The Great Leveler Summary of Key Points

Walter Scheidel’s ‘The Great Leveler’ examines the history of inequality across different civilizations and points in time. The book argues that throughout history, significant reductions in inequality have been the result of catastrophic events, which Scheidel labels as ‘the Four Horsemen’: mass-mobilization warfare, transformative revolutions, state collapse, and plagues. He explores how these forces have periodically leveled the playing field, but at great human cost, and questions the possibility of reducing inequality through less violent means.

The Midnight Library Summary of Key Points

The Midnight Library is a novel written by Matt Haig. It revolves around a young woman named Nora Seed who is filled with regret and despair. One night, she finds herself in a magical library where each book represents a different life she could have lived. As she explores these lives, she discovers what is truly important to her.