The World's Best Book Summaries
Is the U.S. a failed democracy? What makes a failed democracy, anyway? The U.S. is not a failed democracy, but it has faced numerous challenges, and there are those in power who threaten the rights and freedoms of Americans every day. This is why it’s important to prioritize democratic principles. Keep reading to find out how we can prevent the U.S. from becoming a failed democracy.
What was surviving a plague like for Matilda in Fever 1793? What caused the end of the yellow fever outbreak? Yellow fever is spread through mosquito bites, so when the first frost-covered Philadelphia in Fever 1793 and killed the insects, Matilda knew she had survived the plague. The question, then, was what to do now that it was over. Keep reading to learn what Matilda did after surviving the plague in Fever 1793.
Do you think public shaming is an effective form of punishment? What are the potential consequences of public shaming for the victimized? Although the methods have changed, public humiliation is still used as a way to inflict punishment for contemptuous behavior, and for a reason—it works. However, public shaming can have serious consequences for the victim because people who’ve been publicly shamed may lose their friends, family, and career, potentially forever. Keep reading to learn about public shaming, its history, and the consequences for the victimized.
Are refined foods really bad for you? And if so, why do we eat so much of them? Refined foods are almost empty of nutritional value without fortification and lead to massive influxes of glucose and fructose in the body. And even though their damaging effects are pretty much common knowledge these days, we still eat them in abundance. Why? Part of the answer can be found in history. Read about the rise of refined foods and how they function in the body.
Did Barack Obama go to Columbia? What did he learn and study? At Columbia, Barack Obama spent most of his time reading and brooding, wondering why the country wasn’t living up to its promises. During his time at Columbia, his worldview shifted again and he believed in the future. Read more about Barack Obama, Columbia, and how his time in New York City shaped his politics.
What happened when the yellow fever epidemic began in Fever 1793? How did the mayor of Philadelphia respond? When the yellow fever epidemic began in Fever 1793, Philadelphia was plunged into chaos. The officials didn’t know how to prevent the spread of the fever and panic spread quickly. Continue reading to learn what happened when the yellow fever epidemic arose in Philadelphia.
What was Obama’s role in the 2008 financial crisis? How did he respond to the crisis in his presidency? For Obama, the 2008 financial crisis was one of the most important things that he wanted to address in his presidency. During the campaign, it became clear that John McCain wouldn’t be able to handle the crisis. Read more about Obama, the 2008 financial crisis, and what happened during his presidency.
What are some of the biggest political issues in America? Are any of these issues a direct threat to the principles of democracy? One of the biggest political issues in America is voting rights and voting access. Republicans have worked to make it more difficult for marginalized people and communities to vote since they believe it will help weaken political opponents. Not only is this a major political issue, but threatens the very fundamentals of democracy. Read more about one of the biggest political issues in America.
What happened to Barack Obama in the Iowa Caucus? How did Obama win? Barack Obama knew that Iowa was crucial for a presidential campaign. Leading up to the Iowa Caucus, Barack Obama and his team put together a campaign that inspired others to get involved. Read more about Barack Obama, the Iowa Caucus, and how it launched his presidential campaign.
What are authoritarian states? How do authoritarian states develop? Authoritarian states can develop over time or they can develop rapidly. Typically, it’s more difficult for authoritarian states to develop when there are multiple political parties and democratic safeguards in place. Read more about authoritarian states and how they are formed below.