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SoBrief

History Book Summaries

Start-up Nation
by Dan Senor • 2009
Surrounded and resource-poor, Israel became a startup superpower. The counterintuitive playbook.
4.11
12k+
Start-up Nation Summary
Start-up Nation
Surrounded and resource-poor, Israel became a startup superpower. The counterintuitive playbook.
by Dan Senor 2009 304 pages
4.11
12k+ ratings
A Life Worth Living
by Robert Zaretsky • 2013
The universe is silent, life has no given meaning. Camus: that is where freedom begins.
4.00
500+
A Life Worth Living Summary
A Life Worth Living
The universe is silent, life has no given meaning. Camus: that is where freedom begins.
by Robert Zaretsky 2013 240 pages
4.00
500+ ratings
Smart Cities
by Anthony M. Townsend • 2013
Corporations are selling smart cities. A movement of civic hackers has a better blueprint.
3.61
500+
Smart Cities Summary
Smart Cities
Corporations are selling smart cities. A movement of civic hackers has a better blueprint.
by Anthony M. Townsend 2013 400 pages
3.61
500+ ratings
Age of Revolutions
by Fareed Zakaria • 2024
Four centuries of revolutions reveal one pattern: gradual change sticks; radical breaks collapse.
4.17
4k+
Age of Revolutions Summary
Age of Revolutions
Four centuries of revolutions reveal one pattern: gradual change sticks; radical breaks collapse.
by Fareed Zakaria 2024 400 pages
4.17
4k+ ratings
Pendulum
by Roy H. Williams • 2012
The values of an entire society reverse every 40 years. The last reversal began in 2003.
3.71
411
Pendulum Summary
Pendulum
The values of an entire society reverse every 40 years. The last reversal began in 2003.
by Roy H. Williams 2012 0 pages
3.71
411 ratings
Lenin
by Robert Service • 2000
How a bookish, emotionally stunted provincial became the ruthless architect of the Soviet state.
3.84
1k+
Lenin Summary
Lenin
How a bookish, emotionally stunted provincial became the ruthless architect of the Soviet state.
by Robert Service 2000 592 pages
3.84
1k+ ratings
The Narcissism Epidemic
by Jean M. Twenge • 2009
The self-esteem revolution didn't produce happier kids. It produced an epidemic of entitlement.
3.61
2k+
The Narcissism Epidemic Summary
The Narcissism Epidemic
The self-esteem revolution didn't produce happier kids. It produced an epidemic of entitlement.
by Jean M. Twenge 2009 352 pages
3.61
2k+ ratings
Civil Rights
by Thomas Sowell • 1984
The assumption that unequal outcomes prove discrimination is false, and its policies backfire.
4.40
500+
Civil Rights Summary
Civil Rights
The assumption that unequal outcomes prove discrimination is false, and its policies backfire.
by Thomas Sowell 1984 164 pages
4.40
500+ ratings
The Bond King
by Mary Childs • 2022
A card counter built a two-trillion-dollar bond empire. The instincts that built it destroyed him.
3.80
2k+
The Bond King Summary
The Bond King
A card counter built a two-trillion-dollar bond empire. The instincts that built it destroyed him.
by Mary Childs 2022 324 pages
3.80
2k+ ratings
Liberty
by Isaiah Berlin • 1969
Freedom from interference and freedom to rule yourself: why the second keeps becoming tyranny.
4.15
1k+
Liberty Summary
Liberty
Freedom from interference and freedom to rule yourself: why the second keeps becoming tyranny.
by Isaiah Berlin 1969 416 pages
4.15
1k+ ratings
A Walk in the Woods
by Bill Bryson • 1998
A middle-aged writer and his out-of-shape friend set out to hike the 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail.
4.07
400k+
A Walk in the Woods Summary
A Walk in the Woods
A middle-aged writer and his out-of-shape friend set out to hike the 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail.
by Bill Bryson 1998 397 pages
4.07
400k+ ratings
Letters to a Young Contrarian
by Christopher Hitchens • 2001
Thinking for yourself will cost you friends and comfort. This is why you do it anyway.
4.13
12k+
Letters to a Young Contrarian Summary
Letters to a Young Contrarian
Thinking for yourself will cost you friends and comfort. This is why you do it anyway.
by Christopher Hitchens 2001 141 pages
4.13
12k+ ratings
Colossus
by Niall Ferguson • 2004
America has always been an empire. Refusing to admit it is the root of its failures.
3.58
2k+
Colossus Summary
Colossus
America has always been an empire. Refusing to admit it is the root of its failures.
by Niall Ferguson 2004 417 pages
3.58
2k+ ratings
The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine
by Ilan Pappé • 2006
Before the 1948 war, Zionist planners mapped every village. The goal: remove the native population.
4.55
10k+
The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine Summary
The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine
Before the 1948 war, Zionist planners mapped every village. The goal: remove the native population.
by Ilan Pappé 2006 320 pages
4.55
10k+ ratings
The Man Who Loved Only Numbers
by Paul Hoffman • 1998
He worked 19 hours a day on amphetamines, crossed four continents, and published 1,475 math papers.
4.06
10k+
The Man Who Loved Only Numbers Summary
The Man Who Loved Only Numbers
He worked 19 hours a day on amphetamines, crossed four continents, and published 1,475 math papers.
by Paul Hoffman 1998 302 pages
4.06
10k+ ratings
Jung the Mystic
by Gary Lachman • 2010
He ridiculed mystics, then spent years documenting conversations with his inner spirit guide.
3.94
436
Jung the Mystic Summary
Jung the Mystic
He ridiculed mystics, then spent years documenting conversations with his inner spirit guide.
by Gary Lachman 2010 272 pages
3.94
436 ratings
The Long Walk
by Slavomir Rawicz • 1956
Seven prisoners escape a Soviet gulag. Four thousand miles later, four reach India.
4.24
22k+
The Long Walk Summary
The Long Walk
Seven prisoners escape a Soviet gulag. Four thousand miles later, four reach India.
by Slavomir Rawicz 1956 256 pages
4.24
22k+ ratings
The Foundations of Leninism
by Joseph Stalin • 1924
The manual Lenin left behind: why imperialist decay demands a new kind of revolutionary party.
4.05
1k+
The Foundations of Leninism Summary
The Foundations of Leninism
The manual Lenin left behind: why imperialist decay demands a new kind of revolutionary party.
by Joseph Stalin 1924 123 pages
4.05
1k+ ratings
Persians
by Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones • 2022
Herodotus told one story. Persian tablets and reliefs tell another, and they survive.
4.07
2k+
Persians Summary
Persians
Herodotus told one story. Persian tablets and reliefs tell another, and they survive.
by Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones 2022 448 pages
4.07
2k+ ratings
In the Garden of Beasts
by Erik Larson • 2011
A professor becomes ambassador to Hitler's Berlin. His daughter falls in love with the Nazis.
3.90
200k+
In the Garden of Beasts Summary
In the Garden of Beasts
A professor becomes ambassador to Hitler's Berlin. His daughter falls in love with the Nazis.
by Erik Larson 2011 448 pages
3.90
200k+ ratings
How Innovation Works
by Matt Ridley • 2020
Not lone geniuses but slow, collective tinkering, freedom, and accident drive real innovation.
4.11
3k+
How Innovation Works Summary
How Innovation Works
Not lone geniuses but slow, collective tinkering, freedom, and accident drive real innovation.
by Matt Ridley 2020 320 pages
4.11
3k+ ratings
Ibn Khaldun
by Robert Irwin • 2018
The 14th-century thinker who discovered why civilizations rise and fall in predictable cycles.
3.68
356
Ibn Khaldun Summary
Ibn Khaldun
The 14th-century thinker who discovered why civilizations rise and fall in predictable cycles.
by Robert Irwin 2018 256 pages
3.68
356 ratings
America Before
by Graham Hancock • 2019
Mainstream archaeology says the Americas were settled 13,000 years ago. The evidence says 100,000.
4.13
3k+
America Before Summary
America Before
Mainstream archaeology says the Americas were settled 13,000 years ago. The evidence says 100,000.
by Graham Hancock 2019 624 pages
4.13
3k+ ratings
Genghis Khan
by John Man • 2004
16 million men share his chromosome. His empire reshaped Eurasia. His grave has never been found.
3.72
1k+
Genghis Khan Summary
Genghis Khan
16 million men share his chromosome. His empire reshaped Eurasia. His grave has never been found.
by John Man 2004 400 pages
3.72
1k+ ratings
Original Sin
by Jake Tapper • 2025
A tight inner circle hid the president's decline until one debate shattered the illusion.
3.72
22k+
Original Sin Summary
Original Sin
A tight inner circle hid the president's decline until one debate shattered the illusion.
by Jake Tapper 2025 352 pages
3.72
22k+ ratings
Cult of the Dead Cow
by Joseph Menn • 2019
From BBS pranks to Pentagon briefings: how a hacker collective wrote the playbook for cyberdefense.
3.75
2k+
Cult of the Dead Cow Summary
Cult of the Dead Cow
From BBS pranks to Pentagon briefings: how a hacker collective wrote the playbook for cyberdefense.
by Joseph Menn 2019 256 pages
3.75
2k+ ratings
China's Economy
by Arthur R. Kroeber • 2016
China's economy isn't a miracle: it's a hybrid of one-party rule and market forces at scale.
4.26
1k+
China's Economy Summary
China's Economy
China's economy isn't a miracle: it's a hybrid of one-party rule and market forces at scale.
by Arthur R. Kroeber 2016 336 pages
4.26
1k+ ratings
The Story of the Human Body
by Daniel E. Lieberman • 2013
Our bodies evolved for a vanished world, and the mismatch now drives modern chronic disease.
4.27
8k+
The Story of the Human Body Summary
The Story of the Human Body
Our bodies evolved for a vanished world, and the mismatch now drives modern chronic disease.
by Daniel E. Lieberman 2013 480 pages
4.27
8k+ ratings
The Federalist Papers
by Alexander Hamilton • 1788
Eighty-five essays that argued strong government is liberty's surest shield.
4.10
42k+
The Federalist Papers Summary
The Federalist Papers
Eighty-five essays that argued strong government is liberty's surest shield.
by Alexander Hamilton 1788 592 pages
4.10
42k+ ratings
MBS
by Ben Hubbard • 2020
An obscure Saudi prince seized a kingdom, won over Trump, and crushed dissent, until Istanbul.
4.14
3k+
MBS Summary
MBS
An obscure Saudi prince seized a kingdom, won over Trump, and crushed dissent, until Istanbul.
by Ben Hubbard 2020 384 pages
4.14
3k+ ratings
Why Liberalism Failed
by Patrick J. Deneen • 2018
Liberalism didn't fail despite its successes. Its successes broke it.
3.84
3k+
Why Liberalism Failed Summary
Why Liberalism Failed
Liberalism didn't fail despite its successes. Its successes broke it.
by Patrick J. Deneen 2018 248 pages
3.84
3k+ ratings
The Palestine Laboratory
by Antony Loewenstein • 2023
Palestine is a live testing ground. The weapons perfected there now police the world.
4.43
3k+
The Palestine Laboratory Summary
The Palestine Laboratory
Palestine is a live testing ground. The weapons perfected there now police the world.
by Antony Loewenstein 2023 320 pages
4.43
3k+ ratings
Money
by David McWilliams • 2024
Before coins, trust was scarce. How money became the scaffolding of civilization.
4.17
2k+
Money Summary
Money
Before coins, trust was scarce. How money became the scaffolding of civilization.
by David McWilliams 2024 413 pages
4.17
2k+ ratings
The Upswing
by Robert D. Putnam • 2020
America swings between "we" and "me" eras. The pivot decade was the 1960s.
3.94
1k+
The Upswing Summary
The Upswing
America swings between "we" and "me" eras. The pivot decade was the 1960s.
by Robert D. Putnam 2020 464 pages
3.94
1k+ ratings
The Hidden Habits of Genius
by Craig Wright • 2020
Darwin, Jobs, Churchill: none aced a test. The traits behind their genius are learnable.
3.96
1k+
The Hidden Habits of Genius Summary
The Hidden Habits of Genius
Darwin, Jobs, Churchill: none aced a test. The traits behind their genius are learnable.
by Craig Wright 2020 333 pages
3.96
1k+ ratings
Everyone Is African
by Daniel J. Fairbanks • 2015
Race isn't in your genes. Africa is, for everyone, and the science is unequivocal.
4.12
144
Everyone Is African Summary
Everyone Is African
Race isn't in your genes. Africa is, for everyone, and the science is unequivocal.
by Daniel J. Fairbanks 2015 191 pages
4.12
144 ratings
The Art of Power
by Nancy Pelosi • 2024
From the 2008 crash to January 6, how the first woman Speaker held democracy together.
3.94
6k+
The Art of Power Summary
The Art of Power
From the 2008 crash to January 6, how the first woman Speaker held democracy together.
by Nancy Pelosi 2024 352 pages
3.94
6k+ ratings
Winners Take All
by Anand Giridharadas • 2018
Elites promise to fix society. Their real project is keeping power exactly where it is.
4.13
17k+
Winners Take All Summary
Winners Take All
Elites promise to fix society. Their real project is keeping power exactly where it is.
by Anand Giridharadas 2018 288 pages
4.13
17k+ ratings
In Defense of a Liberal Education
by Fareed Zakaria • 2015
The STEM panic misses the real skills gap: writing, analysis, and learning how to learn.
3.83
3k+
In Defense of a Liberal Education Summary
In Defense of a Liberal Education
The STEM panic misses the real skills gap: writing, analysis, and learning how to learn.
by Fareed Zakaria 2015 208 pages
3.83
3k+ ratings
The New Silk Roads
by Peter Frankopan • 2018
Asia revives ancient trade routes, and a new world order is being drawn without the West.
3.57
8k+
The New Silk Roads Summary
The New Silk Roads
Asia revives ancient trade routes, and a new world order is being drawn without the West.
by Peter Frankopan 2018
3.57
8k+ ratings
Ten Days in a Mad-House
by Nellie Bly • 1887
A reporter faked madness and got committed. Ten days among 1,600 women, freezing and starved.
3.86
24k+
Ten Days in a Mad-House Summary
Ten Days in a Mad-House
A reporter faked madness and got committed. Ten days among 1,600 women, freezing and starved.
by Nellie Bly 1887 97 pages
3.86
24k+ ratings
Killing the Witches
by Bill O'Reilly • 2023
Twenty dead in Salem, two hundred jailed. The Founders built a cure. It is wearing off.
3.62
16k+
Killing the Witches Summary
Killing the Witches
Twenty dead in Salem, two hundred jailed. The Founders built a cure. It is wearing off.
by Bill O'Reilly 2023 291 pages
3.62
16k+ ratings
It Worked for Me
by Colin Powell • 2012
A general's leadership code: own every failure, earn trust daily, fix problems before they spread.
4.09
7k+
It Worked for Me Summary
It Worked for Me
A general's leadership code: own every failure, earn trust daily, fix problems before they spread.
by Colin Powell 2012 304 pages
4.09
7k+ ratings
The Hacker and the State
by Ben Buchanan • 2020
The most damaging attacks of this century arrived not through the air, but through code.
4.19
500+
The Hacker and the State Summary
The Hacker and the State
The most damaging attacks of this century arrived not through the air, but through code.
by Ben Buchanan 2020 406 pages
4.19
500+ ratings
Walt Disney
by Neal Gabler • 2006
The Disney empire: one haunted man's attempt to build a reality he could finally control.
4.07
11k+
Walt Disney Summary
Walt Disney
The Disney empire: one haunted man's attempt to build a reality he could finally control.
by Neal Gabler 2006 851 pages
4.07
11k+ ratings
Early Modern Europe, 1450–1789
by Merry E. Wiesner-Hanks • 2006
The very idea of 'Europe' was invented in the era we call early modern.
3.96
447
Early Modern Europe, 1450–1789 Summary
Early Modern Europe, 1450–1789
The very idea of 'Europe' was invented in the era we call early modern.
by Merry E. Wiesner-Hanks 2006 510 pages
3.96
447 ratings
A Line in the Sand
by James Barr • 2011
Why the Arab-Israeli conflict began as a secret war between Britain and France.
4.06
5k+
A Line in the Sand Summary
A Line in the Sand
Why the Arab-Israeli conflict began as a secret war between Britain and France.
by James Barr 2011 352 pages
4.06
5k+ ratings
A Generation of Sociopaths
by Bruce Cannon Gibney • 2017
A generation raised with no limits grew up, seized power, and wrote its appetite into law.
3.55
2k+
A Generation of Sociopaths Summary
A Generation of Sociopaths
A generation raised with no limits grew up, seized power, and wrote its appetite into law.
by Bruce Cannon Gibney 2017 430 pages
3.55
2k+ ratings
Sacred Economics
by Charles Eisenstein • 2011
Money is a story. Our version programs scarcity, demands infinite growth, and hoards wealth.
4.21
1k+
Sacred Economics Summary
Sacred Economics
Money is a story. Our version programs scarcity, demands infinite growth, and hoards wealth.
by Charles Eisenstein 2011 469 pages
4.21
1k+ ratings
The God Equation
by Michio Kaku • 2021
Three forces unified. Gravity alone resists. The ten-dimensional theory that might finally crack it.
4.11
8k+
The God Equation Summary
The God Equation
Three forces unified. Gravity alone resists. The ten-dimensional theory that might finally crack it.
by Michio Kaku 2021 225 pages
4.11
8k+ ratings
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