PDF Summary:Taking Charge of Adult ADHD, by

Book Summary: Learn the key points in minutes.

Below is a preview of the Shortform book summary of Taking Charge of Adult ADHD by Russell Barkley. Read the full comprehensive summary at Shortform.

1-Page PDF Summary of Taking Charge of Adult ADHD

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) isn’t a diagnosis that’s restricted to childhood. Many adults with ADHD struggle with schedules, fulfilling commitments, and maintaining enough focus to achieve their goals. If you’re an adult with ADHD, you may fear that you’ll continually disappoint yourself and others by not living up to society’s expectations.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. In Taking Charge of Adult ADHD, neuropsychologist Russell A. Barkley draws on nearly 50 years of experience researching and treating ADHD to explain what it is, how it affects adults, and how to effectively manage it through medication and lifestyle strategies. This guide explores how ADHD might affect you personally and describes the various treatment options that can help you curb its symptoms. In addition, we’ll expand on each of Barkley’s key ideas with research, advice, and actionable ideas from other health care practitioners and psychologists.

(continued)...

(Shortform note: Though Barkley touts the benefits of a constructive inner dialogue, for many people, self-talk is a curse. In Chatter, Ethan Kross discussed the negative side of internal dialogue that sometimes acts as an internal cynic who overwhelms and discourages you. “Beating yourself up” in this way activates your brain’s threat response, arising from the limbic system, which people with ADHD already have trouble keeping under control, as discussed previously. Kross presents several strategies for managing negative self-talk, but these may prove a particular challenge for people who already find engaging with their inner voice difficult.)

Just as ADHD impairs your memory of events, as we discussed in the previous section, ADHD weakens your ability to remember and organize written and verbal information, such as driving directions, a list of instructions, or important details like how often to take medications. This is a problem, since if you can’t remember information, you can’t consciously act on it. Barkley states that adults with ADHD often have a hard time retaining and comprehending information that they read or hear, such as trying to follow the plot of a book or the point a speaker makes in a lecture. ADHD even inhibits your ability to learn vicariously through observation. All of this makes any style of learning problematic for adults with ADHD.

(Shortform note: While Barkley doesn’t list specific strategies to cope with these challenges, some people with ADHD find success when reading aloud or moving around while reading. Audiobooks can be beneficial for those who process verbal information better than the written word. Additionally, adults with ADHD may find it helpful to relate what they read to personal life experiences and discuss what they've read with others, as in a book club. Experiment with various methods to identify which strategies work best for your unique needs.)

Medications to Treat ADHD

Thankfully, ADHD can be dealt with. Barkley states unequivocally that medication is the most effective way to treat adult ADHD symptoms. Here, we’ll look at how ADHD medications work and the pros and cons of taking stimulants versus non-stimulant medications.

(Shortform note: Barkley presents stimulants and non-stimulants as two separate options for treatment, but studies have shown benefits from combining both types of medication, especially for people with certain types of impulse-control symptoms, tic disorders, or difficulty sleeping. Doctors note that when switching patients from one form of medication to another, there is generally a period of overlap between them anyway, where the effects of both types of medication are seen to be acting at once. Keep in mind that you should always work closely with a physician when managing treatments.)

As previously discussed, ADHD results from an imbalance of the neurochemicals dopamine and norepinephrine, both of which are pivotal in processing information and regulating emotions. ADHD medications work by correcting the neurochemical imbalance underlying the disorder. By doing so, these medications nullify or reduce ADHD symptoms, leading to improved focus, self-awareness, and self-control. However, Barkley says that to determine the correct medication for you, as well as what dosage you should take, requires working closely with your physician, being open with them about all of your symptoms, and being patient until you and your doctor agree upon the optimal treatment plan.

(Shortform note: As stated earlier in this guide, author Gabor Maté approaches ADHD treatment from a different perspective than Barkley. In Scattered Minds, he suggests that you can heal ADHD through neuroplasticity—your brain’s ability to rewire itself in response to its environment. According to Maté, ADHD’s neurochemical component has roots in early life experience—your nerves don’t process dopamine correctly because you were denied the life experiences that would have trained your brain for proper dopamine transmission. Instead of medication, which Maté says can’t address those root causes, he recommends learning the psychological skills you missed out on as a child, which will also have a positive impact on your physical brain.)

Stimulants

It may seem counterintuitive to treat ADHD with stimulant medications. Won’t they increase impulsive, reckless behavior? Not necessarily. Barkley explains that the medicines used to treat ADHD stimulate the parts of the brain that ADHD normally shuts down. Remember, what people perceive as hyperactive, impulsive behavior is actually the result of the parts of your brain that govern inhibition being set on constant “snooze.” Stimulants wake your inhibition centers so that they interrupt your reactivity and give you a fighting chance to pause, reflect, and think your actions through before you take them.

(Shortform note: Using stimulants to treat ADHD is so counterintuitive that even after their benefits were discovered, the treatment didn’t catch on for decades. In 1937, psychiatrist Charles Bradley first observed that stimulants had a calming effect on hyperactive children, as well as improving their behavior and schoolwork. Bradley's discovery was largely accidental—he was trying to relieve his patients’ headaches with Benzedrine when he noticed its beneficial side effects. Bradley theorized what Barkley now presents as an accepted fact—that stimulants affect the regions of the brain responsible for inhibition and attention—but it took until 1956 for the medical establishment to catch on.)

The most well-known stimulant ADHD medications are Ritalin, Dexedrine, and Adderall. The latter two are classified as amphetamines—they increase the amount of dopamine produced by nerve cells in the brain. Ritalin and its equivalent medications are forms of the drug methylphenidate, which decreases the amount of dopamine your nerve cells reabsorb. Both types of stimulants have the same net effect—they increase the amount of dopamine in the parts of your brain that need it the most. An added benefit of these medications is that they provide rapid relief from symptoms, often within hours—which is particularly helpful in situations that require immediate symptom management, such as during stressful times at work or school.

(Shortform note: While Barkley highlights increased academic and career performance as evidence for stimulant medications like Adderall and Ritalin, they don’t benefit people without ADHD. A study in 2023 found that these drugs decrease productivity and cognitive ability in young adults without ADHD. Participants who took Ritalin required 50% more time than before to complete assigned tasks, while showing decreased accuracy and efficiency. The researchers concluded that for neurotypical people, these medications lead to increased motivation, but in a way that results in more erratic thinking and lower quality work. This shows another reason why an ADHD diagnosis is important before taking any medication.)

However, while stimulants offer significant advantages in treating ADHD, Barkley points out a few drawbacks. To begin with, stimulants only work as long as they’re in your bloodstream, so you have to take your medications regularly and consistently to effectively manage your symptoms. Also of concern are their potential side effects—some people taking these medications experience insomnia, headaches, nausea, and other symptoms. This is another reason why working with your doctor is important to determine the best course of treatment. Lastly, since stimulants can be abused, particularly by people without ADHD, the US regulates them as potentially addictive substances, making prescriptions sometimes hard to fill.

(Shortform note: Another problem facing ADHD patients, at least in the US, is an ongoing shortage of ADHD medications, including popular stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin, that began in 2022 and continues through the time of this writing. The shortage has been blamed on several factors, including increased demand, production difficulties, and supply chain disruptions. US regulatory agencies point to manufacturers’ failure to meet production quotas, but the issue is further compounded by limitations put in place by many insurance companies on how often and where patients can fulfill prescriptions.)

Non-Stimulants

In addition to the commonly used stimulant medications, Barkley writes that non-stimulants such as atomoxetine and guanfacine can also be effective at treating ADHD. Atomoxetine increases norepinephrine rather than dopamine, while guanfacine (a blood pressure medication) improves your nerves’ ability to send and receive information. Both of these drugs require more time to take effect than stimulants, so it may be several weeks before you see improvements. However, since these drugs lack the potential for abuse that stimulants carry, you may find it easier to get and fill prescriptions. Some people report that non-stimulants are less effective at treating ADHD’s symptoms, but Barkley says that results vary from person to person.

(Shortform note: As Barkley suggests by highlighting them first, stimulants remain the primary and most commonly prescribed treatment for ADHD, though the percentage of ADHD prescriptions for stimulants decreased slightly between 2012 to 2022. While there’s been an overall increase in stimulant prescriptions since 2020, non-stimulant medications are being used more and more as alternatives or in combination with stimulants, especially when stimulants alone aren’t enough. When patients switch medications, they’re more often switching from stimulants to non-stimulants than vice versa. )

Behavioral Strategies to Manage ADHD

Though medication is your first line of defense against ADHD, throughout your life you’ve probably developed unhelpful behavior patterns (such as ignoring the rules of the road) because of your ADHD symptoms. Once your medication has begun to do its work, you may want to try to develop new habits to counter the ones ingrained by ADHD. Barkley provides tips on how to take advantage of your reduced symptoms to retrain your brain so it can work to your benefit. These include learning to pause before acting, using visualization techniques to better understand the flow of time around you, and taking advantage of some cognitive tricks to give you a leg up on planning and problem-solving.

(Shortform note: Before delving into Barkley’s suggestions for changing the habits ingrained by ADHD, let’s take a moment to look at habits themselves. Most psychologists describe habits as something you do without thinking because the behavior is programmed into your brain. A “cue” or “trigger” starts the program running, such as the smell of coffee igniting your desire for your first cup of the day. The cue is followed by an automatic action, such as filling your cup from the office coffee maker. Lastly, your brain gets a reward that reinforces your behavior, which can either be something pleasurable or a relief from pain or fear. For habits formed because of ADHD, the reward is often a dopamine rush that counters your brain’s chemical deficiency.)

Taking a Pause

The first trick to overcoming ADHD-influenced habits is to find ways to pause and reflect in situations where you’re used to behaving impulsively. As a person with ADHD, you may find that easier said than done. Barkley acknowledges that trying to fight your impulse to act isn’t likely to work, so instead he suggests that you think about ways to redirect that impulse when it happens. If you can satisfy your reactive urge by deflecting it into a harmless action, such as scratching your head or tapping your fingers, that momentary pause might give you time to consider the most appropriate course of action to take next.

(Shortform note: When you pause to consider your actions, you actively switch your brain’s mode of thinking. In Thinking, Fast and Slow, Daniel Kahneman defines your brain's two modes as System 1 (automatic) and System 2 (effortful). System 1 thinking, often involuntary, generates suggestions, feelings, and intuitions for System 2 to approve or turn down. If endorsed by System 2, impulses turn into voluntary actions. The problem is that even for neurotypical people, System 2 thinking has a limited attention budget—you can only think about so many things at once. Because of this, you can’t force yourself to “think better.” All you can do is find ways to reduce your cognitive load—such as by taking Barkley’s advice to pause.)

This form of redirection will be hard to come up with on the spur of the moment, so Barkley suggests that you take time to identify impulsive patterns in your past and practice a counter-habit in advance so you can use it when it counts. For example, during conversations, you might instinctively interrupt other people whenever a new idea pops into your head. However, this behavior could easily strain relationships with your friends and coworkers. If this sounds familiar, then before the next time you feel the urge to cut someone off mid-sentence, you might decide to redirect that energy by taking a slow breath, placing your hand over your mouth, or paraphrasing what the other person just said.

(Shortform note: Barkley’s advice to create counter-habits reflects the idea that it’s easier to replace a habit with a new one than to stop a habitual reaction completely. In Atomic Habits, James Clear says to do this, you should maximize the appeal of the behavior you want, such as not interrupting someone in a conversation. Two ways to approach this are to associate the new habit with other, positive behaviors—such as connecting with others more deeply—and reframing the challenge the new habit presents in a positive light—such as looking forward to what the other person has to say more than voicing your thoughts as soon as you have them.)

Visualization

Of course, being able to see behavior patterns in your past and planning what to do about them in the future are two things that ADHD sabotages, as we discussed earlier in this guide. This makes it hard to analyze the past and predict the results of your actions in the future. Therefore, Barkley recommends visualization techniques that can strengthen your memory’s muscles. These range from adopting useful visual cues, exercising your different types of memory, and imagining the positive outcomes of your efforts.

(Shortform note: Though Barkley uses visualization as a tool to explore the past, motivational experts often espouse it as a way to clarify your future goals. However, in Mastery, George Leonard suggests a middle road—visualization as a tool for present-day learning. According to Leonard, visualization—or mental rehearsal—simply means creating a clear, vivid image of a skill you’re learning, such as a difficult passage on the piano. This starts the process of training your mind to form the circuits you’ll need to put your envisioned scenario into practice. The more vividly you rehearse a new habit in your mind—for instance, taking a pause before acting on your ADHD’s impulses—the stronger your “preconditioned” habits will become.)

The most difficult time to tap into memory is when you’re in the midst of challenging situations, so first let’s cover what you can do to help control your actions in advance. Barkley’s advice is to externalize your memory and use visual reminders to guide your choices. For instance, if you struggle with being on time for appointments, place a brightly colored sticky note in your line of sight to serve as a reminder. Another way to make your memory visual is to record anything you need to remember in a journal, including important dates, deadlines, and commitments you’ve made to other people. To reinforce the habit of consulting your journal, you can set an alarm on your phone or computer—another form of externalized memory.

(Shortform note: Though the visual cues Barkley recommends can help you keep track of all the things you must remember, such a system runs the risk of falling into disorganized clutter. In The Organized Mind, Daniel J. Levitin also touts the value of externalizing your memory, he says that your first step should be to sort your reminders into categories. Sorting your reminders will save your mental resources later by letting you focus on one category of tasks at a time—such as what you need to remember at work—instead of juggling competing demands from several facets of your life at once. The one risk that people with ADHD should avoid is creating so many categories that they stop being useful.)

See and Say the Past and the Future

As useful as they are, visual cues may not be helpful when you feel an immediate need to react. If you can successfully pause that reaction using one of the tricks discussed before, Barkley offers two techniques to actively engage your visual and verbal memory.

(Shortform note: While Barkley presents visual and verbal memory as two separate systems, the relationship between them is complicated. Visual cues can intrude on verbalized thoughts, and vice versa. In The Happiness Trap, Russ Harris explains that we use words and images in our minds to create stories about who we are and what our place is in the world. However, Harris cautions against mistaking the stories your visual and verbal memory create as an accurate representation of reality. You should certainly be mindful of your thoughts and feelings, as Barkley’s advice will help you to do, but according to Harris, you should also learn to separate yourself from your thoughts so you don’t become engulfed by the negative ones.)

The first technique that Barkley recommends is to imagine holding a smartphone or a tablet and picturing yourself on its screen. Imagine pressing “play” and watching a video of some past experience similar to your current situation. Allow that video to play out long enough so that what you see on your imaginary screen can guide your responses in the present. For example, before making an impulsive purchase, watch yourself making a similar purchase in the past and follow the story to its logical end—was your prior purchase rewarding or not? That may sound like a lot to do in the brief space of time while you’re pausing, so practice this technique in low-stakes situations before expecting it to work in challenging environments.

(Shortform note: Barkley draws his visualization tools from practices in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which have been shown to help people work toward goals, reduce stress, and improve their problem-solving skills. However, visualizing potential situations comes with a few pitfalls. As a person with ADHD, you may find it hard to picture situations that aren’t directly in front of you. You may also find that sometimes CBT visualization brings up and reinforces negative imagery. If you find that such problems happen often, you may find it helpful to practice visualization with the aid of a mental health professional.)

If your situation will allow it, Barkley suggests that you describe and analyze your situation out loud. This activates a different part of your memory than simple visualization. The brain’s verbal processing center encodes your experience into logic, rules, and reasoning, and as a person with ADHD, you may need to train yourself to deliberately turn it on. This involves exploring questions such as: “What’s happening here? When have I been in similar situations? What did I do last time and what happened as a result?” As with visual memory processing, this may take practice to become effective, so begin with easy situations, like whether you should follow a certain recipe, before moving on to more difficult matters.

(Shortform note: Just as some of Barkley’s previous tips aim to externalize your memory, this practice externalizes your internal dialogue. In Do Hard Things, Steve Magness explains that putting your thoughts into words can help you identify the thought you want to focus on. Vocalizing thoughts gives them more power, and if your inner dialogue is convoluted, with several different thoughts jostling for attention, giving them voice can simplify any internal debate and make your thoughts more actionable.)

Motivation and Problem-Solving

Not being able to envision the future creates real problems for people with ADHD, especially when it comes to motivation and problem-solving. As with navigating your challenges around short-term impulse control and decision-making, planning for the future requires activating the higher functions of the brain that ADHD normally suppresses. Tricks to jump-start a recalcitrant brain include visualizing positive outcomes, breaking tasks down into manageable chunks, and involving all of your senses in problem-solving, not just trying to work from pure imagination.

(Shortform note: One important higher function that Barkley doesn’t name is prospective memory, which lets you remember intentions or actions planned for the future. Prospective memory is essential for remembering to take medication, make a phone call, or run errands. This type of memory arises from brain regions involved in self-monitoring and spontaneous recall. Studies show that impaired prospective memory not only interferes with planning for the future, but is also a cause of procrastination.)

The trouble with trying to change your behavior is that it takes time to see any results, and as a person with ADHD, you may grow impatient with your progress or worse—you might start to beat yourself up for not being able to see results fast enough. This is why Barkley says it’s important to imagine the positive consequences that will result from engaging in productive behaviors. This can help generate uplifting emotions that motivate you to take the necessary steps to achieve your goals.

(Shortform note: Barkley’s directive to stay positive goes along with the majority of self-help advice, but according to Oliver Burkeman, this widely accepted belief has downsides. In The Antidote, Burkeman explains that attempting to think only positive thoughts can heighten negative emotions by requiring you to suppress and ignore them, rather than address what you’re feeling. When negative thoughts inevitably surface, you may assume that your emotional distress is your fault for not being positive enough. Burkeman states that instead of striving for constant positivity, you should embrace life’s uncertainty and imperfections—which would include embracing your ADHD, something Barkley also recommends, as we’ll see.)

This advice doesn’t only apply to managing your ADHD, but also to achieving any of the goals that your ADHD symptoms may have hindered. For example, if you want to write a book but have trouble getting started, imagine how good it will feel to hold a published copy in your hand. Barkley writes that to amplify your positive emotions, you can use visual cues as reminders of how much you’ll enjoy achieving your goals, similar to the reminders you might use to keep yourself on track for your short-term tasks. For instance, if you aspire to run a marathon and need visual motivation to train, create a mockup of the medal you might win once you’ve finished the race.

(Shortform note: If you don’t find Barkley’s motivational reminders to be effective on their own, you may need to engage with your goals more directly. In The 10X Rule, Grant Cardone says that instead of leaving yourself reminders of your goals, you should write them down at least twice a day. This will help fix them more firmly in your mind. Cardone recommends writing them down when you wake up and when you go to bed, while feeling free to revise them as needed. Since ADHD might make this hard to remember, perhaps you can use a visual reminder to write your goals down, rather than to remind you of your goals themselves.)

Maintain Your Momentum

Once you’ve found a motivation that works, Barkley argues that you’ll find your ambitions easier to achieve if you do three things: First, divide your goals into smaller tasks, which will provide a structured approach that can help you not feel overwhelmed or frustrated. Second, report your progress to others, which creates accountability to help you stay committed and focused on your goal. Lastly, reward yourself for accomplishing each task to give yourself a sense of accomplishment that can fuel your motivation toward achieving your ultimate goal.

(Shortform note: The common belief about motivation is that it comes before you take action, but in The Motivation Myth, Jeff Haden argues that motivation is the result of success, not something you have before you get started. Haden agrees with all of Barkley’s advice, but he asserts that motivation is momentum, and that focusing on small tasks, staying accountable, and rewarding yourself all create a positive feedback loop that keeps your motivation going. If you experience hyperfocus as one of your ADHD symptoms, Haden’s suggestion of a day-long productivity marathon could harness your ADHD traits as a motivational strength.)

For example, if your goal is to write a book, commit to writing two pages a day, share your progress with a writing group, and each time you complete your daily two pages, enjoy a small treat. What’s important is that you don’t beat yourself up if these strategies don’t work every time. Achieving long-term goals is hard for anyone, but especially for those who have to simultaneously manage ADHD’s symptoms. However, Barkley says these tactics can give you a fighting chance to overcome the motivational hurdles that ADHD throws your way.

(Shortform note: Since emotional regulation is a challenge for people with ADHD, the type of self-care that Barkley recommends might be easier said than done. You may feel frustration and a sense of isolation, and you may be quick to criticize yourself due to perceived shortcomings. Nevertheless, the healthiest response is to approach such moments with warmth and understanding. Remind yourself that many others with ADHD face similar struggles. Mindfulness practices in particular can teach you to observe your thoughts and behaviors without judgment, promoting self-awareness and focus while helping you develop a more resilient mindset when facing setbacks.)

Engage Your Senses

What you may have noticed about Barkley’s self-management tips is that most of them externalize an internal mental process. Since ADHD weakens your ability to organize information in the mind, Barkley suggests that you engage with problems manually rather than mentally, using your senses of sight, touch, and hearing. For instance, to weigh the pros and cons of a decision, write them down on paper. Rather than trying to keep track of a series of instructions in your head, use a voice memo app to record them. When faced with a complex problem, draw a diagram or use sticky notes. “Thinking” with your hands, ears, and eyes lets you connect ideas and gain a clear understanding of the problem at hand.

(Shortform note: In the field of education, Barkley’s suggestion to tackle problems manually is referred to as kinesthetic learning. It encourages processing information through touch and movement, and is useful for people who prefer physical activity as a means to master new skills. Adults with ADHD can use kinesthetic learning by getting hands-on experience, taking part in interactive role-playing, and learning from game-like simulations. Not only does kinesthetic learning improve retention, it increases your muscle memory for hands-on tasks and has been shown to boost problem-solving and self-confidence. Some careers, especially those which combine physical and mental activity, are well-suited for kinesthetic learners.)

Accept Your ADHD

No matter what medications and lifestyle strategies you find useful, Barkley is adamant that to truly manage your ADHD, rather than letting it manage you, is to accept that your ADHD is part of who you are as a person. This doesn’t mean you should accept it as a gift, but neither should you ever feel ashamed about your diagnosis. If you acknowledge it as one of your imperfections, of which we all have many, then you’ll be able to work with your condition, rather than wasting fruitless time working against it.

(Shortform note: Avoiding shame is the key benefit Barkley stresses from accepting ADHD. In The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown defines shame as the feeling that you don’t deserve to be loved because you’ll never be “good enough.” The counter to shame is feeling worthiness, the conviction that you are good enough as you are, flaws and all. Brown’s recipe for learning resilience against shame includes being and accepting your true, authentic self and refusing to compare yourself to others. This advice can be hard to follow if you’re used to feelings of inadequacy for being neurodivergent, but Brown insists that accepting who you are as a person will help you develop a sense of inner strength and resilience against future feelings of shame.)

Barkley says you might find it helpful to approach your ADHD with a sense of humor. Though this, like any other strategy, may not work for everyone, being able to laugh at your struggles can help you maintain a positive attitude as you navigate the challenges arising from your symptoms. If you can face difficulties related to ADHD and are able to find humor in the situation, you’ll avoid fixating on your mistakes, being self-critical, and becoming mired in negative self-judgment. Ultimately, this approach can empower you to maintain resilience and focus on moving forward.

(Shortform note: In saying you can face your ADHD with humor, Barkley isn’t suggesting that you should see your condition as funny—rather, that you can reframe your struggles in a way that can make living with them easier. Though Barkley doesn’t draw the connection himself, some of his advice about adopting a helpful mindset is in line with classic Stoic philosophy. In The Stoic Challenge, William B. Irvine explains that when encountering problems—such as those of living with ADHD—you can frame them as opportunities to practice resilience, resolve, courage… and humor. This lets you maintain emotional equilibrium by choosing to respond rather than to react, so you can face ADHD’s challenges on your own terms.)

Want to learn the rest of Taking Charge of Adult ADHD in 21 minutes?

Unlock the full book summary of Taking Charge of Adult ADHD by signing up for Shortform.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being 100% comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you don't spend your time wondering what the author's point is.
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.

Here's a preview of the rest of Shortform's Taking Charge of Adult ADHD PDF summary:

What Our Readers Say

This is the best summary of Taking Charge of Adult ADHD I've ever read. I learned all the main points in just 20 minutes.

Learn more about our summaries →

Why are Shortform Summaries the Best?

We're the most efficient way to learn the most useful ideas from a book.

Cuts Out the Fluff

Ever feel a book rambles on, giving anecdotes that aren't useful? Often get frustrated by an author who doesn't get to the point?

We cut out the fluff, keeping only the most useful examples and ideas. We also re-organize books for clarity, putting the most important principles first, so you can learn faster.

Always Comprehensive

Other summaries give you just a highlight of some of the ideas in a book. We find these too vague to be satisfying.

At Shortform, we want to cover every point worth knowing in the book. Learn nuances, key examples, and critical details on how to apply the ideas.

3 Different Levels of Detail

You want different levels of detail at different times. That's why every book is summarized in three lengths:

1) Paragraph to get the gist
2) 1-page summary, to get the main takeaways
3) Full comprehensive summary and analysis, containing every useful point and example