brothers and their influence. Read more to learn how the 2012 presidential election loss led to a shift in the way conservatives operate.

How Is the Brain Structured? A Neuroanatomist Explains

How is the brain structured? How does its structure impact its function? The brain is the most complex organ in the body. Though each part of the brain serves its own function, they all work in tandem to create your sense of self, direct your body’s movements, and generate a coherent picture of your surroundings. Here’s how neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor explains the brain’s structure.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Beginners: 4 Changes for a Healthy Life

What should you eat (or not eat) if you’re fighting inflammation? What’s a good substitute for trans fats? Is intermittent fasting a good idea? The food you eat directly impacts the amount of inflammation in your body. Inflammation damages cells and overloads your mitochondria, resulting in fewer antioxidants and more free radicals in your body. Ultimately, this leads to disease and makes you age faster. Keep reading to discover a practical anti-inflammatory diet for beginners.

General McMaster: Afghanistan Was a Tragic Missed Opportunity

When it comes to Afghanistan, where did U.S. policy go wrong? How did it become such a failure? According to General McMaster, Afghanistan was an opportunity for the U.S. to make peace in the region. Instead, the U.S. allowed it to return to a place of conflict that once again poses a serious threat to the world. Continue reading to learn McMaster’s take on Afghanistan and the lessons to be learned.

The Kochtopus: The Multiple Arms of the Koch Brothers

What on earth is the Kochtopus? How has it shaped politics and economics in America? The Kochtopus is an informal term used to describe the network of nonprofits that Charles Koch and David Koch funded to spread their free market ideals. In her book Dark Money, Jane Mayer discusses this network, arguing that it does more harm than good. Keep reading for Mayer’s history of the Kochtopus.

Types of Strokes and Symptoms: A Quick & Simple Guide

What happens during a stroke? What’s the most common type of stroke? What are the risk factors and symptoms? After she recovered from a rare type of stroke, neuroscientist Jill Bolte Taylor wrote about the experience in My Stroke of Insight. She explains what a stroke is and discusses ischemic strokes and two types of hemorrhagic strokes. She also talks about the various symptoms that you can experience. Continue reading to learn about different types of strokes and symptoms that might arise.

Dave Asprey on Stem Cell Deficiency & Treatments to Stay Young

What causes biological and cognitive deterioration? How do stem cell treatments work? Are they effective? According to Dave Asprey, stem cell deficiency is something you should take seriously if you want to combat aging. In Super Human, he shares his advice for improving your health now while ensuring you live a longer, healthier, and more youthful life in the future. Read more to learn about the connection between stem cell deficiency and aging, and find out what you can do about it.

U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East: Gen. McMaster Weighs In

What caused the Islamist movement and sectarian conflict in the Middle East? How has U.S. policy failed in the region? In his book Battlegrounds, General H. R. McMaster explains the Middle East’s tangled history and the motivations of Iran, in particular, to disrupt its Arab neighbors. He provides his analysis of the U.S.’s bungled approach to diplomacy and military action in the region. Keep reading for McMaster’s take on U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.