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...
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 95%
After 1848, capitalism conquered the globe. Railways, gold, and free trade were its weapons.
by Eric J. Hobsbawm 1975
4.27
5k+ ratings
Industry and Empire
by Eric J. Hobsbawm • 1968
Britain's industrial head start created an empire-dependent economy destined to fall behind.
3.92
574
Industry and Empire Summary
Industry and Empire 94%
Britain's industrial head start created an empire-dependent economy destined to fall behind.
by Eric J. Hobsbawm 1968
3.92
574 ratings
The Republic for Which It Stands
by Richard White • 2017
America rebuilt itself after 1865 into something no one voted for. A history of broken promises.
4.16
2k+
The Republic for Which It Stands Summary
The Republic for Which It Stands 94%
America rebuilt itself after 1865 into something no one voted for. A history of broken promises.
by Richard White 2017
4.16
2k+ 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 93%
Einstein and Freud dismantled the old moral universe. Into the void stepped the totalitarians.
by Paul Johnson 1983
4.29
3k+ 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 93%
Piracy, sugar, and debt built the largest empire ever. The collapse outpaced the climb.
by Niall Ferguson 2003
3.93
10k+ 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 92%
What fueled modern growth? Not property rights. A cultural shift that made nature a solvable puzzle.
by Joel Mokyr 2016
3.94
427 ratings
The House of Rothschild, Vol 1
by Niall Ferguson • 1998
Five brothers in a Frankfurt ghetto became Europe's bankers by moving news faster than governments.
3.88
2k+
The House of Rothschild, Vol 1 Summary
The House of Rothschild, Vol 1 92%
Five brothers in a Frankfurt ghetto became Europe's bankers by moving news faster than governments.
by Niall Ferguson 1998
3.88
2k+ 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 92%
Nationalism invented nations, not the reverse, and the two-century project is already decaying.
by Eric J. Hobsbawm 1990
3.91
2k+ ratings
Civilization
by Niall Ferguson • 2011
Five hundred years of Western rule rested on six innovations. The rest have now caught up.
3.86
10k+
Civilization Summary
Civilization 92%
Five hundred years of Western rule rested on six innovations. The rest have now caught up.
by Niall Ferguson 2011
3.86
10k+ ratings
Blood and Iron
by Katja Hoyer • 2021
Three wars made Germany. The peace that followed was a 47-year countdown to disaster.
4.15
4k+
Blood and Iron Summary
Blood and Iron 92%
Three wars made Germany. The peace that followed was a 47-year countdown to disaster.
by Katja Hoyer 2021
4.15
4k+ ratings
Postwar
by Tony Judt • 2005
Sixty years, one continent, 36 million dead: how Europe rebuilt itself into something unprecedented.
4.38
14k+
Postwar Summary
Postwar 92%
Sixty years, one continent, 36 million dead: how Europe rebuilt itself into something unprecedented.
by Tony Judt 2005
4.38
14k+ ratings
The Greater Journey
by David McCullough • 2011
Paris, 1830 to 1900. Americans arrived as students. They left as architects of a new culture.
3.94
21k+
The Greater Journey Summary
The Greater Journey 92%
Paris, 1830 to 1900. Americans arrived as students. They left as architects of a new culture.
by David McCullough 2011
3.94
21k+ 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 92%
Four centuries of revolutions reveal one pattern: gradual change sticks; radical breaks collapse.
by Fareed Zakaria 2024
4.17
5k+ 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 92%
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
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 92%
The real shapers of history were not kings but the networks connecting everyone else.
by Niall Ferguson 2017
3.65
4k+ ratings
War and Peace and War
by Peter Turchin • 2005
Empires aren't conquered. They dissolve from within, on a schedule that mathematics can model.
4.17
928
War and Peace and War Summary
War and Peace and War 92%
Empires aren't conquered. They dissolve from within, on a schedule that mathematics can model.
by Peter Turchin 2005
4.17
928 ratings
Conquests and Cultures
by Thomas Sowell • 1998
Geography blocked Africa, conquests lifted Britain, and human capital explains the gap.
4.44
964
Conquests and Cultures Summary
Conquests and Cultures 92%
Geography blocked Africa, conquests lifted Britain, and human capital explains the gap.
by Thomas Sowell 1998
4.44
964 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 92%
Thirteen billion years in one short book: why empires fall, ideas spread, and everything connects.
by Christopher Lascelles 2011
3.86
2k+ 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 92%
Start new colonies from scratch. The controversial solution to a century of post-colonial disaster.
by Bruce Gilley 2023
4.32
191 ratings
City of Women
by Christine Stansell • 1986
In early New York, working-class women built a hidden city of mutual aid and sexual exchange.
3.89
562
City of Women Summary
City of Women 92%
In early New York, working-class women built a hidden city of mutual aid and sexual exchange.
by Christine Stansell 1986
3.89
562 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 91%
A week of American energy use matches a year of Nigerian. The history behind that gap.
by Vaclav Smil 2017
4.09
4k+ ratings
The British Industrial Revolution in Global Perspective
by Robert C. Allen • 2009
Britain's Industrial Revolution was an accident of wages and coal prices, not genius or empire.
4.00
264
The British Industrial Revolution in Global Perspective Summary
The British Industrial Revolution in Global Perspective 91%
Britain's Industrial Revolution was an accident of wages and coal prices, not genius or empire.
by Robert C. Allen 2009
4.00
264 ratings
Mexico
by enrique-krauze • 1997
Mexican history told through its rulers: every new leader inherits the same unsettled conflicts.
4.27
659
Mexico Summary
Mexico 91%
Mexican history told through its rulers: every new leader inherits the same unsettled conflicts.
by enrique-krauze 1997
4.27
659 ratings
Vienna
by Richard Cockett • 2023
Vienna's thinkers built the modern mind. When fascism drove them out, they rebuilt it globally.
3.95
561
Vienna Summary
Vienna 91%
Vienna's thinkers built the modern mind. When fascism drove them out, they rebuilt it globally.
by Richard Cockett 2023
3.95
561 ratings
The Prize
by Daniel Yergin • 1991
How a dark liquid wrote the rules of power, decided wars, and built the greatest fortunes.
4.44
13k+
The Prize Summary
The Prize 91%
How a dark liquid wrote the rules of power, decided wars, and built the greatest fortunes.
by Daniel Yergin 1991
4.44
13k+ 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 91%
Europe's industrial breakthrough wasn't its own genius. It took colonial land and underground coal.
by Kenneth Pomeranz 2000
3.68
1k+ ratings
The Ottomans
by Marc David Baer • 2021
Six centuries, three continents, one dynasty: the European empire the West wrote out of its history.
3.94
2k+
The Ottomans Summary
The Ottomans 91%
Six centuries, three continents, one dynasty: the European empire the West wrote out of its history.
by Marc David Baer 2021
3.94
2k+ ratings
The Scramble for Africa
by Thomas Pakenham • 1991
Livingstone begged to save Africa. Within a generation, it was carved up for rubber and gold.
4.15
3k+
The Scramble for Africa Summary
The Scramble for Africa 91%
Livingstone begged to save Africa. Within a generation, it was carved up for rubber and gold.
by Thomas Pakenham 1991
4.15
3k+ ratings
The Victory of Reason
by Rodney Stark • 2005
The 'Dark Ages' were an era of explosive innovation, lit by the Church's obsession with reason.
3.99
927
The Victory of Reason Summary
The Victory of Reason 91%
The 'Dark Ages' were an era of explosive innovation, lit by the Church's obsession with reason.
by Rodney Stark 2005
3.99
927 ratings
The Wealth and Poverty of Nations
by David S. Landes • 1998
Coal and colonies don't explain Western wealth. The real reason: a culture that rewarded dissent.
3.96
4k+
The Wealth and Poverty of Nations Summary
The Wealth and Poverty of Nations 91%
Coal and colonies don't explain Western wealth. The real reason: a culture that rewarded dissent.
by David S. Landes 1998
3.96
4k+ ratings
The Habsburgs
by Martyn Rady • 2020
The millennium-long dynasty ruling Europe through marriage, forgery, and propaganda, not just war.
3.86
3k+
The Habsburgs Summary
The Habsburgs 91%
The millennium-long dynasty ruling Europe through marriage, forgery, and propaganda, not just war.
by Martyn Rady 2020
3.86
3k+ ratings
A Study of History, Abridgement of Vols 1-6
by Arnold Joseph Toynbee • 1987
History's pattern: empires die, and their true heirs are the churches they tried to crush.
4.11
543
A Study of History, Abridgement of Vols 1-6 Summary
A Study of History, Abridgement of Vols 1-6 91%
History's pattern: empires die, and their true heirs are the churches they tried to crush.
by Arnold Joseph Toynbee 1987
4.11
543 ratings
Dangerous Games
by Margaret MacMillan • 2008
History is never neutral. Nations and leaders weaponize it daily, and the patterns are predictable.
3.64
2k+
Dangerous Games Summary
Dangerous Games 91%
History is never neutral. Nations and leaders weaponize it daily, and the patterns are predictable.
by Margaret MacMillan 2008
3.64
2k+ ratings
Russia's Fate Through Russian Eyes
by Heyward Isham • 2019
Russians who dismantled communism discovered that building its replacement was the harder half.
Russia's Fate Through Russian Eyes Summary
Russia's Fate Through Russian Eyes 91%
Russians who dismantled communism discovered that building its replacement was the harder half.
by Heyward Isham 2019
The Great Bridge
by David McCullough • 1972
The father died. The son collapsed. The daughter-in-law stepped in and built the Brooklyn Bridge.
4.26
19k+
The Great Bridge Summary
The Great Bridge 91%
The father died. The son collapsed. The daughter-in-law stepped in and built the Brooklyn Bridge.
by David McCullough 1972
4.26
19k+ ratings
Halt Station India
by Rajendra B. Aklekar • 2014
Bombay's oldest railway still passes through the ruins of the city it replaced.
4.38
120
Halt Station India Summary
Halt Station India 91%
Bombay's oldest railway still passes through the ruins of the city it replaced.
by Rajendra B. Aklekar 2014
4.38
120 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 91%
Every eighty years America's government breaks; every fifty, its economy. Now both arrive at once.
by George Friedman 2020
4.05
3k+ ratings
The Birth of Plenty
by William J. Bernstein • 2004
Four conditions built the modern world; without them, even silver empires collapse.
4.19
858
The Birth of Plenty Summary
The Birth of Plenty 91%
Four conditions built the modern world; without them, even silver empires collapse.
by William J. Bernstein 2004
4.19
858 ratings
Why Empires Fall
by Peter Heather and John Rapley • 1983
Barbarians didn't kill Rome; economic shifts on its frontiers did. The West is next.
3.60
962
Why Empires Fall Summary
Why Empires Fall 91%
Barbarians didn't kill Rome; economic shifts on its frontiers did. The West is next.
by Peter Heather and John Rapley 1983
3.60
962 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 91%
Six ordinary breakthroughs built the modern world; their biggest consequences were never planned.
by Steven Johnson 2014
4.12
16k+ ratings
21 Lessons for the 21st Century
by Yuval Noah Harari • 2018
How to think in a century where jobs vanish, truths splinter, and biology becomes programmable.
4.15
179k+
21 Lessons for the 21st Century Summary
21 Lessons for the 21st Century 91%
How to think in a century where jobs vanish, truths splinter, and biology becomes programmable.
by Yuval Noah Harari 2018
4.15
179k+ 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 91%
6% of the people, 30% of GDP: the institutional inheritance behind American wealth.
by John Steele Gordon 2004
4.10
1k+ 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 91%
Civil rights built a rival constitution. Debt papered over the conflict. Now the bill is due.
by Christopher Caldwell 2020
4.04
2k+ ratings
Glimpses of World History
by Jawaharlal Nehru • 1934
From a British prison cell, a jailed father teaches his daughter all of world history.
4.32
2k+
Glimpses of World History Summary
Glimpses of World History 91%
From a British prison cell, a jailed father teaches his daughter all of world history.
by Jawaharlal Nehru 1934
4.32
2k+ ratings
Europe
by Brendan Simms • 2013
Whoever controls Germany controls Europe: five centuries of war traced to a single strategic prize.
3.95
761
Europe Summary
Europe 91%
Whoever controls Germany controls Europe: five centuries of war traced to a single strategic prize.
by Brendan Simms 2013
3.95
761 ratings
A Little History of the World
by E.H. Gombrich • 1936
The whole human story, from cave paintings to the Cold War, in one short, elegant book.
4.10
32k+
A Little History of the World Summary
A Little History of the World 91%
The whole human story, from cave paintings to the Cold War, in one short, elegant book.
by E.H. Gombrich 1936
4.10
32k+ 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 91%
Buddhism has no god, no bible, no pope. What holds its many traditions together?
by Damien Keown 1996
3.74
3k+ 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 91%
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
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 91%
Dynamite was meant to destroy governments. It built the most powerful one: the surveillance state.
by Steven Johnson 2024
4.03
2k+ 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 91%
Ten millennia of data point to two conditions for state collapse. America now meets both.
by Peter Turchin 2023
4.06
3k+ 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