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

German Literature Book Summaries

The Director
by Daniel Kehlmann
Trapped in Nazi Germany, a film director makes his masterpiece using prisoners from the camps.
4.06
10k+
The Director Summary
Immersive
The Director
Trapped in Nazi Germany, a film director makes his masterpiece using prisoners from the camps.
by Daniel Kehlmann 2023 352 pages
4.06
10k+ ratings
The Concept of the Political
by Carl Schmitt • 1927
Politics begins not with debate but with the naming of an enemy.
3.94
3k+
The Concept of the Political Summary
Immersive
The Concept of the Political
Politics begins not with debate but with the naming of an enemy.
by Carl Schmitt 1927 144 pages
3.94
3k+ ratings
Counsels and Maxims
by Arthur Schopenhauer • 1851
Chasing pleasure is a trap. The real art of living is dodging pain and needing less.
4.20
424
Counsels and Maxims Summary
Immersive
Counsels and Maxims
Chasing pleasure is a trap. The real art of living is dodging pain and needing less.
by Arthur Schopenhauer 1851 116 pages
4.20
424 ratings
Critique of Pure Reason
by Immanuel Kant • 1781
The mind's hidden architecture makes experience possible and certain questions unanswerable.
3.96
42k+
Critique of Pure Reason Summary
Critique of Pure Reason
The mind's hidden architecture makes experience possible and certain questions unanswerable.
by Immanuel Kant 1781 785 pages
3.96
42k+ ratings
Being and Time
by Martin Heidegger • 1927
Reality's biggest question has been forgotten: start with the anxious, mortal creature who asks it.
4.05
28k+
Being and Time Summary
Being and Time
Reality's biggest question has been forgotten: start with the anxious, mortal creature who asks it.
by Martin Heidegger 1927 589 pages
4.05
28k+ ratings
Beyond Good and Evil
by Friedrich Nietzsche • 1886
Morality is resentment in disguise, truth is perspective, and the real task is to outgrow yourself.
4.03
100k+
Beyond Good and Evil Summary
Beyond Good and Evil
Morality is resentment in disguise, truth is perspective, and the real task is to outgrow yourself.
by Friedrich Nietzsche 1886 240 pages
4.03
100k+ ratings
The World as Will and Representation, Volume I
by Arthur Schopenhauer • 1818
Reality's hidden engine is a blind, striving will. Your desires obey it; art briefly escapes it.
4.22
11k+
The World as Will and Representation, Volume I Summary
The World as Will and Representation, Volume I
Reality's hidden engine is a blind, striving will. Your desires obey it; art briefly escapes it.
by Arthur Schopenhauer 1818 534 pages
4.22
11k+ ratings
Terror
by Ferdinand von Schirach • 2015
A pilot shot down a hijacked plane to save a stadium. Now you are his jury.
4.16
9k+
Terror Summary
Terror
A pilot shot down a hijacked plane to save a stadium. Now you are his jury.
by Ferdinand von Schirach 2015 176 pages
4.16
9k+ ratings
The Gay Science
by Friedrich Nietzsche • 1882
The old gods are dead. Nietzsche's joyful answer: laugh, create, and love life without them.
4.26
20k+
The Gay Science Summary
The Gay Science
The old gods are dead. Nietzsche's joyful answer: laugh, create, and love life without them.
by Friedrich Nietzsche 1882 396 pages
4.26
20k+ ratings
The Trial
by Franz Kafka • 1925
Arrested without charges, a bank clerk navigates a labyrinthine court where acquittal is a myth.
3.94
400k+
The Trial Summary
The Trial
Arrested without charges, a bank clerk navigates a labyrinthine court where acquittal is a myth.
by Franz Kafka 1925 255 pages
3.94
400k+ ratings
On the Suffering of the World
by Arthur Schopenhauer • 1850
Happiness is only the temporary absence of pain; suffering, not joy, is life's actual engine.
3.86
3k+
On the Suffering of the World Summary
On the Suffering of the World
Happiness is only the temporary absence of pain; suffering, not joy, is life's actual engine.
by Arthur Schopenhauer 1850 132 pages
3.86
3k+ ratings
The Castle
by Franz Kafka • 1926
A land surveyor arrives in a snowbound village where the castle denies ever sending for him.
3.91
76k+
The Castle Summary
The Castle
A land surveyor arrives in a snowbound village where the castle denies ever sending for him.
by Franz Kafka 1926 328 pages
3.91
76k+ ratings
The Visit
by Friedrich Dürrenmatt • 1956
A billionaire offers her hometown a fortune for one thing: the life of her former lover.
3.67
38k+
The Visit Summary
The Visit
A billionaire offers her hometown a fortune for one thing: the life of her former lover.
by Friedrich Dürrenmatt 1956 112 pages
3.67
38k+ ratings
The Cafe on the Edge of the World
by John P. Strelecky • 2003
A courtroom collapse sends a high-flying lawyer to the Himalayas, where ancient wisdom awaits.
3.52
69k+
The Cafe on the Edge of the World Summary
The Cafe on the Edge of the World
A courtroom collapse sends a high-flying lawyer to the Himalayas, where ancient wisdom awaits.
by John P. Strelecky 2003 136 pages
3.52
69k+ ratings
Faust, Part Two
by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe • 1832
His soul bargained, Faust chases ideal beauty and builds a kingdom, but paradise demands a cost.
3.65
8k+
Faust, Part Two Summary
Faust, Part Two
His soul bargained, Faust chases ideal beauty and builds a kingdom, but paradise demands a cost.
by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 1832 304 pages
3.65
8k+ ratings
The Child in You
by Stefanie Stahl • 2015
Perfectionism and people-pleasing are wounds from childhood. A method for finding the real source.
4.09
14k+
The Child in You Summary
The Child in You
Perfectionism and people-pleasing are wounds from childhood. A method for finding the real source.
by Stefanie Stahl 2015 352 pages
4.09
14k+ ratings
Chess Story
by Stefan Zweig • 1942
A Nazi survivor challenges the world chess champion, risking the madness the game once caused.
4.26
100k+
Chess Story Summary
Chess Story
A Nazi survivor challenges the world chess champion, risking the madness the game once caused.
by Stefan Zweig 1942 104 pages
4.26
100k+ ratings
The Birth of Tragedy
by Friedrich Nietzsche • 1871
Greek tragedy died of rationalism, a suicide a culture is still paying for.
3.98
21k+
The Birth of Tragedy Summary
The Birth of Tragedy
Greek tragedy died of rationalism, a suicide a culture is still paying for.
by Friedrich Nietzsche 1871 121 pages
3.98
21k+ ratings
Politics As a Vocation
by Max Weber • 2013
The modern state's one true monopoly is not mail or schools. It is the legitimate use of force.
3.77
500+
Politics As a Vocation Summary
Politics As a Vocation
The modern state's one true monopoly is not mail or schools. It is the legitimate use of force.
by Max Weber 2013 52 pages
3.77
500+ ratings
On the Genealogy of Morals
by Friedrich Nietzsche • 1887
Morality was born when the powerless turned resentment into a weapon and called it virtue.
4.12
36k+
On the Genealogy of Morals Summary
On the Genealogy of Morals
Morality was born when the powerless turned resentment into a weapon and called it virtue.
by Friedrich Nietzsche 1887 208 pages
4.12
36k+ ratings
Homo Faber
by Max Frisch • 1957
An engineer who trusts only statistics meets a young woman on a ship who will unravel everything.
3.68
31k+
Homo Faber Summary
Homo Faber
An engineer who trusts only statistics meets a young woman on a ship who will unravel everything.
by Max Frisch 1957 214 pages
3.68
31k+ ratings
The Wisdom of Life
by Arthur Schopenhauer • 1851
Personality outranks possessions in the pursuit of happiness. Most people get it backwards.
4.06
16k+
The Wisdom of Life Summary
The Wisdom of Life
Personality outranks possessions in the pursuit of happiness. Most people get it backwards.
by Arthur Schopenhauer 1851 77 pages
4.06
16k+ ratings
Ecce Homo
by Friedrich Nietzsche • 1908
If you had to live your exact life again forever, could you say yes? Nietzsche's final book.
3.81
20k+
Ecce Homo Summary
Ecce Homo
If you had to live your exact life again forever, could you say yes? Nietzsche's final book.
by Friedrich Nietzsche 1908 144 pages
3.81
20k+ 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
The Struggle for Recognition
by Axel Honneth • 1996
Social conflicts are fights for dignity, not just resources, driven by withheld recognition.
4.14
299
The Struggle for Recognition Summary
The Struggle for Recognition
Social conflicts are fights for dignity, not just resources, driven by withheld recognition.
by Axel Honneth 1996 240 pages
4.14
299 ratings
Thus Spoke Zarathustra
by Friedrich Nietzsche • 1883
With God gone, a prophet calls humanity a bridge: cross it and become more than human.
4.07
100k+
Thus Spoke Zarathustra Summary
Thus Spoke Zarathustra
With God gone, a prophet calls humanity a bridge: cross it and become more than human.
by Friedrich Nietzsche 1883 327 pages
4.07
100k+ ratings
The Will to Power
by Friedrich Nietzsche • 1901
When morality crumbles, the only response is the harshest truth: life is the will to overpower.
4.07
11k+
The Will to Power Summary
The Will to Power
When morality crumbles, the only response is the harshest truth: life is the will to overpower.
by Friedrich Nietzsche 1901 575 pages
4.07
11k+ ratings
Big Bad Wool
by Leonie Swann
When a werewolf's howl echoes across their French meadow, a flock of sheep turns detective.
3.77
3k+
Big Bad Wool Summary
Immersive
Big Bad Wool
When a werewolf's howl echoes across their French meadow, a flock of sheep turns detective.
by Leonie Swann 2009 384 pages
3.77
3k+ 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
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
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
The Philosophy of History
by Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel • 1831
History's chaos is an illusion: a hidden reason channels our passions toward a single goal.
3.82
3k+
The Philosophy of History Summary
The Philosophy of History
History's chaos is an illusion: a hidden reason channels our passions toward a single goal.
by Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel 1831 480 pages
3.82
3k+ ratings
Critique of Judgment
by Immanuel Kant • 1790
Beauty demands universal agreement from nothing more than your own private feeling.
4.10
9k+
Critique of Judgment Summary
Critique of Judgment
Beauty demands universal agreement from nothing more than your own private feeling.
by Immanuel Kant 1790 686 pages
4.10
9k+ ratings
Steppenwolf
by Hermann Hesse • 1927
A suicidal scholar, half wolf in his own mind, enters a theatre where identity comes apart.
4.13
200k+
Steppenwolf Summary
Steppenwolf
A suicidal scholar, half wolf in his own mind, enters a theatre where identity comes apart.
by Hermann Hesse 1927 256 pages
4.13
200k+ ratings
Mother Courage and Her Children
by Bertolt Brecht • 1941
During the Thirty Years' War, a canteen woman's trade claims her children one by one.
3.62
23k+
Mother Courage and Her Children Summary
Mother Courage and Her Children
During the Thirty Years' War, a canteen woman's trade claims her children one by one.
by Bertolt Brecht 1941 93 pages
3.62
23k+ ratings
The Night in Lisbon
by Erich Maria Remarque • 1961
Lisbon, 1942. A stranded refugee meets a man who offers escape for one night of listening.
4.33
25k+
The Night in Lisbon Summary
The Night in Lisbon
Lisbon, 1942. A stranded refugee meets a man who offers escape for one night of listening.
by Erich Maria Remarque 1961 272 pages
4.33
25k+ ratings
The Wall
by Marlen Haushofer • 1999
An invisible wall seals a woman inside a mountain valley, the world beyond it frozen dead.
3.99
41k+
The Wall Summary
The Wall
An invisible wall seals a woman inside a mountain valley, the world beyond it frozen dead.
by Marlen Haushofer 1999 240 pages
3.99
41k+ ratings
The Clown
by Heinrich Böll • 1963
A clown in postwar Bonn unravels after the woman he loves leaves him for a Catholic.
3.93
32k+
The Clown Summary
The Clown
A clown in postwar Bonn unravels after the woman he loves leaves him for a Catholic.
by Heinrich Böll 1963 272 pages
3.93
32k+ ratings
Dialectic of Enlightenment
by Max Horkheimer • 1947
The drive to free humanity through reason ends in mass conformity and a new mythology.
4.11
8k+
Dialectic of Enlightenment Summary
Dialectic of Enlightenment
The drive to free humanity through reason ends in mass conformity and a new mythology.
by Max Horkheimer 1947 282 pages
4.11
8k+ ratings
The World as Will and Representation, Volume II
by Arthur Schopenhauer • 1844
Intellect serves a master it cannot command: a blind force that is what you actually are.
4.26
5k+
The World as Will and Representation, Volume II Summary
The World as Will and Representation, Volume II
Intellect serves a master it cannot command: a blind force that is what you actually are.
by Arthur Schopenhauer 1844 720 pages
4.26
5k+ ratings
Critique of Practical Reason
by Immanuel Kant • 1788
Morality comes from reason alone, not feelings or consequences; through it we discover our freedom.
3.94
11k+
Critique of Practical Reason Summary
Critique of Practical Reason
Morality comes from reason alone, not feelings or consequences; through it we discover our freedom.
by Immanuel Kant 1788 181 pages
3.94
11k+ ratings
Minima Moralia
by Theodor W. Adorno • 1951
A moral life is impossible in the modern world: even our private kindness is secretly deformed.
4.24
4k+
Minima Moralia Summary
Minima Moralia
A moral life is impossible in the modern world: even our private kindness is secretly deformed.
by Theodor W. Adorno 1951 256 pages
4.24
4k+ ratings
The Reader
by Bernhard Schlink • 1997
At fifteen he loved an older woman; later he finds her on trial for war crimes.
3.79
200k+
The Reader Summary
The Reader
At fifteen he loved an older woman; later he finds her on trial for war crimes.
by Bernhard Schlink 1997 216 pages
3.79
200k+ ratings
The Sorrows of Young Werther
by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe • 1774
A young artist falls for an engaged woman, his letters tracing an obsession that consumes him.
3.70
100k+
The Sorrows of Young Werther Summary
The Sorrows of Young Werther
A young artist falls for an engaged woman, his letters tracing an obsession that consumes him.
by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 1774 149 pages
3.70
100k+ ratings
Amerika
by Franz Kafka • 1927
At seventeen, Karl is exiled to America, where every promise of help comes with invisible strings.
3.74
34k+
Amerika Summary
Amerika
At seventeen, Karl is exiled to America, where every promise of help comes with invisible strings.
by Franz Kafka 1927 336 pages
3.74
34k+ ratings
All Quiet on the Western Front
by Erich Maria Remarque • 1987
When German schoolboys enlist for glory in 1914, the trenches strip away every ideal but survival.
4.12
500k+
All Quiet on the Western Front Summary
All Quiet on the Western Front
When German schoolboys enlist for glory in 1914, the trenches strip away every ideal but survival.
by Erich Maria Remarque 1987 296 pages
4.12
500k+ ratings
Doctor Faustus
by Thomas Mann • 1999
A scholar writes the life of a composer friend whose genius came from a devil's pact.
4.08
14k+
Doctor Faustus Summary
Doctor Faustus
A scholar writes the life of a composer friend whose genius came from a devil's pact.
by Thomas Mann 1999 535 pages
4.08
14k+ ratings
On the Genealogy of Morals / Ecce Homo
by Friedrich Nietzsche • 1887
The weak invented morality to control the strong. Your conscience may still be their weapon.
4.17
15k+
On the Genealogy of Morals / Ecce Homo Summary
On the Genealogy of Morals / Ecce Homo
The weak invented morality to control the strong. Your conscience may still be their weapon.
by Friedrich Nietzsche 1887 367 pages
4.17
15k+ ratings
Studies in Pessimism
by Arthur Schopenhauer • 1890
Beneath all striving is a blind will: pleasure is pain's absence, and boredom fills every gap.
3.88
2k+
Studies in Pessimism Summary
Studies in Pessimism
Beneath all striving is a blind will: pleasure is pain's absence, and boredom fills every gap.
by Arthur Schopenhauer 1890 76 pages
3.88
2k+ 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