EnglishEnglish
EspañolSpanish
简体中文Chinese
繁體中文Chinese (Traditional)
FrançaisFrench
DeutschGerman
日本語Japanese
PortuguêsPortuguese
ItalianoItalian
한국어Korean
РусскийRussian
NederlandsDutch
العربيةArabic
PolskiPolish
हिन्दीHindi
Tiếng ViệtVietnamese
SvenskaSwedish
ΕλληνικάGreek
TürkçeTurkish
ไทยThai
ČeštinaCzech
RomânăRomanian
MagyarHungarian
УкраїнськаUkrainian
IndonesiaIndonesian
DanskDanish
SuomiFinnish
БългарскиBulgarian
עבריתHebrew
NorskNorwegian
HrvatskiCroatian
CatalàCatalan
SlovenčinaSlovak
LietuviųLithuanian
SlovenščinaSlovenian
СрпскиSerbian
EestiEstonian
LatviešuLatvian
فارسیPersian
മലയാളംMalayalam
தமிழ்Tamil
اردوUrdu
SoBrief
Searching...
Oxygen
by Nick Lane • 2002
The molecule that powers every breath you take is also rusting you from the inside out.
4.13
3k+
Oxygen Summary
Oxygen 96%
The molecule that powers every breath you take is also rusting you from the inside out.
by Nick Lane 2002
4.13
3k+ ratings
What Is Life?
by Paul Nurse • 2020
All life runs on five core principles. A Nobel laureate shows what they are.
3.94
3k+
What Is Life? Summary
What Is Life? 96%
All life runs on five core principles. A Nobel laureate shows what they are.
by Paul Nurse 2020
3.94
3k+ ratings
The Catalyst
by Thomas R. Cech • 2024
DNA is famous. RNA built life, runs complexity, and will drive the next medical revolution.
4.28
831
The Catalyst Summary
The Catalyst 95%
DNA is famous. RNA built life, runs complexity, and will drive the next medical revolution.
by Thomas R. Cech 2024
4.28
831 ratings
A Crack in Creation
by Jennifer A. Doudna • 2017
The tool to rewrite the human genome came from bacteria. Our wisdom is still catching up.
4.13
7k+
A Crack in Creation Summary
A Crack in Creation 95%
The tool to rewrite the human genome came from bacteria. Our wisdom is still catching up.
by Jennifer A. Doudna 2017
4.13
7k+ ratings
Life Ascending
by Nick Lane • 2009
Evolution's hardest problems, from life's origin to death itself, all have a chemical answer.
4.13
5k+
Life Ascending Summary
Life Ascending 95%
Evolution's hardest problems, from life's origin to death itself, all have a chemical answer.
by Nick Lane 2009
4.13
5k+ ratings
The Genesis Machine
by Amy Webb • 2022
Life is becoming programmable. The technology is here; the rules for using it are not.
3.94
745
The Genesis Machine Summary
The Genesis Machine 95%
Life is becoming programmable. The technology is here; the rules for using it are not.
by Amy Webb 2022
3.94
745 ratings
The Vital Question
by Nick Lane • 2016
Complex life arose exactly once in 4 billion years. The reason: a hidden energy constraint.
4.18
6k+
The Vital Question Summary
The Vital Question 95%
Complex life arose exactly once in 4 billion years. The reason: a hidden energy constraint.
by Nick Lane 2016
4.18
6k+ ratings
How Life Works
by Philip Ball • 2023
Genes don't give orders; cells decide for themselves. Biology's central metaphor was wrong.
4.21
651
How Life Works Summary
How Life Works 95%
Genes don't give orders; cells decide for themselves. Biology's central metaphor was wrong.
by Philip Ball 2023
4.21
651 ratings
The Demon in the Machine
by Paul C.W. Davies • 2020
Life runs on information, not chemistry. Molecular demons manage it with near-perfect efficiency.
4.06
944
The Demon in the Machine Summary
The Demon in the Machine 95%
Life runs on information, not chemistry. Molecular demons manage it with near-perfect efficiency.
by Paul C.W. Davies 2020
4.06
944 ratings
Life on the Edge
by Johnjoe McFadden • 2014
Enzymes tunnel through walls, leaves harvest light near perfectly, birds steer by subatomic compass.
4.11
4k+
Life on the Edge Summary
Life on the Edge 94%
Enzymes tunnel through walls, leaves harvest light near perfectly, birds steer by subatomic compass.
by Johnjoe McFadden 2014
4.11
4k+ ratings
Power, Sex, Suicide
by Nick Lane • 2005
Complex life required an improbable merger two billion years ago. Everything since follows.
4.25
4k+
Power, Sex, Suicide Summary
Power, Sex, Suicide 94%
Complex life required an improbable merger two billion years ago. Everything since follows.
by Nick Lane 2005
4.25
4k+ ratings
The Code Breaker
by Walter Isaacson • 2021
How a bacterial defense system handed us the power to rewrite our own evolution.
4.28
42k+
The Code Breaker Summary
The Code Breaker 94%
How a bacterial defense system handed us the power to rewrite our own evolution.
by Walter Isaacson 2021
4.28
42k+ ratings
Gene Machine
by Venki Ramakrishnan • 2018
A physicist entered biology's most cutthroat race, solved a million-atom machine, and won the Nobel.
4.00
2k+
Gene Machine Summary
Gene Machine 94%
A physicist entered biology's most cutthroat race, solved a million-atom machine, and won the Nobel.
by Venki Ramakrishnan 2018
4.00
2k+ ratings
Darwin's Doubt
by Stephen C. Meyer • 2013
The Cambrian explosion produced complex animals without ancestors. The math points to a designer.
4.19
2k+
Darwin's Doubt Summary
Darwin's Doubt 94%
The Cambrian explosion produced complex animals without ancestors. The math points to a designer.
by Stephen C. Meyer 2013
4.19
2k+ ratings
Evolution Controversy, The
by Thomas B. Fowler • 2007
Four schools, three definitions, one unspoken fight: the evolution controversy, surveyed.
4.04
26
Evolution Controversy, The Summary
Evolution Controversy, The 94%
Four schools, three definitions, one unspoken fight: the evolution controversy, surveyed.
by Thomas B. Fowler 2007
4.04
26 ratings
What Evolution Is
by Ernst W. Mayr • 2001
An architect of modern evolutionary theory shows his work: fossils, genes, and islands all converge.
4.02
4k+
What Evolution Is Summary
What Evolution Is 94%
An architect of modern evolutionary theory shows his work: fossils, genes, and islands all converge.
by Ernst W. Mayr 2001
4.02
4k+ ratings
Climbing Mount Improbable
by Richard Dawkins • 1996
Eyes evolved from scratch forty times. Each time the path was a staircase, not a leap.
4.11
10k+
Climbing Mount Improbable Summary
Climbing Mount Improbable 94%
Eyes evolved from scratch forty times. Each time the path was a staircase, not a leap.
by Richard Dawkins 1996
4.11
10k+ ratings
Hacking Darwin
by Jamie Metzl • 2019
Humans are taking control of evolution; the tools to design our children are already here.
3.97
4k+
Hacking Darwin Summary
Hacking Darwin 94%
Humans are taking control of evolution; the tools to design our children are already here.
by Jamie Metzl 2019
3.97
4k+ ratings
The Gene
by Siddhartha Mukherjee • 2016
From Mendel's peas to CRISPR babies: how the gene became biology's most powerful and dangerous idea.
4.35
56k+
The Gene Summary
The Gene 94%
From Mendel's peas to CRISPR babies: how the gene became biology's most powerful and dangerous idea.
by Siddhartha Mukherjee 2016
4.35
56k+ ratings
The Ancestor's Tale
by Richard Dawkins • 2004
Evolution traced backward, from human to the first cell: a pilgrimage through shared ancestry.
4.15
29k+
The Ancestor's Tale Summary
The Ancestor's Tale 94%
Evolution traced backward, from human to the first cell: a pilgrimage through shared ancestry.
by Richard Dawkins 2004
4.15
29k+ ratings
Arrival of the Fittest
by Andreas Wagner • 2014
10^130 possible proteins. Random search fails. Evolution's shortcut is hidden in the mathematics.
3.82
726
Arrival of the Fittest Summary
Arrival of the Fittest 94%
10^130 possible proteins. Random search fails. Evolution's shortcut is hidden in the mathematics.
by Andreas Wagner 2014
3.82
726 ratings
The Origin of Species
by Charles Darwin • 1859
How one blind, patient mechanism produced every species on Earth, from orchids to humans.
4.01
123k+
The Origin of Species Summary
The Origin of Species 94%
How one blind, patient mechanism produced every species on Earth, from orchids to humans.
by Charles Darwin 1859
4.01
123k+ ratings
Genome
by Matt Ridley • 1999
What 23 chromosomes reveal about human origins, personality, and the limits of genetic fate.
4.06
28k+
Genome Summary
Genome 94%
What 23 chromosomes reveal about human origins, personality, and the limits of genetic fate.
by Matt Ridley 1999
4.06
28k+ ratings
Evolution
by Carl Zimmer • 2001
One idea explains elaborate plumage, the fossil record, and why antibiotics stop working: evolution.
4.11
5k+
Evolution Summary
Evolution 94%
One idea explains elaborate plumage, the fossil record, and why antibiotics stop working: evolution.
by Carl Zimmer 2001
4.11
5k+ ratings
Understanding Living Systems
by Raymond Noble • 2023
DNA is not your destiny: the cell rewrites its genome, and organisms direct evolution.
3.84
56
Understanding Living Systems Summary
Understanding Living Systems 94%
DNA is not your destiny: the cell rewrites its genome, and organisms direct evolution.
by Raymond Noble 2023
3.84
56 ratings
Darwin and Evolution
by Paul Strathern • 1998
How a seasick naturalist and a stranger's letter launched the most disruptive idea in science.
3.58
125
Darwin and Evolution Summary
Darwin and Evolution 94%
How a seasick naturalist and a stranger's letter launched the most disruptive idea in science.
by Paul Strathern 1998
3.58
125 ratings
The Mathematics of Life
by Ian Stewart • 2011
Math cracked physics. Now it's unlocking biology, from protein origami to alien life.
3.62
565
The Mathematics of Life Summary
The Mathematics of Life 94%
Math cracked physics. Now it's unlocking biology, from protein origami to alien life.
by Ian Stewart 2011
3.62
565 ratings
Beyond Genetics
by Glenn McGee • 2004
DNA testing, gene therapy, GMOs: what the headlines miss about how they'll actually affect you.
3.60
5
Beyond Genetics Summary
Beyond Genetics 94%
DNA testing, gene therapy, GMOs: what the headlines miss about how they'll actually affect you.
by Glenn McGee 2004
3.60
5 ratings
The Blind Watchmaker
by Richard Dawkins • 1986
A blind, unthinking algorithm built every wing, eye, and brain on Earth; no designer required.
4.09
42k+
The Blind Watchmaker Summary
The Blind Watchmaker 93%
A blind, unthinking algorithm built every wing, eye, and brain on Earth; no designer required.
by Richard Dawkins 1986
4.09
42k+ ratings
Unweaving the Rainbow
by Richard Dawkins • 2000
Keats was wrong: explaining the rainbow reveals an elegance no myth can match.
4.01
12k+
Unweaving the Rainbow Summary
Unweaving the Rainbow 93%
Keats was wrong: explaining the rainbow reveals an elegance no myth can match.
by Richard Dawkins 2000
4.01
12k+ ratings
The Music of Life
by Denis Noble • 2006
The genome is a database, not a dictator. Life runs on systems, not commands.
3.85
388
The Music of Life Summary
The Music of Life 93%
The genome is a database, not a dictator. Life runs on systems, not commands.
by Denis Noble 2006
3.85
388 ratings
At Home in the Universe
by Stuart A. Kauffman • 1995
Life begins as chemistry, not luck. The rules that organize molecules govern markets and innovation.
4.03
1k+
At Home in the Universe Summary
At Home in the Universe 93%
Life begins as chemistry, not luck. The rules that organize molecules govern markets and innovation.
by Stuart A. Kauffman 1995
4.03
1k+ ratings
Visions
by Michio Kaku • 2011
When quantum physics, computing, and genetics converge, the 21st century truly begins.
4.03
2k+
Visions Summary
Visions 93%
When quantum physics, computing, and genetics converge, the 21st century truly begins.
by Michio Kaku 2011
4.03
2k+ ratings
A Tear at the Edge of Creation
by Marcelo Gleiser • 2010
Symmetry is sterile. Imperfection gave us galaxies, life, and consciousness. Unification is a myth.
3.87
396
A Tear at the Edge of Creation Summary
A Tear at the Edge of Creation 93%
Symmetry is sterile. Imperfection gave us galaxies, life, and consciousness. Unification is a myth.
by Marcelo Gleiser 2010
3.87
396 ratings
A Short History of Nearly Everything
by Bill Bryson • 2004
How the universe built itself from nothing, and the eccentric scientists who figured it out.
4.22
431k+
A Short History of Nearly Everything Summary
A Short History of Nearly Everything 93%
How the universe built itself from nothing, and the eccentric scientists who figured it out.
by Bill Bryson 2004
4.22
431k+ ratings
The Epigenetics Revolution
by Nessa Carey • 2011
A second code sits above your genes, translating hunger, stress, and touch into biology.
4.05
5k+
The Epigenetics Revolution Summary
The Epigenetics Revolution 93%
A second code sits above your genes, translating hunger, stress, and touch into biology.
by Nessa Carey 2011
4.05
5k+ ratings
The Double Helix
by James D. Watson • 1968
A stolen X-ray glance, a rival's blunder, and a lunchtime insight that unveiled the double helix.
3.84
20k+
The Double Helix Summary
The Double Helix 93%
A stolen X-ray glance, a rival's blunder, and a lunchtime insight that unveiled the double helix.
by James D. Watson 1968
3.84
20k+ ratings
What Is Life? with Mind and Matter and Autobiographical Sketches
by Erwin Schrödinger • 1944
Genes should fall apart. Quantum mechanics explained their permanence and launched the hunt for DNA.
4.13
8k+
What Is Life? with Mind and Matter and Autobiographical Sketches Summary
What Is Life? with Mind and Matter and Autobiographical Sketches 93%
Genes should fall apart. Quantum mechanics explained their permanence and launched the hunt for DNA.
by Erwin Schrödinger 1944
4.13
8k+ ratings
Undeniable
by Douglas Axe • 2016
Natural selection fine-tunes, never invents. The math making life's origin by accident impossible.
4.05
673
Undeniable Summary
Undeniable 93%
Natural selection fine-tunes, never invents. The math making life's origin by accident impossible.
by Douglas Axe 2016
4.05
673 ratings
Your Inner Fish
by Neil Shubin • 2008
Your wrist is a fish fin, your hiccup a gill. The body's 3.5-billion-year fossil record, decoded.
4.04
29k+
Your Inner Fish Summary
Your Inner Fish 93%
Your wrist is a fish fin, your hiccup a gill. The body's 3.5-billion-year fossil record, decoded.
by Neil Shubin 2008
4.04
29k+ ratings
The Meme Machine
by Susan Blackmore • 1999
Our brains did not make culture. Culture, evolving like a virus, made our brains.
3.86
4k+
The Meme Machine Summary
The Meme Machine 93%
Our brains did not make culture. Culture, evolving like a virus, made our brains.
by Susan Blackmore 1999
3.86
4k+ ratings
She Has Her Mother's Laugh
by Carl Zimmer • 2018
Heredity runs through genes, womb, culture, and deep time. The simple story is wrong.
4.15
7k+
She Has Her Mother's Laugh Summary
She Has Her Mother's Laugh 93%
Heredity runs through genes, womb, culture, and deep time. The simple story is wrong.
by Carl Zimmer 2018
4.15
7k+ ratings
The Next Species
by Michael Tennesen • 2015
Five mass extinctions cleared the board. The sixth is us, and evolution is picking the survivors.
3.71
310
The Next Species Summary
The Next Species 93%
Five mass extinctions cleared the board. The sixth is us, and evolution is picking the survivors.
by Michael Tennesen 2015
3.71
310 ratings
At the Water's Edge
by Carl Zimmer • 1998
Getting onto land was a 390-million-year project. Going back took whales just 15 million.
4.09
2k+
At the Water's Edge Summary
At the Water's Edge 93%
Getting onto land was a 390-million-year project. Going back took whales just 15 million.
by Carl Zimmer 1998
4.09
2k+ ratings
The Extended Phenotype
by Richard Dawkins • 1982
Genes don't stop at skin: a beaver dam is a genetic tool, like the teeth.
4.12
10k+
The Extended Phenotype Summary
The Extended Phenotype 93%
Genes don't stop at skin: a beaver dam is a genetic tool, like the teeth.
by Richard Dawkins 1982
4.12
10k+ ratings
Altered Inheritance
by Françoise Baylis • 2019
We can rewrite our children's genes. The danger is letting a few people set the rules.
3.53
94
Altered Inheritance Summary
Altered Inheritance 93%
We can rewrite our children's genes. The danger is letting a few people set the rules.
by Françoise Baylis 2019
3.53
94 ratings
A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth
by Henry Gee • 2021
4.6 billion years in twelve chapters. Every dynasty crumbles. The book's last page is about us.
4.05
3k+
A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth Summary
A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth 93%
4.6 billion years in twelve chapters. Every dynasty crumbles. The book's last page is about us.
by Henry Gee 2021
4.05
3k+ ratings
Consilience
by Edward O. Wilson • 1998
The biologist who thinks evolution can reunite sciences with the humanities, from neurons to art.
3.98
5k+
Consilience Summary
Consilience 93%
The biologist who thinks evolution can reunite sciences with the humanities, from neurons to art.
by Edward O. Wilson 1998
3.98
5k+ ratings
The Evolution of Everything
by Matt Ridley • 2015
The same undirected process that built the eye also built language, money, and the internet.
3.92
3k+
The Evolution of Everything Summary
The Evolution of Everything 92%
The same undirected process that built the eye also built language, money, and the internet.
by Matt Ridley 2015
3.92
3k+ ratings
The Upright Thinkers
by Leonard Mlodinow • 2015
What connects bipedal apes to quantum physics? A single, stubborn habit of asking why.
4.13
2k+
The Upright Thinkers Summary
The Upright Thinkers 92%
What connects bipedal apes to quantum physics? A single, stubborn habit of asking why.
by Leonard Mlodinow 2015
4.13
2k+ ratings
Home
Swipe
Library
Get App
Try Full Access for 3 Days
Listen, bookmark, and more
Compare Features Free Pro
📖 Read Summaries
Read unlimited summaries. Free users get 3 per month
🎧 Listen to Summaries
Listen to unlimited summaries in 40 languages
❤️ Unlimited Bookmarks
Free users are limited to 4
📜 Unlimited History
Free users are limited to 4
📥 Unlimited Downloads
Free users are limited to 1
Risk-Free Timeline
Today: Get Instant Access
Listen to full summaries of 26,000+ books. That's 12,000+ hours of audio!
Day 2: Trial Reminder
We'll send you a notification that your trial is ending soon.
Day 3: Your subscription begins
You'll be charged on Aug 22,
cancel anytime before.
Consume 2.8× More Books
2.8× more books Listening Reading
Our users love us
600,000+ readers
Trustpilot Rating
TrustPilot
4.6 Excellent
This site is a total game-changer. I've been flying through book summaries like never before. Highly, highly recommend.
— Dave G
Worth my money and time, and really well made. I've never seen this quality of summaries on other websites. Very helpful!
— Em
Highly recommended!! Fantastic service. Perfect for those that want a little more than a teaser but not all the intricate details of a full audio book.
— Greg M
Save 62%
Yearly
$119.88 $44.99/year/yr
$3.75/mo
Monthly
$9.99/mo
Start a 3-Day Free Trial
3 days free, then $44.99/year. Cancel anytime.
Unlock a world of fiction & nonfiction books
26,000+ books for the price of 2 books
Read any book in 10 minutes
Discover new books like Tinder
Request any book if it's not summarized
Read more books than anyone you know
#1 app for book lovers
Lifelike & immersive summaries
30-day money-back guarantee
Download summaries in EPUBs or PDFs
Cancel anytime in a few clicks
Scanner
Find a barcode to scan

We have a special gift for you
Open
38% OFF
DISCOUNT FOR YOU
$79.99
$49.99/year
only $4.16 per month
Continue
2 taps to start, super easy to cancel
Settings
General
Widget
Loading...
We have a special gift for you
Open
38% OFF
DISCOUNT FOR YOU
$79.99
$49.99/year
only $4.16 per month
Continue
2 taps to start, super easy to cancel