Social Tests

This is an audio summary of Being Mortal, a book that explores the inevitable process of aging and ultimately death, and takes a critical look at how the medical profession does not yet have a firm grip on how to handle these processes well.

This audio study guide for Feminism Is for Everybody: Passionate Politics by Bell Hooks includes detailed summary and analysis of each chapter and an in-depth exploration of the book’s multiple symbols, motifs, and themes, such as patriarchy, sexism, and the power of education. Featured content also includes commentary on major characters, 25 important quotes, essay questions, and discussion topics.

In the book, Gawande is able to build a narrative through the collection of experiences that leads to the conclusion that as we perceive ourselves as closer to death, our thoughts on mortality transform our goals and values to that of simpler things. Through a collection of insights, statistics and stories, Gawande argues on how we should focus less on prolonging life and more on how we can make it more meaningful. (Disclaimer: This is NOT the original book. If you’re looking for the original book, it is available from Amazon and Audible.)

The Meaning of Truth is a prime example of the philosophical movement of pragmatism, which was developed in the United States in the 19th century. Written in 1907 by one of the most ardent proponents of pragmatism, William James, this collection of fifteen essays answers the critiques that pragmatist tradition had received.

The Discourse on the Method of Reason was the first true work of skepticism, a foundation of doubt which allowed a critical re-examination of all that was previously held to be true. Descartes literally revolutionized both philosophy and mathematics, and this discourse provides the means by which he approached the tangle of contemporary thought and laid the foundation of rational understanding.

Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel's Aesthetics, or Philosophy of Fine Art, is part of a rich German aesthetic tradition that stretches from the middle of the 18th century into the modern era. Hegel wrote this work early in the German exploration of aesthetics, and it served as a foundation piece for the philosophies of all who followed him.

"Property is theft." This quote is perhaps one of the most widely known phrases delivered by Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, a man known as the father of anarchy. In The Philosophy of Misery, he examines the nature of economy and gives his thoughts about the subversive influence of capitalism. Before the rise of corporate giants, Proudhon recognized the potential for the state and the economy to enslave humanity to profit and accumulation.

In the fall of 1999, New York Times education reporter Jacques Steinberg was given an unprecedented opportunity to observe the admissions process at prestigious Wesleyan University. Over the course of nearly a year, Steinberg accompanied admissions officer Ralph Figueroa on a tour to assess and recruit the most promising students in the country. The Gatekeepers follows a diverse group of prospective students as they compete for places in the nation's most elite colleges.

To become a US citizen, you must meet the following requirements: You must be 18 years of age or older. You must have authorization to live and work in the US on a permanent basis (informally known as a green card) for at least five years (or three years, if married to a United States citizen). You must have continuous residence in the US for at least five years (or three years, if married to a United States citizen) and be physically present in the US for at least half that time.

This audio study guide for The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt includes detailed summary and analysis of each chapter and an in-depth exploration of the book’s multiple symbols, motifs, and themes, such as pluralism, relativism, and individualism. Featured content also includes commentary on major characters, 25 important quotes, essay questions, and discussion topics.

In the current climate of racial tension and outcries for equality, why does talking about race seem so difficult? In Robin DiAngelo's best-selling book, White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism, she takes on this difficult topic. In less than one hour, this summary will help you recall the key ideas if you already listened to the book or quickly grasp the key ideas from White Fragility if you're considering listening to it.

Layla Saad in this ground breaking discovery on White Supremacy; which is a story, a provocation, and an invitation. On the one hand, it is a reflection by Saad on her own journey as a Muslim woman of African descent growing up in Western society (in her case, in England). On the other hand, this book challenges listener to examine how their own lives contribute to and reinforce the systems of White Supremacy that underlie Western society.

A comprehensive summary of Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know about the People We Don’t Know by Malcolm Gladwell. Talking to Strangers is nothing short of powerful, insightful, and highly revelatory. It tears the very fabric of what you should look out for when talking to strangers and replaces them with proven, real time instances that shape and redefine your outlook of the subject matter. It is not just a book. It is a tool for building successful and honest interpersonal relationships with those you know, as much as those you do not.

In his 2019 book, Stillness Is the Key, Ryan Holiday guides readers using Stoic and Buddhist philosophies to show people how internal stillness can lead to doing great things, personal peace, and happiness. Stillness Is the Key not only shows that stillness works, but it also helpfully guides readers on how they too can achieve tranquility in their minds, which leads to the ability to handle situations that are externally chaotic.

Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World (2019) shows how social media sites, smartphones, and other modern innovations became major contributors to the rise of depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Author Cal Newport argues that many users have become dependent on smartphones and the applications those phones can access to fill spare moments in their days....

Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World’s Top Minds (2009) by professional communications expert Carmine Gallo offers essential guidance for delivering an effective, original, and moving presentation. Gallo’s book incorporates discussions of the psychology behind compelling keynote speeches, interviews with TED presenters, and insights gleaned from analyzing more than 150 hours of TED talks, representing approximately 500 speakers.... Purchase this in-depth summary to learn more.

Fierce Conversations: Achieving Success at Work and in Life, One Conversation at a Time (originally published in 2002, and revised in 2017) is a self-help guide about the importance of frank, empathetic communication. Author Susan Scott believes that, too often, personal and professional conversations are unproductive, or even counter-productive. Purchase this in-depth summary to learn more. (Disclaimer: This is NOT the original book. If you’re looking for the original book, it is available from Amazon and Audible.)

Don't miss Robert Cialdiani's long anticipated follow-up to his blockbuster book Influence. Robert Cialdiani uses heavily researched data along with relatable situations to show you a new way to influence people before you even open your mouth.

Don't miss this summary of Bryan Stevenson's controversial and eye-opening book, Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption. This FastReads summary provides chapter synopses, key takeaways, and analysis to help you fully digest this stunning, personal, and in-depth look at the racial injustices plaguing the American justice system.

Philosopher Judith Butler's 1990 work, Gender Trouble, shook the foundations of feminist theory and changed the conversation about gender. While many thinkers already accepted that "gender" was a category constructed by society rather than defined by one's genitalia, Butler went further and argued that gender is performative - it exists only in the acts that express it. Society determines that wearing makeup is "feminine" - but some men wear makeup. Are they "women"?