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Civilization Book Summaries

Guns, Germs, and Steel
by Jared Diamond • 2005
Eurasia had wheat and an east-west axis. The Americas didn't. Geography decided who conquered whom.
4.04
400k+
Guns, Germs, and Steel Summary
Immersive
Guns, Germs, and Steel
Eurasia had wheat and an east-west axis. The Americas didn't. Geography decided who conquered whom.
by Jared Diamond 2005 498 pages
4.04
400k+ ratings
Debt
by David Graeber • 2011
Barter never happened. Credit predates coinage, and debt is how violence became morality.
4.21
27k+
Debt Summary
Debt
Barter never happened. Credit predates coinage, and debt is how violence became morality.
by David Graeber 2011 576 pages
4.21
27k+ 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
Europe's industrial breakthrough wasn't its own genius. It took colonial land and underground coal.
by Kenneth Pomeranz 2000 392 pages
3.68
1k+ ratings
A History of Western Philosophy
by Bertrand Russell • 1945
A history of philosophy that reads not like a textbook but like a three-thousand-year argument.
4.13
41k+
A History of Western Philosophy Summary
A History of Western Philosophy
A history of philosophy that reads not like a textbook but like a three-thousand-year argument.
by Bertrand Russell 1945 906 pages
4.13
41k+ ratings
The Symposium
by Plato
Seven Athenians compete to define love. Socrates enters and shows it's a hunger for what you lack.
4.09
91k+
The Symposium Summary
The Symposium
Seven Athenians compete to define love. Socrates enters and shows it's a hunger for what you lack.
by Plato 90 pages
4.09
91k+ ratings
The Narrow Corridor
by Daron Acemoğlu • 2019
Freedom dies in tyranny and in anarchy. It only lives when society fights the state to a standstill.
4.22
3k+
The Narrow Corridor Summary
The Narrow Corridor
Freedom dies in tyranny and in anarchy. It only lives when society fights the state to a standstill.
by Daron Acemoğlu 2019 560 pages
4.22
3k+ ratings
Destiny Disrupted
by Tamim Ansary • 2009
For centuries, Muslim empires were the center of the world. Then the story got rewritten.
4.40
13k+
Destiny Disrupted Summary
Destiny Disrupted
For centuries, Muslim empires were the center of the world. Then the story got rewritten.
by Tamim Ansary 2009 390 pages
4.40
13k+ ratings
A Secular Age
by Charles Margrave Taylor • 2007
Modern unbelief required building a new self, a new society, and a new kind of time.
4.27
1k+
A Secular Age Summary
A Secular Age
Modern unbelief required building a new self, a new society, and a new kind of time.
by Charles Margrave Taylor 2007 874 pages
4.27
1k+ ratings
Future Shock
by Alvin Toffler • 1970
Acceleration is a solvent: of place, of loyalty, of identity itself.
3.82
5k+
Future Shock Summary
Future Shock
Acceleration is a solvent: of place, of loyalty, of identity itself.
by Alvin Toffler 1970 430 pages
3.82
5k+ 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
The whole human story, from cave paintings to the Cold War, in one short, elegant book.
by E.H. Gombrich 1936 284 pages
4.10
32k+ ratings
SPQR
by Mary Beard • 2015
A thousand-year story of how Rome's genius for inclusion built an empire, then broke its republic.
4.06
83k+
SPQR Summary
SPQR
A thousand-year story of how Rome's genius for inclusion built an empire, then broke its republic.
by Mary Beard 2015 606 pages
4.06
83k+ ratings
Fingerprints of the Gods
by Graham Hancock • 1995
Maps of ice-free Antarctica. Flood myths with astronomical codes. Who left them?
4.15
15k+
Fingerprints of the Gods Summary
Fingerprints of the Gods
Maps of ice-free Antarctica. Flood myths with astronomical codes. Who left them?
by Graham Hancock 1995 578 pages
4.15
15k+ ratings
The Shortest History of China
by Linda Jaivin • 2021
Twelve chapters, four millennia: the recurring patterns that explain China's rise to superpower.
3.94
3k+
The Shortest History of China Summary
The Shortest History of China
Twelve chapters, four millennia: the recurring patterns that explain China's rise to superpower.
by Linda Jaivin 2021 263 pages
3.94
3k+ ratings
War
by Margaret MacMillan • 2020
From the Iceman to total war: how organized conflict has shaped every corner of human life.
3.58
3k+
War Summary
War
From the Iceman to total war: how organized conflict has shaped every corner of human life.
by Margaret MacMillan 2020 304 pages
3.58
3k+ ratings
A History of the Jews
by Paul Johnson • 1987
They outlasted every empire that sought to destroy them. The four-thousand-year story of how.
4.17
2k+
A History of the Jews Summary
A History of the Jews
They outlasted every empire that sought to destroy them. The four-thousand-year story of how.
by Paul Johnson 1987 644 pages
4.17
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
Rome's greatest rival invented an Iranian identity that outlived the empire itself.
by Touraj Daryaee 2007 256 pages
3.84
180 ratings
The Mastery Manual
by Robin Sharma • 2015
Three faiths claimed one city for three thousand years. Every conqueror thought they'd be the last.
3.98
1k+
The Mastery Manual Summary
The Mastery Manual
Three faiths claimed one city for three thousand years. Every conqueror thought they'd be the last.
by Robin Sharma 2015 200 pages
3.98
1k+ ratings
The Decline and Rise of Democracy
by David Stasavage • 2020
Democracy did not begin in Athens. It emerges where the state is too weak to rule alone.
3.86
223
The Decline and Rise of Democracy Summary
The Decline and Rise of Democracy
Democracy did not begin in Athens. It emerges where the state is too weak to rule alone.
by David Stasavage 2020 424 pages
3.86
223 ratings
Decoding the Heavens
by Jo Marchant • 2009
Sponge divers pulled a 2,000-year-old computer from the sea. Decoding its gears took a century.
4.10
500+
Decoding the Heavens Summary
Decoding the Heavens
Sponge divers pulled a 2,000-year-old computer from the sea. Decoding its gears took a century.
by Jo Marchant 2009 336 pages
4.10
500+ ratings
The Good Book
by A.C. Grayling • 2011
King Croesus asked a philosopher who was the happiest man alive. The answer destroyed him.
3.71
500+
The Good Book Summary
The Good Book
King Croesus asked a philosopher who was the happiest man alive. The answer destroyed him.
by A.C. Grayling 2011 597 pages
3.71
500+ 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
500+
The Persian Empire Summary
The Persian Empire
Greek histories painted Persia as despotism. The empire's own record tells a different story.
by John W.I. Lee 2012
4.10
500+ ratings
The Ascent of Man
by Jacob Bronowski • 1973
Art and science are twin expressions of a single gift: the mind's ability to remake itself.
4.21
6k+
The Ascent of Man Summary
The Ascent of Man
Art and science are twin expressions of a single gift: the mind's ability to remake itself.
by Jacob Bronowski 1973 352 pages
4.21
6k+ ratings
Culture
by Martin Puchner • 2023
Borrowing, theft, lucky accidents: four millennia of cultural history. Purity was never the point.
3.92
500+
Culture Summary
Culture
Borrowing, theft, lucky accidents: four millennia of cultural history. Purity was never the point.
by Martin Puchner 2023 384 pages
3.92
500+ ratings
Wired for Culture
by Mark Pagel • 2012
Culture isn't a byproduct of big brains. It's the reason we have them.
3.86
296
Wired for Culture Summary
Wired for Culture
Culture isn't a byproduct of big brains. It's the reason we have them.
by Mark Pagel 2012 432 pages
3.86
296 ratings
The Great Wall
by Julia Lovell • 1981
The Great Wall was many walls, built for conquest as much as defense, and it failed.
3.46
344
The Great Wall Summary
The Great Wall
The Great Wall was many walls, built for conquest as much as defense, and it failed.
by Julia Lovell 1981 432 pages
3.46
344 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
1k+
A Short History of the World Summary
A Short History of the World
Thirteen billion years in one short book: why empires fall, ideas spread, and everything connects.
by Christopher Lascelles 2011 241 pages
3.86
1k+ ratings
Cynicism
by Ansgar Allen • 2014
Cynicism once meant tearing everything down. Now it just means giving up.
3.71
146
Cynicism Summary
Cynicism
Cynicism once meant tearing everything down. Now it just means giving up.
by Ansgar Allen 2014 280 pages
3.71
146 ratings
Ultrasociety
by Peter Turchin • 2015
War did not just destroy. Over ten millennia, it built the greatest cooperators on Earth.
4.11
464
Ultrasociety Summary
Ultrasociety
War did not just destroy. Over ten millennia, it built the greatest cooperators on Earth.
by Peter Turchin 2015 274 pages
4.11
464 ratings
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Volume I
by Edward Gibbon • 1776
What undid Rome: a bought army, a mad emperor, and a religion that rejected earthly power.
4.17
3k+
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Volume I Summary
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Volume I
What undid Rome: a bought army, a mad emperor, and a religion that rejected earthly power.
by Edward Gibbon 1776 1114 pages
4.17
3k+ ratings
The Decline of the West
by Oswald Spengler • 1918
History does not climb a ladder. It traces a life cycle, and the West has reached winter.
4.06
2k+
The Decline of the West Summary
The Decline of the West
History does not climb a ladder. It traces a life cycle, and the West has reached winter.
by Oswald Spengler 1918 486 pages
4.06
2k+ ratings
The Battle of Salamis
by Barry S. Strauss • 2004
One lie trapped Persia's 1300 ships in a narrow strait, and Western civilization survived.
4.10
1k+
The Battle of Salamis Summary
The Battle of Salamis
One lie trapped Persia's 1300 ships in a narrow strait, and Western civilization survived.
by Barry S. Strauss 2004 294 pages
4.10
1k+ ratings
The Rise of Rome
by Kathryn Lomas • 2017
Rome was a backwater. It won Italy through flexible citizenship, not just legions.
3.99
288
The Rise of Rome Summary
The Rise of Rome
Rome was a backwater. It won Italy through flexible citizenship, not just legions.
by Kathryn Lomas 2017 432 pages
3.99
288 ratings
Powers and Thrones
by Dan Jones • 2021
How a millennium of barbarians, crusaders, and merchants built the foundations of the modern world.
4.39
10k+
Powers and Thrones Summary
Powers and Thrones
How a millennium of barbarians, crusaders, and merchants built the foundations of the modern world.
by Dan Jones 2021 636 pages
4.39
10k+ ratings
The Greatest Invention
by Silvia Ferrara • 2019
Writing wasn't born to count grain. It began with puns, and nine ancient scripts show why.
3.44
500+
The Greatest Invention Summary
The Greatest Invention
Writing wasn't born to count grain. It began with puns, and nine ancient scripts show why.
by Silvia Ferrara 2019 304 pages
3.44
500+ ratings
A History of Ancient Greece
by Eric H. Cline • 2006
Before Rome, Greece invented the West. Then Athens and Sparta tore it apart.
3.91
163
A History of Ancient Greece Summary
A History of Ancient Greece
Before Rome, Greece invented the West. Then Athens and Sparta tore it apart.
by Eric H. Cline 2006
3.91
163 ratings
Democracy
by Paul Cartledge • 2016
Ancient democracy meant the poor ruled directly. Modern democracy was built to stop that.
3.80
215
Democracy Summary
Democracy
Ancient democracy meant the poor ruled directly. Modern democracy was built to stop that.
by Paul Cartledge 2016 416 pages
3.80
215 ratings
The Rise and Fall of Classical Greece
by Josiah Ober • 2015
A thousand rival city-states, not empire, produced classical Greece's unprecedented prosperity.
3.94
308
The Rise and Fall of Classical Greece Summary
The Rise and Fall of Classical Greece
A thousand rival city-states, not empire, produced classical Greece's unprecedented prosperity.
by Josiah Ober 2015 416 pages
3.94
308 ratings
Lords of the Sea
by John R. Hale • 2009
The oar built Athenian democracy. Two centuries later, a lost fleet destroyed it.
4.18
1k+
Lords of the Sea Summary
Lords of the Sea
The oar built Athenian democracy. Two centuries later, a lost fleet destroyed it.
by John R. Hale 2009 395 pages
4.18
1k+ ratings
Alexander the Great
by Paul Cartledge • 2004
Five ancient sources describe how Alexander's historian died. They all say something different.
3.70
1k+
Alexander the Great Summary
Alexander the Great
Five ancient sources describe how Alexander's historian died. They all say something different.
by Paul Cartledge 2004 368 pages
3.70
1k+ ratings
Phoenicians and the Making of the Mediterranean
by Carolina López-Ruiz • 2021
Phoenicia stitched the ancient Mediterranean together. Greece took the credit and erased the debt.
4.05
19
Phoenicians and the Making of the Mediterranean Summary
Phoenicians and the Making of the Mediterranean
Phoenicia stitched the ancient Mediterranean together. Greece took the credit and erased the debt.
by Carolina López-Ruiz 2021 384 pages
4.05
19 ratings
[Brotherhood of Kings] [By
by Amanda H. Podany • 2010
The great kings never met; letters, gold, and dynastic marriages held the peace.
4.48
122
[Brotherhood of Kings] [By Summary
[Brotherhood of Kings] [By
The great kings never met; letters, gold, and dynastic marriages held the peace.
by Amanda H. Podany 2010
4.48
122 ratings
War and Society in Early Rome
by Jeremy Armstrong • 2016
Clan chiefs, not generals, led Rome's first armies. They raided for portable loot, not territory.
4.46
13
War and Society in Early Rome Summary
War and Society in Early Rome
Clan chiefs, not generals, led Rome's first armies. They raided for portable loot, not territory.
by Jeremy Armstrong 2016 332 pages
4.46
13 ratings
Rome and China
by Walter Scheidel • 2008
Why Rome's fall was permanent, and China's was not: a comparative history of ancient empires.
3.47
47
Rome and China Summary
Rome and China
Why Rome's fall was permanent, and China's was not: a comparative history of ancient empires.
by Walter Scheidel 2008 256 pages
3.47
47 ratings
Les Celtes
by Venceslas Kruta • 1976
The Celts left no written records. Their world is rebuilt from torcs, tombs, and enemy accounts.
3.35
26
Les Celtes Summary
Les Celtes
The Celts left no written records. Their world is rebuilt from torcs, tombs, and enemy accounts.
by Venceslas Kruta 1976 128 pages
3.35
26 ratings
The Shortest History of Germany
by James Hawes • 2017
Behind the 20th century’s disasters stands a hidden network of financiers and imperial idealists.
3.70
9k+
The Shortest History of Germany Summary
The Shortest History of Germany
Behind the 20th century’s disasters stands a hidden network of financiers and imperial idealists.
by James Hawes 2017 226 pages
3.70
9k+ ratings
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