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Politics Book Summaries

Discipline and Punish
by Michel Foucault • 1975
The scaffold gave way to the file. Power stopped breaking bodies and started classifying souls.
4.24
37k+
Discipline and Punish Summary
Discipline and Punish
The scaffold gave way to the file. Power stopped breaking bodies and started classifying souls.
by Michel Foucault 1975 333 pages
4.24
37k+ ratings
Man, the State, and War
by Kenneth N. Waltz • 1954
You cannot fix war by fixing people or states alone. Anarchy makes all other causes possible.
3.97
2k+
Man, the State, and War Summary
Man, the State, and War
You cannot fix war by fixing people or states alone. Anarchy makes all other causes possible.
by Kenneth N. Waltz 1954 263 pages
3.97
2k+ ratings
The History of Sexuality, Volume 1
by Michel Foucault • 1976
The West didn't silence sex. It turned it into a science, then demanded everyone talk.
4.02
25k+
The History of Sexuality, Volume 1 Summary
The History of Sexuality, Volume 1
The West didn't silence sex. It turned it into a science, then demanded everyone talk.
by Michel Foucault 1976 176 pages
4.02
25k+ ratings
The New Jim Crow
by Michelle Alexander • 2010
No racist laws required: a felony conviction now strips the rights Jim Crow took by name.
4.52
100k+
The New Jim Crow Summary
The New Jim Crow
No racist laws required: a felony conviction now strips the rights Jim Crow took by name.
by Michelle Alexander 2010 314 pages
4.52
100k+ ratings
The Innocent Man
by John Grisham • 2006
Ada, Oklahoma. Two men condemned for murder. Twelve years later, DNA pointed to the real killer.
3.87
85k+
The Innocent Man Summary
The Innocent Man
Ada, Oklahoma. Two men condemned for murder. Twelve years later, DNA pointed to the real killer.
by John Grisham 2006 435 pages
3.87
85k+ ratings
Irrational Exuberance
by Robert J. Shiller • 2000
Why markets boom and bust: the psychological feedback loop that makes bubbles predictable.
3.98
8k+
Irrational Exuberance Summary
Irrational Exuberance
Why markets boom and bust: the psychological feedback loop that makes bubbles predictable.
by Robert J. Shiller 2000 392 pages
3.98
8k+ ratings
AI Ethics
by Mark Coeckelbergh • 2020
Your phone, your hospital, your job: AI is already there. The ethics have barely begun.
3.63
500+
AI Ethics Summary
AI Ethics
Your phone, your hospital, your job: AI is already there. The ethics have barely begun.
by Mark Coeckelbergh 2020 248 pages
3.63
500+ ratings
Napoleon
by Andrew Roberts • 2014
A single volume spanning Corsica to St. Helena: the ambition, the genius, the fatal misjudgments.
4.25
29k+
Napoleon Summary
Napoleon
A single volume spanning Corsica to St. Helena: the ambition, the genius, the fatal misjudgments.
by Andrew Roberts 2014 976 pages
4.25
29k+ ratings
The Ascent of Money
by Niall Ferguson • 2007
Wars are won on bond markets, not battlefields. A financial historian rewrites the story of power.
3.90
31k+
The Ascent of Money Summary
The Ascent of Money
Wars are won on bond markets, not battlefields. A financial historian rewrites the story of power.
by Niall Ferguson 2007 496 pages
3.90
31k+ ratings
Trump
by Donald J. Trump • 1987
A Queens developer's blueprint for a skyline: the dealmaking rules business school never teaches.
3.72
26k+
Trump Summary
Trump
A Queens developer's blueprint for a skyline: the dealmaking rules business school never teaches.
by Donald J. Trump 1987 384 pages
3.72
26k+ ratings
Emergent Strategy
by Adrienne Maree Brown • 2017
No one commands a flock or a forest. What that means for building social movements that endure.
4.25
10k+
Emergent Strategy Summary
Emergent Strategy
No one commands a flock or a forest. What that means for building social movements that endure.
by Adrienne Maree Brown 2017 280 pages
4.25
10k+ ratings
Too Much and Never Enough
by Mary L. Trump • 2020
The family blueprint: a psychologist explains how cruelty, money, and neglect made a president.
3.82
98k+
Too Much and Never Enough Summary
Too Much and Never Enough
The family blueprint: a psychologist explains how cruelty, money, and neglect made a president.
by Mary L. Trump 2020 225 pages
3.82
98k+ ratings
The Complete Art of War
by Sun Tzu • 1996
Never face strength with strength. The ancient manual on winning conflicts indirectly.
4.14
7k+
The Complete Art of War Summary
The Complete Art of War
Never face strength with strength. The ancient manual on winning conflicts indirectly.
by Sun Tzu 1996 320 pages
4.14
7k+ ratings
Images of Organization
by Gareth Morgan • 1986
One metaphor blinds you; eight set you free. The classic method for reading any organization.
3.92
1k+
Images of Organization Summary
Images of Organization
One metaphor blinds you; eight set you free. The classic method for reading any organization.
by Gareth Morgan 1986 520 pages
3.92
1k+ ratings
Weapons of Math Destruction
by Cathy O'Neil • 2016
How the algorithms that score your life lock in poverty, deepen racism, and erode democracy.
3.87
30k+
Weapons of Math Destruction Summary
Weapons of Math Destruction
How the algorithms that score your life lock in poverty, deepen racism, and erode democracy.
by Cathy O'Neil 2016 259 pages
3.87
30k+ ratings
The World's Most Dangerous Secret Societies
by James Jackson • 2015
From the Illuminati to the Committee of 300: the secret societies that may run the world.
3.31
201
The World's Most Dangerous Secret Societies Summary
The World's Most Dangerous Secret Societies
From the Illuminati to the Committee of 300: the secret societies that may run the world.
by James Jackson 2015 135 pages
3.31
201 ratings
The Price of Tomorrow
by Jeff Booth • 2020
Technology drives costs down, but the economy requires inflation. One of them must break.
4.08
3k+
The Price of Tomorrow Summary
The Price of Tomorrow
Technology drives costs down, but the economy requires inflation. One of them must break.
by Jeff Booth 2020 232 pages
4.08
3k+ ratings
Human Acts
by Han Kang • 2014
Amid South Korea's 1980 uprising, a boy tends the bodies of the slain. The dead speak.
4.27
79k+
Human Acts Summary
Human Acts
Amid South Korea's 1980 uprising, a boy tends the bodies of the slain. The dead speak.
by Han Kang 2014 218 pages
4.27
79k+ ratings
Invisible Women
by Caroline Criado Pérez • 2019
Half the population is missing from the data that shapes our world, and it's killing them.
4.34
100k+
Invisible Women Summary
Invisible Women
Half the population is missing from the data that shapes our world, and it's killing them.
by Caroline Criado Pérez 2019 448 pages
4.34
100k+ ratings
Mutual Aid
by Pyotr Kropotkin • 1891
Evolution's secret engine is cooperation, not competition. Evidence from animals to medieval cities.
4.23
4k+
Mutual Aid Summary
Mutual Aid
Evolution's secret engine is cooperation, not competition. Evidence from animals to medieval cities.
by Pyotr Kropotkin 1891 138 pages
4.23
4k+ ratings
Ultra-processed People
by Chris van Tulleken • 2023
60% of what we eat is engineered to override satiety. Sugar and exercise were a distraction.
4.38
46k+
Ultra-processed People Summary
Ultra-processed People
60% of what we eat is engineered to override satiety. Sugar and exercise were a distraction.
by Chris van Tulleken 2023 376 pages
4.38
46k+ ratings
Strategy
by Lawrence Freedman • 2013
Strategy is not a plan: a battle of minds from chimpanzee coalitions to nuclear deterrence.
3.97
3k+
Strategy Summary
Strategy
Strategy is not a plan: a battle of minds from chimpanzee coalitions to nuclear deterrence.
by Lawrence Freedman 2013 768 pages
3.97
3k+ ratings
AI Snake Oil
by Arvind Narayanan • 2024
AI isn't one thing. What predicts barely beats random chance; what creates is widely misused.
3.89
2k+
AI Snake Oil Summary
AI Snake Oil
AI isn't one thing. What predicts barely beats random chance; what creates is widely misused.
by Arvind Narayanan 2024 360 pages
3.89
2k+ ratings
Basic Economics
by Thomas Sowell • 2000
What no one teaches you about prices, profits, and the hidden sting of good intentions.
4.37
14k+
Basic Economics Summary
Basic Economics
What no one teaches you about prices, profits, and the hidden sting of good intentions.
by Thomas Sowell 2000 448 pages
4.37
14k+ ratings
Economics in One Lesson
by Henry Hazlitt • 1946
Nearly every economic fallacy traces to one mistake: counting only the effects you can see.
4.16
21k+
Economics in One Lesson Summary
Economics in One Lesson
Nearly every economic fallacy traces to one mistake: counting only the effects you can see.
by Henry Hazlitt 1946 218 pages
4.16
21k+ ratings
On War
by Carl von Clausewitz • 1832
Victory is meaningless without a political aim. Generals who forget this win battles and lose wars.
3.96
14k+
On War Summary
On War
Victory is meaningless without a political aim. Generals who forget this win battles and lose wars.
by Carl von Clausewitz 1832 732 pages
3.96
14k+ ratings
The Arthashastra
by Kautilya
Centuries before Machiavelli, a manual of power that never forgot the welfare of the people.
4.12
1k+
The Arthashastra Summary
The Arthashastra
Centuries before Machiavelli, a manual of power that never forgot the welfare of the people.
by Kautilya 878 pages
4.12
1k+ ratings
The World for Sale
by Javier Blas • 2021
A few secretive companies move the world's oil, grain, and metals, thriving on sanctions and coups.
4.32
13k+
The World for Sale Summary
The World for Sale
A few secretive companies move the world's oil, grain, and metals, thriving on sanctions and coups.
by Javier Blas 2021 410 pages
4.32
13k+ ratings
Spheres of Justice
by Michael Walzer • 1983
Separate spheres: why a just society walls off money, power, and honor from each other.
3.80
500+
Spheres of Justice Summary
Spheres of Justice
Separate spheres: why a just society walls off money, power, and honor from each other.
by Michael Walzer 1983 364 pages
3.80
500+ ratings
Capital in the Twenty First Century
by Thomas Piketty • 2013
The core driver of inequality: capital returns outpace growth, so old money always beats new.
4.06
34k+
Capital in the Twenty First Century Summary
Capital in the Twenty First Century
The core driver of inequality: capital returns outpace growth, so old money always beats new.
by Thomas Piketty 2013 685 pages
4.06
34k+ ratings
The End of History and the Last Man
by Francis Fukuyama • 1992
History ended in 1989: liberal democracy triumphed. The new enemy is a contented, aimless citizen.
3.61
7k+
The End of History and the Last Man Summary
The End of History and the Last Man
History ended in 1989: liberal democracy triumphed. The new enemy is a contented, aimless citizen.
by Francis Fukuyama 1992 464 pages
3.61
7k+ ratings
The Four
by Scott Galloway • 2017
Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google: four companies, four instincts, one trillion-dollar playbook.
3.83
19k+
The Four Summary
The Four
Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google: four companies, four instincts, one trillion-dollar playbook.
by Scott Galloway 2017 320 pages
3.83
19k+ ratings
Why I Am An Atheist
by Bhagat Singh • 1931
Facing execution at 23, he wrote his final testament: no God, no regret, only revolution.
4.43
6k+
Why I Am An Atheist Summary
Why I Am An Atheist
Facing execution at 23, he wrote his final testament: no God, no regret, only revolution.
by Bhagat Singh 1931 91 pages
4.43
6k+ ratings
Leadership
by James MacGregor Burns • 2010
Leadership transforms both leader and follower; power just moves the pieces.
3.85
498
Leadership Summary
Leadership
Leadership transforms both leader and follower; power just moves the pieces.
by James MacGregor Burns 2010 544 pages
3.85
498 ratings
A Thousand Plateaus
by Gilles Deleuze • 1980
All of Western thought is a tree. Two French philosophers found the off-switch: the root network.
4.33
7k+
A Thousand Plateaus Summary
A Thousand Plateaus
All of Western thought is a tree. Two French philosophers found the off-switch: the root network.
by Gilles Deleuze 1980 632 pages
4.33
7k+ ratings
Too Big to Fail
by Andrew Ross Sorkin • 2009
The weekend Lehman fell: frantic phone calls, shattered egos, and a global economy on the brink.
4.16
43k+
Too Big to Fail Summary
Too Big to Fail
The weekend Lehman fell: frantic phone calls, shattered egos, and a global economy on the brink.
by Andrew Ross Sorkin 2009 813 pages
4.16
43k+ ratings
AI Needs You
by Verity Harding • 2024
AI won't be fixed by engineers alone: history shows democratic boundaries spark best breakthroughs.
3.55
259
AI Needs You Summary
AI Needs You
AI won't be fixed by engineers alone: history shows democratic boundaries spark best breakthroughs.
by Verity Harding 2024 288 pages
3.55
259 ratings
The Human Condition
by Hannah Arendt • 1958
The Greeks built freedom on escaping necessity. Modern society made necessity the highest good.
4.20
9k+
The Human Condition Summary
The Human Condition
The Greeks built freedom on escaping necessity. Modern society made necessity the highest good.
by Hannah Arendt 1958 349 pages
4.20
9k+ ratings
God Emperor of Dune
by Frank Herbert • 1981
A human-sandworm god has ruled space for 3,500 years. His bloodline now aims to kill him.
3.88
100k+
God Emperor of Dune Summary
God Emperor of Dune
A human-sandworm god has ruled space for 3,500 years. His bloodline now aims to kill him.
by Frank Herbert 1981 587 pages
3.88
100k+ ratings
Cicero
by Anthony Everitt • 2001
A provincial outsider became Rome's most powerful voice. He still could not save the Republic.
3.90
8k+
Cicero Summary
Cicero
A provincial outsider became Rome's most powerful voice. He still could not save the Republic.
by Anthony Everitt 2001 400 pages
3.90
8k+ ratings
1984
by SparkNotes • 2014
Orwell's 1984 decoded: surveillance, mind control, and the language that makes them possible.
4.30
10k+
1984 Summary
1984
Orwell's 1984 decoded: surveillance, mind control, and the language that makes them possible.
by SparkNotes 2014 80 pages
4.30
10k+ ratings
The Muqaddimah
by Ibn Khaldun • 1377
A 14th-century scholar mapped the hidden laws that make every dynasty rise and crumble.
4.30
4k+
The Muqaddimah Summary
The Muqaddimah
A 14th-century scholar mapped the hidden laws that make every dynasty rise and crumble.
by Ibn Khaldun 1377 480 pages
4.30
4k+ ratings
The Small and the Mighty
by Sharon McMahon • 2024
The Preamble's author is forgotten. So are eleven other Americans who bent history.
4.37
42k+
The Small and the Mighty Summary
The Small and the Mighty
The Preamble's author is forgotten. So are eleven other Americans who bent history.
by Sharon McMahon 2024 307 pages
4.37
42k+ ratings
Debt
by David Graeber • 2011
Barter never happened. Credit predates coinage, and debt is how violence became morality.
4.21
27k+
Debt Summary
Debt
Barter never happened. Credit predates coinage, and debt is how violence became morality.
by David Graeber 2011 576 pages
4.21
27k+ ratings
The Great Divergence
by Kenneth Pomeranz • 2000
Europe's industrial breakthrough wasn't its own genius. It took colonial land and underground coal.
3.68
1k+
The Great Divergence Summary
The Great Divergence
Europe's industrial breakthrough wasn't its own genius. It took colonial land and underground coal.
by Kenneth Pomeranz 2000 392 pages
3.68
1k+ ratings
Children of Dune
by Frank Herbert • 1976
Paul Atreides's twins see humanity's doom. To prevent it, one must choose to become a monster.
3.95
200k+
Children of Dune Summary
Children of Dune
Paul Atreides's twins see humanity's doom. To prevent it, one must choose to become a monster.
by Frank Herbert 1976 609 pages
3.95
200k+ ratings
The Entrepreneurial State
by Mariana Mazzucato • 2011
The state funded the tech inside every iPhone. The private sector took the credit.
3.94
3k+
The Entrepreneurial State Summary
The Entrepreneurial State
The state funded the tech inside every iPhone. The private sector took the credit.
by Mariana Mazzucato 2011 266 pages
3.94
3k+ ratings
Blind Spots
by Marty Makary • 2024
Peanut avoidance caused an epidemic. Hormone therapy wrongly abandoned. The errors follow a pattern.
4.34
4k+
Blind Spots Summary
Blind Spots
Peanut avoidance caused an epidemic. Hormone therapy wrongly abandoned. The errors follow a pattern.
by Marty Makary 2024 288 pages
4.34
4k+ ratings
Skin in the Game
by Nassim Nicholas Taleb • 2018
Decision-makers who never face consequences wreck systems. The ancient principle modernity forgot.
3.91
32k+
Skin in the Game Summary
Skin in the Game
Decision-makers who never face consequences wreck systems. The ancient principle modernity forgot.
by Nassim Nicholas Taleb 2018 304 pages
3.91
32k+ ratings
Utilitarianism
by John Stuart Mill • 1861
Happiness is the test of right and wrong. The harder question: which pleasures actually count.
3.68
25k+
Utilitarianism Summary
Utilitarianism
Happiness is the test of right and wrong. The harder question: which pleasures actually count.
by John Stuart Mill 1861 71 pages
3.68
25k+ ratings
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