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SoBrief

History Book Summaries

Opus
by Gareth Gore • 2024
Shell companies and coerced women built an empire. The blueprint belonged to a Catholic order.
4.17
1k+
Opus Summary
Opus
Shell companies and coerced women built an empire. The blueprint belonged to a Catholic order.
by Gareth Gore 2024 546 pages
4.17
1k+ ratings
Of Man
by Thomas Hobbes • 1658
Fear builds states. Without absolute rule, the war that made them necessary returns.
3.50
239
Of Man Summary
Of Man
Fear builds states. Without absolute rule, the war that made them necessary returns.
by Thomas Hobbes 1658 124 pages
3.50
239 ratings
Plastic
by Susan Freinkel • 2011
Modern life is built on a material that never goes away, and it's accumulating inside us.
3.97
1k+
Plastic Summary
Plastic
Modern life is built on a material that never goes away, and it's accumulating inside us.
by Susan Freinkel 2011 336 pages
3.97
1k+ ratings
The Age of A.I. and Our Human Future
by Henry Kissinger • 2021
Old rules of knowledge, power, and war were built for humans. AI is rewriting them.
3.43
5k+
The Age of A.I. and Our Human Future Summary
The Age of A.I. and Our Human Future
Old rules of knowledge, power, and war were built for humans. AI is rewriting them.
by Henry Kissinger 2021 205 pages
3.43
5k+ ratings
Against the Gods
by John D. Currid • 2013
Ancient pagan myths reappear throughout the Old Testament, rewritten to attack the gods behind them.
4.08
420
Against the Gods Summary
Against the Gods
Ancient pagan myths reappear throughout the Old Testament, rewritten to attack the gods behind them.
by John D. Currid 2013 160 pages
4.08
420 ratings
Happiness
by Frédéric Lenoir • 2011
The modern duty to be happy is making you miserable. Philosophers knew why centuries ago.
3.93
1k+
Happiness Summary
Happiness
The modern duty to be happy is making you miserable. Philosophers knew why centuries ago.
by Frédéric Lenoir 2011 182 pages
3.93
1k+ ratings
DIY
by Eric Sprankle • 2024
How masturbation became a sin, a disease, and a billion-dollar industry.
4.33
275
DIY Summary
DIY
How masturbation became a sin, a disease, and a billion-dollar industry.
by Eric Sprankle 2024 240 pages
4.33
275 ratings
Supernatural
by Graham Hancock • 2005
Ice Age cave art, fairy faith, and alien abduction are one phenomenon. The visitors are identical.
4.22
3k+
Supernatural Summary
Supernatural
Ice Age cave art, fairy faith, and alien abduction are one phenomenon. The visitors are identical.
by Graham Hancock 2005 480 pages
4.22
3k+ ratings
The Politics Industry
by Katherine M. Gehl • 2020
Two parties rigged the political market. One election redesign can open it.
4.30
500+
The Politics Industry Summary
The Politics Industry
Two parties rigged the political market. One election redesign can open it.
by Katherine M. Gehl 2020 272 pages
4.30
500+ ratings
Gamers at Work
by Morgan Ramsay • 2012
Atari, EA, Blizzard, Valve: the founders reveal the near-death moments behind gaming's biggest hits.
3.69
138
Gamers at Work Summary
Gamers at Work
Atari, EA, Blizzard, Valve: the founders reveal the near-death moments behind gaming's biggest hits.
by Morgan Ramsay 2012 356 pages
3.69
138 ratings
The Geography of Genius
by Eric Weiner • 2016
Why Athens, Renaissance Florence, and Silicon Valley each erupted with genius at particular moments.
3.80
4k+
The Geography of Genius Summary
The Geography of Genius
Why Athens, Renaissance Florence, and Silicon Valley each erupted with genius at particular moments.
by Eric Weiner 2016 368 pages
3.80
4k+ ratings
The Art of the Con
by Anthony M. Amore • 2015
A master forger fooled the experts for decades. Then they checked the paint.
3.54
1k+
The Art of the Con Summary
The Art of the Con
A master forger fooled the experts for decades. Then they checked the paint.
by Anthony M. Amore 2015 264 pages
3.54
1k+ ratings
Gandhi
by Louis Fischer • 1950
Thrown off a train in South Africa, a shy lawyer discovered a weapon empires cannot fight.
4.18
4k+
Gandhi Summary
Gandhi
Thrown off a train in South Africa, a shy lawyer discovered a weapon empires cannot fight.
by Louis Fischer 1950 222 pages
4.18
4k+ ratings
Central America's Forgotten History
by Aviva Chomsky • 2021
Central American migration isn't about poverty. It's the legacy of a century of US intervention.
4.06
500+
Central America's Forgotten History Summary
Central America's Forgotten History
Central American migration isn't about poverty. It's the legacy of a century of US intervention.
by Aviva Chomsky 2021 304 pages
4.06
500+ ratings
Kingpin
by Kevin Poulsen • 2011
Max Butler was the FBI's secret weapon. Then he conquered the credit card underground.
3.97
8k+
Kingpin Summary
Kingpin
Max Butler was the FBI's secret weapon. Then he conquered the credit card underground.
by Kevin Poulsen 2011 288 pages
3.97
8k+ ratings
Mao's America
by Xi Van Fleet • 2023
Mao's Red Guards burned the books of her childhood. Now she watches America strike the match.
4.42
500+
Mao's America Summary
Mao's America
Mao's Red Guards burned the books of her childhood. Now she watches America strike the match.
by Xi Van Fleet 2023 279 pages
4.42
500+ ratings
Fifty Inventions That Shaped the Modern Economy
by Tim Harford • 2017
Fifty inventions, from barbed wire to infant formula, and the economic ripples nobody saw coming.
4.06
4k+
Fifty Inventions That Shaped the Modern Economy Summary
Fifty Inventions That Shaped the Modern Economy
Fifty inventions, from barbed wire to infant formula, and the economic ripples nobody saw coming.
by Tim Harford 2017 336 pages
4.06
4k+ ratings
Libido Dominandi
by E. Michael Jones • 1999
The sexual revolution didn't free us. It handed the controllers a new way to own our desires.
4.28
292
Libido Dominandi Summary
Libido Dominandi
The sexual revolution didn't free us. It handed the controllers a new way to own our desires.
by E. Michael Jones 1999 668 pages
4.28
292 ratings
Drunk
by Edward Slingerland • 2021
Getting drunk made us human. How alcohol built civilization, and where the bargain went wrong.
3.81
3k+
Drunk Summary
Drunk
Getting drunk made us human. How alcohol built civilization, and where the bargain went wrong.
by Edward Slingerland 2021 369 pages
3.81
3k+ ratings
India Unbound
by Gurcharan Das • 2000
Forty years of socialism, 3% growth: India's stagnation was self-inflicted. Then 1991 broke it open.
4.09
6k+
India Unbound Summary
India Unbound
Forty years of socialism, 3% growth: India's stagnation was self-inflicted. Then 1991 broke it open.
by Gurcharan Das 2000 548 pages
4.09
6k+ ratings
The Anti-capitalistic Mentality
by Ludwig von Mises • 1956
Envy, not economics, drives anti-capitalism: Mises exposes the psychology behind the ideology.
3.97
2k+
The Anti-capitalistic Mentality Summary
The Anti-capitalistic Mentality
Envy, not economics, drives anti-capitalism: Mises exposes the psychology behind the ideology.
by Ludwig von Mises 1956 88 pages
3.97
2k+ ratings
A Childhood
by Harry Crews • 1978
By age six he had lived a lifetime. The writing was just aftermath.
4.34
3k+
A Childhood Summary
A Childhood
By age six he had lived a lifetime. The writing was just aftermath.
by Harry Crews 1978 192 pages
4.34
3k+ ratings
Attention Factory
by Matthew Brennan • 2020
An algorithm that predicts your next obsession built the first Chinese app to conquer the globe.
4.14
500+
Attention Factory Summary
Attention Factory
An algorithm that predicts your next obsession built the first Chinese app to conquer the globe.
by Matthew Brennan 2020 304 pages
4.14
500+ ratings
Schadenfreude
by Tiffany Watt Smith • 2018
Schadenfreude isn't just a character flaw: it's a window into justice, power, and human nature.
3.36
1k+
Schadenfreude Summary
Schadenfreude
Schadenfreude isn't just a character flaw: it's a window into justice, power, and human nature.
by Tiffany Watt Smith 2018 157 pages
3.36
1k+ ratings
The Price Of Money
by Rob Dix • 2022
A 50-year-old system of money creation has quietly wiped out your savings. The exit plan.
4.45
500+
The Price Of Money Summary
The Price Of Money
A 50-year-old system of money creation has quietly wiped out your savings. The exit plan.
by Rob Dix 2022 182 pages
4.45
500+ ratings
Obsessives, Pioneers, and Other Varieties of Minor Genius
by Malcolm Gladwell • 2009
A copywriter, a Catholic doctor, a dog whisperer: how obsessive outsiders see what others overlook.
3.96
500+
Obsessives, Pioneers, and Other Varieties of Minor Genius Summary
Obsessives, Pioneers, and Other Varieties of Minor Genius
A copywriter, a Catholic doctor, a dog whisperer: how obsessive outsiders see what others overlook.
by Malcolm Gladwell 2009 130 pages
3.96
500+ ratings
On the Origin of Time
by Thomas Hertog • 2023
The universe has no single origin story. Hawking's last theory: our questions shape the cosmic past.
4.06
2k+
On the Origin of Time Summary
On the Origin of Time
The universe has no single origin story. Hawking's last theory: our questions shape the cosmic past.
by Thomas Hertog 2023 352 pages
4.06
2k+ ratings
The Berlin Wall
by Frederick Taylor • 2006
A midnight operation sealed a nation inside. The Wall bought the GDR time, not survival.
4.08
2k+
The Berlin Wall Summary
The Berlin Wall
A midnight operation sealed a nation inside. The Wall bought the GDR time, not survival.
by Frederick Taylor 2006 514 pages
4.08
2k+ ratings
The Mother Tongue
by Bill Bryson • 1990
Why English spelling is a mess, dialects baffle, and a Germanic tongue now rules the world.
3.91
44k+
The Mother Tongue Summary
The Mother Tongue
Why English spelling is a mess, dialects baffle, and a Germanic tongue now rules the world.
by Bill Bryson 1990 270 pages
3.91
44k+ ratings
The Polymath
by Peter Burke • 2020
From Leonardo to the web: how polymaths weathered information overloads, and why we need them again.
3.27
387
The Polymath Summary
The Polymath
From Leonardo to the web: how polymaths weathered information overloads, and why we need them again.
by Peter Burke 2020 352 pages
3.27
387 ratings
The End of the World As We Know It
by Immanuel Wallerstein • 1999
The modern world-system emerged in the 1500s. It will not survive this century.
4.01
137
The End of the World As We Know It Summary
The End of the World As We Know It
The modern world-system emerged in the 1500s. It will not survive this century.
by Immanuel Wallerstein 1999 288 pages
4.01
137 ratings
The Practice and Theory of Bolshevism
by Bertrand Russell • 1920
Russell expected a workers' paradise. He found a religion enforced by secret police.
3.99
411
The Practice and Theory of Bolshevism Summary
The Practice and Theory of Bolshevism
Russell expected a workers' paradise. He found a religion enforced by secret police.
by Bertrand Russell 1920 122 pages
3.99
411 ratings
The Rise of Modern Philosophy
by Anthony Kenny • 2006
How consciousness replaced the soul, systems replaced commentary, and philosophy became modern.
3.84
274
The Rise of Modern Philosophy Summary
The Rise of Modern Philosophy
How consciousness replaced the soul, systems replaced commentary, and philosophy became modern.
by Anthony Kenny 2006 356 pages
3.84
274 ratings
Apple in China
by Patrick McGee • 2025
One island, one party: Apple's greatest vulnerability hides in plain sight.
4.48
9k+
Apple in China Summary
Apple in China
One island, one party: Apple's greatest vulnerability hides in plain sight.
by Patrick McGee 2025 448 pages
4.48
9k+ ratings
The Lost World of Adam and Eve
by John H. Walton • 2010
Genesis 2-3 is about order not material origins. An ancient reading that makes room for science.
4.23
1k+
The Lost World of Adam and Eve Summary
The Lost World of Adam and Eve
Genesis 2-3 is about order not material origins. An ancient reading that makes room for science.
by John H. Walton 2010 256 pages
4.23
1k+ ratings
We Are Anonymous
by Parmy Olson • 2012
The internet's most notorious hacker collective was run by an FBI informant for eight months.
3.97
3k+
We Are Anonymous Summary
We Are Anonymous
The internet's most notorious hacker collective was run by an FBI informant for eight months.
by Parmy Olson 2012 512 pages
3.97
3k+ ratings
The ANC Billionaires
by Pieter Du Toit • 2022
South Africa's peace made ANC insiders rich. 30 years later, the economic revolution hasn't begun.
3.91
142
The ANC Billionaires Summary
The ANC Billionaires
South Africa's peace made ANC insiders rich. 30 years later, the economic revolution hasn't begun.
by Pieter Du Toit 2022 333 pages
3.91
142 ratings
Meme Wars
by Joan Donovan • 2022
From Gamergate to the Capitol riot: how the web's design builds the road to radicalization.
3.98
483
Meme Wars Summary
Meme Wars
From Gamergate to the Capitol riot: how the web's design builds the road to radicalization.
by Joan Donovan 2022 432 pages
3.98
483 ratings
The 10000 Year Explosion
by Gregory Cochran • 2009
Agriculture rewired the human genome faster than anything in six million years.
3.94
1k+
The 10000 Year Explosion Summary
The 10000 Year Explosion
Agriculture rewired the human genome faster than anything in six million years.
by Gregory Cochran 2009 304 pages
3.94
1k+ ratings
Understanding John Lennon
by Francis Kenny • 2020
Three forces made John Lennon, then broke him: Liverpool, a lost mother, and McCartney.
4.00
9
Understanding John Lennon Summary
Understanding John Lennon
Three forces made John Lennon, then broke him: Liverpool, a lost mother, and McCartney.
by Francis Kenny 2020 320 pages
4.00
9 ratings
Confronting the Presidents
by Bill O'Reilly • 2024
Every president had flaws, some fatal. A blunt survey of who delivered, who failed, and why.
4.26
7k+
Confronting the Presidents Summary
Confronting the Presidents
Every president had flaws, some fatal. A blunt survey of who delivered, who failed, and why.
by Bill O'Reilly 2024 417 pages
4.26
7k+ ratings
The Devil Never Sleeps
by Juliette Kayyem • 2022
Disasters aren't rare flukes; they're the new normal. The playbook for surviving the next one.
3.84
485
The Devil Never Sleeps Summary
The Devil Never Sleeps
Disasters aren't rare flukes; they're the new normal. The playbook for surviving the next one.
by Juliette Kayyem 2022 245 pages
3.84
485 ratings
On Palestine
by Noam Chomsky • 2015
The peace process masks land theft; only a democratic single state can break the cycle.
4.26
13k+
On Palestine Summary
On Palestine
The peace process masks land theft; only a democratic single state can break the cycle.
by Noam Chomsky 2015 220 pages
4.26
13k+ ratings
Lessons in Stoicism
by John Sellars • 2019
The Stoics treated emotions as correctable judgments, centuries before modern therapy caught up.
4.19
6k+
Lessons in Stoicism Summary
Lessons in Stoicism
The Stoics treated emotions as correctable judgments, centuries before modern therapy caught up.
by John Sellars 2019
4.19
6k+ ratings
Fermat's Enigma
by Simon Singh • 1998
150 years, countless geniuses, one unproven hunch about primes, and a million dollars waiting.
4.3
33k+
Fermat's Enigma Summary
Fermat's Enigma
150 years, countless geniuses, one unproven hunch about primes, and a million dollars waiting.
by Simon Singh 1998 315 pages
4.3
33k+ ratings
The Intellectual Devotional
by David S. Kidder
365 readings on the 1960s: the decade that shaped modern America, in five minutes a day.
3.90
500+
The Intellectual Devotional Summary
The Intellectual Devotional
365 readings on the 1960s: the decade that shaped modern America, in five minutes a day.
by David S. Kidder 390 pages
3.90
500+ ratings
Private Government
by Elizabeth S. Anderson • 2017
The workplace is an authoritarian state that most economic thought pretends does not exist.
3.94
500+
Private Government Summary
Private Government
The workplace is an authoritarian state that most economic thought pretends does not exist.
by Elizabeth S. Anderson 2017 216 pages
3.94
500+ ratings
The Key Man
by Simon Clark • 2021
Davos loved him. Bill Gates trusted him. He promised profit from poverty, then stole a billion.
4.18
2k+
The Key Man Summary
The Key Man
Davos loved him. Bill Gates trusted him. He promised profit from poverty, then stole a billion.
by Simon Clark 2021 352 pages
4.18
2k+ ratings
A Letter in the Scroll
by Jonathan Sacks • 2000
A summons, not a solace: Jewish identity as a calling to repair a broken world.
4.50
500+
A Letter in the Scroll Summary
A Letter in the Scroll
A summons, not a solace: Jewish identity as a calling to repair a broken world.
by Jonathan Sacks 2000 272 pages
4.50
500+ ratings
Tactical Urbanism
by Mike Lydon • 2014
How to hack your city with paint, planters, and pop-up parks, and prove change is possible now.
3.99
315
Tactical Urbanism Summary
Tactical Urbanism
How to hack your city with paint, planters, and pop-up parks, and prove change is possible now.
by Mike Lydon 2014 256 pages
3.99
315 ratings
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