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The Old Regime and the French Revolution
by Alexis de Tocqueville • 1856
The Revolution did not break with the past; it finished the centralization the monarchy built.
4.04
3k+
The Old Regime and the French Revolution Summary
The Old Regime and the French Revolution 95%
The Revolution did not break with the past; it finished the centralization the monarchy built.
by Alexis de Tocqueville 1856
4.04
3k+ ratings
The Great Debate
by Yuval Levin • 2013
Burke and Paine split over human nature and justice. Their argument became right and left.
3.87
1k+
The Great Debate Summary
The Great Debate 91%
Burke and Paine split over human nature and justice. Their argument became right and left.
by Yuval Levin 2013
3.87
1k+ ratings
The Social Contract
by Jean-Jacques Rousseau • 1762
Freedom through total surrender: the paradox that built modern democracy and still threatens it.
3.78
58k+
The Social Contract Summary
The Social Contract 91%
Freedom through total surrender: the paradox that built modern democracy and still threatens it.
by Jean-Jacques Rousseau 1762
3.78
58k+ ratings
Brave Genius
by Sean B. Carroll • 2013
Forged in the Resistance, a philosopher and a biologist fought the Cold War with different weapons.
4.28
727
Brave Genius Summary
Brave Genius 90%
Forged in the Resistance, a philosopher and a biologist fought the Cold War with different weapons.
by Sean B. Carroll 2013
4.28
727 ratings
The Philosophy of the Enlightenment
by Ernst Cassirer • 1932
The Enlightenment remade reason: not a storehouse of truths, but a way of discovering them.
4.11
258
The Philosophy of the Enlightenment Summary
The Philosophy of the Enlightenment 90%
The Enlightenment remade reason: not a storehouse of truths, but a way of discovering them.
by Ernst Cassirer 1932
4.11
258 ratings
At the Existentialist Café
by Sarah Bakewell • 2016
The existentialists built a philosophy from cafés, war, and each other's complicated lives.
4.24
20k+
At the Existentialist Café Summary
At the Existentialist Café 90%
The existentialists built a philosophy from cafés, war, and each other's complicated lives.
by Sarah Bakewell 2016
4.24
20k+ ratings
The Crowd & The Psychology of Revolution
by Gustave Le Bon • 2015
Crowds make individuals disappear, and the mass that forms only feels, never thinks.
4.13
285
The Crowd & The Psychology of Revolution Summary
The Crowd & The Psychology of Revolution 90%
Crowds make individuals disappear, and the mass that forms only feels, never thinks.
by Gustave Le Bon 2015
4.13
285 ratings
Modern Times
by Paul Johnson • 1983
Einstein and Freud dismantled the old moral universe. Into the void stepped the totalitarians.
4.29
3k+
Modern Times Summary
Modern Times 90%
Einstein and Freud dismantled the old moral universe. Into the void stepped the totalitarians.
by Paul Johnson 1983
4.29
3k+ ratings
Cooking for Kings
by Ian Kelly • 2003
Abandoned at ten on Paris streets. He became the pastry architect for Napoleon, tsars, and kings.
3.75
291
Cooking for Kings Summary
Cooking for Kings 90%
Abandoned at ten on Paris streets. He became the pastry architect for Napoleon, tsars, and kings.
by Ian Kelly 2003
3.75
291 ratings
The Myth of the State
by Ernst Cassirer • 1946
The Greeks fought myth with reason. The modern state perfected it as a weapon.
3.90
209
The Myth of the State Summary
The Myth of the State 90%
The Greeks fought myth with reason. The modern state perfected it as a weapon.
by Ernst Cassirer 1946
3.90
209 ratings
Free Speech
by Jacob Mchangama • 2022
Free speech has a 2,500-year losing streak, and the playbook for silencing it hasn't changed.
4.18
500
Free Speech Summary
Free Speech 90%
Free speech has a 2,500-year losing streak, and the playbook for silencing it hasn't changed.
by Jacob Mchangama 2022
4.18
500 ratings
Democracy in America
by Alexis de Tocqueville • 1835
Equality built American democracy—and made majority rule the new despotism.
4.05
27k+
Democracy in America Summary
Democracy in America 90%
Equality built American democracy—and made majority rule the new despotism.
by Alexis de Tocqueville 1835
4.05
27k+ ratings
Buddhism
by Damien Keown • 1996
Buddhism has no god, no bible, no pope. What holds its many traditions together?
3.74
3k+
Buddhism Summary
Buddhism 90%
Buddhism has no god, no bible, no pope. What holds its many traditions together?
by Damien Keown 1996
3.74
3k+ ratings
The Rebel
by Albert Camus • 1951
Rebellion either creates solidarity or becomes murder: a journey from blasphemy to the guillotine.
4.13
19k+
The Rebel Summary
The Rebel 90%
Rebellion either creates solidarity or becomes murder: a journey from blasphemy to the guillotine.
by Albert Camus 1951
4.13
19k+ ratings
A Bite-Sized History of France
by Stephane Henaut • 2018
French cuisine is a global collage. The myth of purity, dismantled one dish at a time.
4.19
2k+
A Bite-Sized History of France Summary
A Bite-Sized History of France 90%
French cuisine is a global collage. The myth of purity, dismantled one dish at a time.
by Stephane Henaut 2018
4.19
2k+ ratings
Soul Machine
by George Makari • 2015
Science couldn't find the soul. So early modern Europe invented the mind to take its place.
3.82
157
Soul Machine Summary
Soul Machine 89%
Science couldn't find the soul. So early modern Europe invented the mind to take its place.
by George Makari 2015
3.82
157 ratings
The Anatomy of Fascism
by Robert O. Paxton • 2004
A historian maps the path to fascist power: the deals, the power split, and the warning signs.
4.22
6k+
The Anatomy of Fascism Summary
The Anatomy of Fascism 89%
A historian maps the path to fascist power: the deals, the power split, and the warning signs.
by Robert O. Paxton 2004
4.22
6k+ ratings
Age of Revolutions
by Fareed Zakaria • 2024
Four centuries of revolutions reveal one pattern: gradual change sticks; radical breaks collapse.
4.17
5k+
Age of Revolutions Summary
Age of Revolutions 89%
Four centuries of revolutions reveal one pattern: gradual change sticks; radical breaks collapse.
by Fareed Zakaria 2024
4.17
5k+ ratings
The Order of Things
by Michel Foucault • 1966
Thought is governed by hidden rules that have collapsed twice. 'Man' was their latest product.
4.12
10k+
The Order of Things Summary
The Order of Things 89%
Thought is governed by hidden rules that have collapsed twice. 'Man' was their latest product.
by Michel Foucault 1966
4.12
10k+ ratings
The Age of Capital, 1848–1875
by Eric J. Hobsbawm • 1975
After 1848, capitalism conquered the globe. Railways, gold, and free trade were its weapons.
4.27
5k+
The Age of Capital, 1848–1875 Summary
The Age of Capital, 1848–1875 89%
After 1848, capitalism conquered the globe. Railways, gold, and free trade were its weapons.
by Eric J. Hobsbawm 1975
4.27
5k+ ratings
End Times
by Peter Turchin • 2023
Ten millennia of data point to two conditions for state collapse. America now meets both.
4.06
3k+
End Times Summary
End Times 89%
Ten millennia of data point to two conditions for state collapse. America now meets both.
by Peter Turchin 2023
4.06
3k+ ratings
How to Change the World
by Eric J. Hobsbawm • 2011
The regimes that claimed Marx fell. After 2008, his analysis of capitalism became inescapable again.
3.88
988
How to Change the World Summary
How to Change the World 89%
The regimes that claimed Marx fell. After 2008, his analysis of capitalism became inescapable again.
by Eric J. Hobsbawm 2011
3.88
988 ratings
The Origins of Totalitarianism
by Hannah Arendt • 1951
Before the camps, tyranny. After, something wholly new: total domination.
4.30
15k+
The Origins of Totalitarianism Summary
The Origins of Totalitarianism 89%
Before the camps, tyranny. After, something wholly new: total domination.
by Hannah Arendt 1951
4.30
15k+ ratings
Common Sense
by Thomas Paine • 1776
A plain argument that kings and birthright are frauds, and America must walk away now.
4.00
40k+
Common Sense Summary
Common Sense 89%
A plain argument that kings and birthright are frauds, and America must walk away now.
by Thomas Paine 1776
4.00
40k+ ratings
Liberty in the Age of Terror
by A.C. Grayling • 2009
The West answered terrorism by curtailing the very liberties it claimed to protect.
3.57
143
Liberty in the Age of Terror Summary
Liberty in the Age of Terror 89%
The West answered terrorism by curtailing the very liberties it claimed to protect.
by A.C. Grayling 2009
3.57
143 ratings
Lectures on the Will to Know
by Michel Foucault • 2014
Truth is manufactured. Its machinery runs on power, and someone always guards the door.
4.26
242
Lectures on the Will to Know Summary
Lectures on the Will to Know 89%
Truth is manufactured. Its machinery runs on power, and someone always guards the door.
by Michel Foucault 2014
4.26
242 ratings
It Is Dangerous to Be Right When the Government Is Wrong
by Andrew P. Napolitano • 2011
Government doesn't give you your rights; it just punishes anyone who proves it.
4.26
261
It Is Dangerous to Be Right When the Government Is Wrong Summary
It Is Dangerous to Be Right When the Government Is Wrong 89%
Government doesn't give you your rights; it just punishes anyone who proves it.
by Andrew P. Napolitano 2011
4.26
261 ratings
Wars and Capital (Semiotext
by Éric Alliez • 2016
Capitalism is a war system that uses markets, not an economic system that uses war.
3.93
29
Wars and Capital (Semiotext Summary
Wars and Capital (Semiotext 89%
Capitalism is a war system that uses markets, not an economic system that uses war.
by Éric Alliez 2016
3.93
29 ratings
The Case for Colonialism
by Bruce Gilley • 2023
Start new colonies from scratch. The controversial solution to a century of post-colonial disaster.
4.32
191
The Case for Colonialism Summary
The Case for Colonialism 89%
Start new colonies from scratch. The controversial solution to a century of post-colonial disaster.
by Bruce Gilley 2023
4.32
191 ratings
Albert Camus
by Robert Zaretsky • 2010
Camus wrote against the death penalty. He stayed silent on Algeria. The life between those stands.
4.10
171
Albert Camus Summary
Albert Camus 89%
Camus wrote against the death penalty. He stayed silent on Algeria. The life between those stands.
by Robert Zaretsky 2010
4.10
171 ratings
Simulacra and Simulation
by Jean Baudrillard • 1981
What's left of reality when the map no longer copies the territory but creates it?
4.00
17k+
Simulacra and Simulation Summary
Simulacra and Simulation 89%
What's left of reality when the map no longer copies the territory but creates it?
by Jean Baudrillard 1981
4.00
17k+ ratings
Age of Anger
by Pankaj Mishra • 2017
Today's global resentments echo the fury that tore through modernizing Europe.
3.64
3k+
Age of Anger Summary
Age of Anger 89%
Today's global resentments echo the fury that tore through modernizing Europe.
by Pankaj Mishra 2017
3.64
3k+ ratings
A Culture of Growth
by Joel Mokyr • 2016
What fueled modern growth? Not property rights. A cultural shift that made nature a solvable puzzle.
3.94
427
A Culture of Growth Summary
A Culture of Growth 89%
What fueled modern growth? Not property rights. A cultural shift that made nature a solvable puzzle.
by Joel Mokyr 2016
3.94
427 ratings
Contesting Democracy
by Jan-Werner Müller • 2006
It wasn't democracy versus its enemies. It was a fight over what 'democracy' actually meant.
4.00
159
Contesting Democracy Summary
Contesting Democracy 89%
It wasn't democracy versus its enemies. It was a fight over what 'democracy' actually meant.
by Jan-Werner Müller 2006
4.00
159 ratings
Albert Camus
by Olivier Todd • 1996
The Nobel laureate who preached justice but found none for his own homeland.
4.03
837
Albert Camus Summary
Albert Camus 89%
The Nobel laureate who preached justice but found none for his own homeland.
by Olivier Todd 1996
4.03
837 ratings
The Better Angels of Our Nature
by Steven Pinker • 2010
Violence has plummeted for centuries. The numbers prove it. So does the danger it could reverse.
4.16
30k+
The Better Angels of Our Nature Summary
The Better Angels of Our Nature 89%
Violence has plummeted for centuries. The numbers prove it. So does the danger it could reverse.
by Steven Pinker 2010
4.16
30k+ ratings
Nations and Nationalism since 1780
by Eric J. Hobsbawm • 1990
Nationalism invented nations, not the reverse, and the two-century project is already decaying.
3.91
2k+
Nations and Nationalism since 1780 Summary
Nations and Nationalism since 1780 89%
Nationalism invented nations, not the reverse, and the two-century project is already decaying.
by Eric J. Hobsbawm 1990
3.91
2k+ ratings
A World Undone
by G.J. Meyer • 2006
One assassination, a web of rigid plans, and leaders who couldn't stop what they started.
4.37
9k+
A World Undone Summary
A World Undone 89%
One assassination, a web of rigid plans, and leaders who couldn't stop what they started.
by G.J. Meyer 2006
4.37
9k+ ratings
The Square and the Tower
by Niall Ferguson • 2017
The real shapers of history were not kings but the networks connecting everyone else.
3.65
4k+
The Square and the Tower Summary
The Square and the Tower 89%
The real shapers of history were not kings but the networks connecting everyone else.
by Niall Ferguson 2017
3.65
4k+ ratings
The Reactionary Mind
by Corey Robin • 2011
Conservatism is the counterrevolution: a history of the right borrowing from the left to defeat it.
3.94
3k+
The Reactionary Mind Summary
The Reactionary Mind 89%
Conservatism is the counterrevolution: a history of the right borrowing from the left to defeat it.
by Corey Robin 2011
3.94
3k+ ratings
The Age of Entitlement
by Christopher Caldwell • 2020
Civil rights built a rival constitution. Debt papered over the conflict. Now the bill is due.
4.04
2k+
The Age of Entitlement Summary
The Age of Entitlement 89%
Civil rights built a rival constitution. Debt papered over the conflict. Now the bill is due.
by Christopher Caldwell 2020
4.04
2k+ ratings
Anti-Oedipus
by Gilles Deleuze • 1972
Desire produces, not pursues. Oedipus is how society tames it.
4.18
9k+
Anti-Oedipus Summary
Anti-Oedipus 89%
Desire produces, not pursues. Oedipus is how society tames it.
by Gilles Deleuze 1972
4.18
9k+ ratings
Fascism
by Madeleine K. Albright • 2018
Democracies are dismantled one law at a time. The 1930s playbook is back.
4.25
21k+
Fascism Summary
Fascism 88%
Democracies are dismantled one law at a time. The 1930s playbook is back.
by Madeleine K. Albright 2018
4.25
21k+ ratings
Lectures on the History of Political Philosophy
by Rawls • 2007
How Hobbes, Locke, Hume, Rousseau, and Marx each tried to solve the problem of political legitimacy.
4.15
289
Lectures on the History of Political Philosophy Summary
Lectures on the History of Political Philosophy 88%
How Hobbes, Locke, Hume, Rousseau, and Marx each tried to solve the problem of political legitimacy.
by Rawls 2007
4.15
289 ratings
The Society of the Spectacle
by Guy Debord • 1967
Life is no longer lived but watched. A 1967 diagnosis of how images replaced reality.
4.03
24k+
The Society of the Spectacle Summary
The Society of the Spectacle 88%
Life is no longer lived but watched. A 1967 diagnosis of how images replaced reality.
by Guy Debord 1967
4.03
24k+ ratings
The Great Divergence
by Kenneth Pomeranz • 2000
Europe's industrial breakthrough wasn't its own genius. It took colonial land and underground coal.
3.68
1k+
The Great Divergence Summary
The Great Divergence 88%
Europe's industrial breakthrough wasn't its own genius. It took colonial land and underground coal.
by Kenneth Pomeranz 2000
3.68
1k+ ratings
Totalitarianism
by Hannah Arendt • 1968
Tyranny that erases the self: loneliness, ideology, and terror are the engines of totalitarianism.
4.18
843
Totalitarianism Summary
Totalitarianism 88%
Tyranny that erases the self: loneliness, ideology, and terror are the engines of totalitarianism.
by Hannah Arendt 1968
4.18
843 ratings
The Storm Before the Calm
by George Friedman • 2020
Every eighty years America's government breaks; every fifty, its economy. Now both arrive at once.
4.05
3k+
The Storm Before the Calm Summary
The Storm Before the Calm 88%
Every eighty years America's government breaks; every fifty, its economy. Now both arrive at once.
by George Friedman 2020
4.05
3k+ ratings
Hatred of Democracy
by Jacques Rancière • 2005
Democracy is not about elections. It is the scandal that no one is born to rule.
3.72
970
Hatred of Democracy Summary
Hatred of Democracy 88%
Democracy is not about elections. It is the scandal that no one is born to rule.
by Jacques Rancière 2005
3.72
970 ratings
Shitbürgertum
by Ulf Poschardt • 2025
Moral posturing, language control, contempt for ambition: how a parasitic class captured Germany.
3.21
301
Shitbürgertum Summary
Shitbürgertum 88%
Moral posturing, language control, contempt for ambition: how a parasitic class captured Germany.
by Ulf Poschardt 2025
3.21
301 ratings
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