At getAbstract, we summarize books* that help people understand the world and make it better. Whatever we select for our library has to excel in one or the other of these two core criteria: Good. A helpful and/or enlightening book that combines two or more noteworthy strengths, e.g. contains uncommonly novel ideas and presents them in an engaging manner. While the rating tells you how good a book is according to our two core criteria, it says nothing about its particular defining features. Therefore, we use a set of 20 qualities to characterize each book by its strengths:

Solid. A helpful and/or enlightening book, in spite of its obvious shortcomings. For instance, it may offer decent advice in some areas while being repetitive or unremarkable in others. Notable. A helpful and/or enlightening book that stands out by at least one aspect, e.g. is particularly well structured. Insider’s take – You’ll have the privilege of learning from someone who knows her or his topic inside-out. Applicable – You’ll get advice that can be directly applied in the workplace or in everyday situations. Brilliant. A helpful and/or enlightening book that, in addition to meeting the highest standards in all pertinent aspects, stands out even among the best. Often an instant classic and must-read for everyone.Well structured – You’ll find this to be particularly well organized to support its reception or application.

For beginners – You’ll find this to be a good primer if you’re a learner with little or no prior experience/knowledge.

Superb. A helpful and/or enlightening book that is extremely well rounded, has many strengths and no shortcomings worth mentioning. Concrete Examples – You’ll get practical advice illustrated with examples of real-world applications or anecdotes.