The World's Best Book Summaries
What are the benefits of being mindful? How is your health affected by mindfulness? According to Dr. Judson Brewer in Unwinding Anxiety, there’s a reliable way to recognize and dismantle anxiety and the harmful habits it spawns. He suggests mindfulness—the practice of paying close attention to the present moment without analyzing or judging it. Here are the top benefits of practicing mindfulness.
What is a forest ecosystem? Are forests technically societies? Suzanne Simard’s research suggests that cooperation is the defining nature of the relationship between trees and other plant life. Her book Finding the Mother Tree suggests that a forest ecosystem is very similar to human societies. Read more to learn what a forest ecosystem is and how it’s similar to human societies.
What is Charles Wheelan’s Naked Statistics about? What statistics does Wheelan cover in the book? Statistics help us use data to make sense of the world, and statistical insights help guide modern society, informing medical practices, public and fiscal policy, education initiatives, business and marketing decisions, and so on. But many people find statistics intimidating. In his book Naked Statistics, Charles Wheelan aims to demystify statistics to make them more accessible for non-mathematical audiences. Keep reading for our review of Naked Statistics, including the author’s background and commentary on the book’s approach.
What are the different types of bias in statistics? What are some ways bias can creep into a research project? As individuals and as a society, we rely on scientific research to make informed decisions and to understand the world around us. Therefore, researchers have an ethical obligation to identify and address sources of bias in their research. Statistical bias can make its way into a research project anywhere along the way, from the study’s conception to the research question, the data collection, the statistical analysis, the reporting of findings, and the study’s publication. Keep reading to learn about the
How can you define your goals to make them actionable? After defining your goals, what next step should you take to achieve them? Goals feel impossible when you see no discernible way to get from where you are to where you want to be. In The Art of Impossible, Steven Kotler draws on extensive neurobiological research to demystify how to define your goals and achieve breakthrough success. Keep reading to learn Kotler’s advice on how to define your goals when you don’t know where to begin.
Do you want to improve your leadership skills? What are some of the best leadership resources to learn from? There are hundreds of leadership resources on the web that claim to be the best when it comes to leadership development. As with everything, the best sources are always the ones that speak from firsthand experience. That was exactly our criteria when compiling this list of the best leadership resources, including books, blogs, and podcasts.
What is Sanjay Gupta’s Keep Sharp about? What is the key to keeping your brain sharp as you age? In Keep Sharp, Sanjay Gupta provides advice for improving your brain health. It’s not just about improving intelligence or memory: It’s about developing a brain that is resilient and creating a brain that can build new cells and use the cells you have more efficiently. If you have a healthy, resilient brain, you’ll be happier, more productive, and better equipped to fight off cognitive decline as you age. Below is a brief overview of Keep Sharp by Sanjay Gupta.
What’s Machiavelli’s advice regarding military forces? Why does he warn against using hired and borrowed soldiers? In The Prince, Niccolò Machiavelli distinguishes three types of armies: hired forces (mercenaries), borrowed forces, and personal forces. According to Machiavelli, mercenaries should be avoided, borrowed forces are risky, and personal armies are the way to go. Continue reading for Machiavelli’s reasons on why hired and borrowed forces aren’t worth it.
Want to know how to become a good parent? What are the three principles of great parenting? Author and lecturer Alfie Kohn believes that standard parenting principles are outdated and potentially damaging. To become a good parent, Kohn created his unconditional parenting principles to show parents how to positively discipline and communicate with children. Read on to learn Kohn’s three essential principles for how to become a good parent.
How does regressive taxation contribute to economic inequality? Why do the rich pay less than their fair share of taxes? Regressive taxation is why America lacks funding for social initiatives and is riddled with economic inequality. The wealthiest people and corporations can avoid paying their fair share of taxes, so the bulk of public funds is pulled from the pockets of modest families. Keep reading to learn about the origins of regressive taxation and how it contributes to economic inequality.