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History Book Summaries

Words Like Loaded Pistols
by Sam Leith • 2011
Rhetoric built and toppled civilizations, and its ancient rules still run every ad you see.
3.75
1k+
Words Like Loaded Pistols Summary
Words Like Loaded Pistols
Rhetoric built and toppled civilizations, and its ancient rules still run every ad you see.
by Sam Leith 2011 322 pages
3.75
1k+ ratings
Troublemakers
by Leslie Berlin • 2017
The seven years when a California peninsula birthed personal computing, biotech, and video games.
4.09
500+
Troublemakers Summary
Troublemakers
The seven years when a California peninsula birthed personal computing, biotech, and video games.
by Leslie Berlin 2017 512 pages
4.09
500+ ratings
The Exponential Age
by Azeem Azhar • 2021
Tech accelerates exponentially; institutions crawl. The gap is reshaping wealth, work, and war.
3.98
1k+
The Exponential Age Summary
The Exponential Age
Tech accelerates exponentially; institutions crawl. The gap is reshaping wealth, work, and war.
by Azeem Azhar 2021 403 pages
3.98
1k+ ratings
A Freewheelin' Time
by Suze Rotolo • 2008
The girl on Dylan's Freewheelin' cover reclaims her life from the image that buried it.
3.85
4k+
A Freewheelin' Time Summary
A Freewheelin' Time
The girl on Dylan's Freewheelin' cover reclaims her life from the image that buried it.
by Suze Rotolo 2008 369 pages
3.85
4k+ ratings
Rules for Radicals
by Saul D. Alinsky • 1971
A tactical handbook for the powerless: how ridicule, pressure, and their own rules become weapons.
3.73
8k+
Rules for Radicals Summary
Rules for Radicals
A tactical handbook for the powerless: how ridicule, pressure, and their own rules become weapons.
by Saul D. Alinsky 1971 196 pages
3.73
8k+ ratings
Women & Power
by Mary Beard • 2017
Women have been silenced since Homer. The answer isn't fitting into power but redefining it.
4.02
39k+
Women & Power Summary
Women & Power
Women have been silenced since Homer. The answer isn't fitting into power but redefining it.
by Mary Beard 2017 126 pages
4.02
39k+ ratings
The Sword and the Shield
by Christopher Andrew • 1985
One KGB archivist smuggled out the foreign intelligence files, rewriting Cold War history.
3.93
2k+
The Sword and the Shield Summary
The Sword and the Shield
One KGB archivist smuggled out the foreign intelligence files, rewriting Cold War history.
by Christopher Andrew 1985 736 pages
3.93
2k+ ratings
The Airbnb Story
by Leigh Gallagher • 2017
Three unemployed designers built the world's largest hotel company without owning a single room.
3.85
3k+
The Airbnb Story Summary
The Airbnb Story
Three unemployed designers built the world's largest hotel company without owning a single room.
by Leigh Gallagher 2017 256 pages
3.85
3k+ ratings
How to Live
by Sarah Bakewell • 2010
What one man found about living well while inventing the personal essay in a 16th-century tower.
4.02
10k+
How to Live Summary
How to Live
What one man found about living well while inventing the personal essay in a 16th-century tower.
by Sarah Bakewell 2010 400 pages
4.02
10k+ ratings
The Evolution of Fiqh
by Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips • 1988
Islamic law was built on reason, then sealed by blind imitation. Six centuries of decline explained.
4.36
364
The Evolution of Fiqh Summary
The Evolution of Fiqh
Islamic law was built on reason, then sealed by blind imitation. Six centuries of decline explained.
by Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips 1988 228 pages
4.36
364 ratings
John D. Rockefeller on Making Money
by John D. Rockefeller • 2015
The richest American's playbook for making money, and why he gave most of it back.
3.32
157
John D. Rockefeller on Making Money Summary
John D. Rockefeller on Making Money
The richest American's playbook for making money, and why he gave most of it back.
by John D. Rockefeller 2015 67 pages
3.32
157 ratings
Speechless
by Michael J. Knowles • 2021
Political correctness is not politeness. It's a Gramscian takeover of culture, one word at a time.
4.24
3k+
Speechless Summary
Speechless
Political correctness is not politeness. It's a Gramscian takeover of culture, one word at a time.
by Michael J. Knowles 2021 383 pages
4.24
3k+ ratings
The Origins and History of Consciousness
by Erich Neumann • 1949
Consciousness evolved through myths: the serpent, the mother, the hero, and what must be slain.
4.31
1k+
The Origins and History of Consciousness Summary
The Origins and History of Consciousness
Consciousness evolved through myths: the serpent, the mother, the hero, and what must be slain.
by Erich Neumann 1949 493 pages
4.31
1k+ ratings
The Contrarian
by Max Chafkin • 2021
PayPal was the beachhead. Gawker was the warning shot. His real target was American democracy.
3.62
2k+
The Contrarian Summary
The Contrarian
PayPal was the beachhead. Gawker was the warning shot. His real target was American democracy.
by Max Chafkin 2021 400 pages
3.62
2k+ ratings
Gomorrah
by Roberto Saviano • 2006
Camorra bosses control the factories, ports, and supply chains that dress Europe.
3.80
23k+
Gomorrah Summary
Gomorrah
Camorra bosses control the factories, ports, and supply chains that dress Europe.
by Roberto Saviano 2006 320 pages
3.80
23k+ ratings
Who Owns England?
by Guy Shrubsole • 2019
The secret 1% who own half of England: unmasking the aristocrats, royals, and oligarchs.
4.21
1k+
Who Owns England? Summary
Who Owns England?
The secret 1% who own half of England: unmasking the aristocrats, royals, and oligarchs.
by Guy Shrubsole 2019
4.21
1k+ ratings
Concerning the Spiritual in Art
by Wassily Kandinsky • 1912
Abstract painting is not emptiness but a spiritual language more direct than any image.
3.83
93k+
Concerning the Spiritual in Art Summary
Concerning the Spiritual in Art
Abstract painting is not emptiness but a spiritual language more direct than any image.
by Wassily Kandinsky 1912 80 pages
3.83
93k+ ratings
The Long Game
by Rush Doshi • 2021
A playbook for replacing America as the world's leader, drawn from China's own strategic documents.
4.03
1k+
The Long Game Summary
The Long Game
A playbook for replacing America as the world's leader, drawn from China's own strategic documents.
by Rush Doshi 2021 432 pages
4.03
1k+ ratings
TikTok Boom
by Chris Stokel-Walker • 2021
China built the world's most addictive app. The algorithm knows you better than your friends do.
3.72
191
TikTok Boom Summary
TikTok Boom
China built the world's most addictive app. The algorithm knows you better than your friends do.
by Chris Stokel-Walker 2021 282 pages
3.72
191 ratings
The Story Paradox
by Jonathan Gottschall • 2021
Story logic that built nations now tears them apart. The psychology is identical.
3.70
446
The Story Paradox Summary
The Story Paradox
Story logic that built nations now tears them apart. The psychology is identical.
by Jonathan Gottschall 2021 272 pages
3.70
446 ratings
Until the End of Time
by Brian Greene • 2020
The universe is winding down, yet it made you. Why, from quarks to consciousness.
4.04
6k+
Until the End of Time Summary
Until the End of Time
The universe is winding down, yet it made you. Why, from quarks to consciousness.
by Brian Greene 2020 428 pages
4.04
6k+ ratings
The Anarchy
by William Dalrymple • 2019
A company raised an army, conquered India, and its hunger for profit starved a nation.
4.20
19k+
The Anarchy Summary
The Anarchy
A company raised an army, conquered India, and its hunger for profit starved a nation.
by William Dalrymple 2019 544 pages
4.20
19k+ ratings
The Book of Giants
by Joseph B. Lumpkin • 2014
A lost epic of fallen angels, bloodthirsty giants, and the prophet sent to condemn them.
4.09
304
The Book of Giants Summary
The Book of Giants
A lost epic of fallen angels, bloodthirsty giants, and the prophet sent to condemn them.
by Joseph B. Lumpkin 2014 224 pages
4.09
304 ratings
Black Edge
by Sheelah Kolhatkar • 2017
When the FBI wiretapped a hedge fund, they found traders swapping illegal secrets for millions.
4.20
17k+
Black Edge Summary
Black Edge
When the FBI wiretapped a hedge fund, they found traders swapping illegal secrets for millions.
by Sheelah Kolhatkar 2017 295 pages
4.20
17k+ ratings
The Empathic Civilization
by Jeremy Rifkin • 2009
Every energy revolution expanded human empathy. Now that same engine threatens to undo us all.
4.03
500+
The Empathic Civilization Summary
The Empathic Civilization
Every energy revolution expanded human empathy. Now that same engine threatens to undo us all.
by Jeremy Rifkin 2009 688 pages
4.03
500+ ratings
Amazon Unbound
by Brad Stone • 2021
Amazon's second act produced AWS, Alexa, and a $1.7 trillion empire, but the backlash had begun.
4.07
7k+
Amazon Unbound Summary
Amazon Unbound
Amazon's second act produced AWS, Alexa, and a $1.7 trillion empire, but the backlash had begun.
by Brad Stone 2021 496 pages
4.07
7k+ ratings
Money
by Jacob Goldstein • 2020
Money is a story we agree to believe, and its history is stranger than textbooks admit.
4.19
6k+
Money Summary
Money
Money is a story we agree to believe, and its history is stranger than textbooks admit.
by Jacob Goldstein 2020 272 pages
4.19
6k+ ratings
The Orthodox Study Bible
by Anonymous • 2008
A study Bible from the Septuagint, with commentary by the Church Fathers in the Orthodox tradition.
4.66
1k+
The Orthodox Study Bible Summary
The Orthodox Study Bible
A study Bible from the Septuagint, with commentary by the Church Fathers in the Orthodox tradition.
by Anonymous 2008 1856 pages
4.66
1k+ ratings
Skunk Works
by Ben R. Rich • 1994
No bureaucracy. No interference. A handful of engineers in a shed built planes invisible to radar.
4.46
17k+
Skunk Works Summary
Skunk Works
No bureaucracy. No interference. A handful of engineers in a shed built planes invisible to radar.
by Ben R. Rich 1994 370 pages
4.46
17k+ ratings
King of Capital
by David Carey • 2010
How borrowed money turned $400,000 into a $33 billion private equity firm, and nearly destroyed it.
4.04
5k+
King of Capital Summary
King of Capital
How borrowed money turned $400,000 into a $33 billion private equity firm, and nearly destroyed it.
by David Carey 2010 400 pages
4.04
5k+ ratings
The Elegant Universe
by Brian Greene • 1999
Physics' sixty-year civil war. String theory says both sides win, if reality has ten dimensions.
4.10
100k+
The Elegant Universe Summary
The Elegant Universe
Physics' sixty-year civil war. String theory says both sides win, if reality has ten dimensions.
by Brian Greene 1999 464 pages
4.10
100k+ ratings
The Life and Games of Mikhail Tal
by Mikhail Tal • 1978
Won the world chess crown at 23. Lost it a year later. His body was breaking.
4.50
500+
The Life and Games of Mikhail Tal Summary
The Life and Games of Mikhail Tal
Won the world chess crown at 23. Lost it a year later. His body was breaking.
by Mikhail Tal 1978 496 pages
4.50
500+ ratings
The Revolt of the Elites and the Betrayal of Democracy
by Christopher Lasch • 1995
The new elite left the country behind, and they took the institutions with them.
3.95
1k+
The Revolt of the Elites and the Betrayal of Democracy Summary
The Revolt of the Elites and the Betrayal of Democracy
The new elite left the country behind, and they took the institutions with them.
by Christopher Lasch 1995 276 pages
3.95
1k+ ratings
An Ordinary Man
by Paul Rusesabagina • 2006
Rwanda, 1994: a hotel manager faced militias with nothing but a telephone and saved 1,200.
4.19
6k+
An Ordinary Man Summary
An Ordinary Man
Rwanda, 1994: a hotel manager faced militias with nothing but a telephone and saved 1,200.
by Paul Rusesabagina 2006
4.19
6k+ ratings
Consilience
by Edward O. Wilson • 1998
The biologist who thinks evolution can reunite sciences with the humanities, from neurons to art.
3.98
5k+
Consilience Summary
Consilience
The biologist who thinks evolution can reunite sciences with the humanities, from neurons to art.
by Edward O. Wilson 1998 368 pages
3.98
5k+ ratings
India Wins Freedom
by Abul Kalam Azad • 1978
How the Congress leadership lost the fight for a united India: an insider's account.
4.21
1k+
India Wins Freedom Summary
India Wins Freedom
How the Congress leadership lost the fight for a united India: an insider's account.
by Abul Kalam Azad 1978 297 pages
4.21
1k+ ratings
The Idea Factory
by Jon Gertner • 2012
A phone monopoly's lab produced the transistor, the laser, and the digital age. How it worked.
4.21
8k+
The Idea Factory Summary
The Idea Factory
A phone monopoly's lab produced the transistor, the laser, and the digital age. How it worked.
by Jon Gertner 2012 432 pages
4.21
8k+ ratings
Social Justice Fallacies
by Thomas Sowell • 2023
Before you remake society for fairness, check the facts. They rarely support the theory.
4.38
2k+
Social Justice Fallacies Summary
Social Justice Fallacies
Before you remake society for fairness, check the facts. They rarely support the theory.
by Thomas Sowell 2023 225 pages
4.38
2k+ ratings
The Bomber Mafia
by Malcolm Gladwell • 2021
They believed a bombsight could make war humane. The jet stream laughed, and Tokyo burned.
4.02
65k+
The Bomber Mafia Summary
The Bomber Mafia
They believed a bombsight could make war humane. The jet stream laughed, and Tokyo burned.
by Malcolm Gladwell 2021 320 pages
4.02
65k+ ratings
The Greatest Minds and Ideas of All Time
by Will Durant • 2002
Genius, not economics, is the engine of history: a tour of the minds that built civilization.
3.72
3k+
The Greatest Minds and Ideas of All Time Summary
The Greatest Minds and Ideas of All Time
Genius, not economics, is the engine of history: a tour of the minds that built civilization.
by Will Durant 2002 127 pages
3.72
3k+ ratings
21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act
by Bob Joseph • 2018
The law that seized land, banned ceremonies, and created residential schools is still Canadian law.
4.57
10k+
21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act Summary
21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act
The law that seized land, banned ceremonies, and created residential schools is still Canadian law.
by Bob Joseph 2018 160 pages
4.57
10k+ ratings
Muhammad
by Karen Armstrong • 1993
Traces Islam's violence to its founder: an orphan who built a cult, not just a religion.
4.18
7k+
Muhammad Summary
Muhammad
Traces Islam's violence to its founder: an orphan who built a cult, not just a religion.
by Karen Armstrong 1993 290 pages
4.18
7k+ ratings
How to Think Like a Roman Emperor
by Donald J. Robertson • 2019
A Roman emperor's mental tools: Stoic techniques for emotional resilience that work today.
4.34
15k+
How to Think Like a Roman Emperor Summary
How to Think Like a Roman Emperor
A Roman emperor's mental tools: Stoic techniques for emotional resilience that work today.
by Donald J. Robertson 2019 304 pages
4.34
15k+ ratings
How AI Thinks
by Nigel Toon • 2024
It's a learning engine, not a thinking mind. The revolution is here, and it's not sentient.
3.62
322
How AI Thinks Summary
How AI Thinks
It's a learning engine, not a thinking mind. The revolution is here, and it's not sentient.
by Nigel Toon 2024 305 pages
3.62
322 ratings
Liftoff
by Eric Berger • 2021
Three rockets blew up on a remote island. The fourth was SpaceX's final shot before bankruptcy.
4.47
6k+
Liftoff Summary
Liftoff
Three rockets blew up on a remote island. The fourth was SpaceX's final shot before bankruptcy.
by Eric Berger 2021 288 pages
4.47
6k+ ratings
Discourses and Selected Writings
by Epictetus
Your peace hinges on one distinction: what is yours to control and what is not.
4.40
12k+
Discourses and Selected Writings Summary
Discourses and Selected Writings
Your peace hinges on one distinction: what is yours to control and what is not.
by Epictetus 276 pages
4.40
12k+ ratings
A Long Way Gone
by Ishmael Beah • 2007
The army gave him cocaine and an AK-47 at 13. UNICEF pulled him out at 16.
4.16
100k+
A Long Way Gone Summary
A Long Way Gone
The army gave him cocaine and an AK-47 at 13. UNICEF pulled him out at 16.
by Ishmael Beah 2007 229 pages
4.16
100k+ ratings
Ramayana Unravelled
by Ami Ganatra • 2022
Rama's reign was a blueprint, not myth. Governance and moral principles hiding in the ancient epic.
4.38
500+
Ramayana Unravelled Summary
Ramayana Unravelled
Rama's reign was a blueprint, not myth. Governance and moral principles hiding in the ancient epic.
by Ami Ganatra 2022 236 pages
4.38
500+ ratings
How the World Works
by Noam Chomsky • 2011
The declassified reason the US overthrows democracies has nothing to do with freedom.
4.13
5k+
How the World Works Summary
How the World Works
The declassified reason the US overthrows democracies has nothing to do with freedom.
by Noam Chomsky 2011 416 pages
4.13
5k+ ratings
The Worldly Philosophers
by Robert L. Heilbroner • 1953
Why capitalism's greatest thinkers were also its sharpest critics, from Smith to Schumpeter.
4.16
9k+
The Worldly Philosophers Summary
The Worldly Philosophers
Why capitalism's greatest thinkers were also its sharpest critics, from Smith to Schumpeter.
by Robert L. Heilbroner 1953 368 pages
4.16
9k+ ratings
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