A Very Short Introduction
Whenever I start reading a new book, it is only a matter of time before a familiar thought crosses my mind: “How cool would it be to study this at university!?“
This frustrates me because, while I love learning, I have no interest in being a student forever. Luckily, other people do study all of these exciting topics and share their insights.
The series “Very Short Introductions,” published by Oxford University Press, offers the opportunity to dive into the main concepts of countless subjects and to learn from experts. If you can relate to the experience I just described, you should check it out. As of 2024, you can choose from more than 700 topics, ranging from “Archaeology” to “Astrophysics,” “Anarchism,” and “Adam Smith.” I guarantee that something will pique your interest. To give you a sense of what these little books try to do, I’ll share my experience with three of them:
Climate Change - A Very Short Introduction (Mark Maslin):
In this Very Short Introduction, Maslin explains the basics of the earth’s climate and what scientists mean when they talk about climate change. Using simple yet informative illustrations, Maslin establishes the necessary facts and answers questions such as: Why is the earth warming? What is the relationship between greenhouse gases and temperature trends, and how do scientists figure out these things? What makes climate change unpredictable, and why is that a problem?
Moreover, he highlights the importance of good governance in tackling climate change. We have the tools at our disposal to adapt to and fight climate change. So, questions of political will and commitment become essential. Everyone should be familiar with the concepts covered in this Very Short Introduction.
American Political Parties and Elections (2nd Edition) - A Very Short Introduction (L. Sandy Maisel):
Most people have a basic understanding of American politics; they know about the two main parties and have heard about the importance of swing states and the electoral college. Few people, however, know about the origin and implications of the US political system. Maisel digs deeper and evaluates how this system affects political competition, citizen participation, and, ultimately, democracy. He recaps current debates, stressing that pointing out the flaws of a political system is much easier than coming up with effective solutions.
(Note that the 3rd edition of this Very Short Introduction is now available.)
Thinking and Reasoning - A Very Short Introduction (Jonathan St B. T. Evans):
This VSI offers several lightbulb moments; some can make you feel really stupid, but the insights that follow are worth it. Evans introduces abstract concepts such as problem solving and cognitive biases using examples and tests from various studies. From start to finish, he manages to make this book feel like a conversation, and the flow of ideas was easy and logical. Do not, however, expect this Very Short Introduction to introduce you to neuroscience or brain anatomy (check out the respective introductions to these topics if you’re more interested in those aspects of thought processes).
One final piece of advice: Keep in mind that tons of books have been written about all of these subjects. The authors of the Very Short Introductions, who are experts in their field, excel at reducing them to the essential concepts. But their intrinsic complexity remains. Thus, the information density is high, and more than one read might be necessary to understand everything. This doesn’t apply equally to every topic, but for some a little background knowledge is certainly an asset.
With this series, Oxford University Press has established an incredible resource that enables you to expand your horizon and pursue something outside your usual interests. Another perk: The books are really pretty and make for a great collection on your bookshelf.