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 Romans
by Edward J. Watts • 2025
Most empires fall. Rome reinvented itself for two millennia by turning enemies into citizens.
4.16
187
The Romans Summary
The Romans 94%
Most empires fall. Rome reinvented itself for two millennia by turning enemies into citizens.
by Edward J. Watts 2025
4.16
187 ratings
Final Pagan Generation
by Edward J. Watts • 2015
Why Rome's last pagans didn't fight Christianity but managed its rise from inside the empire.
3.99
259
Final Pagan Generation Summary
Final Pagan Generation 92%
Why Rome's last pagans didn't fight Christianity but managed its rise from inside the empire.
by Edward J. Watts 2015
3.99
259 ratings
The Fate of Rome
by Kyle Harper • 2017
The Roman Empire wasn't just conquered. It was overwhelmed by climate chaos and pandemic disease.
4.19
2k+
The Fate of Rome Summary
The Fate of Rome 92%
The Roman Empire wasn't just conquered. It was overwhelmed by climate chaos and pandemic disease.
by Kyle Harper 2017
4.19
2k+ ratings
Cities of God
by Rodney Stark • 2006
Christianity conquered Rome via port cities, personal ties, and 3.4 percent annual growth.
3.74
473
Cities of God Summary
Cities of God 92%
Christianity conquered Rome via port cities, personal ties, and 3.4 percent annual growth.
by Rodney Stark 2006
3.74
473 ratings
Tacitus' Annals
by Ronald Mellor • 2010
Tacitus turned history into a mirror for tyrants. Here is how to read his darkest masterpiece.
4.21
24
Tacitus' Annals Summary
Tacitus' Annals 92%
Tacitus turned history into a mirror for tyrants. Here is how to read his darkest masterpiece.
by Ronald Mellor 2010
4.21
24 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
The Gallic War
by Gaius Julius Caesar
Caesar's own account of conquering Gaul. Every victory was ammunition for the political war ahead.
4.02
14k+
The Gallic War Summary
The Gallic War 91%
Caesar's own account of conquering Gaul. Every victory was ammunition for the political war ahead.
by Gaius Julius Caesar
4.02
14k+ 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
The Rise of Christianity
by Rodney Stark • 1996
40% per decade for 300 years. The secret: epidemics, networks, and how Christians treated women.
4.07
2k+
The Rise of Christianity Summary
The Rise of Christianity 91%
40% per decade for 300 years. The secret: epidemics, networks, and how Christians treated women.
by Rodney Stark 1996
4.07
2k+ 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
Cicero
by Anthony Everitt • 2001
A provincial outsider became Rome's most powerful voice. He still could not save the Republic.
3.90
8k+
Cicero Summary
Cicero 91%
A provincial outsider became Rome's most powerful voice. He still could not save the Republic.
by Anthony Everitt 2001
3.90
8k+ ratings
A Study of History, abridged
by Arnold Joseph Toynbee • 1957
History's real units are civilizations, not nations. Their collapses conceal a spiritual purpose.
4.10
224
A Study of History, abridged Summary
A Study of History, abridged 91%
History's real units are civilizations, not nations. Their collapses conceal a spiritual purpose.
by Arnold Joseph Toynbee 1957
4.10
224 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
The History of the Church
by Eusebius
Christianity's first historian was a bishop who watched churches burn, then saw an emperor bow.
4.01
5k+
The History of the Church Summary
The History of the Church 91%
Christianity's first historian was a bishop who watched churches burn, then saw an emperor bow.
by Eusebius
4.01
5k+ 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 91%
Einstein and Freud dismantled the old moral universe. Into the void stepped the totalitarians.
by Paul Johnson 1983
4.29
3k+ ratings
Killing Jesus
by Bill O'Reilly • 2013
From Caesar's murder to the death of a Galilean preacher: how empire and religion conspired.
3.99
40k+
Killing Jesus Summary
Killing Jesus 90%
From Caesar's murder to the death of a Galilean preacher: how empire and religion conspired.
by Bill O'Reilly 2013
3.99
40k+ ratings
Decline and Fall
by John Michael Greer • 2014
Empires are wealth pumps. America's runs on oil, nearly dry. The collapse cycle is inevitable.
4.29
156
Decline and Fall Summary
Decline and Fall 90%
Empires are wealth pumps. America's runs on oil, nearly dry. The collapse cycle is inevitable.
by John Michael Greer 2014
4.29
156 ratings
Pontifex Maximus
by Christopher Lascelles • 2017
The papacy's claim to divine authority is shaky; its real story is power, corruption, and scandal.
3.93
140
Pontifex Maximus Summary
Pontifex Maximus 90%
The papacy's claim to divine authority is shaky; its real story is power, corruption, and scandal.
by Christopher Lascelles 2017
3.93
140 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
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 90%
Ten millennia of data point to two conditions for state collapse. America now meets both.
by Peter Turchin 2023
4.06
3k+ ratings
Waste Land
by Robert D. Kaplan • 2025
When crises travel instantly but solutions stall at borders, we get one unending emergency.
3.60
972
Waste Land Summary
Waste Land 90%
When crises travel instantly but solutions stall at borders, we get one unending emergency.
by Robert D. Kaplan 2025
3.60
972 ratings
Suicide of a Superpower
by Patrick J. Buchanan • 2011
America didn't fall; it jumped. The ideas shredding it are its own choices, not enemy blows.
4.05
844
Suicide of a Superpower Summary
Suicide of a Superpower 90%
America didn't fall; it jumped. The ideas shredding it are its own choices, not enemy blows.
by Patrick J. Buchanan 2011
4.05
844 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 90%
Empires aren't conquered. They dissolve from within, on a schedule that mathematics can model.
by Peter Turchin 2005
4.17
928 ratings
7 Tipping Points That Saved the World
by Chris Stewart • 2011
Seven narrow escapes that saved the West. Remove any one, and democracy and Christianity vanish.
3.97
2k+
7 Tipping Points That Saved the World Summary
7 Tipping Points That Saved the World 90%
Seven narrow escapes that saved the West. Remove any one, and democracy and Christianity vanish.
by Chris Stewart 2011
3.97
2k+ ratings
The Fall of the Ottomans
by Eugene Rogan • 2015
The Ottomans entered World War I to survive, not conquer. Their collapse carved today's Middle East.
4.17
5k+
The Fall of the Ottomans Summary
The Fall of the Ottomans 90%
The Ottomans entered World War I to survive, not conquer. Their collapse carved today's Middle East.
by Eugene Rogan 2015
4.17
5k+ 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 90%
Thirteen billion years in one short book: why empires fall, ideas spread, and everything connects.
by Christopher Lascelles 2011
3.86
2k+ ratings
Sasanian Persia
by Touraj Daryaee • 2007
Rome's greatest rival invented an Iranian identity that outlived the empire itself.
3.84
180
Sasanian Persia Summary
Sasanian Persia 90%
Rome's greatest rival invented an Iranian identity that outlived the empire itself.
by Touraj Daryaee 2007
3.84
180 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 90%
Whoever controls Germany controls Europe: five centuries of war traced to a single strategic prize.
by Brendan Simms 2013
3.95
761 ratings
The New Vichy Syndrome
by Theodore Dalrymple • 2010
Europeans were never richer or healthier. The rot is in the soul, not the balance sheet.
3.89
238
The New Vichy Syndrome Summary
The New Vichy Syndrome 90%
Europeans were never richer or healthier. The rot is in the soul, not the balance sheet.
by Theodore Dalrymple 2010
3.89
238 ratings
City of Echoes
by Jessica Wärnberg • 2023
Rome's popes: from a fisherman's grave to global power, the 2,000-year struggle for supremacy.
3.60
78
City of Echoes Summary
City of Echoes 90%
Rome's popes: from a fisherman's grave to global power, the 2,000-year struggle for supremacy.
by Jessica Wärnberg 2023
3.60
78 ratings
The Persian Empire
by John W.I. Lee • 2012
Greek histories painted Persia as despotism. The empire's own record tells a different story.
4.10
520
The Persian Empire Summary
The Persian Empire 90%
Greek histories painted Persia as despotism. The empire's own record tells a different story.
by John W.I. Lee 2012
4.10
520 ratings
Cynicism
by Ansgar Allen • 2014
Cynicism once meant tearing everything down. Now it just means giving up.
3.71
146
Cynicism Summary
Cynicism 90%
Cynicism once meant tearing everything down. Now it just means giving up.
by Ansgar Allen 2014
3.71
146 ratings
The Origins of Political Order
by Francis Fukuyama • 2011
China built a modern state eighteen centuries before Europe. That gap reshapes political history.
4.18
10k+
The Origins of Political Order Summary
The Origins of Political Order 90%
China built a modern state eighteen centuries before Europe. That gap reshapes political history.
by Francis Fukuyama 2011
4.18
10k+ 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 90%
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
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. 90%
The Bronze Age had trade routes and diplomacy. A cascade of disasters brought it down.
by Eric H. Cline 2014
3.74
13k+ ratings
Zealot
by Reza Aslan • 2013
Rome crucified Jesus for sedition, not blasphemy. The revolutionary beneath the religion.
3.86
73k+
Zealot Summary
Zealot 89%
Rome crucified Jesus for sedition, not blasphemy. The revolutionary beneath the religion.
by Reza Aslan 2013
3.86
73k+ ratings
The March of Folly
by Barbara W. Tuchman • 1984
From Troy to Vietnam, power makes governments ignore the warnings right in front of them.
4.03
7k+
The March of Folly Summary
The March of Folly 89%
From Troy to Vietnam, power makes governments ignore the warnings right in front of them.
by Barbara W. Tuchman 1984
4.03
7k+ 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 89%
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 Right Side of History
by Ben Shapiro • 2019
Greek reason plus biblical purpose built the modern West. Both are now in retreat.
3.86
9k+
The Right Side of History Summary
The Right Side of History 89%
Greek reason plus biblical purpose built the modern West. Both are now in retreat.
by Ben Shapiro 2019
3.86
9k+ ratings
The Theological Origins of Modernity
by Michael Allen Gillespie • 2008
The modern world is a theological argument that left the church and took over everything.
4.23
270
The Theological Origins of Modernity Summary
The Theological Origins of Modernity 89%
The modern world is a theological argument that left the church and took over everything.
by Michael Allen Gillespie 2008
4.23
270 ratings
How Do You Kill 11 Million People?
by Andy Andrews • 2011
A democracy dies the same way eleven million people did: one lie at a time.
4.06
4k+
How Do You Kill 11 Million People? Summary
How Do You Kill 11 Million People? 89%
A democracy dies the same way eleven million people did: one lie at a time.
by Andy Andrews 2011
4.06
4k+ ratings
History of the Peloponnesian War
by Thucydides
Athens rose, Sparta panicked, and a 27-year catastrophe was the only outcome.
3.95
41k+
History of the Peloponnesian War Summary
History of the Peloponnesian War 89%
Athens rose, Sparta panicked, and a 27-year catastrophe was the only outcome.
by Thucydides
3.95
41k+ ratings
Persians
by Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones • 2022
Herodotus told one story. Persian tablets and reliefs tell another, and they survive.
4.07
2k+
Persians Summary
Persians 89%
Herodotus told one story. Persian tablets and reliefs tell another, and they survive.
by Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones 2022
4.07
2k+ 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 89%
Every eighty years America's government breaks; every fifty, its economy. Now both arrive at once.
by George Friedman 2020
4.05
3k+ ratings
A History of Histories
by J.W. Burrow • 2007
From Greek inquiry to the modern archive: 2,500 years of historians bending the past to their age.
3.78
456
A History of Histories Summary
A History of Histories 89%
From Greek inquiry to the modern archive: 2,500 years of historians bending the past to their age.
by J.W. Burrow 2007
3.78
456 ratings
India
by John Keay • 2000
One volume, five thousand years: the subcontinent from its first cities to its midnight partition.
3.93
4k+
India Summary
India 89%
One volume, five thousand years: the subcontinent from its first cities to its midnight partition.
by John Keay 2000
3.93
4k+ 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
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
HOMBRES QUE CAMBIARON LA HISTORIA
by Jaime Maristany • 2014
From Moses to Napoleon: the leadership moves that turned ten mortals into history's architects.
3.28
170
HOMBRES QUE CAMBIARON LA HISTORIA Summary
HOMBRES QUE CAMBIARON LA HISTORIA 89%
From Moses to Napoleon: the leadership moves that turned ten mortals into history's architects.
by Jaime Maristany 2014
3.28
170 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