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Classics Book Summaries

On Liberty
by John Stuart Mill • 1859
Majority opinion has no jurisdiction over your private life. The only limit is harm to others.
3.96
43k+
On Liberty Summary
On Liberty
Majority opinion has no jurisdiction over your private life. The only limit is harm to others.
by John Stuart Mill 1859 187 pages
3.96
43k+ ratings
Flowers for Algernon
by Daniel Keyes • 1966
An experimental surgery makes a man a genius, but the mouse who went first is regressing.
4.24
800k+
Flowers for Algernon Summary
Flowers for Algernon
An experimental surgery makes a man a genius, but the mouse who went first is regressing.
by Daniel Keyes 1966 311 pages
4.24
800k+ ratings
The Philosophy of Redemption
by Philipp Mainländer • 1876
Schopenhauer stopped halfway. The will to live isn't denied. It's exhausted until nothing remains.
4.19
295
The Philosophy of Redemption Summary
The Philosophy of Redemption
Schopenhauer stopped halfway. The will to live isn't denied. It's exhausted until nothing remains.
by Philipp Mainländer 1876 312 pages
4.19
295 ratings
As a Man Thinketh
by James Allen • 1902
Health, character, and circumstance are thought-made. A century-old manual for becoming the builder.
4.24
97k+
As a Man Thinketh Summary
As a Man Thinketh
Health, character, and circumstance are thought-made. A century-old manual for becoming the builder.
by James Allen 1902 26 pages
4.24
97k+ ratings
City of God
by Augustine of Hippo
Two loves build two invisible cities. The whole of human history is the war between them.
3.95
13k+
City of God Summary
City of God
Two loves build two invisible cities. The whole of human history is the war between them.
by Augustine of Hippo 1186 pages
3.95
13k+ ratings
The Spook Who Sat by the Door
by Sam Greenlee • 1969
A black CIA recruit secretly trains a Chicago street gang to fight a guerrilla war.
4.34
3k+
The Spook Who Sat by the Door Summary
The Spook Who Sat by the Door
A black CIA recruit secretly trains a Chicago street gang to fight a guerrilla war.
by Sam Greenlee 1969 256 pages
4.34
3k+ ratings
Nausea
by Jean-Paul Sartre • 1938
A historian's diary becomes a record of his unraveling as ordinary objects turn hostile and unreal.
3.93
100k+
Nausea Summary
Nausea
A historian's diary becomes a record of his unraveling as ordinary objects turn hostile and unreal.
by Jean-Paul Sartre 1938 178 pages
3.93
100k+ ratings
Computing machinery and intelligence
by Alan M. Turing • 1950
Fool the interrogator through conversation alone, and the machine deserves to be called intelligent.
4.15
500+
Computing machinery and intelligence Summary
Computing machinery and intelligence
Fool the interrogator through conversation alone, and the machine deserves to be called intelligent.
by Alan M. Turing 1950 24 pages
4.15
500+ ratings
Emma
by Jane Austen • 1815
She has money and charm, but the one heart she cannot match is her own.
4.05
900k+
Emma Summary
Immersive
Emma
She has money and charm, but the one heart she cannot match is her own.
by Jane Austen 1815 474 pages
4.05
900k+ ratings
The Picture of Dorian Gray
by Oscar Wilde • 1890
A vain wish grants him eternal youth; a hidden portrait rots with every sin.
4.14
1.9M+
The Picture of Dorian Gray Summary
Immersive
The Picture of Dorian Gray
A vain wish grants him eternal youth; a hidden portrait rots with every sin.
by Oscar Wilde 1890 272 pages
4.14
1.9M+ ratings
East of Eden
by John Steinbeck • 1952
Early 1900s California: a farmer's twin sons inherit a mother's malice and a father's fragile hope.
4.44
600k+
East of Eden Summary
East of Eden
Early 1900s California: a farmer's twin sons inherit a mother's malice and a father's fragile hope.
by John Steinbeck 1952 601 pages
4.44
600k+ ratings
The Prophet
by Kahlil Gibran • 1923
After twelve years of exile, a prophet's ship arrives, and the city gathers for his parting truths.
4.23
300k+
The Prophet Summary
The Prophet
After twelve years of exile, a prophet's ship arrives, and the city gathers for his parting truths.
by Kahlil Gibran 1923 127 pages
4.23
300k+ ratings
Tartuffe
by Molière • 2002
A man hands his home to a sham saint; his wife makes him hide and listen.
3.66
44k+
Tartuffe Summary
Tartuffe
A man hands his home to a sham saint; his wife makes him hide and listen.
by Molière 2002 180 pages
3.66
44k+ ratings
Slaughterhouse-Five
by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. • 1969
Billy Pilgrim drifts through time: the Dresden firebombing, an alien zoo, and his own murder.
4.10
1.4M+
Slaughterhouse-Five Summary
Slaughterhouse-Five
Billy Pilgrim drifts through time: the Dresden firebombing, an alien zoo, and his own murder.
by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. 1969 275 pages
4.10
1.4M+ ratings
Les Misérables
by Victor Hugo • 1862
An ex-convict breaks parole to rebuild his life, but an obsessive inspector gives him no peace.
4.21
800k+
Les Misérables Summary
Les Misérables
An ex-convict breaks parole to rebuild his life, but an obsessive inspector gives him no peace.
by Victor Hugo 1862 1463 pages
4.21
800k+ ratings
Animal Farm / 1984
by George Orwell • 2003
Pigs turn rebellion into dictatorship. A man's secret love becomes the crime that erases him.
4.30
200k+
Animal Farm / 1984 Summary
Animal Farm / 1984
Pigs turn rebellion into dictatorship. A man's secret love becomes the crime that erases him.
by George Orwell 2003 400 pages
4.30
200k+ ratings
Metaphysics
by Aristotle
What is being? Aristotle’s inquiry into the first causes and architecture of reality itself.
4.07
18k+
Metaphysics Summary
Metaphysics
What is being? Aristotle’s inquiry into the first causes and architecture of reality itself.
by Aristotle 365 pages
4.07
18k+ ratings
The Things They Carried
by Tim O'Brien • 1990
A Vietnam veteran retells his platoon's stories, bending truth to keep the dead alive.
4.15
300k+
The Things They Carried Summary
The Things They Carried
A Vietnam veteran retells his platoon's stories, bending truth to keep the dead alive.
by Tim O'Brien 1990 246 pages
4.15
300k+ ratings
Zeno's Conscience
by Italo Svevo • 1923
At his analyst's bidding, Zeno records a life of quitting smoking, one cigarette at a time.
3.77
33k+
Zeno's Conscience Summary
Zeno's Conscience
At his analyst's bidding, Zeno records a life of quitting smoking, one cigarette at a time.
by Italo Svevo 1923 437 pages
3.77
33k+ ratings
Socratic Logic
by Peter Kreeft • 2003
Reason with precision, argue with force, and catch every fallacy: a classical logic course.
4.31
468
Socratic Logic Summary
Socratic Logic
Reason with precision, argue with force, and catch every fallacy: a classical logic course.
by Peter Kreeft 2003 397 pages
4.31
468 ratings
The Idiot
by Fyodor Dostoevsky • 1869
A guileless prince returns from a Swiss sanatorium into a Russia of love, obsession, and ruin.
4.21
200k+
The Idiot Summary
The Idiot
A guileless prince returns from a Swiss sanatorium into a Russia of love, obsession, and ruin.
by Fyodor Dostoevsky 1869 667 pages
4.21
200k+ ratings
Philosophy As a Way of Life
by Pierre Hadot • 1981
Ancient philosophy trained the self like a muscle. Modernity forgot the exercises.
4.31
1k+
Philosophy As a Way of Life Summary
Philosophy As a Way of Life
Ancient philosophy trained the self like a muscle. Modernity forgot the exercises.
by Pierre Hadot 1981 309 pages
4.31
1k+ ratings
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Maya Angelou • 1969
After an assault at eight, she went mute for five years. Then books taught her to speak.
4.30
500k+
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Summary
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
After an assault at eight, she went mute for five years. Then books taught her to speak.
by Maya Angelou 1969 289 pages
4.30
500k+ ratings
Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird
by Christopher Sergel • 1995
In 1930s Alabama, Scout's father defends a Black man, forcing her to see her town's hidden face.
4.51
24k+
Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird Summary
Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird
In 1930s Alabama, Scout's father defends a Black man, forcing her to see her town's hidden face.
by Christopher Sergel 1995 128 pages
4.51
24k+ ratings
The Art of Rhetoric
by Aristotle
Persuasion isn't one thing. It's three, and mixing them up loses the audience every time.
3.87
6k+
The Art of Rhetoric Summary
The Art of Rhetoric
Persuasion isn't one thing. It's three, and mixing them up loses the audience every time.
by Aristotle 292 pages
3.87
6k+ ratings
The Black Cat
by Edgar Allan Poe • 2004
After he hangs his cat, a lookalike with a noose-shaped mark follows him home.
4.03
59k+
The Black Cat Summary
The Black Cat
After he hangs his cat, a lookalike with a noose-shaped mark follows him home.
by Edgar Allan Poe 2004 24 pages
4.03
59k+ ratings
Brave New World
by Aldous Huxley • 1932
Factory-made humans, a pleasure drug, and one man who wants something real.
3.98
2.1M+
Brave New World Summary
Brave New World
Factory-made humans, a pleasure drug, and one man who wants something real.
by Aldous Huxley 1932 288 pages
3.98
2.1M+ ratings
Native Son
by Richard Wright • 1940
A Black chauffeur in segregated Chicago accidentally kills a white heiress and tries to hide it.
4.04
100k+
Native Son Summary
Native Son
A Black chauffeur in segregated Chicago accidentally kills a white heiress and tries to hide it.
by Richard Wright 1940 504 pages
4.04
100k+ ratings
Truth and Method
by Hans-Georg Gadamer • 1960
Understanding is an event language and tradition perform through you, not a method you apply.
4.17
3k+
Truth and Method Summary
Truth and Method
Understanding is an event language and tradition perform through you, not a method you apply.
by Hans-Georg Gadamer 1960 640 pages
4.17
3k+ ratings
The War of the Worlds
by H.G. Wells • 1898
Martians land in southern England, and one man records the extinction of everything he knew.
3.83
300k+
The War of the Worlds Summary
The War of the Worlds
Martians land in southern England, and one man records the extinction of everything he knew.
by H.G. Wells 1898 192 pages
3.83
300k+ ratings
The Master and Margarita
by Mikhail Bulgakov • 1996
The devil visits Soviet Moscow and a woman wagers her soul to win back the writer she loves.
4.28
400k+
The Master and Margarita Summary
The Master and Margarita
The devil visits Soviet Moscow and a woman wagers her soul to win back the writer she loves.
by Mikhail Bulgakov 1996 372 pages
4.28
400k+ ratings
The Divine Comedy
by Dante Alighieri • 1320
A pilgrim walks the afterlife with Virgil, seeing sin's poetic mirror on the climb to Paradise.
4.09
100k+
The Divine Comedy Summary
The Divine Comedy
A pilgrim walks the afterlife with Virgil, seeing sin's poetic mirror on the climb to Paradise.
by Dante Alighieri 1320 798 pages
4.09
100k+ ratings
Man's Search for Himself
by Rollo May • 1953
Modern life traded the self for security; the only way back is through anxiety, not around it.
4.21
4k+
Man's Search for Himself Summary
Man's Search for Himself
Modern life traded the self for security; the only way back is through anxiety, not around it.
by Rollo May 1953 224 pages
4.21
4k+ ratings
Twilight of the Idols
by Friedrich Nietzsche • 1889
Reason, morality, and eternal truths are just symptoms of sickness. A concise, incendiary diagnosis.
3.95
14k+
Twilight of the Idols Summary
Twilight of the Idols
Reason, morality, and eternal truths are just symptoms of sickness. A concise, incendiary diagnosis.
by Friedrich Nietzsche 1889 128 pages
3.95
14k+ ratings
Zorba the Greek
by Nikos Kazantzakis • 1946
A Greek intellectual hires a wild miner in Crete and learns what books could never teach.
4.02
59k+
Zorba the Greek Summary
Zorba the Greek
A Greek intellectual hires a wild miner in Crete and learns what books could never teach.
by Nikos Kazantzakis 1946 335 pages
4.02
59k+ ratings
The Mystery of the Blue Train
by Agatha Christie • 1928
An heiress is murdered aboard the Blue Train, her ruby missing, and Poirot questions everyone.
3.88
84k+
The Mystery of the Blue Train Summary
The Mystery of the Blue Train
An heiress is murdered aboard the Blue Train, her ruby missing, and Poirot questions everyone.
by Agatha Christie 1928 317 pages
3.88
84k+ ratings
The Portable Nietzsche
by Friedrich Nietzsche • 1954
Morality was a slave revolt, pity is poison, and God's death is an open door.
4.21
9k+
The Portable Nietzsche Summary
The Portable Nietzsche
Morality was a slave revolt, pity is poison, and God's death is an open door.
by Friedrich Nietzsche 1954 692 pages
4.21
9k+ ratings
Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals
by Immanuel Kant • 1998
Morality comes not from outcomes or emotions but from a test any rational being can apply.
3.83
23k+
Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals Summary
Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals
Morality comes not from outcomes or emotions but from a test any rational being can apply.
by Immanuel Kant 1998 120 pages
3.83
23k+ ratings
Women
by Charles Bukowski • 1978
An alcoholic poet, celibate four years, collides with a woman whose chaos equals his own.
3.80
87k+
Women Summary
Women
An alcoholic poet, celibate four years, collides with a woman whose chaos equals his own.
by Charles Bukowski 1978 291 pages
3.80
87k+ ratings
Catch-22
by Joseph Heller • 1961
A bombardier in wartime Italy discovers the finish line moves every time he gets close.
3.99
800k+
Catch-22 Summary
Catch-22
A bombardier in wartime Italy discovers the finish line moves every time he gets close.
by Joseph Heller 1961 453 pages
3.99
800k+ ratings
Like Water for Chocolate
by Laura Esquivel • 1989
Forbidden to marry, a young cook's passion seeps into her food, enchanting everyone who tastes it.
3.95
300k+
Like Water for Chocolate Summary
Like Water for Chocolate
Forbidden to marry, a young cook's passion seeps into her food, enchanting everyone who tastes it.
by Laura Esquivel 1989 258 pages
3.95
300k+ ratings
Man for Himself
by Erich Fromm • 1947
Right and wrong aren't handed down; they're built into the structure of being human.
4.19
3k+
Man for Himself Summary
Man for Himself
Right and wrong aren't handed down; they're built into the structure of being human.
by Erich Fromm 1947 272 pages
4.19
3k+ ratings
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales
by Oliver Sacks • 1985
When brains break, the self bends but doesn't vanish: clinical tales of what persists.
4.05
200k+
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales Summary
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales
When brains break, the self bends but doesn't vanish: clinical tales of what persists.
by Oliver Sacks 1985 243 pages
4.05
200k+ ratings
Emily Post's Etiquette
by Lizzie Post • 1922
From group chat chaos to white-tablecloth dinners: the classic manners guide for modern life.
4.15
2k+
Emily Post's Etiquette Summary
Emily Post's Etiquette
From group chat chaos to white-tablecloth dinners: the classic manners guide for modern life.
by Lizzie Post 1922
4.15
2k+ ratings
The Outsiders
by S.E. Hinton • 1967
A sensitive greaser hides out after his friend kills a Soc, learning what innocence costs.
4.15
1.6M+
The Outsiders Summary
The Outsiders
A sensitive greaser hides out after his friend kills a Soc, learning what innocence costs.
by S.E. Hinton 1967 208 pages
4.15
1.6M+ ratings
Candide
by Voltaire • 1759
Banished for a kiss, a naive optimist endures war, quake, and slavery, hunting his lost love.
3.76
300k+
Candide Summary
Candide
Banished for a kiss, a naive optimist endures war, quake, and slavery, hunting his lost love.
by Voltaire 1759 129 pages
3.76
300k+ ratings
Dale Carnegie's Lifetime Plan for Success
by Dale Carnegie • 2010
Worry is a habit, not a fate. So is being liked. Both can be learned.
4.13
3k+
Dale Carnegie's Lifetime Plan for Success Summary
Dale Carnegie's Lifetime Plan for Success
Worry is a habit, not a fate. So is being liked. Both can be learned.
by Dale Carnegie 2010 538 pages
4.13
3k+ ratings
An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations
by Adam Smith • 1776
Ten workers making 48,000 pins, one worker barely one: what the difference reveals about prosperity.
3.89
35k+
An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations Summary
An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations
Ten workers making 48,000 pins, one worker barely one: what the difference reveals about prosperity.
by Adam Smith 1776 1076 pages
3.89
35k+ ratings
Who Goes There?
by John W. Campbell Jr. • 1938
Antarctic researchers thaw a shape-shifting alien. Anyone could be the monster.
3.77
12k+
Who Goes There? Summary
Who Goes There?
Antarctic researchers thaw a shape-shifting alien. Anyone could be the monster.
by John W. Campbell Jr. 1938 161 pages
3.77
12k+ ratings
Eugene Onegin
by Alexander Pushkin • 1831
A jaded aristocrat spurns a woman’s love, then a careless flirtation drives his friend to a duel.
4.11
71k+
Eugene Onegin Summary
Eugene Onegin
A jaded aristocrat spurns a woman’s love, then a careless flirtation drives his friend to a duel.
by Alexander Pushkin 1831 240 pages
4.11
71k+ ratings
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