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The Republic of Pirates
by Colin Woodard • 2007
Sailors broken by the navy built their own republic: democratic, armed, and flying the black flag.
3.89
12k+
The Republic of Pirates Summary
The Republic of Pirates 98%
Sailors broken by the navy built their own republic: democratic, armed, and flying the black flag.
by Colin Woodard 2007
3.89
12k+ ratings
The Golden Age of Piracy
by Benerson Little • 2016
No parrots, no plank, no buried treasure. The real pirates were slave-trading democrats.
3.40
366
The Golden Age of Piracy Summary
The Golden Age of Piracy 97%
No parrots, no plank, no buried treasure. The real pirates were slave-trading democrats.
by Benerson Little 2016
3.40
366 ratings
Blackbeard
by Angus Konstam • 2006
Blackbeard blockaded a city for medicine, then sank his flagship to cheat his crew.
3.55
445
Blackbeard Summary
Blackbeard 97%
Blackbeard blockaded a city for medicine, then sank his flagship to cheat his crew.
by Angus Konstam 2006
3.55
445 ratings
Why We Love Pirates
by Rebecca Simon • 2020
How the execution of one privateer turned pirate created the outlaw myth we still sail with.
3.67
340
Why We Love Pirates Summary
Why We Love Pirates 97%
How the execution of one privateer turned pirate created the outlaw myth we still sail with.
by Rebecca Simon 2020
3.67
340 ratings
Black Flags, Blue Waters
by Eric Jay Dolin • 2018
From welcomed economic partners to hanged outlaws: the real story of pirates in colonial America.
3.76
5k+
Black Flags, Blue Waters Summary
Black Flags, Blue Waters 97%
From welcomed economic partners to hanged outlaws: the real story of pirates in colonial America.
by Eric Jay Dolin 2018
3.76
5k+ ratings
Enemy of All Mankind
by Steven Johnson • 2020
His 1695 heist of a Mughal treasure ship nearly toppled an empire. Then Henry Every disappeared.
3.89
5k+
Enemy of All Mankind Summary
Enemy of All Mankind 95%
His 1695 heist of a Mughal treasure ship nearly toppled an empire. Then Henry Every disappeared.
by Steven Johnson 2020
3.89
5k+ 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 93%
A warship wrecks. Two survivor stories collide. The empire buries the truth to protect its myth.
by David Grann 2023
4.17
219k+ ratings
The Pirates of Somalia
by Jay Bahadur • 2011
On a rattling Soviet plane, a journalist lands in Somalia to find the pirates everyone fears.
3.56
1k+
The Pirates of Somalia Summary
The Pirates of Somalia 92%
On a rattling Soviet plane, a journalist lands in Somalia to find the pirates everyone fears.
by Jay Bahadur 2011
3.56
1k+ ratings
Smuggler Nation
by Peter Andreas • 2013
Molasses, slaves, blueprints, cocaine: America's defining chapters all ran on smuggling.
3.96
214
Smuggler Nation Summary
Smuggler Nation 92%
Molasses, slaves, blueprints, cocaine: America's defining chapters all ran on smuggling.
by Peter Andreas 2013
3.96
214 ratings
The Sea and Civilization
by Lincoln Paine • 2013
Before trains, the sea was the fastest highway. World history from the deck of a ship.
3.89
700
The Sea and Civilization Summary
The Sea and Civilization 92%
Before trains, the sea was the fastest highway. World history from the deck of a ship.
by Lincoln Paine 2013
3.89
700 ratings
The Zorg
by Siddharth Kara • 2025
132 Africans thrown overboard for insurance money, and the anonymous letter that ignited abolition.
4.16
6k+
The Zorg Summary
The Zorg 92%
132 Africans thrown overboard for insurance money, and the anonymous letter that ignited abolition.
by Siddharth Kara 2025
4.16
6k+ ratings
Bill O'Reilly's Legends and Lies
by David Fisher • 2015
Before cinema cleaned them up, Wild West legends were killers, traitors, and pragmatists.
3.98
6k+
Bill O'Reilly's Legends and Lies Summary
Bill O'Reilly's Legends and Lies 91%
Before cinema cleaned them up, Wild West legends were killers, traitors, and pragmatists.
by David Fisher 2015
3.98
6k+ ratings
To Hell on a Fast Horse
by Mark Lee Gardner • 2010
Two men, one violent frontier, and a bullet in the dark that made them both immortal.
3.79
2k+
To Hell on a Fast Horse Summary
To Hell on a Fast Horse 91%
Two men, one violent frontier, and a bullet in the dark that made them both immortal.
by Mark Lee Gardner 2010
3.79
2k+ ratings
The Desert and the Sea
by Michael Scott Moore • 2018
For 977 days, he was a bargaining chip: a journalist’s survival inside the Somali pirate economy.
3.98
3k+
The Desert and the Sea Summary
The Desert and the Sea 91%
For 977 days, he was a bargaining chip: a journalist’s survival inside the Somali pirate economy.
by Michael Scott Moore 2018
3.98
3k+ ratings
Bandits
by Eric J. Hobsbawm • 1969
Every peasant society produces its own Robin Hood. A historian maps the universal pattern.
3.75
800
Bandits Summary
Bandits 91%
Every peasant society produces its own Robin Hood. A historian maps the universal pattern.
by Eric J. Hobsbawm 1969
3.75
800 ratings
1776
by David McCullough • 2005
How a year of defeats and desertions almost ended the American Revolution before it began.
4.10
250k+
1776 Summary
1776 91%
How a year of defeats and desertions almost ended the American Revolution before it began.
by David McCullough 2005
4.10
250k+ ratings
Over the Edge of the World
by Laurence Bergreen • 2003
Three of five ships mutinied. His response made men fear him more than the sea.
4.19
19k+
Over the Edge of the World Summary
Over the Edge of the World 91%
Three of five ships mutinied. His response made men fear him more than the sea.
by Laurence Bergreen 2003
4.19
19k+ ratings
Sea of Glory
by Nathaniel Philbrick • 2001
The voyage that mapped Antarctica and filled the Smithsonian, sabotaged by the tyrant who led it.
4.04
7k+
Sea of Glory Summary
Sea of Glory 91%
The voyage that mapped Antarctica and filled the Smithsonian, sabotaged by the tyrant who led it.
by Nathaniel Philbrick 2001
4.04
7k+ ratings
The First Conspiracy
by Brad Meltzer • 2019
The secret plot to capture George Washington came from inside his own guard.
3.82
14k+
The First Conspiracy Summary
The First Conspiracy 91%
The secret plot to capture George Washington came from inside his own guard.
by Brad Meltzer 2019
3.82
14k+ ratings
Cape Cod and the Civil War
by Stauffer Miller • 2010
A peninsula voted its morals over its money, then became the Union's lifeline at sea.
4.14
7
Cape Cod and the Civil War Summary
Cape Cod and the Civil War 91%
A peninsula voted its morals over its money, then became the Union's lifeline at sea.
by Stauffer Miller 2010
4.14
7 ratings
Ninety Percent of Everything
by Rose George • 2013
Behind everything you own: an invisible, lawless ocean industry that makes globalization possible.
3.79
4k+
Ninety Percent of Everything Summary
Ninety Percent of Everything 90%
Behind everything you own: an invisible, lawless ocean industry that makes globalization possible.
by Rose George 2013
3.79
4k+ ratings
The Catalpa Rescue
by Peter FitzSimons • 2019
Six Irish prisoners, one American whaler, and a flag that dared the British Empire to fire.
4.30
644
The Catalpa Rescue Summary
The Catalpa Rescue 90%
Six Irish prisoners, one American whaler, and a flag that dared the British Empire to fire.
by Peter FitzSimons 2019
4.30
644 ratings
The Infernal Machine
by Steven Johnson • 2024
Dynamite was meant to destroy governments. It built the most powerful one: the surveillance state.
4.03
2k+
The Infernal Machine Summary
The Infernal Machine 90%
Dynamite was meant to destroy governments. It built the most powerful one: the surveillance state.
by Steven Johnson 2024
4.03
2k+ ratings
Bill O'Reilly's Legends & Lies
by David Fisher • 2016
The frontier heroes you know hid darker truths. Nine lives that collapse the legend.
4.05
4k+
Bill O'Reilly's Legends & Lies Summary
Bill O'Reilly's Legends & Lies 90%
The frontier heroes you know hid darker truths. Nine lives that collapse the legend.
by David Fisher 2016
4.05
4k+ ratings
In the Heart of the Sea
by Nathaniel Philbrick • 2000
A whale sank the Essex. Twenty men, three boats. Half the survivors ate their shipmates.
4.17
120k+
In the Heart of the Sea Summary
In the Heart of the Sea 90%
A whale sank the Essex. Twenty men, three boats. Half the survivors ate their shipmates.
by Nathaniel Philbrick 2000
4.17
120k+ ratings
Magellan
by Stefan Zweig • 1938
The man who first circled the globe died in a pointless skirmish halfway through the voyage.
4.42
6k+
Magellan Summary
Magellan 90%
The man who first circled the globe died in a pointless skirmish halfway through the voyage.
by Stefan Zweig 1938
4.42
6k+ ratings
A Splendid Exchange
by William J. Bernstein • 2008
Commerce, not conquest, built the modern world: the history of trade from obsidian to oil.
4.16
3k+
A Splendid Exchange Summary
A Splendid Exchange 90%
Commerce, not conquest, built the modern world: the history of trade from obsidian to oil.
by William J. Bernstein 2008
4.16
3k+ ratings
To Risk It All
by James G. Stavridis • 2022
Nine naval crises and the decision code each reveals for leading when the stakes are catastrophic.
3.98
684
To Risk It All Summary
To Risk It All 90%
Nine naval crises and the decision code each reveals for leading when the stakes are catastrophic.
by James G. Stavridis 2022
3.98
684 ratings
Washington's Spies
by Alexander Rose • 2006
Washington's spies weren't professionals. They were neighbors who took their secret to the grave.
3.82
6k+
Washington's Spies Summary
Washington's Spies 90%
Washington's spies weren't professionals. They were neighbors who took their secret to the grave.
by Alexander Rose 2006
3.82
6k+ ratings
Empire
by Niall Ferguson • 2003
Piracy, sugar, and debt built the largest empire ever. The collapse outpaced the climb.
3.93
10k+
Empire Summary
Empire 90%
Piracy, sugar, and debt built the largest empire ever. The collapse outpaced the climb.
by Niall Ferguson 2003
3.93
10k+ ratings
Woodsong
by Gary Paulsen • 1990
A secret room tracked the U-boat; the Lusitania never received a warning.
3.93
4k+
Woodsong Summary
Woodsong 90%
A secret room tracked the U-boat; the Lusitania never received a warning.
by Gary Paulsen 1990
3.93
4k+ ratings
George Washington's Secret Six
by Brian Kilmeade • 2013
Six civilians ran Washington's spy ring in occupied New York. Their names stayed hidden 150 years.
3.86
21k+
George Washington's Secret Six Summary
George Washington's Secret Six 90%
Six civilians ran Washington's spy ring in occupied New York. Their names stayed hidden 150 years.
by Brian Kilmeade 2013
3.86
21k+ ratings
Shot All to Hell
by Mark Lee Gardner • 2013
One cashier's refusal turned the James-Younger gang's last heist into a bloody rout.
4.03
1k+
Shot All to Hell Summary
Shot All to Hell 90%
One cashier's refusal turned the James-Younger gang's last heist into a bloody rout.
by Mark Lee Gardner 2013
4.03
1k+ ratings
Tupaia
by Joan Druett • 2010
The navigator who made Cook's Pacific voyage possible spent two centuries erased from the story.
4.25
201
Tupaia Summary
Tupaia 90%
The navigator who made Cook's Pacific voyage possible spent two centuries erased from the story.
by Joan Druett 2010
4.25
201 ratings
Shipwrecked!
by Martin W. Sandler • 2023
Seven shipwrecks froze time. How marine archaeologists learned to unlock them.
3.87
218
Shipwrecked! Summary
Shipwrecked! 90%
Seven shipwrecks froze time. How marine archaeologists learned to unlock them.
by Martin W. Sandler 2023
3.87
218 ratings
1494
by Stephen R. Bown • 2011
A secret royal wedding, a corrupt pope, and one line that carved the world in two.
3.89
369
1494 Summary
1494 90%
A secret royal wedding, a corrupt pope, and one line that carved the world in two.
by Stephen R. Bown 2011
3.89
369 ratings
Cod
by Mark Kurlansky • 1997
The fish that built empires and fueled a slave trade. Then it stopped coming back.
3.92
25k+
Cod Summary
Cod 90%
The fish that built empires and fueled a slave trade. Then it stopped coming back.
by Mark Kurlansky 1997
3.92
25k+ ratings
The Anarchy
by William Dalrymple • 2019
A company raised an army, conquered India, and its hunger for profit starved a nation.
4.20
19k+
The Anarchy Summary
The Anarchy 90%
A company raised an army, conquered India, and its hunger for profit starved a nation.
by William Dalrymple 2019
4.20
19k+ ratings
The Klondike Fever
by Pierre Berton • 1958
One ship carrying a fortune in gold turned a frozen creek into a city of forty thousand.
4.11
462
The Klondike Fever Summary
The Klondike Fever 90%
One ship carrying a fortune in gold turned a frozen creek into a city of forty thousand.
by Pierre Berton 1958
4.11
462 ratings
An Empire of Wealth
by John Steele Gordon • 2004
6% of the people, 30% of GDP: the institutional inheritance behind American wealth.
4.10
1k+
An Empire of Wealth Summary
An Empire of Wealth 90%
6% of the people, 30% of GDP: the institutional inheritance behind American wealth.
by John Steele Gordon 2004
4.10
1k+ ratings
The Frontiersmen
by Allan W. Eckert • 1967
The earth shook, the Mississippi reversed, and scattered warriors rode to one man's war.
4.46
5k+
The Frontiersmen Summary
The Frontiersmen 90%
The earth shook, the Mississippi reversed, and scattered warriors rode to one man's war.
by Allan W. Eckert 1967
4.46
5k+ ratings
How Music Got Free
by Stephen Richard Witt • 2015
A CD plant worker leaked 2,000 albums from the factory floor. The mp3 did the rest.
4.24
7k+
How Music Got Free Summary
How Music Got Free 90%
A CD plant worker leaked 2,000 albums from the factory floor. The mp3 did the rest.
by Stephen Richard Witt 2015
4.24
7k+ ratings
To End All Wars
by Adam Hochschild • 2011
A general led Britain's army. His sister led its pacifists. The Great War as family feud.
4.14
9k+
To End All Wars Summary
To End All Wars 89%
A general led Britain's army. His sister led its pacifists. The Great War as family feud.
by Adam Hochschild 2011
4.14
9k+ ratings
You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train
by Howard Zinn • 1994
Shipyards, bombers, protest lines: a historian argues that sitting still picks a side.
4.34
4k+
You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train Summary
You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train 89%
Shipyards, bombers, protest lines: a historian argues that sitting still picks a side.
by Howard Zinn 1994
4.34
4k+ ratings
A People’s History of the United States
by Howard Zinn • 1980
The history you learned in school is a cover story for class war, genocide, and slave revolts.
4.09
268k+
A People’s History of the United States Summary
A People’s History of the United States 89%
The history you learned in school is a cover story for class war, genocide, and slave revolts.
by Howard Zinn 1980
4.09
268k+ ratings
A Renegade History of the United States
by Thaddeus Russell • 2010
America's founders feared pleasure. Its drunkards, prostitutes, and gangsters made freedom real.
3.81
2k+
A Renegade History of the United States Summary
A Renegade History of the United States 89%
America's founders feared pleasure. Its drunkards, prostitutes, and gangsters made freedom real.
by Thaddeus Russell 2010
3.81
2k+ ratings
Evolution's Captain
by Peter Nichols • 2003
He kidnapped four Fuegians to save them, gave Darwin his ship, and was destroyed by both.
3.99
511
Evolution's Captain Summary
Evolution's Captain 89%
He kidnapped four Fuegians to save them, gave Darwin his ship, and was destroyed by both.
by Peter Nichols 2003
3.99
511 ratings
We Are Anonymous
by Parmy Olson • 2012
The internet's most notorious hacker collective was run by an FBI informant for eight months.
3.97
3k+
We Are Anonymous Summary
We Are Anonymous 89%
The internet's most notorious hacker collective was run by an FBI informant for eight months.
by Parmy Olson 2012
3.97
3k+ ratings
The Lost Men
by Kelly Tyler-Lewis • 2006
Ten men, stranded in Antarctica, marched 1,300 miles laying depots for an explorer they barely knew.
4.15
2k+
The Lost Men Summary
The Lost Men 89%
Ten men, stranded in Antarctica, marched 1,300 miles laying depots for an explorer they barely knew.
by Kelly Tyler-Lewis 2006
4.15
2k+ ratings
The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu
by Joshua Hammer • 2016
377,000 ancient manuscripts, one occupied city, and the smuggling ring of librarians who saved them.
3.50
13k+
The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu Summary
The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu 89%
377,000 ancient manuscripts, one occupied city, and the smuggling ring of librarians who saved them.
by Joshua Hammer 2016
3.50
13k+ ratings
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