The World's Best Book Summaries
Who was explorer Percy Fawcett? Why did he believe the “City of Z” existed? How did he disappear? The Lost City of Z by David Grann recounts the true story of British explorer Percy Fawcett. Fawcett’s disappearance still captivates audiences today and has led to the creation of many theories. Continue reading for an overview of Percy Fawcett’s story, as told in The City of Z.
Are you trying to recover from trauma? What might you learn from a Holocaust victim? At the age of sixteen, Edith Eva Eger was sent to Auschwitz. Her transformation from a Holocaust survivor to a respected psychologist exemplifies the resilience and strength inherent in human nature, along with the profound impact of self-acceptance and conscious choices. Keep reading to learn how to recover from trauma with Eger’s lessons from the Holocaust.
Who’s Bobby Pappas? What was his condition when Chick Donohue found him in Vietnam? When John “Chick” Donohue made an epic beer run to Vietnam during the war, he planned to drop in on his pal Bobby Pappas. He wanted to bring him news and encouragement from home. But, first, Chick had to make sure Bobby was still alive. Keep reading for an overview of Bobby Pappas (The Greatest Beer Run Ever).
When and where was the greatest beer run ever? Who made it, and why? In The Greatest Beer Run Ever—a book that inspired a film—John “Chick” Donohue and T. J. Molloy explore the uplifting story of Chick’s decision to support his buddies fighting in Vietnam. That support came in the form of an epic beer run. Continue reading for an overview of the book.
How does Ta-Nehisi Coates describe his experience with racial identity in Between the World and Me? How does his book shed light on the experiences of Black Americans overall? In Between the World and Me, Ta-Nehisi Coates describes coming to terms with racial discrimination and violence early in life, then finding community and resilience among Black peers, especially at Howard University. He also describes his own parenting decisions in light of his experiences. Here’s more from Ta-Nehisi Coates in Between the World and Me.
Do you feel guilty for surviving a traumatic experience? What might you learn about survivor’s guilt from a victim of the Holocaust? In her memoir, Dr. Edith Eva Eger delves into the arduous process of reconstructing her existence following the genocide of World War II. She highlights the obstacles that survivors encountered and the routes they took to achieve meaning and purpose. Continue reading to learn how to deal with survivor’s guilt by understanding what surviving the Holocaust means to Eger.
How did Edith Eger survive the Holocaust? How did she create a tolerable existence amid unthinkable horrors? According to Edith Eger, Auschwitz was a prison only for her body. Incredibly, she found ways to maintain psychological freedom while she faced cruelty, dehumanization, the loss of loved ones, and very little hope. Read more to discover how this remarkable woman persevered through one of history’s darkest chapters.
What does it mean to be Black in America? How can African Americans embrace and enjoy shared culture? Black American identity is complex in that Black Americans are still marginalized today, requiring resilience from members of the community—but there are still avenues for celebration, joy, and beloved traditions. In fact, this joy can be the very basis of resilience. Read on to see how Ta-Nehisi Coates describes his own experience of forming Black American identity in his book Between the World and Me.
What have been the consequences of slavery and segregation in America? How has this violence against African Americans impacted the Black community today? The consequences of slavery and segregation include enduring violence against Black Americans and racial discrimination. This includes discrimination by police and judicial systems. Here’s more on how racism manifests today, from the book Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates.
How does someone recover from an experience like the Holocaust? What inspiration can we draw from a life rebuilt? In her memoir, Dr. Edith Eva Eger provides a profoundly touching and insightful account of her life during the Holocaust. She talks about her time at Auschwitz and her efforts to reconstruct her existence after the war. Keep reading for an overview of Edith Eva Eger’s The Choice: Embrace the Possible.