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American Book Summaries

Racism
by George M. Fredrickson • 2002
Racism isn't eternal: it was invented in the West around the 1400s, and this is its biography.
3.77
500+
Racism Summary
Racism
Racism isn't eternal: it was invented in the West around the 1400s, and this is its biography.
by George M. Fredrickson 2002 224 pages
3.77
500+ ratings
On Power
by Robert A. Caro • 2017
How one man built a financial empire inside the government and became untouchable.
3.95
1k+
On Power Summary
On Power
How one man built a financial empire inside the government and became untouchable.
by Robert A. Caro 2017 2 pages
3.95
1k+ ratings
A Hologram for the King
by Dave Eggers • 2012
In a half-built Saudi city, a fading salesman waits for a king who never arrives.
3.29
29k+
A Hologram for the King Summary
A Hologram for the King
In a half-built Saudi city, a fading salesman waits for a king who never arrives.
by Dave Eggers 2012 312 pages
3.29
29k+ ratings
Olga Dies Dreaming
by Xóchitl González • 2022
A Brooklyn wedding planner and her congressman brother face the mother who left them for revolution.
3.96
79k+
Olga Dies Dreaming Summary
Olga Dies Dreaming
A Brooklyn wedding planner and her congressman brother face the mother who left them for revolution.
by Xóchitl González 2022 369 pages
3.96
79k+ ratings
Slavery's Constitution
by David Waldstreicher • 2009
Six of 84 clauses protected slavery. The compromise that made the Civil War inevitable.
3.69
250
Slavery's Constitution Summary
Slavery's Constitution
Six of 84 clauses protected slavery. The compromise that made the Civil War inevitable.
by David Waldstreicher 2009 208 pages
3.69
250 ratings
Let Them Eat Tweets
by Jacob S. Hacker • 2020
The GOP's formula: policies for the rich, powered by racial grievance, protected by a rigged system.
4.09
500+
Let Them Eat Tweets Summary
Let Them Eat Tweets
The GOP's formula: policies for the rich, powered by racial grievance, protected by a rigged system.
by Jacob S. Hacker 2020 288 pages
4.09
500+ ratings
When the Day Comes
by Gabrielle Meyer • 2022
In 1774 she's a printer; in 1914 a pressured heiress. At twenty-one, one life must end.
4.36
16k+
When the Day Comes Summary
When the Day Comes
In 1774 she's a printer; in 1914 a pressured heiress. At twenty-one, one life must end.
by Gabrielle Meyer 2022 384 pages
4.36
16k+ ratings
The Vanishing American Adult
by Ben Sasse • 2017
Why young Americans mock adulthood, and the uncomfortable remedy their parents must impose.
4.03
6k+
The Vanishing American Adult Summary
The Vanishing American Adult
Why young Americans mock adulthood, and the uncomfortable remedy their parents must impose.
by Ben Sasse 2017 393 pages
4.03
6k+ ratings
Dances with Wolves
by Michael Blake • 1988
Alone at a frontier outpost, a Union officer befriends the Comanche. The army calls it treason.
4.24
29k+
Dances with Wolves Summary
Dances with Wolves
Alone at a frontier outpost, a Union officer befriends the Comanche. The army calls it treason.
by Michael Blake 1988 304 pages
4.24
29k+ ratings
Nemesis
by Chalmers Johnson • 2007
Empire and democracy cannot coexist. America chose empire; the bill is coming due.
4.07
500+
Nemesis Summary
Nemesis
Empire and democracy cannot coexist. America chose empire; the bill is coming due.
by Chalmers Johnson 2007 354 pages
4.07
500+ ratings
The Cultural Contradictions of Capitalism
by Daniel Bell • 1976
Capitalism demands discipline at work and hedonism at leisure. The contradiction is catching up.
3.83
301
The Cultural Contradictions of Capitalism Summary
The Cultural Contradictions of Capitalism
Capitalism demands discipline at work and hedonism at leisure. The contradiction is catching up.
by Daniel Bell 1976 363 pages
3.83
301 ratings
Laboratories of Autocracy
by David Pepper • 2021
How statehouses became the most dangerous threat to American democracy, and why nobody noticed.
4.48
338
Laboratories of Autocracy Summary
Laboratories of Autocracy
How statehouses became the most dangerous threat to American democracy, and why nobody noticed.
by David Pepper 2021 452 pages
4.48
338 ratings
An American Beauty
by Shana Abe • 2023
A Richmond saloon girl becomes a tycoon's mistress and claws her way through Gilded Age society.
4.12
29k+
An American Beauty Summary
An American Beauty
A Richmond saloon girl becomes a tycoon's mistress and claws her way through Gilded Age society.
by Shana Abe 2023 352 pages
4.12
29k+ ratings
Cobb's Anatomy
by Irvin S. Cobb • 1912
A 1912 comic anatomy of everything that aches, sheds, swells, or embarrasses you in public.
3.78
60
Cobb's Anatomy Summary
Cobb's Anatomy
A 1912 comic anatomy of everything that aches, sheds, swells, or embarrasses you in public.
by Irvin S. Cobb 1912 42 pages
3.78
60 ratings
The Book of Lost Friends
by Lisa Wingate • 2020
1875: a Black woman rides west searching for stolen family, collecting lost names in a book.
4.15
100k+
The Book of Lost Friends Summary
The Book of Lost Friends
1875: a Black woman rides west searching for stolen family, collecting lost names in a book.
by Lisa Wingate 2020 388 pages
4.15
100k+ ratings
The Indispensable Enemy
by Alexander Saxton • 1971
Capitalism was the threat, but the Chinese were the target. How white labor chose its enemy.
3.88
42
The Indispensable Enemy Summary
The Indispensable Enemy
Capitalism was the threat, but the Chinese were the target. How white labor chose its enemy.
by Alexander Saxton 1971 293 pages
3.88
42 ratings
Dandelion Wine
by Ray Bradbury • 1957
One Illinois summer teaches a boy the taste of joy and the weight of goodbye.
4.09
79k+
Dandelion Wine Summary
Dandelion Wine
One Illinois summer teaches a boy the taste of joy and the weight of goodbye.
by Ray Bradbury 1957 239 pages
4.09
79k+ ratings
The Hot Rock
by Donald E. Westlake • 1970
After stealing a priceless emerald, a crew of thieves chases the vanishing stone across New York.
3.95
7k+
The Hot Rock Summary
The Hot Rock
After stealing a priceless emerald, a crew of thieves chases the vanishing stone across New York.
by Donald E. Westlake 1970 287 pages
3.95
7k+ ratings
Made in America
by Claude S. Fischer • 2010
America never had a golden age. The core character of voluntary belonging held steady for centuries.
3.76
76
Made in America Summary
Made in America
America never had a golden age. The core character of voluntary belonging held steady for centuries.
by Claude S. Fischer 2010 528 pages
3.76
76 ratings
Look Homeward, Angel
by Thomas Wolfe • 1929
A sensitive boy in a tumultuous Southern boardinghouse hungers for language, beauty, and belonging.
3.91
15k+
Look Homeward, Angel Summary
Look Homeward, Angel
A sensitive boy in a tumultuous Southern boardinghouse hungers for language, beauty, and belonging.
by Thomas Wolfe 1929 544 pages
3.91
15k+ ratings
The Last Founding Father
by Harlow Giles Unger • 2009
America's least-known founder doubled its land, drew a line around a hemisphere, and died bankrupt.
3.94
10k+
The Last Founding Father Summary
The Last Founding Father
America's least-known founder doubled its land, drew a line around a hemisphere, and died bankrupt.
by Harlow Giles Unger 2009 388 pages
3.94
10k+ ratings
Winner-Take-All Politics
by Jacob S. Hacker • 2010
The top 1% took 36% of income gains over decades. That's not economics; it's politics.
4.04
2k+
Winner-Take-All Politics Summary
Winner-Take-All Politics
The top 1% took 36% of income gains over decades. That's not economics; it's politics.
by Jacob S. Hacker 2010 368 pages
4.04
2k+ ratings
The Game
by Jack London • 1905
A boxer promises his bride one last fight. She disguises herself as a man to watch.
3.73
1k+
The Game Summary
The Game
A boxer promises his bride one last fight. She disguises herself as a man to watch.
by Jack London 1905 47 pages
3.73
1k+ ratings
Red Summer
by Cameron McWhirter • 2011
The bloodiest American racial violence did not break Black communities. It organized them.
4.20
500+
Red Summer Summary
Red Summer
The bloodiest American racial violence did not break Black communities. It organized them.
by Cameron McWhirter 2011 272 pages
4.20
500+ ratings
The Wrath to Come
by Sarah Churchwell • 2022
Thirty million copies of a single novel taught America to love a lie. The lost cause won.
4.22
500+
The Wrath to Come Summary
The Wrath to Come
Thirty million copies of a single novel taught America to love a lie. The lost cause won.
by Sarah Churchwell 2022 464 pages
4.22
500+ ratings
Chaotic Neutral
by Ed Burmila • 2022
Democrats swapped the working class for Wall Street. The collapse started with Bill Clinton.
4.43
194
Chaotic Neutral Summary
Chaotic Neutral
Democrats swapped the working class for Wall Street. The collapse started with Bill Clinton.
by Ed Burmila 2022 352 pages
4.43
194 ratings
Stony the Road
by Henry Louis Gates Jr. • 2019
Jim Crow was not a backlash. It was a rebranding of white supremacy, using science and stereotypes.
4.16
4k+
Stony the Road Summary
Stony the Road
Jim Crow was not a backlash. It was a rebranding of white supremacy, using science and stereotypes.
by Henry Louis Gates Jr. 2019 296 pages
4.16
4k+ ratings
Origins of the New South, 1877–1913
by C. Vann Woodward • 1951
After 1877 the South was remade: industrialists allied with the North and made racial exclusion law
4.11
240
Origins of the New South, 1877–1913 Summary
Origins of the New South, 1877–1913
After 1877 the South was remade: industrialists allied with the North and made racial exclusion law
by C. Vann Woodward 1951 656 pages
4.11
240 ratings
The Longest Day
by Cornelius Ryan • 1959
Hitler slept. Rommel was at a birthday party. Eisenhower stared at a weather map. Then Omaha.
4.34
26k+
The Longest Day Summary
The Longest Day
Hitler slept. Rommel was at a birthday party. Eisenhower stared at a weather map. Then Omaha.
by Cornelius Ryan 1959 350 pages
4.34
26k+ ratings
ROOTS OF SOUTHERN POPULISM
by Steven Hahn • 1985
Before Populism, Georgia's yeomen lost their land and independence to merchants, cotton, and debt.
3.78
74
ROOTS OF SOUTHERN POPULISM Summary
ROOTS OF SOUTHERN POPULISM
Before Populism, Georgia's yeomen lost their land and independence to merchants, cotton, and debt.
by Steven Hahn 1985 373 pages
3.78
74 ratings
The Age of Abundance
by Brink Lindsey • 2007
Postwar abundance split America into two rival faiths; their deadlock still defines us.
3.51
134
The Age of Abundance Summary
The Age of Abundance
Postwar abundance split America into two rival faiths; their deadlock still defines us.
by Brink Lindsey 2007 400 pages
3.51
134 ratings
Captains Of Consciousness
by Stuart Ewen • 1977
Your desires were not your own. They were manufactured to pacify a restless industrial workforce.
4.10
229
Captains Of Consciousness Summary
Captains Of Consciousness
Your desires were not your own. They were manufactured to pacify a restless industrial workforce.
by Stuart Ewen 1977 272 pages
4.10
229 ratings
American Oligarchs
by Andrea Bernstein • 2020
Two dynasties, one White House, and the immigrant-to-oligarch story that explains modern America.
4.22
1k+
American Oligarchs Summary
American Oligarchs
Two dynasties, one White House, and the immigrant-to-oligarch story that explains modern America.
by Andrea Bernstein 2020 496 pages
4.22
1k+ ratings
The Indigo Girl
by Natasha Boyd • 2017
At sixteen she runs three plantations, risking everything on indigo no colonist has grown.
4.21
52k+
The Indigo Girl Summary
The Indigo Girl
At sixteen she runs three plantations, risking everything on indigo no colonist has grown.
by Natasha Boyd 2017 329 pages
4.21
52k+ ratings
Ideas with Consequences
by Amanda Hollis-Brusky • 2014
How a conservative legal network supplied the reasoning for a Supreme Court revolution.
3.84
88
Ideas with Consequences Summary
Ideas with Consequences
How a conservative legal network supplied the reasoning for a Supreme Court revolution.
by Amanda Hollis-Brusky 2014 266 pages
3.84
88 ratings
JFK and Mary Meyer
by Jesse Kornbluth • 2020
A divorced artist's affair with the president fills her diary with passion and political crisis.
3.69
144
JFK and Mary Meyer Summary
JFK and Mary Meyer
A divorced artist's affair with the president fills her diary with passion and political crisis.
by Jesse Kornbluth 2020 192 pages
3.69
144 ratings
Transcription
by Ben Lerner • 2026
A writer sets out to record his mentor, but without his phone, memory and invention blur.
3.88
9k+
Transcription Summary
Transcription
A writer sets out to record his mentor, but without his phone, memory and invention blur.
by Ben Lerner 2026 144 pages
3.88
9k+ ratings
Liberty and Coercion
by Gary Gerstle • 2015
Federal liberty, state coercion: the two-hundred-year paradox at the heart of American governance.
4.04
77
Liberty and Coercion Summary
Liberty and Coercion
Federal liberty, state coercion: the two-hundred-year paradox at the heart of American governance.
by Gary Gerstle 2015 472 pages
4.04
77 ratings
The White House Is Burning
by Jane Sutcliffe • 2014
The White House burned. British troops looted the Capitol. And then the sky itself attacked.
4.01
168
The White House Is Burning Summary
The White House Is Burning
The White House burned. British troops looted the Capitol. And then the sky itself attacked.
by Jane Sutcliffe 2014 128 pages
4.01
168 ratings
Love & Whiskey
by Fawn Weaver • 2024
Jack Daniel's teacher was enslaved. One woman uncovered his story and built a whiskey empire.
3.87
1k+
Love & Whiskey Summary
Love & Whiskey
Jack Daniel's teacher was enslaved. One woman uncovered his story and built a whiskey empire.
by Fawn Weaver 2024 376 pages
3.87
1k+ ratings
Young Goodman Brown
by Nathaniel Hawthorne • 1835
A Salem husband enters the night woods and finds his wife and neighbors at a witches' sabbath.
3.64
16k+
Young Goodman Brown Summary
Young Goodman Brown
A Salem husband enters the night woods and finds his wife and neighbors at a witches' sabbath.
by Nathaniel Hawthorne 1835 48 pages
3.64
16k+ ratings
The Other Guy Blinked
by Jesse Kornbluth • 1986
Coke killed its century-old formula. Pepsi had a $5 million pop star and a bold plan.
3.82
243
The Other Guy Blinked Summary
The Other Guy Blinked
Coke killed its century-old formula. Pepsi had a $5 million pop star and a bold plan.
by Jesse Kornbluth 1986 280 pages
3.82
243 ratings
No One’s Coming
by Kevin Hazzard • 2026
Two doctors catch Ebola in Liberia. Every government refuses. One crew of outlaw pilots flies in.
4.43
1k+
No One’s Coming Summary
No One’s Coming
Two doctors catch Ebola in Liberia. Every government refuses. One crew of outlaw pilots flies in.
by Kevin Hazzard 2026 336 pages
4.43
1k+ ratings
Negro President
by Garry Wills • 2003
The math that made Jefferson president: electoral votes from people who could not vote.
3.76
285
Negro President Summary
Negro President
The math that made Jefferson president: electoral votes from people who could not vote.
by Garry Wills 2003
3.76
285 ratings
Heavier Than Heaven
by Charles R. Cross • 2001
Childhood trauma, punk ambition, and heroin fueled his rise and his meticulously planned fall.
4.12
35k+
Heavier Than Heaven Summary
Heavier Than Heaven
Childhood trauma, punk ambition, and heroin fueled his rise and his meticulously planned fall.
by Charles R. Cross 2001 381 pages
4.12
35k+ ratings
The March
by E.L. Doctorow • 2005
Civil War flames consume Georgia as a passing girl, a surgeon, and two deserters chase survival.
3.78
14k+
The March Summary
The March
Civil War flames consume Georgia as a passing girl, a surgeon, and two deserters chase survival.
by E.L. Doctorow 2005 363 pages
3.78
14k+ ratings
Rise
by Brigitte Gabriel • 2018
Radical Islam and the left share one project: dismantling the West. A former refugee's battle plan.
4.31
100
Rise Summary
Rise
Radical Islam and the left share one project: dismantling the West. A former refugee's battle plan.
by Brigitte Gabriel 2018 272 pages
4.31
100 ratings
The Age of Acquiescence
by Steve Fraser • 2015
Mass movements once made America ungovernable for the rich. Now extreme inequality meets silence.
3.82
454
The Age of Acquiescence Summary
The Age of Acquiescence
Mass movements once made America ungovernable for the rich. Now extreme inequality meets silence.
by Steve Fraser 2015 480 pages
3.82
454 ratings
This Vast Southern Empire
by Matthew Karp • 2016
Why the slaveholding South pushed for a powerful state: to protect and project slavery worldwide.
4.28
500+
This Vast Southern Empire Summary
This Vast Southern Empire
Why the slaveholding South pushed for a powerful state: to protect and project slavery worldwide.
by Matthew Karp 2016 368 pages
4.28
500+ ratings
The Hell of Good Intentions
by Stephen M. Walt • 2018
After the Cold War, America tried to lead the world. It overreached, failed, and learned nothing.
4.01
500+
The Hell of Good Intentions Summary
The Hell of Good Intentions
After the Cold War, America tried to lead the world. It overreached, failed, and learned nothing.
by Stephen M. Walt 2018 400 pages
4.01
500+ ratings
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