The World's Best Book Summaries
What were Jimmy Carter’s parents like? Why did he speak with an African-American accent as a child? Jimmy Carter made it to the White House—a far cry from where he began. In the book His Very Best, biographer Jonathan Alter paints a vivid picture of Carter’s formative years that set the stage for an extraordinary life. Keep reading to learn about Jimmy Carter’s early life and how it shaped him.
Do you let pride cloud your judgment when it comes to running your business? Do you have goals but no plan for how to reach them? In The Road Less Stupid, Keith Cunningham says that to achieve financial success, you must avoid easy mistakes. He describes the top mistakes that you need to avoid and explains his methodology for thinking through business issues. Read below for a brief overview of The Road Less Stupid.
Why are DEI programs becoming controversial? Do DEI programs even work? What are the arguments being posed against them? Some states are banning Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and some companies face boycotts or criticism for implementing them. However, others claim that DEI programs are essential to maintaining cognitive diversity and fair practices. Below we’ll discuss arguments for and against DEI programming, and consider what might be done differently.
Do you feel unfulfilled in life? Does it seem like you’re wasting your time and squandering your potential? You can spend your time thinking about the things you can control or the things you can’t. Stanford-trained psychologist Gay Hendricks writes that the way to be happy is to let go of the things you can’t control and instead devote your time and energy to things you can change. Continue reading for an overview of Hendricks’s book The Genius Zone.
Why are domestically-grown berries larger than wild berries? Why are lemurs only in Madagascar? Is there evidence of transitional species? Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution maintains that our current species descended from older, less developed species. According to Darwin, common descent is evidenced by changes in domesticated species, leftover characteristics, intermediate species found in the fossil record, and the role of natural barriers. Read more to learn why Darwin believes that species have descended from earlier species.
Do you see everything as a learning opportunity? Are you eager to figure out things for yourself? According to Confucius, learning throughout life is vital. Whether it’s picking up new ideas and skills or gaining insights from other people, you should keep your eyes and your mind open to what you can learn and how you can grow. Read more to learn what Confucius had to say about learning in The Analects.
What’s causing cities to sink under their own weight? Can anything be done to save them? From New York to Jakarta, coastal cities across the globe are gradually sinking under their own weight. Experts say that left unaddressed, the problem, combined with rising sea levels and climate change, will worsen already severe flooding and eventually make coastal areas unlivable. Keep reading to learn about these disappearing cities.
Do you tend to see the best in people? Is it easy for you to open up to others, even strangers? Do you make people laugh (with you, not at you)? John C. Maxwell estimates that he’s spoken over 13,000 times throughout his career, and he shares his wisdom in his book The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication. He recommends that, as you prepare to speak, you figure out your strengths so you know how to play to them. Read on to learn about four public speaking strengths and how to determine your own.
What did Jimmy Carter learn from Admiral Rickover? What did Carter do during the Civil Rights Movement that he later regretted? What dominated his last year in the White House? In His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life, Jonathan Alter presents a fresh perspective on the complicated history of the person he suggests is one of the US’s most underrated presidents. He chronicles the life of Jimmy Carter, from his childhood to the decades after his presidency. Continue reading for an overview of this book that asks us to see Jimmy Carter’s presidency in a different light.
When you feel unhappy, do you know the cause? What’s the solution? Each moment, you can choose to focus on the things you can control or the things you can’t. Psychologist Gay Hendricks writes that the way to be content is to let go of the things you can’t control and instead devote your time and energy to things you can change. Keep reading to learn how to perform the Genius Move when you start thinking about things you can’t control.