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Politics Book Summaries

The Great Façade
by Christopher A. Ferrara • 2002
Empty seminaries, liturgical chaos, missionary collapse: not despite Vatican II, but because of it.
4.30
77
The Great Façade Summary
The Great Façade
Empty seminaries, liturgical chaos, missionary collapse: not despite Vatican II, but because of it.
by Christopher A. Ferrara 2002 576 pages
4.30
77 ratings
The Development of the Modern State
by Gianfranco Poggi • 1978
How the modern state, from feudalism to liberalism, created its own crisis of legitimacy.
3.48
86
The Development of the Modern State Summary
The Development of the Modern State
How the modern state, from feudalism to liberalism, created its own crisis of legitimacy.
by Gianfranco Poggi 1978 191 pages
3.48
86 ratings
La science politique
by Philippe Braud • 1986
Elections are spectacle; political science studies the regulation of conflict beneath.
3
13
La science politique Summary
La science politique
Elections are spectacle; political science studies the regulation of conflict beneath.
by Philippe Braud 1986 127 pages
3
13 ratings
Unusually Cruel
by Marc Morjé Howard • 2017
Ten times the prisoners of Europe, and not because of crime: four forces behind American punishment.
4.39
41
Unusually Cruel Summary
Unusually Cruel
Ten times the prisoners of Europe, and not because of crime: four forces behind American punishment.
by Marc Morjé Howard 2017 296 pages
4.39
41 ratings
The Black Hand
by Stephan Talty • 2017
One NYPD detective took on the Black Hand. His bosses barely cared if his people survived.
3.63
2k+
The Black Hand Summary
The Black Hand
One NYPD detective took on the Black Hand. His bosses barely cared if his people survived.
by Stephan Talty 2017 298 pages
3.63
2k+ ratings
Southern Politics In State and Nation
by V.O. Key Jr. • 1949
One party masks a hundred factions; the only unity is Black voter suppression.
4.32
100
Southern Politics In State and Nation Summary
Southern Politics In State and Nation
One party masks a hundred factions; the only unity is Black voter suppression.
by V.O. Key Jr. 1949 752 pages
4.32
100 ratings
Too Big to Fail
by Gary H. Stern • 2004
Policymakers always blink when big banks teeter. The fix borrows from how Volcker broke inflation.
3.60
25
Too Big to Fail Summary
Too Big to Fail
Policymakers always blink when big banks teeter. The fix borrows from how Volcker broke inflation.
by Gary H. Stern 2004 230 pages
3.60
25 ratings
The Limits to Growth
by Donella H. Meadows • 1972
Exponential growth meets a finite planet: overshoot, collapse. The math hasn't changed since 1972.
4.17
500+
The Limits to Growth Summary
The Limits to Growth
Exponential growth meets a finite planet: overshoot, collapse. The math hasn't changed since 1972.
by Donella H. Meadows 1972 207 pages
4.17
500+ ratings
Electoral Systems and Party Systems
by Arend Lijphart • 1994
Across twenty-seven democracies, one design rule predicts electoral fairness best.
3.35
37
Electoral Systems and Party Systems Summary
Electoral Systems and Party Systems
Across twenty-seven democracies, one design rule predicts electoral fairness best.
by Arend Lijphart 1994 228 pages
3.35
37 ratings
Nothing Like It in the World
by Stephen E. Ambrose • 2000
Shopkeepers, swindlers, and immigrant armies: the men who punched a railroad through a continent.
3.99
14k+
Nothing Like It in the World Summary
Nothing Like It in the World
Shopkeepers, swindlers, and immigrant armies: the men who punched a railroad through a continent.
by Stephen E. Ambrose 2000 432 pages
3.99
14k+ ratings
Uneasy Alliances
by Paul Frymer • 1999
The two-party system sidelines race by design, taking its most loyal voters for granted.
3.85
33
Uneasy Alliances Summary
Uneasy Alliances
The two-party system sidelines race by design, taking its most loyal voters for granted.
by Paul Frymer 1999 224 pages
3.85
33 ratings
What a Carve Up!
by Jonathan Coe • 1994
A lonely biographer uncovers how one family's greed poisoned Britain, then the murders start.
4.11
13k+
What a Carve Up! Summary
What a Carve Up!
A lonely biographer uncovers how one family's greed poisoned Britain, then the murders start.
by Jonathan Coe 1994 501 pages
4.11
13k+ ratings
Lights Out
by Ted Koppel • 2015
A grid cyberattack could kill most Americans in a year; no agency has a plan.
3.71
5k+
Lights Out Summary
Lights Out
A grid cyberattack could kill most Americans in a year; no agency has a plan.
by Ted Koppel 2015 279 pages
3.71
5k+ ratings
Making Race and Nation
by Anthony W. Marx • 1997
To unify warring whites, America and South Africa traded black rights. Brazil chose a quieter cage.
3.89
109
Making Race and Nation Summary
Making Race and Nation
To unify warring whites, America and South Africa traded black rights. Brazil chose a quieter cage.
by Anthony W. Marx 1997 412 pages
3.89
109 ratings
Internal Improvement
by John Lauritz Larson • 2001
Public works were meant to knit the early republic together. Private capital drew the map instead.
3.73
33
Internal Improvement Summary
Internal Improvement
Public works were meant to knit the early republic together. Private capital drew the map instead.
by John Lauritz Larson 2001 342 pages
3.73
33 ratings
The Ideological Origins of American Federalism
by Alison L. LaCroix • 2010
American federalism was born of protest, not design; courts enforce it since the convention refused.
3.52
31
The Ideological Origins of American Federalism Summary
The Ideological Origins of American Federalism
American federalism was born of protest, not design; courts enforce it since the convention refused.
by Alison L. LaCroix 2010 320 pages
3.52
31 ratings
Legitimacy in Liberal Democracies
by Benjamin M. Studebaker • 2024
Democracies survive today not by solving problems but by multiplying stories about why they can't.
4.60
15
Legitimacy in Liberal Democracies Summary
Legitimacy in Liberal Democracies
Democracies survive today not by solving problems but by multiplying stories about why they can't.
by Benjamin M. Studebaker 2024 208 pages
4.60
15 ratings
The Left Behind
by Robert Wuthnow • 2018
Rural America's anger is grief: not for lost jobs, but for communities where belonging meant duty.
3.58
500+
The Left Behind Summary
The Left Behind
Rural America's anger is grief: not for lost jobs, but for communities where belonging meant duty.
by Robert Wuthnow 2018 200 pages
3.58
500+ ratings
The Watchman's Rattle
by Rebecca D. Costa • 2009
Civilizations do not fail from scarcity or war. They fail when problems outthink brains.
3.96
500+
The Watchman's Rattle Summary
The Watchman's Rattle
Civilizations do not fail from scarcity or war. They fail when problems outthink brains.
by Rebecca D. Costa 2009 347 pages
3.96
500+ ratings
Exceptional America
by Mugambi Jouet • 2017
Why the richest democracy has the most prisoners, the angriest politics, and the fiercest faith.
3.98
51
Exceptional America Summary
Exceptional America
Why the richest democracy has the most prisoners, the angriest politics, and the fiercest faith.
by Mugambi Jouet 2017 358 pages
3.98
51 ratings
Lessons in Power
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes • 2016
She fixes D.C.'s teenage elite. Then murder hits her school, and the killers are already inside.
4.31
12k+
Lessons in Power Summary
Lessons in Power
She fixes D.C.'s teenage elite. Then murder hits her school, and the killers are already inside.
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes 2016 363 pages
4.31
12k+ ratings
How Global Currencies Work
by Barry Eichengreen • 2017
The dollar surpassed sterling in the 1920s, not the 1940s. One-currency dominance was always a myth.
3.60
89
How Global Currencies Work Summary
How Global Currencies Work
The dollar surpassed sterling in the 1920s, not the 1940s. One-currency dominance was always a myth.
by Barry Eichengreen 2017 272 pages
3.60
89 ratings
The Girls Who Went Away
by Ann Fessler • 2006
A million and a half women surrendered babies before Roe. What we believe about them is wrong.
4.24
11k+
The Girls Who Went Away Summary
The Girls Who Went Away
A million and a half women surrendered babies before Roe. What we believe about them is wrong.
by Ann Fessler 2006 354 pages
4.24
11k+ ratings
What to Eat Now
by Marion Nestle • 2025
Every supermarket aisle is engineered by an industry that profits from your confusion.
4.04
292
What to Eat Now Summary
What to Eat Now
Every supermarket aisle is engineered by an industry that profits from your confusion.
by Marion Nestle 2025 681 pages
4.04
292 ratings
American Poison
by Eduardo Porter • 2020
White America starved the safety net to keep it from minorities. Then inequality came for everyone.
3.91
270
American Poison Summary
American Poison
White America starved the safety net to keep it from minorities. Then inequality came for everyone.
by Eduardo Porter 2020 272 pages
3.91
270 ratings
Archontas
by Catherine Fisher • 2003
Her Oracle lies. She carries the god's voice. A silver map points into the desert.
3.90
1k+
Archontas Summary
Archontas
Her Oracle lies. She carries the god's voice. A silver map points into the desert.
by Catherine Fisher 2003 422 pages
3.90
1k+ ratings
Eureka!
by Peter V. Jones • 2014
Never a nation, always a competition. The story of ancient Greece that skips the boring parts.
3.53
445
Eureka! Summary
Eureka!
Never a nation, always a competition. The story of ancient Greece that skips the boring parts.
by Peter V. Jones 2014 372 pages
3.53
445 ratings
Talking to the Enemy
by Scott Atran • 2010
They don't kill for virgins or ideology. They kill for friends, and logic can't stop them.
3.95
288
Talking to the Enemy Summary
Talking to the Enemy
They don't kill for virgins or ideology. They kill for friends, and logic can't stop them.
by Scott Atran 2010 581 pages
3.95
288 ratings
Creating a New Racial Order
by Jennifer L. Hochschild • 2012
Genomics and a new generation erode racial boundaries. Poverty and prisons redraw them.
3.37
19
Creating a New Racial Order Summary
Creating a New Racial Order
Genomics and a new generation erode racial boundaries. Poverty and prisons redraw them.
by Jennifer L. Hochschild 2012 280 pages
3.37
19 ratings
The Curse of God
by Harris Sultan • 2018
Predatory prophet, flawed scripture, impossible god: an ex-Muslim states the case against Islam.
3.91
159
The Curse of God Summary
The Curse of God
Predatory prophet, flawed scripture, impossible god: an ex-Muslim states the case against Islam.
by Harris Sultan 2018 250 pages
3.91
159 ratings
Economics
by Philip Coggan • 2025
A guide to the forces that set interest rates, open borders, and determine who gets hired.
3.84
37
Economics Summary
Economics
A guide to the forces that set interest rates, open borders, and determine who gets hired.
by Philip Coggan 2025 320 pages
3.84
37 ratings
Everything for Sale
by Robert Kuttner • 1997
Every real market depends on rules it cannot create, and a democracy it can easily consume.
3.94
80
Everything for Sale Summary
Everything for Sale
Every real market depends on rules it cannot create, and a democracy it can easily consume.
by Robert Kuttner 1997 410 pages
3.94
80 ratings
The Securitarian Personality
by John R. Hibbing • 2020
Trump's most loyal voters aren't authoritarians. An ancient instinct to guard their own drives them.
3.66
29
The Securitarian Personality Summary
The Securitarian Personality
Trump's most loyal voters aren't authoritarians. An ancient instinct to guard their own drives them.
by John R. Hibbing 2020 304 pages
3.66
29 ratings
Dedication and Leadership
by Douglas Arnold Hyde • 1956
An ex-Communist exposes the methods that let a tiny minority capture a third of the world.
4.18
275
Dedication and Leadership Summary
Dedication and Leadership
An ex-Communist exposes the methods that let a tiny minority capture a third of the world.
by Douglas Arnold Hyde 1956 160 pages
4.18
275 ratings
Systems Thinking for Sustainable Development
by Edward Saja Sanneh • 2018
Energy, water, health, and waste are one system. Solve them separately and each solution unravels.
4.00
2
Systems Thinking for Sustainable Development Summary
Systems Thinking for Sustainable Development
Energy, water, health, and waste are one system. Solve them separately and each solution unravels.
by Edward Saja Sanneh 2018 206 pages
4.00
2 ratings
Bête noire
by Éric Dupond-Moretti • 2012
In French courts, judges shield their own, experts peddle junk, and acquittals mean war.
3.80
186
Bête noire Summary
Bête noire
In French courts, judges shield their own, experts peddle junk, and acquittals mean war.
by Éric Dupond-Moretti 2012 248 pages
3.80
186 ratings
The Black Messiah
by Albert B. Cleage Jr. • 1989
Jesus was a Black revolutionary. Paul built a slave religion on his grave.
4.35
17
The Black Messiah Summary
The Black Messiah
Jesus was a Black revolutionary. Paul built a slave religion on his grave.
by Albert B. Cleage Jr. 1989 278 pages
4.35
17 ratings
Mind Manipulation
by Haha Lung • 2001
Five emotions every manipulator exploits: a ninja playbook for spotting and shutting them down.
3.69
310
Mind Manipulation Summary
Mind Manipulation
Five emotions every manipulator exploits: a ninja playbook for spotting and shutting them down.
by Haha Lung 2001
3.69
310 ratings
Anatomy of an Epidemic
by Robert Whitaker • 2010
Mental disability rates spiked after psychiatric drugs became standard. The cure may be the cause.
4.15
4k+
Anatomy of an Epidemic Summary
Anatomy of an Epidemic
Mental disability rates spiked after psychiatric drugs became standard. The cure may be the cause.
by Robert Whitaker 2010 404 pages
4.15
4k+ ratings
Hacking the Electorate
by Eitan D. Hersh • 2015
Campaigns see you through public records, not profiles. State data laws decide who gets mobilized.
3.84
55
Hacking the Electorate Summary
Hacking the Electorate
Campaigns see you through public records, not profiles. State data laws decide who gets mobilized.
by Eitan D. Hersh 2015 270 pages
3.84
55 ratings
Vulture Capitalism
by Grace Blakeley • 2024
The free market is a myth: the economy is planned by oligarchs and serves only them.
4.15
2k+
Vulture Capitalism Summary
Vulture Capitalism
The free market is a myth: the economy is planned by oligarchs and serves only them.
by Grace Blakeley 2024 360 pages
4.15
2k+ ratings
Presidents, Populism, and the Crisis of Democracy
by William G. Howell • 2020
The Constitution was designed for inaction; that structural flaw now fuels populist demagogues.
3.87
82
Presidents, Populism, and the Crisis of Democracy Summary
Presidents, Populism, and the Crisis of Democracy
The Constitution was designed for inaction; that structural flaw now fuels populist demagogues.
by William G. Howell 2020 256 pages
3.87
82 ratings
Structuring the State
by Daniel Ziblatt • 2006
Prussia built a federation; Piedmont imposed unity. The reason is institutional, not military.
3.53
15
Structuring the State Summary
Structuring the State
Prussia built a federation; Piedmont imposed unity. The reason is institutional, not military.
by Daniel Ziblatt 2006 288 pages
3.53
15 ratings
Iran and Israel
by Mark Hitchcock • 2013
Iran gets the bomb, Israel strikes, Russia invades: the sequence Ezekiel predicted 2,600 years ago.
3.78
46
Iran and Israel Summary
Iran and Israel
Iran gets the bomb, Israel strikes, Russia invades: the sequence Ezekiel predicted 2,600 years ago.
by Mark Hitchcock 2013 224 pages
3.78
46 ratings
Nation on the Take
by Wendell Potter • 2016
Six billion dollars bought the 2012 election. This is what the donors got for their money.
3.97
126
Nation on the Take Summary
Nation on the Take
Six billion dollars bought the 2012 election. This is what the donors got for their money.
by Wendell Potter 2016 288 pages
3.97
126 ratings
The Urge
by Carl Erik Fisher • 2022
Addiction is an ancient divided self, stoked by industry and racial policy into a modern crisis.
4.03
2k+
The Urge Summary
The Urge
Addiction is an ancient divided self, stoked by industry and racial policy into a modern crisis.
by Carl Erik Fisher 2022 400 pages
4.03
2k+ ratings
Enough Already
by Scott Horton • 2021
9/11 was a trap, and the War on Terror was the overreaction al Qaeda had counted on.
4.61
500+
Enough Already Summary
Enough Already
9/11 was a trap, and the War on Terror was the overreaction al Qaeda had counted on.
by Scott Horton 2021 332 pages
4.61
500+ ratings
Destructive Trends in Mental Health
by Rogers H. Wright • 2005
Therapy now invents disorders, buries science, and rewards victimhood. Patients pay the price.
3.95
21
Destructive Trends in Mental Health Summary
Destructive Trends in Mental Health
Therapy now invents disorders, buries science, and rewards victimhood. Patients pay the price.
by Rogers H. Wright 2005 384 pages
3.95
21 ratings
Hitler e le teorie del complotto
by Richard J. Evans • 2020
Five Hitler conspiracy theories, dissected: they all share a logic that makes facts irrelevant.
3.84
500+
Hitler e le teorie del complotto Summary
Hitler e le teorie del complotto
Five Hitler conspiracy theories, dissected: they all share a logic that makes facts irrelevant.
by Richard J. Evans 2020 350 pages
3.84
500+ ratings
When the People Speak
by James S. Fishkin • 2009
Democracy's dirty secret: a few hundred informed citizens reason better than millions.
3.76
49
When the People Speak Summary
When the People Speak
Democracy's dirty secret: a few hundred informed citizens reason better than millions.
by James S. Fishkin 2009 256 pages
3.76
49 ratings
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