Short Studies

Leonardo da Vinci was one of those geniuses that could do anything: he was an architect, a sculptor, a painter, amongst other things. He didn't really specialize in one particular field. Back in his day that was not an issue; it was encouraged to have your hand in a little bit of everything. Today, we have become increasingly more specialized. In his book, The Da Vinci Curse, Leonardo Lospennato gives clues and tips as to how a person with multiple talents can live in an increasingly specialized world. We will review and summarize these points here.

We all know that the mind is an incredible place. Despite this, the mind itself is not programmed to maximize our happiness. It is a repetition-loving mechanism and will often keep us stuck in old outdated patterns that may not serve us. These patterns often pass on from generation to generation. In the Code of the Extraordinary Mind, Vishen Lakhiani teaches us how to break through this outdated and generationally acquired programming to achieve the life we have always wanted. We will review and analyze Lakhiani's book.

There is no doubt about it, 9/11/2001 changed the world. What is really fueling this hate for Americans and the West is radical Islam and certain Islamic principles in general. The only way we can address these issues is by helping Islam evolve some of its core principles to fit into the modern world. In Ayaan Hirsi Ali's Heretic, she addresses the problems within Islam that inspire terror and how to remedy them. This review and analysis sums up the main points of her book.

In today's diet-crazed society, we are on a seemingly endless search for the perfect diet. In Dave Asprey's The Bulletproof Diet he explains what the perfect diet should look like: one that can help achieve peak health. In this edition of Summary Shorts, we will analyze and summarize the principles in The Bulletproof Diet and see how we can apply them into our daily diet and overall nutrition regimen. Enjoy!

When we think about viruses, we think about diseases such as the flu. For the most part, the flu comes and goes—the body is able to fight it. For some, it can be deadly. There are of course more dangerous viruses out there such as Ebola that in some cases kills 90 percent of those infected. In today's world, viruses can spread very quickly and it's for this reason we must be vigilant. Carl Zimmer in his book A Planet of Viruses discusses what viruses are and why they are so hard to eradicate. He also explains how not all viruses are bad and are, in fact, vital to our survival. Enjoy!

Desires are the fuel that runs our life, for good and for ill. In fact, if desire ceased, so would the human race. In Danielle Laporte's book The Desire Map, she uncovers ways to tap into our desires so we can live a more fulfilling and authentic life. In this edition of Summary Shorts, we will analyze and summarize the principles in her book and see how we can apply them into our daily lives so we can live more authentically.

Marcus Aurelius is most known for his philosophical musings, especially one brand of philosophical thought called stoicism. This philosophy has as much application in today's world as it did in his age. Marcus put his philosophical musings to paper; this work is now famously known as the Meditations. This is an analysis and review of Meditations.

Robert Greene, in his book Mastery, lays out exactly what we all need to do to gain mastery in any given field. In this book, we will analyze, discuss, and summarize Robert Greene's Mastery and see if we too can become masters in whatever endeavor we want to embark upon.

Sonia Shah, in her wonderful book Pandemic: Tracking Contagions, from Cholera to Ebola and Beyond, goes into some depth as to how we need to prepare for a future pandemic. In this review, we will analyze, discuss, and summarize the key points in Pandemic: Tracking Contagions, from Cholera to Ebola and Beyond. Enjoy!

The Internet changed everything. Alec Ross, in his book The Industries of the Future, discusses how technology has completely changed several industries both for the better and for the worse. In this volume of Summary Shorts, we will analyze, discuss, and summarize the core concepts of The Industries of the Future by Alec Ross.

In this summary, we will analyze, discuss, and summarize the key points in The Myth of the Rational Voter by Bryan Caplan. Most people would agree that democracy is broken yet we all know that it is the best governmental system we have. Despite it being the best system, we are facing an unprecedented crisis.

We may not think of our brain as being a computer, but in many ways it very much is like a computer. It is just far more complex than even the most advanced computer out there that we know of. In light of this fact, it is possible to program our minds to change how we react and behave. One effective program we can use is called neuro-linguistic programming or NLP as we will call it going forward. Millions of people around the world have used NLP to change their lives.

Not many people will tell you that they are motivated by their jobs. In fact, we would wager that most people would say they are not motivated by their jobs at all and that if they didn't need the money, they wouldn't be at their current jobs. In other words, they are not motivated. Dan Ariely, in his book, Payoff, discusses what really motivates people and surprisingly, it is not money. What motivates is an underlying sense of meaning. Here we will summarize and analyze Payoff.

There is no doubt that the economic crisis of 2008 was one of the worst in recorded history. It was scary times. What is even scarier still is the fact that it's only a matter of time before another crisis will occur. In Thomas E. Wood's book Meltdown, he makes the case that the US Government was to blame for the 2008 meltdown and asks how the government can insure it doesn't happen again. In this edition of Summary Shorts, we will analyze and summarize the ideas put forth in Meltdown and learn how a future financial crisis can be avoided.

In this summary, we will analyze, discuss, and summarize the key points in Tubes by Andrew Blum.

Pope Francis is one of the most interesting popes of modern times. In his book, The Name of God Is Mercy, he makes the point that God is not a God of judgment and punishment but one of love and mercy. In this edition of Summary Shorts, we will analyze and summarize the ideas put forth in The Name of God Is Mercy and learn more about this great Pope and his message of love.

If you have been on top of the news as of late you would have heard of the various scandals and exposes of the rich and powerful sheltering their money in offshore tax havens. Tax havens are a very popular way for those who have the means to hide their assets from taxation as well as other legal proceedings. In this review of The Hidden Wealth of Nations by Gabriel Zucman, we will analyze, discuss, and summarize the book's key points.

In this edition of Summary Shorts, we will analyze and summarize the ideas put forth in Aja Raden's Stoned: Jewelry, Obsession, and How Desire Shapes the World and learn how the value of these gems and precious stones changed through history.

This short audiobook is an article taken from a newspaper called The Jewish South, from Richmond, Virginia, March 12, 1897. This is a 19th-century view of how the number seven has been used in cultures and religion.

Through introducing concepts of active imagination, shamanic practices, and how to connect and dream with plant and tree spirits (and what that means), this short book provides insight, encouragement, and practical application for you to discover or strengthen your relationship with the plant and tree world in general, and with redwoods, in particular.