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History Book Summaries

The End of Power
by Moisés Naím • 2013
Power is crumbling everywhere at once. The three hidden forces dismantling every hierarchy.
3.63
3k+
The End of Power Summary
The End of Power
Power is crumbling everywhere at once. The three hidden forces dismantling every hierarchy.
by Moisés Naím 2013 320 pages
3.63
3k+ ratings
That Woman
by Anne Sebba • 2011
History cast her as the villain. The real story: a king who wouldn't let her leave.
3.44
4k+
That Woman Summary
That Woman
History cast her as the villain. The real story: a king who wouldn't let her leave.
by Anne Sebba 2011 344 pages
3.44
4k+ ratings
The Long Southern Strategy
by Angie Maxwell • 2019
White grievance, anti-feminism, and evangelicalism fused in the South, then nationalized the GOP.
4.13
136
The Long Southern Strategy Summary
The Long Southern Strategy
White grievance, anti-feminism, and evangelicalism fused in the South, then nationalized the GOP.
by Angie Maxwell 2019 560 pages
4.13
136 ratings
The Devil's Best Trick
by Randall Sullivan • 2024
After an exorcism in Bosnia, a journalist meets a man in Rome he's certain isn't human.
3.08
500+
The Devil's Best Trick Summary
The Devil's Best Trick
After an exorcism in Bosnia, a journalist meets a man in Rome he's certain isn't human.
by Randall Sullivan 2024 352 pages
3.08
500+ ratings
The Conservative Sensibility
by George F. Will • 2019
The Founders built a limited republic. Progressives turned it into an engine of expansion.
4.11
1k+
The Conservative Sensibility Summary
The Conservative Sensibility
The Founders built a limited republic. Progressives turned it into an engine of expansion.
by George F. Will 2019 640 pages
4.11
1k+ ratings
The Common Cause
by Robert G. Parkinson • 2016
Racial fear united the colonies. The propaganda outlasted the war to define American citizenship.
4.10
49
The Common Cause Summary
The Common Cause
Racial fear united the colonies. The propaganda outlasted the war to define American citizenship.
by Robert G. Parkinson 2016 742 pages
4.10
49 ratings
Bad Faith
by Randall Balmer • 2021
The Religious Right was born not from Roe but from a fight to defend segregated Christian schools.
4.25
500+
Bad Faith Summary
Bad Faith
The Religious Right was born not from Roe but from a fight to defend segregated Christian schools.
by Randall Balmer 2021 144 pages
4.25
500+ ratings
Yankee Leviathan
by Richard Franklin Bensel • 1991
The Confederacy's statist war machine, not the Constitution, built the modern American state.
3.69
49
Yankee Leviathan Summary
Yankee Leviathan
The Confederacy's statist war machine, not the Constitution, built the modern American state.
by Richard Franklin Bensel 1991 466 pages
3.69
49 ratings
1812
by Walter R. Borneman • 2004
A burned capital, failed invasions, a victory after peace: the disaster that united a country.
3.91
2k+
1812 Summary
1812
A burned capital, failed invasions, a victory after peace: the disaster that united a country.
by Walter R. Borneman 2004 392 pages
3.91
2k+ ratings
Dangerous Charisma
by Jerrold M. Post • 2019
A CIA profiler diagnosed malignant narcissism. The surprise was how perfectly it fit his followers.
3.56
186
Dangerous Charisma Summary
Dangerous Charisma
A CIA profiler diagnosed malignant narcissism. The surprise was how perfectly it fit his followers.
by Jerrold M. Post 2019 352 pages
3.56
186 ratings
Children of Mars
by Jeremy Armstrong • 2025
Rome's empire was born from clan rivalries, not a master plan. Hannibal's invasion forced the shift.
4.22
36
Children of Mars Summary
Children of Mars
Rome's empire was born from clan rivalries, not a master plan. Hannibal's invasion forced the shift.
by Jeremy Armstrong 2025 288 pages
4.22
36 ratings
A Nation Under Our Feet
by Steven Hahn • 2003
Enslaved people built a political world in secret. It outlasted slavery and reshaped the South.
4.11
500+
A Nation Under Our Feet Summary
A Nation Under Our Feet
Enslaved people built a political world in secret. It outlasted slavery and reshaped the South.
by Steven Hahn 2003 624 pages
4.11
500+ ratings
The Day Wall Street Exploded
by Beverly Gage • 2008
Wall Street, 1920: thirty-eight dead, none caught. The failed investigation that built the FBI.
3.75
318
The Day Wall Street Exploded Summary
The Day Wall Street Exploded
Wall Street, 1920: thirty-eight dead, none caught. The failed investigation that built the FBI.
by Beverly Gage 2008 400 pages
3.75
318 ratings
Justice on the Brink
by Linda Greenhouse • 2021
Ginsburg's death and Barrett's confirmation: the year the Supreme Court broke right.
4.01
500+
Justice on the Brink Summary
Justice on the Brink
Ginsburg's death and Barrett's confirmation: the year the Supreme Court broke right.
by Linda Greenhouse 2021 336 pages
4.01
500+ ratings
William Branham, A man sent from God
by Gordon Lindsay
In 1949, a skeptical photographer took a preacher's picture and captured a halo of light instead.
4.39
46
William Branham, A man sent from God Summary
William Branham, A man sent from God
In 1949, a skeptical photographer took a preacher's picture and captured a halo of light instead.
by Gordon Lindsay
4.39
46 ratings
Slave Nation
by Alfred W. Blumrosen • 2005
The American Revolution was not about taxes. It began when a British judge ruled slavery illegal.
4.02
113
Slave Nation Summary
Slave Nation
The American Revolution was not about taxes. It began when a British judge ruled slavery illegal.
by Alfred W. Blumrosen 2005 304 pages
4.02
113 ratings
A New World Begins
by Jeremy D. Popkin • 2019
Democracy, state terror, dictatorship: the French Revolution tried all three in one decade.
4.18
2k+
A New World Begins Summary
A New World Begins
Democracy, state terror, dictatorship: the French Revolution tried all three in one decade.
by Jeremy D. Popkin 2019 640 pages
4.18
2k+ ratings
The Anatomy of Melancholy
by Robert Burton • 1621
A recluse stitched all of literature into one book to prove everyone is mad.
4.10
1k+
The Anatomy of Melancholy Summary
The Anatomy of Melancholy
A recluse stitched all of literature into one book to prove everyone is mad.
by Robert Burton 1621 1392 pages
4.10
1k+ ratings
The Everything Philosophy Book
by James Mannion • 2002
A tour of philosophy's major thinkers, from ancient Greeks to the modern self-help aisle.
3.79
48
The Everything Philosophy Book Summary
The Everything Philosophy Book
A tour of philosophy's major thinkers, from ancient Greeks to the modern self-help aisle.
by James Mannion 2002 304 pages
3.79
48 ratings
Citizens
by Simon Schama • 1989
Modernizing France crashed into revolution, and bloodshed was its engine, not its accident.
4.03
6k+
Citizens Summary
Citizens
Modernizing France crashed into revolution, and bloodshed was its engine, not its accident.
by Simon Schama 1989 948 pages
4.03
6k+ ratings
Progress and Poverty
by Henry George • 1879
Machines and wealth multiply, yet wages fall and poverty deepens. The root is under every city.
4.30
500+
Progress and Poverty Summary
Progress and Poverty
Machines and wealth multiply, yet wages fall and poverty deepens. The root is under every city.
by Henry George 1879 599 pages
4.30
500+ ratings
Adversarial Legalism
by Robert A. Kagan • 2003
The United States chose lawsuits over bureaucracy. Here is what that decision costs.
3.72
72
Adversarial Legalism Summary
Adversarial Legalism
The United States chose lawsuits over bureaucracy. Here is what that decision costs.
by Robert A. Kagan 2003 352 pages
3.72
72 ratings
The Asian Aspiration
by Greg Mills • 2020
From land reform in Taiwan to high-speed rail in China: the Asian model Africa should follow.
3.70
20
The Asian Aspiration Summary
The Asian Aspiration
From land reform in Taiwan to high-speed rail in China: the Asian model Africa should follow.
by Greg Mills 2020 313 pages
3.70
20 ratings
No More Normal
by Alastair Santhouse • 2025
Four times more mental disorders than 70 years ago. A psychiatrist asks: have we lost normal?
4.04
91
No More Normal Summary
No More Normal
Four times more mental disorders than 70 years ago. A psychiatrist asks: have we lost normal?
by Alastair Santhouse 2025 287 pages
4.04
91 ratings
Red Dawn Over China
by Frank Dikötter • 2026
China never wanted communism. A marginal Soviet proxy conquered it through terror and deceit.
3.81
183
Red Dawn Over China Summary
Red Dawn Over China
China never wanted communism. A marginal Soviet proxy conquered it through terror and deceit.
by Frank Dikötter 2026 384 pages
3.81
183 ratings
Shamrock and Sword
by Robert Ryal Miller • 1989
A U.S. Army battalion deserted to Mexico. One country built memorials, the other built gallows.
3.86
29
Shamrock and Sword Summary
Shamrock and Sword
A U.S. Army battalion deserted to Mexico. One country built memorials, the other built gallows.
by Robert Ryal Miller 1989 252 pages
3.86
29 ratings
The Uses of Greek Mythology
by Ken Dowden • 1992
Greek myth founded cities, structured initiations, and drew the line between human and monster.
3.62
34
The Uses of Greek Mythology Summary
The Uses of Greek Mythology
Greek myth founded cities, structured initiations, and drew the line between human and monster.
by Ken Dowden 1992 204 pages
3.62
34 ratings
Regulating the Poor
by Frances Fox Piven • 1971
Welfare has one rhythm: expand during riots, contract during calm, always to enforce cheap labor.
4.24
321
Regulating the Poor Summary
Regulating the Poor
Welfare has one rhythm: expand during riots, contract during calm, always to enforce cheap labor.
by Frances Fox Piven 1971 544 pages
4.24
321 ratings
Taoism for Dummies
by Jonathan Herman • 2013
A 2,000-year tradition of alchemists, rebels, and monks that the West mistook for a single book.
3.55
118
Taoism for Dummies Summary
Taoism for Dummies
A 2,000-year tradition of alchemists, rebels, and monks that the West mistook for a single book.
by Jonathan Herman 2013 384 pages
3.55
118 ratings
Crisis of Confidence
by Carl R. Trueman • 2024
Rejecting creeds doesn't kill them. It just makes them invisible and unaccountable.
4.33
500+
Crisis of Confidence Summary
Crisis of Confidence
Rejecting creeds doesn't kill them. It just makes them invisible and unaccountable.
by Carl R. Trueman 2024 216 pages
4.33
500+ ratings
101 Montunos
by Rebeca Mauleón • 2005
Master Afro-Caribbean piano through 101 patterns, grounded in clave and built for the bandstand.
4.47
17
101 Montunos Summary
101 Montunos
Master Afro-Caribbean piano through 101 patterns, grounded in clave and built for the bandstand.
by Rebeca Mauleón 2005 151 pages
4.47
17 ratings
Money Changes Everything
by William N. Goetzmann • 2016
Five thousand years of contracts and compound interest built cities, empires, and global trade.
4.03
500+
Money Changes Everything Summary
Money Changes Everything
Five thousand years of contracts and compound interest built cities, empires, and global trade.
by William N. Goetzmann 2016 600 pages
4.03
500+ ratings
Radical Hope
by Jonathan Lear • 2006
A Crow chief's dream taught him to hope for an unimaginable future, and his nation survived.
3.88
500+
Radical Hope Summary
Radical Hope
A Crow chief's dream taught him to hope for an unimaginable future, and his nation survived.
by Jonathan Lear 2006 187 pages
3.88
500+ ratings
Dark Emu
by Bruce Pascoe • 2014
Early reports found Aboriginal farms and dams; the hunter-gatherer label was a colonial lie.
4.27
16k+
Dark Emu Summary
Dark Emu
Early reports found Aboriginal farms and dams; the hunter-gatherer label was a colonial lie.
by Bruce Pascoe 2014 176 pages
4.27
16k+ ratings
The Market Revolution in America
by John Lauritz Larson • 2009
From the Erie Canal to the cotton fields, free markets built America and then tore it apart.
3.60
88
The Market Revolution in America Summary
The Market Revolution in America
From the Erie Canal to the cotton fields, free markets built America and then tore it apart.
by John Lauritz Larson 2009 224 pages
3.60
88 ratings
Fault Lines in the Constitution
by Cynthia Levinson • 2017
Four times the Senate clout for small-state voters: the 1787 compromise still in charge.
4.00
500+
Fault Lines in the Constitution Summary
Fault Lines in the Constitution
Four times the Senate clout for small-state voters: the 1787 compromise still in charge.
by Cynthia Levinson 2017 240 pages
4.00
500+ ratings
The Transformation of Corporate Control
by Neil Fligstein • 1990
Antitrust, not markets, built the modern firm: four legal pivots that remade American business.
4.09
11
The Transformation of Corporate Control Summary
The Transformation of Corporate Control
Antitrust, not markets, built the modern firm: four legal pivots that remade American business.
by Neil Fligstein 1990 408 pages
4.09
11 ratings
Hell Hath No Fury
by Meghan R. Henning • 2021
Early Christian hell's gendered torments mapped a pattern for bodily control that we still enforce.
4.40
15
Hell Hath No Fury Summary
Hell Hath No Fury
Early Christian hell's gendered torments mapped a pattern for bodily control that we still enforce.
by Meghan R. Henning 2021 288 pages
4.40
15 ratings
[Brotherhood of Kings] [By
by Amanda H. Podany • 2010
The great kings never met; letters, gold, and dynastic marriages held the peace.
4.48
122
[Brotherhood of Kings] [By Summary
[Brotherhood of Kings] [By
The great kings never met; letters, gold, and dynastic marriages held the peace.
by Amanda H. Podany 2010
4.48
122 ratings
Trumpocracy
by David Frum • 2018
American democracy didn't fall; it was hollowed out by lies and a party that looked away.
3.88
3k+
Trumpocracy Summary
Trumpocracy
American democracy didn't fall; it was hollowed out by lies and a party that looked away.
by David Frum 2018 301 pages
3.88
3k+ ratings
The Sovereign State and Its Competitors
by Hendrik Spruyt • 1994
The sovereign state won not by conquest but by keeping promises and enforcing uniform rules.
4.03
124
The Sovereign State and Its Competitors Summary
The Sovereign State and Its Competitors
The sovereign state won not by conquest but by keeping promises and enforcing uniform rules.
by Hendrik Spruyt 1994 302 pages
4.03
124 ratings
Kashmir
by A.S. Dulat • 2015
A spy chief's discovery: talking to Kashmiri militants worked. The politicians wasted it.
3.81
500+
Kashmir Summary
Kashmir
A spy chief's discovery: talking to Kashmiri militants worked. The politicians wasted it.
by A.S. Dulat 2015 326 pages
3.81
500+ ratings
The Mind and the Market
by Jerry Z. Muller • 2002
Thinkers have argued for centuries whether markets free us or enslave us. The fight is unfinished.
4.17
347
The Mind and the Market Summary
The Mind and the Market
Thinkers have argued for centuries whether markets free us or enslave us. The fight is unfinished.
by Jerry Z. Muller 2002 512 pages
4.17
347 ratings
Conservative Parties and the Birth of Democracy
by Daniel Ziblatt • 2017
Democracy depends less on its fans than on the party organization built by its old-guard opponents.
4.00
88
Conservative Parties and the Birth of Democracy Summary
Conservative Parties and the Birth of Democracy
Democracy depends less on its fans than on the party organization built by its old-guard opponents.
by Daniel Ziblatt 2017 439 pages
4.00
88 ratings
Race, Monogamy, and Other Lies They Told You
by Agustín Fuentes • 2008
Three myths about human nature: race, aggression, sex. Science disproved them. Common sense hung on.
3.72
281
Race, Monogamy, and Other Lies They Told You Summary
Race, Monogamy, and Other Lies They Told You
Three myths about human nature: race, aggression, sex. Science disproved them. Common sense hung on.
by Agustín Fuentes 2008 290 pages
3.72
281 ratings
The Populist Vision
by Charles Postel • 2007
Populists weren't anti-modern. They demanded public railroads, corporate-scale farms, and Jim Crow.
3.65
201
The Populist Vision Summary
The Populist Vision
Populists weren't anti-modern. They demanded public railroads, corporate-scale farms, and Jim Crow.
by Charles Postel 2007 397 pages
3.65
201 ratings
Eisenhower
by Stephen E. Ambrose • 1990
A Kansas tantrum taught Eisenhower the restraint that held allies together and kept the peace.
4.03
12k+
Eisenhower Summary
Eisenhower
A Kansas tantrum taught Eisenhower the restraint that held allies together and kept the peace.
by Stephen E. Ambrose 1990 635 pages
4.03
12k+ ratings
The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs
by Steve Brusatte • 2018
Dinosaurs were underdogs for 30 million years. Then two mass extinctions handed them the planet.
4.21
41k+
The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs Summary
The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs
Dinosaurs were underdogs for 30 million years. Then two mass extinctions handed them the planet.
by Steve Brusatte 2018 404 pages
4.21
41k+ ratings
Republican Gomorrah
by Max Blumenthal • 2007
The Christian right, built on crisis and submission, was destined to devour the GOP from inside.
3.88
1k+
Republican Gomorrah Summary
Republican Gomorrah
The Christian right, built on crisis and submission, was destined to devour the GOP from inside.
by Max Blumenthal 2007 432 pages
3.88
1k+ ratings
The Great Alignment
by Alan I. Abramowitz • 2018
Partisan sorting by race and culture turned politics into mutual hatred. Trump is the result.
3.43
191
The Great Alignment Summary
The Great Alignment
Partisan sorting by race and culture turned politics into mutual hatred. Trump is the result.
by Alan I. Abramowitz 2018 216 pages
3.43
191 ratings
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