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How to Invent Everything
by Ryan North • 2018
Stranded in the past with nothing but your wits, and the flowchart says you're before 50,000 BCE.
4.14
6k+
How to Invent Everything Summary
How to Invent Everything 93%
Stranded in the past with nothing but your wits, and the flowchart says you're before 50,000 BCE.
by Ryan North 2018
4.14
6k+ ratings
What If?
by Randall Munroe • 2014
Dead-serious answers to the internet's dumbest questions, and why the math almost always ends badly.
4.14
197k+
What If? Summary
What If? 92%
Dead-serious answers to the internet's dumbest questions, and why the math almost always ends badly.
by Randall Munroe 2014
4.14
197k+ ratings
At Home
by Bill Bryson • 2010
Every room in your house conceals a history of bloodshed, invention, and empire.
3.99
99k+
At Home Summary
At Home 92%
Every room in your house conceals a history of bloodshed, invention, and empire.
by Bill Bryson 2010
3.99
99k+ ratings
Tiny Blunders/Big Disasters
by Jared Knott • 2020
History turns on unopened letters, wrong turns, and badly designed ballots, not grand strategy.
4.01
2k+
Tiny Blunders/Big Disasters Summary
Tiny Blunders/Big Disasters 91%
History turns on unopened letters, wrong turns, and badly designed ballots, not grand strategy.
by Jared Knott 2020
4.01
2k+ ratings
Humble Pi
by Matt Parker • 2019
Math errors have sunk ships and crashed economies. A mathematician-comedian explains why.
4.10
23k+
Humble Pi Summary
Humble Pi 91%
Math errors have sunk ships and crashed economies. A mathematician-comedian explains why.
by Matt Parker 2019
4.10
23k+ 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 91%
How the universe built itself from nothing, and the eccentric scientists who figured it out.
by Bill Bryson 2004
4.22
431k+ ratings
The Wager
by David Grann • 2023
A warship wrecks. Two survivor stories collide. The empire buries the truth to protect its myth.
4.17
219k+
The Wager Summary
The Wager 91%
A warship wrecks. Two survivor stories collide. The empire buries the truth to protect its myth.
by David Grann 2023
4.17
219k+ ratings
Invention and Innovation
by Vaclav Smil • 2023
Moore's Law is an outlier. Everywhere else, innovation crawls, stumbles, or backfires.
3.84
1k+
Invention and Innovation Summary
Invention and Innovation 90%
Moore's Law is an outlier. Everywhere else, innovation crawls, stumbles, or backfires.
by Vaclav Smil 2023
3.84
1k+ ratings
About Time
by Adam Frank • 2011
Time is a human invention, rebuilt every era. Our cosmology just catches up.
3.88
484
About Time Summary
About Time 90%
Time is a human invention, rebuilt every era. Our cosmology just catches up.
by Adam Frank 2011
3.88
484 ratings
The Adam & Eve Story
by Chan Thomas • 1993
Frozen mammoths, flood myths, and a crust that slips in hours: the next global reset is overdue.
3.81
620
The Adam & Eve Story Summary
The Adam & Eve Story 90%
Frozen mammoths, flood myths, and a crust that slips in hours: the next global reset is overdue.
by Chan Thomas 1993
3.81
620 ratings
How We Got to Now
by Steven Johnson • 2014
Six ordinary breakthroughs built the modern world; their biggest consequences were never planned.
4.12
16k+
How We Got to Now Summary
How We Got to Now 90%
Six ordinary breakthroughs built the modern world; their biggest consequences were never planned.
by Steven Johnson 2014
4.12
16k+ ratings
The Unthinkable
by Amanda Ripley • 2008
Why you won't panic in a disaster, and what your brain will do instead.
4.19
10k+
The Unthinkable Summary
The Unthinkable 90%
Why you won't panic in a disaster, and what your brain will do instead.
by Amanda Ripley 2008
4.19
10k+ ratings
The Perfectionists
by Simon Winchester • 2018
From cylinders to microchips: the hidden pursuit of perfect smoothness that built the modern world.
4.15
7k+
The Perfectionists Summary
The Perfectionists 90%
From cylinders to microchips: the hidden pursuit of perfect smoothness that built the modern world.
by Simon Winchester 2018
4.15
7k+ ratings
The Universe Within
by Neil Shubin • 2013
Your body is a clock tuned to Earth's rotation and a museum of cosmic history.
3.88
3k+
The Universe Within Summary
The Universe Within 90%
Your body is a clock tuned to Earth's rotation and a museum of cosmic history.
by Neil Shubin 2013
3.88
3k+ ratings
Soonish
by Kelly Weinersmith • 2017
Ten technologies that could reshape everything, and why each one might backfire spectacularly.
3.94
6k+
Soonish Summary
Soonish 90%
Ten technologies that could reshape everything, and why each one might backfire spectacularly.
by Kelly Weinersmith 2017
3.94
6k+ ratings
Inviting Disaster
by James R. Chiles • 2001
Catastrophe is never one mistake. It's small failures linking up while everyone looks elsewhere.
4.03
565
Inviting Disaster Summary
Inviting Disaster 90%
Catastrophe is never one mistake. It's small failures linking up while everyone looks elsewhere.
by James R. Chiles 2001
4.03
565 ratings
Bad Ideas?
by Robert Winston • 2009
Writing, farming, and nuclear power share an uncomfortable secret: each was supposed to save us.
3.56
142
Bad Ideas? Summary
Bad Ideas? 90%
Writing, farming, and nuclear power share an uncomfortable secret: each was supposed to save us.
by Robert Winston 2009
3.56
142 ratings
Invention by Design; How Engineers Get from Thought to Thing
by Petroski • 1996
Paper clips, fax machines, bridges: what their shortcomings reveal about the logic of engineering.
3.75
351
Invention by Design; How Engineers Get from Thought to Thing Summary
Invention by Design; How Engineers Get from Thought to Thing 90%
Paper clips, fax machines, bridges: what their shortcomings reveal about the logic of engineering.
by Petroski 1996
3.75
351 ratings
How to Drag a Body and Other Safety Tips You Hope to Never Need
by Judith Matloff • 2020
A war reporter's field manual for emergencies most people never train for, until it's too late.
3.51
390
How to Drag a Body and Other Safety Tips You Hope to Never Need Summary
How to Drag a Body and Other Safety Tips You Hope to Never Need 90%
A war reporter's field manual for emergencies most people never train for, until it's too late.
by Judith Matloff 2020
3.51
390 ratings
The World According to Cunk
by Philomena Cunk • 2024
A documentary presenter who missed every history lesson explains all world events, with pictures.
3.90
2k+
The World According to Cunk Summary
The World According to Cunk 90%
A documentary presenter who missed every history lesson explains all world events, with pictures.
by Philomena Cunk 2024
3.90
2k+ ratings
To Engineer Is Human
by Henry Petroski • 1985
Every disaster is a lesson plan. Bridges stay up because engineers study the ones that fell.
3.69
3k+
To Engineer Is Human Summary
To Engineer Is Human 90%
Every disaster is a lesson plan. Bridges stay up because engineers study the ones that fell.
by Henry Petroski 1985
3.69
3k+ ratings
1066 and all that
by W.C. Sellar • 1930
English history, misremembered: every event is a malapropism, every king is Good or Bad.
3.91
4k+
1066 and all that Summary
1066 and all that 90%
English history, misremembered: every event is a malapropism, every king is Good or Bad.
by W.C. Sellar 1930
3.91
4k+ ratings
"Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!"
by Richard P. Feynman • 1985
Safe-cracking, bongos, and a fatal O-ring: a Nobel laureate's life of fearless curiosity.
4.26
219k+
"Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!" Summary
"Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!" 90%
Safe-cracking, bongos, and a fatal O-ring: a Nobel laureate's life of fearless curiosity.
by Richard P. Feynman 1985
4.26
219k+ ratings
How to Build a Time Machine
by Paul C.W. Davies • 2001
Forward time travel is real. Going back needs wormholes, exotic matter, and a loophole in causality.
3.82
1k+
How to Build a Time Machine Summary
How to Build a Time Machine 90%
Forward time travel is real. Going back needs wormholes, exotic matter, and a loophole in causality.
by Paul C.W. Davies 2001
3.82
1k+ ratings
The Physics of Superheroes
by James Kakalios • 2006
Superman's leap, Gwen Stacy's fall: real physics hides inside comic book panels.
3.92
3k+
The Physics of Superheroes Summary
The Physics of Superheroes 90%
Superman's leap, Gwen Stacy's fall: real physics hides inside comic book panels.
by James Kakalios 2006
3.92
3k+ ratings
A Night to Remember
by Walter Lord • 1955
Ice at 11:40. Lifeboats for only half on board. Two hours later, the orchestra was still playing.
4.10
30k+
A Night to Remember Summary
A Night to Remember 90%
Ice at 11:40. Lifeboats for only half on board. Two hours later, the orchestra was still playing.
by Walter Lord 1955
4.10
30k+ ratings
The Disappearing Spoon
by Sam Kean • 2010
A metal that melts in your hand reveals a hidden history of war, money, and cosmic origins.
3.92
57k+
The Disappearing Spoon Summary
The Disappearing Spoon 90%
A metal that melts in your hand reveals a hidden history of war, money, and cosmic origins.
by Sam Kean 2010
3.92
57k+ ratings
Ubiquity
by Mark Buchanan • 2000
One grain of sand explains why markets crash, species vanish, and empires fall.
3.90
716
Ubiquity Summary
Ubiquity 90%
One grain of sand explains why markets crash, species vanish, and empires fall.
by Mark Buchanan 2000
3.90
716 ratings
Emergency
by Neil Strauss • 2009
A journalist masters the skills to survive anything except his own panic.
3.81
6k+
Emergency Summary
Emergency 89%
A journalist masters the skills to survive anything except his own panic.
by Neil Strauss 2009
3.81
6k+ ratings
When the Sky Fell
by Rand Flem-Ath • 1995
Ancient maps reveal an ice-free Antarctica. The civilization that charted it may still be there.
3.92
278
When the Sky Fell Summary
When the Sky Fell 89%
Ancient maps reveal an ice-free Antarctica. The civilization that charted it may still be there.
by Rand Flem-Ath 1995
3.92
278 ratings
The Geography of Genius
by Eric Weiner • 2016
Why Athens, Renaissance Florence, and Silicon Valley each erupted with genius at particular moments.
3.80
4k+
The Geography of Genius Summary
The Geography of Genius 89%
Why Athens, Renaissance Florence, and Silicon Valley each erupted with genius at particular moments.
by Eric Weiner 2016
3.80
4k+ ratings
The Right Chemistry
by Joe Schwarcz • 2012
Why soap cleans, what killed Napoleon, and 106 other chemical mysteries of daily life.
3.84
79
The Right Chemistry Summary
The Right Chemistry 89%
Why soap cleans, what killed Napoleon, and 106 other chemical mysteries of daily life.
by Joe Schwarcz 2012
3.84
79 ratings
Command and Control
by Eric Schlosser • 2013
One dropped socket in an Arkansas missile silo exposes seventy years of nuclear near-disasters.
4.27
15k+
Command and Control Summary
Command and Control 89%
One dropped socket in an Arkansas missile silo exposes seventy years of nuclear near-disasters.
by Eric Schlosser 2013
4.27
15k+ ratings
Origin Story
by David Christian • 2008
How energy and information built the universe, life, and us. What they mean for our future.
4.06
8k+
Origin Story Summary
Origin Story 89%
How energy and information built the universe, life, and us. What they mean for our future.
by David Christian 2008
4.06
8k+ ratings
Stuff Matters
by Mark Miodownik • 2013
What a steel razor and a teacup reveal about civilization: the hidden science of everyday materials.
4.11
21k+
Stuff Matters Summary
Stuff Matters 89%
What a steel razor and a teacup reveal about civilization: the hidden science of everyday materials.
by Mark Miodownik 2013
4.11
21k+ ratings
After 1177 B.C.
by Eric H. Cline • 2024
Not every civilization collapsed in 1177 B.C. Egypt barely coped; Phoenicia and Cyprus thrived.
3.77
2k+
After 1177 B.C. Summary
After 1177 B.C. 89%
Not every civilization collapsed in 1177 B.C. Egypt barely coped; Phoenicia and Cyprus thrived.
by Eric H. Cline 2024
3.77
2k+ ratings
The Things We Make
by Bill Hammack • 2023
Engineering isn't applied science: it's the art of solving problems before anyone understands them.
3.75
1k+
The Things We Make Summary
The Things We Make 89%
Engineering isn't applied science: it's the art of solving problems before anyone understands them.
by Bill Hammack 2023
3.75
1k+ ratings
The Devil Never Sleeps
by Juliette Kayyem • 2022
Disasters aren't rare flukes; they're the new normal. The playbook for surviving the next one.
3.84
485
The Devil Never Sleeps Summary
The Devil Never Sleeps 89%
Disasters aren't rare flukes; they're the new normal. The playbook for surviving the next one.
by Juliette Kayyem 2022
3.84
485 ratings
Curse of The Narrows
by Laura M. MacDonald • 2005
Before Hiroshima, the largest manmade blast leveled a Canadian city. Oppenheimer studied its ruins.
3.99
1k+
Curse of The Narrows Summary
Curse of The Narrows 89%
Before Hiroshima, the largest manmade blast leveled a Canadian city. Oppenheimer studied its ruins.
by Laura M. MacDonald 2005
3.99
1k+ ratings
The Book on the Bookshelf
by Henry Petroski • 1999
Why books once faced the wall and wore chains: the bookshelf as a history of engineering.
3.75
1k+
The Book on the Bookshelf Summary
The Book on the Bookshelf 89%
Why books once faced the wall and wore chains: the bookshelf as a history of engineering.
by Henry Petroski 1999
3.75
1k+ ratings
The Atlantis Blueprint
by Rand Flem-Ath • 2000
Ancient maps of an ice-free Antarctica point to a lost civilization that once surveyed the globe.
3.81
574
The Atlantis Blueprint Summary
The Atlantis Blueprint 89%
Ancient maps of an ice-free Antarctica point to a lost civilization that once surveyed the globe.
by Rand Flem-Ath 2000
3.81
574 ratings
Success through Failure
by Henry Petroski • 2006
Every triumph contains the seed of its collapse; the art of design is spotting it early.
3.60
201
Success through Failure Summary
Success through Failure 89%
Every triumph contains the seed of its collapse; the art of design is spotting it early.
by Henry Petroski 2006
3.60
201 ratings
The Challenger Launch Decision
by Diane Vaughan • 1997
The chain of small failures that precedes every disaster, and where to break it.
4.08
459
The Challenger Launch Decision Summary
The Challenger Launch Decision 89%
The chain of small failures that precedes every disaster, and where to break it.
by Diane Vaughan 1997
4.08
459 ratings
Bonk
by Mary Roach • 2008
Rats in tiny pants. Camera dildos. The hidden history of sex research is stranger than fiction.
3.85
61k+
Bonk Summary
Bonk 89%
Rats in tiny pants. Camera dildos. The hidden history of sex research is stranger than fiction.
by Mary Roach 2008
3.85
61k+ ratings
1177 B.C.
by Eric H. Cline • 2014
The Bronze Age had trade routes and diplomacy. A cascade of disasters brought it down.
3.74
13k+
1177 B.C. Summary
1177 B.C. 89%
The Bronze Age had trade routes and diplomacy. A cascade of disasters brought it down.
by Eric H. Cline 2014
3.74
13k+ ratings
The Alchemy of Us
by Ainissa Ramirez • 2020
We invented quartz clocks, steel rails, and silicon chips. Then they reinvented us.
3.90
1k+
The Alchemy of Us Summary
The Alchemy of Us 89%
We invented quartz clocks, steel rails, and silicon chips. Then they reinvented us.
by Ainissa Ramirez 2020
3.90
1k+ ratings
Big History
by David Christian • 2008
13.8 billion years: from pure energy to a planet shaping species. The thread is not chance.
4.42
561
Big History Summary
Big History 89%
13.8 billion years: from pure energy to a planet shaping species. The thread is not chance.
by David Christian 2008
4.42
561 ratings
Energy and Civilization
by Vaclav Smil • 2017
A week of American energy use matches a year of Nigerian. The history behind that gap.
4.09
4k+
Energy and Civilization Summary
Energy and Civilization 89%
A week of American energy use matches a year of Nigerian. The history behind that gap.
by Vaclav Smil 2017
4.09
4k+ ratings
Cities
by Monica L. Smith • 2019
Cities were never about efficiency. They were about all the things you cannot get alone.
3.26
446
Cities Summary
Cities 89%
Cities were never about efficiency. They were about all the things you cannot get alone.
by Monica L. Smith 2019
3.26
446 ratings
A Short History of the World
by Christopher Lascelles • 2011
Thirteen billion years in one short book: why empires fall, ideas spread, and everything connects.
3.86
2k+
A Short History of the World Summary
A Short History of the World 89%
Thirteen billion years in one short book: why empires fall, ideas spread, and everything connects.
by Christopher Lascelles 2011
3.86
2k+ ratings
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