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SoBrief

History Book Summaries

Scatterlings
by Martin Shaw • 2019
Myths were never metaphors. They are the earth's living speech, and they have not fallen silent.
4.63
106
Scatterlings Summary
Scatterlings
Myths were never metaphors. They are the earth's living speech, and they have not fallen silent.
by Martin Shaw 2019
4.63
106 ratings
Russian History
by Geoffrey Hosking • 2012
Constant invasions, one Russian answer: centralize power. The pattern from the Mongols to Putin.
3.64
500+
Russian History Summary
Russian History
Constant invasions, one Russian answer: centralize power. The pattern from the Mongols to Putin.
by Geoffrey Hosking 2012 154 pages
3.64
500+ ratings
The New Class War
by Michael Lind • 2017
A new class war is on: the college-educated managerial minority versus the working majority.
3.74
500+
The New Class War Summary
The New Class War
A new class war is on: the college-educated managerial minority versus the working majority.
by Michael Lind 2017 224 pages
3.74
500+ ratings
What Is Property?
by Pierre-Joseph Proudhon • 1840
Every defense of private property, from first occupation to labor, logically requires its abolition.
3.78
1k+
What Is Property? Summary
What Is Property?
Every defense of private property, from first occupation to labor, logically requires its abolition.
by Pierre-Joseph Proudhon 1840 310 pages
3.78
1k+ ratings
All Consuming
by Ruby Tandoh • 2025
Supermarket design, viral queues, and ice cream science: the hidden forces behind modern appetite.
3.59
2k+
All Consuming Summary
All Consuming
Supermarket design, viral queues, and ice cream science: the hidden forces behind modern appetite.
by Ruby Tandoh 2025 304 pages
3.59
2k+ ratings
In a Flight of Starlings
by Giorgio Parisi • 2021
Starlings, spin glasses, and science's messy path: why simple rules create complex systems.
3.41
1k+
In a Flight of Starlings Summary
In a Flight of Starlings
Starlings, spin glasses, and science's messy path: why simple rules create complex systems.
by Giorgio Parisi 2021 144 pages
3.41
1k+ ratings
The Logic of Collective Action
by Mancur Olson • 1965
The logic that predicts why consumers stay silent and small industries always get their way.
3.98
1k+
The Logic of Collective Action Summary
The Logic of Collective Action
The logic that predicts why consumers stay silent and small industries always get their way.
by Mancur Olson 1965 186 pages
3.98
1k+ ratings
Making Democracy Work
by Robert D. Putnam • 1992
When Italy gave its regions identical governments, only those with ancient civic roots succeeded.
3.87
500+
Making Democracy Work Summary
Making Democracy Work
When Italy gave its regions identical governments, only those with ancient civic roots succeeded.
by Robert D. Putnam 1992 258 pages
3.87
500+ ratings
The Book of the Courtier
by Baldassare Castiglione • 1528
The Renaissance guide to making everything look effortless, and why that wins the prince's ear.
3.62
2k+
The Book of the Courtier Summary
The Book of the Courtier
The Renaissance guide to making everything look effortless, and why that wins the prince's ear.
by Baldassare Castiglione 1528 470 pages
3.62
2k+ ratings
Knowledge
by Jennifer Nagel • 2014
A concise tour of what it means to know, from Descartes's demon to the broken clock.
3.85
1k+
Knowledge Summary
Knowledge
A concise tour of what it means to know, from Descartes's demon to the broken clock.
by Jennifer Nagel 2014 133 pages
3.85
1k+ ratings
The Business of America is Lobbying
by Lee Drutman • 2015
Once corporations hire lobbyists, they rarely leave. The feedback loop that keeps them spending.
3.79
67
The Business of America is Lobbying Summary
The Business of America is Lobbying
Once corporations hire lobbyists, they rarely leave. The feedback loop that keeps them spending.
by Lee Drutman 2015 269 pages
3.79
67 ratings
Herodotus
by Elizabeth Vandiver • 2000
Before Herodotus, the past was myth. After him, it was evidence, causes, and human choice.
4.24
420
Herodotus Summary
Herodotus
Before Herodotus, the past was myth. After him, it was evidence, causes, and human choice.
by Elizabeth Vandiver 2000 12 pages
4.24
420 ratings
The Triumph of Christianity
by Bart D. Ehrman • 2018
It took no miracles: how a few dozen Christians became half the Roman Empire.
3.93
3k+
The Triumph of Christianity Summary
The Triumph of Christianity
It took no miracles: how a few dozen Christians became half the Roman Empire.
by Bart D. Ehrman 2018
3.93
3k+ ratings
Freezing Order
by Bill Browder • 2022
A murdered lawyer, a trillion in dirty money, and the man Putin tried to trade for spies.
4.34
27k+
Freezing Order Summary
Freezing Order
A murdered lawyer, a trillion in dirty money, and the man Putin tried to trade for spies.
by Bill Browder 2022 332 pages
4.34
27k+ ratings
American Crucible
by Gary Gerstle • 2001
Equal rights versus white identity: how America's two nationalisms have warred for a century.
3.82
246
American Crucible Summary
American Crucible
Equal rights versus white identity: how America's two nationalisms have warred for a century.
by Gary Gerstle 2001 472 pages
3.82
246 ratings
Oligarchy
by Jeffrey A. Winters • 2011
Oligarchy isn't rule by the few. It's wealth defense. That's why democracy doesn't end it.
4.30
166
Oligarchy Summary
Oligarchy
Oligarchy isn't rule by the few. It's wealth defense. That's why democracy doesn't end it.
by Jeffrey A. Winters 2011 344 pages
4.30
166 ratings
The Counter-Revolution of 1776
by Gerald Horne • 2014
Britain was turning against slavery. The American Revolution was the slaveholders' answer.
4.20
500+
The Counter-Revolution of 1776 Summary
The Counter-Revolution of 1776
Britain was turning against slavery. The American Revolution was the slaveholders' answer.
by Gerald Horne 2014 363 pages
4.20
500+ ratings
Against the Web
by Michael Brooks • 2020
Internet 'free-thinkers' rebrand old defenses of hierarchy with pseudoscience and myth.
4.10
1k+
Against the Web Summary
Against the Web
Internet 'free-thinkers' rebrand old defenses of hierarchy with pseudoscience and myth.
by Michael Brooks 2020 96 pages
4.10
1k+ ratings
American Slavery, American Freedom
by Edmund S. Morgan • 1975
American liberty and American slavery grew from the same soil, and each strengthened the other.
4.12
3k+
American Slavery, American Freedom Summary
American Slavery, American Freedom
American liberty and American slavery grew from the same soil, and each strengthened the other.
by Edmund S. Morgan 1975 464 pages
4.12
3k+ ratings
On Our Best Behavior
by Elise Loehnen • 2023
Seven ancient sins keep women compliant, exhausted, ever-apologizing. The way out is through them.
3.77
11k+
On Our Best Behavior Summary
On Our Best Behavior
Seven ancient sins keep women compliant, exhausted, ever-apologizing. The way out is through them.
by Elise Loehnen 2023 384 pages
3.77
11k+ ratings
The Elementary Forms of Religious Life
by Émile Durkheim • 1912
A totem is a clan's flag, and its god is just the group personified.
3.93
3k+
The Elementary Forms of Religious Life Summary
The Elementary Forms of Religious Life
A totem is a clan's flag, and its god is just the group personified.
by Émile Durkheim 1912 416 pages
3.93
3k+ ratings
Zeitoun
by Dave Eggers • 2009
A canoe made him a Katrina hero. Then the state labeled him a terrorist and he vanished.
4.05
80k+
Zeitoun Summary
Zeitoun
A canoe made him a Katrina hero. Then the state labeled him a terrorist and he vanished.
by Dave Eggers 2009 342 pages
4.05
80k+ ratings
The Jungle Grows Back
by Robert Kagan • 2018
The global peace is a fluke. American power built it; without constant effort, it collapses.
4.09
1k+
The Jungle Grows Back Summary
The Jungle Grows Back
The global peace is a fluke. American power built it; without constant effort, it collapses.
by Robert Kagan 2018 192 pages
4.09
1k+ ratings
The Making of a Permabear
by Jeremy Grantham • 2026
Markets revert and bubbles burst, but the real risk to your portfolio is the planet itself.
4.12
246
The Making of a Permabear Summary
The Making of a Permabear
Markets revert and bubbles burst, but the real risk to your portfolio is the planet itself.
by Jeremy Grantham 2026 416 pages
4.12
246 ratings
Manufacturing Consent
by Mark Achbar • 1994
No conspiracy, no censorship: why the news in a free society still serves the powerful.
4.41
500+
Manufacturing Consent Summary
Manufacturing Consent
No conspiracy, no censorship: why the news in a free society still serves the powerful.
by Mark Achbar 1994 264 pages
4.41
500+ ratings
Les Jours fragiles
by Philippe Besson • 2004
The poet Rimbaud returns from Africa to die, and his sister writes what their family silenced.
3.39
358
Les Jours fragiles Summary
Les Jours fragiles
The poet Rimbaud returns from Africa to die, and his sister writes what their family silenced.
by Philippe Besson 2004 188 pages
3.39
358 ratings
Islam and the Destiny of Man
by Charles Le Gai Eaton • 1985
Islam's law, art, and mysticism flow from one claim: Divine Unity. A Western convert explains.
4.40
1k+
Islam and the Destiny of Man Summary
Islam and the Destiny of Man
Islam's law, art, and mysticism flow from one claim: Divine Unity. A Western convert explains.
by Charles Le Gai Eaton 1985 256 pages
4.40
1k+ ratings
White Backlash
by Marisa Abrajano • 2015
The data is clear: anti-Latino sentiment, not economic anxiety, has redrawn America's political map.
3.65
49
White Backlash Summary
White Backlash
The data is clear: anti-Latino sentiment, not economic anxiety, has redrawn America's political map.
by Marisa Abrajano 2015 256 pages
3.65
49 ratings
Abraham Lincoln, Philosopher Statesman
by Joseph R. Fornieri • 2013
Lincoln's secret: he wrestled with eternal principles before he ever grasped for power.
4.67
6
Abraham Lincoln, Philosopher Statesman Summary
Abraham Lincoln, Philosopher Statesman
Lincoln's secret: he wrestled with eternal principles before he ever grasped for power.
by Joseph R. Fornieri 2013 249 pages
4.67
6 ratings
The Black Book of Communism
by Stéphane Courtois • 1997
Eighty-five to one hundred million dead, and the ideology that demanded every killing.
4.01
1k+
The Black Book of Communism Summary
The Black Book of Communism
Eighty-five to one hundred million dead, and the ideology that demanded every killing.
by Stéphane Courtois 1997 858 pages
4.01
1k+ ratings
The Nazi Doctors
by Robert Jay Lifton • 1986
Nazi doctors killed to heal the race. A psychologist reveals the mechanism that enabled it.
4.12
3k+
The Nazi Doctors Summary
The Nazi Doctors
Nazi doctors killed to heal the race. A psychologist reveals the mechanism that enabled it.
by Robert Jay Lifton 1986 561 pages
4.12
3k+ ratings
Spectacle
by Pamela Newkirk • 2015
1906: the Bronx Zoo caged a Congolese man in the monkey house. Thousands paid to stare.
3.63
500+
Spectacle Summary
Spectacle
1906: the Bronx Zoo caged a Congolese man in the monkey house. Thousands paid to stare.
by Pamela Newkirk 2015 336 pages
3.63
500+ ratings
Blowback
by Chalmers Johnson • 2000
Covert empire: why policies hidden from the American public keep producing violent retaliation.
4.06
2k+
Blowback Summary
Blowback
Covert empire: why policies hidden from the American public keep producing violent retaliation.
by Chalmers Johnson 2000 268 pages
4.06
2k+ ratings
The Medici
by Paul Strathern • 2003
A banking family bankrolled the Renaissance, made popes and queens, and ruled Florence from shadow.
4.10
5k+
The Medici Summary
The Medici
A banking family bankrolled the Renaissance, made popes and queens, and ruled Florence from shadow.
by Paul Strathern 2003 431 pages
4.10
5k+ ratings
A History of the World in 100 Objects
by Neil MacGregor • 2010
The full sweep of human history, read not from texts but from 100 physical objects.
4.19
9k+
A History of the World in 100 Objects Summary
A History of the World in 100 Objects
The full sweep of human history, read not from texts but from 100 physical objects.
by Neil MacGregor 2010 707 pages
4.19
9k+ ratings
The Library Book
by Susan Orlean • 2018
A seven-hour fire, 400,000 lost books, and one aspiring actor whose story kept changing.
3.88
100k+
The Library Book Summary
The Library Book
A seven-hour fire, 400,000 lost books, and one aspiring actor whose story kept changing.
by Susan Orlean 2018 317 pages
3.88
100k+ ratings
Jesus and John Wayne
by Kristin Kobes Du Mez • 2020
A history of how white evangelicals swapped a gentle gospel for a militant, iron-fisted patriarch.
4.25
42k+
Jesus and John Wayne Summary
Jesus and John Wayne
A history of how white evangelicals swapped a gentle gospel for a militant, iron-fisted patriarch.
by Kristin Kobes Du Mez 2020 356 pages
4.25
42k+ ratings
States and Power in Africa
by Jeffrey Herbst • 2000
Europe built states through war. Africa skipped that step, and its borders now protect failure.
3.99
269
States and Power in Africa Summary
States and Power in Africa
Europe built states through war. Africa skipped that step, and its borders now protect failure.
by Jeffrey Herbst 2000 296 pages
3.99
269 ratings
Grandma Gatewood's Walk
by Ben Montgomery • 2014
A denim sack, Keds, a shower curtain: a 67-year-old grandma walked the Appalachian Trail alone.
4.11
31k+
Grandma Gatewood's Walk Summary
Grandma Gatewood's Walk
A denim sack, Keds, a shower curtain: a 67-year-old grandma walked the Appalachian Trail alone.
by Ben Montgomery 2014 277 pages
4.11
31k+ ratings
The Great Delusion
by John J. Mearsheimer • 2018
Liberal dreams of peace ignore two immovable forces: the nation and the anarchy between states.
4.10
1k+
The Great Delusion Summary
The Great Delusion
Liberal dreams of peace ignore two immovable forces: the nation and the anarchy between states.
by John J. Mearsheimer 2018 328 pages
4.10
1k+ ratings
Cuba
by Ada Ferrer • 2021
Cuba was America's obsession long before Castro. The Cold War just froze a deeper fight.
4.46
5k+
Cuba Summary
Cuba
Cuba was America's obsession long before Castro. The Cold War just froze a deeper fight.
by Ada Ferrer 2021 560 pages
4.46
5k+ ratings
An Essay on Economic Theory
by Richard Cantillon • 1755
Wealth is soil and sweat, not silver. New money favors whoever touches it first.
4.10
128
An Essay on Economic Theory Summary
An Essay on Economic Theory
Wealth is soil and sweat, not silver. New money favors whoever touches it first.
by Richard Cantillon 1755 251 pages
4.10
128 ratings
Helen of Troy
by Bettany Hughes • 2005
The Trojan War was blamed on her beauty. The real Bronze Age Helen was a kingmaker.
4.18
1k+
Helen of Troy Summary
Helen of Troy
The Trojan War was blamed on her beauty. The real Bronze Age Helen was a kingmaker.
by Bettany Hughes 2005 496 pages
4.18
1k+ ratings
The Wide Wide Sea
by Hampton Sides • 2024
Hawaiians believed Captain Cook was a god. Weeks later, his body was dismembered in the surf.
4.46
24k+
The Wide Wide Sea Summary
The Wide Wide Sea
Hawaiians believed Captain Cook was a god. Weeks later, his body was dismembered in the surf.
by Hampton Sides 2024 408 pages
4.46
24k+ ratings
Mindfulness
by Sarah Shaw • 2020
Before it became a productivity hack, mindfulness was a path to liberating the mind.
3.92
39
Mindfulness Summary
Mindfulness
Before it became a productivity hack, mindfulness was a path to liberating the mind.
by Sarah Shaw 2020 224 pages
3.92
39 ratings
Outclassed
by Joan C. Williams • 2025
The Left lost the working class to economic precarity and condescension. How to win them back.
4.20
248
Outclassed Summary
Outclassed
The Left lost the working class to economic precarity and condescension. How to win them back.
by Joan C. Williams 2025 368 pages
4.20
248 ratings
Mexifornia
by Victor Davis Hanson • 2003
California's crisis: what cheap labor, open borders, and multicultural denial produce.
3.93
500+
Mexifornia Summary
Mexifornia
California's crisis: what cheap labor, open borders, and multicultural denial produce.
by Victor Davis Hanson 2003 179 pages
3.93
500+ ratings
Medical Apartheid
by Harriet A. Washington • 2007
Tuskegee was not an anomaly. A sweeping history of medicine exploiting Black Americans for research.
4.43
10k+
Medical Apartheid Summary
Medical Apartheid
Tuskegee was not an anomaly. A sweeping history of medicine exploiting Black Americans for research.
by Harriet A. Washington 2007 501 pages
4.43
10k+ ratings
The Reality of ESP
by Russell Targ • 2012
The CIA funded ESP research for 23 years. A physicist says the statistical case is closed.
4.21
264
The Reality of ESP Summary
The Reality of ESP
The CIA funded ESP research for 23 years. A physicist says the statistical case is closed.
by Russell Targ 2012 312 pages
4.21
264 ratings
The Best Way to Rob a Bank Is to Own One
by William K. Black • 1995
Bank CEOs were the biggest bank robbers, using deregulation to loot their own institutions.
4.06
185
The Best Way to Rob a Bank Is to Own One Summary
The Best Way to Rob a Bank Is to Own One
Bank CEOs were the biggest bank robbers, using deregulation to loot their own institutions.
by William K. Black 1995 352 pages
4.06
185 ratings
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