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Theory Book Summaries

Physics and Philosophy
by Werner Heisenberg • 1958
Observation doesn't just reveal reality at the quantum scale: it helps decide what becomes real.
4.03
3k+
Physics and Philosophy Summary
Physics and Philosophy
Observation doesn't just reveal reality at the quantum scale: it helps decide what becomes real.
by Werner Heisenberg 1958 176 pages
4.03
3k+ ratings
Lectures on the Will to Know
by Michel Foucault • 2014
Truth is manufactured. Its machinery runs on power, and someone always guards the door.
4.26
242
Lectures on the Will to Know Summary
Lectures on the Will to Know
Truth is manufactured. Its machinery runs on power, and someone always guards the door.
by Michel Foucault 2014 293 pages
4.26
242 ratings
Writing and Difference
by Jacques Derrida • 1967
Structuralism loved the architecture of texts. One philosopher asked where the energy went.
4.00
7k+
Writing and Difference Summary
Writing and Difference
Structuralism loved the architecture of texts. One philosopher asked where the energy went.
by Jacques Derrida 1967 362 pages
4.00
7k+ ratings
Monopoly Capital
by Paul A. Baran • 1966
A surplus the system cannot absorb: monopoly capitalism's real engine is not production, but waste.
4.20
276
Monopoly Capital Summary
Monopoly Capital
A surplus the system cannot absorb: monopoly capitalism's real engine is not production, but waste.
by Paul A. Baran 1966 416 pages
4.20
276 ratings
Trouble in Paradise
by Slavoj Žižek • 2014
Financial crises don't break capitalism. They renew it. The way out was buried on purpose.
3.73
1k+
Trouble in Paradise Summary
Trouble in Paradise
Financial crises don't break capitalism. They renew it. The way out was buried on purpose.
by Slavoj Žižek 2014 272 pages
3.73
1k+ ratings
The Return of Depression Economics and the Crisis of 2008
by Paul Krugman • 2008
2008 was not new. It was Japan's lost decade and Asia's meltdown, repeated.
3.83
8k+
The Return of Depression Economics and the Crisis of 2008 Summary
The Return of Depression Economics and the Crisis of 2008
2008 was not new. It was Japan's lost decade and Asia's meltdown, repeated.
by Paul Krugman 2008 224 pages
3.83
8k+ ratings
A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful
by Edmund Burke • 1757
Terror produces the sublime. Smoothness and delicacy produce the beautiful. Two instincts, not one.
3.69
2k+
A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful Summary
A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful
Terror produces the sublime. Smoothness and delicacy produce the beautiful. Two instincts, not one.
by Edmund Burke 1757 208 pages
3.69
2k+ ratings
The Closing of the American Mind
by Allan Bloom • 1988
A dogma that all truths are equal has hollowed the American mind, starting on campus.
3.76
6k+
The Closing of the American Mind Summary
The Closing of the American Mind
A dogma that all truths are equal has hollowed the American mind, starting on campus.
by Allan Bloom 1988 392 pages
3.76
6k+ ratings
The German Ideology / Theses on Feuerbach / Introduction to the Critique of Political Economy
by Karl Marx • 1846
History's engine is not ideas but the struggle over who controls the tools of survival.
4.13
5k+
The German Ideology / Theses on Feuerbach / Introduction to the Critique of Political Economy Summary
The German Ideology / Theses on Feuerbach / Introduction to the Critique of Political Economy
History's engine is not ideas but the struggle over who controls the tools of survival.
by Karl Marx 1846 584 pages
4.13
5k+ ratings
Gaga Feminism
by J. Jack Halberstam • 2012
Normal failed. A weirder, messier feminism built on performance, chaos, and political disruption.
3.56
500+
Gaga Feminism Summary
Gaga Feminism
Normal failed. A weirder, messier feminism built on performance, chaos, and political disruption.
by J. Jack Halberstam 2012 232 pages
3.56
500+ ratings
Rozdělené Self
by R.D. Laing • 1960
Schizophrenia begins as a solution: a last defense against the terror of not feeling real.
4.11
6k+
Rozdělené Self Summary
Rozdělené Self
Schizophrenia begins as a solution: a last defense against the terror of not feeling real.
by R.D. Laing 1960 230 pages
4.11
6k+ ratings
Socialism
by Friedrich Engels • 1880
Socialism is not a dream: it is the scientific endpoint of capitalism's own contradictions.
4.26
9k+
Socialism Summary
Socialism
Socialism is not a dream: it is the scientific endpoint of capitalism's own contradictions.
by Friedrich Engels 1880 86 pages
4.26
9k+ ratings
The Eye of Spirit
by Ken Wilber • 1997
Reality has four faces. Most arguments happen because we each stare at a different one.
4.17
277
The Eye of Spirit Summary
The Eye of Spirit
Reality has four faces. Most arguments happen because we each stare at a different one.
by Ken Wilber 1997 456 pages
4.17
277 ratings
Mind
by John Rogers Searle • 2004
Neither ghost nor computer: consciousness is a biological fact and its feel can't be explained away.
3.86
500+
Mind Summary
Mind
Neither ghost nor computer: consciousness is a biological fact and its feel can't be explained away.
by John Rogers Searle 2004 224 pages
3.86
500+ ratings
Metaphysics
by Michael J. Loux • 1997
From universals to time: the central problems of metaphysics, mapped for the first-time student.
3.93
354
Metaphysics Summary
Metaphysics
From universals to time: the central problems of metaphysics, mapped for the first-time student.
by Michael J. Loux 1997 328 pages
3.93
354 ratings
The Lonely Voice
by Frank O'Connor • 1961
The short story speaks for the outsider the novel was never built to see.
3.89
246
The Lonely Voice Summary
The Lonely Voice
The short story speaks for the outsider the novel was never built to see.
by Frank O'Connor 1961 224 pages
3.89
246 ratings
The Reactionary Mind
by Corey Robin • 2011
Conservatism is the counterrevolution: a history of the right borrowing from the left to defeat it.
3.94
2k+
The Reactionary Mind Summary
The Reactionary Mind
Conservatism is the counterrevolution: a history of the right borrowing from the left to defeat it.
by Corey Robin 2011 290 pages
3.94
2k+ ratings
Teaching as a Subversive Activity
by Neil Postman • 1969
School's hidden curriculum is obedience. The real subject: learning what to disbelieve.
4.21
1k+
Teaching as a Subversive Activity Summary
Teaching as a Subversive Activity
School's hidden curriculum is obedience. The real subject: learning what to disbelieve.
by Neil Postman 1969 240 pages
4.21
1k+ ratings
Philosophy
by Edward Craig • 2002
You already ask philosophy's three questions. Here is a pocket guide to 2,500 years of answers.
3.70
2k+
Philosophy Summary
Philosophy
You already ask philosophy's three questions. Here is a pocket guide to 2,500 years of answers.
by Edward Craig 2002 132 pages
3.70
2k+ ratings
Theories of International Relations
by Andrew Linklater • 1996
Thirteen competing theories of global politics, and why a single lens is never enough.
3.89
444
Theories of International Relations Summary
Theories of International Relations
Thirteen competing theories of global politics, and why a single lens is never enough.
by Andrew Linklater 1996 310 pages
3.89
444 ratings
After Capitalism
by David Schweickart • 2002
After capitalism: a blueprint where workers run firms and the public steers investment.
3.98
250
After Capitalism Summary
After Capitalism
After capitalism: a blueprint where workers run firms and the public steers investment.
by David Schweickart 2002 224 pages
3.98
250 ratings
Greatness and Limitations of Freud's Thought
by Erich Fromm • 1979
Freud revealed the irrational mind. His followers turned a radical theory into conformity training.
3.79
220
Greatness and Limitations of Freud's Thought Summary
Greatness and Limitations of Freud's Thought
Freud revealed the irrational mind. His followers turned a radical theory into conformity training.
by Erich Fromm 1979 148 pages
3.79
220 ratings
Quantum
by Manjit Kumar • 2007
Einstein and Bohr's 30-year argument revealed a universe stranger than either could accept.
4.27
10k+
Quantum Summary
Quantum
Einstein and Bohr's 30-year argument revealed a universe stranger than either could accept.
by Manjit Kumar 2007 448 pages
4.27
10k+ ratings
What Has Government Done to Our Money?
by Murray N. Rothbard • 2018
Why gold became money, how governments broke it, and the tax nobody sees coming.
4.31
500+
What Has Government Done to Our Money? Summary
What Has Government Done to Our Money?
Why gold became money, how governments broke it, and the tax nobody sees coming.
by Murray N. Rothbard 2018 116 pages
4.31
500+ ratings
The Mechanical Mind
by Tim Crane • 1996
Can a physical brain represent things outside itself? The foundational puzzle of cognitive science.
3.66
214
The Mechanical Mind Summary
The Mechanical Mind
Can a physical brain represent things outside itself? The foundational puzzle of cognitive science.
by Tim Crane 1996 272 pages
3.66
214 ratings
Fanged Noumena
by Nick Land • 2011
The future is a virus that has already infected the present. The host will not survive.
3.85
1k+
Fanged Noumena Summary
Fanged Noumena
The future is a virus that has already infected the present. The host will not survive.
by Nick Land 2011 666 pages
3.85
1k+ ratings
Sex, Ecology, Spirituality
by Ken Wilber • 1995
Evolution doesn't stop at biology: the same pattern drives matter into life, mind, and spirit.
4.36
1k+
Sex, Ecology, Spirituality Summary
Sex, Ecology, Spirituality
Evolution doesn't stop at biology: the same pattern drives matter into life, mind, and spirit.
by Ken Wilber 1995 884 pages
4.36
1k+ ratings
Race Marxism
by James Lindsay • 2022
Critical race theory is Marxism rebuilt around race, and its goal is not reform but revolution.
4.23
364
Race Marxism Summary
Race Marxism
Critical race theory is Marxism rebuilt around race, and its goal is not reform but revolution.
by James Lindsay 2022 357 pages
4.23
364 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
Coercion, Capital, and European States, A.D. 990-1992
by Charles Tilly • 1990
The state that best combined armies and taxation won Europe. That formula is now failing.
4.09
500+
Coercion, Capital, and European States, A.D. 990-1992 Summary
Coercion, Capital, and European States, A.D. 990-1992
The state that best combined armies and taxation won Europe. That formula is now failing.
by Charles Tilly 1990 288 pages
4.09
500+ 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
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
Introduction to Metaphysics
by Martin Heidegger • 1929
Before any science, one question: what does it mean to exist? Philosophy forgot, and reality shrank.
4.03
4k+
Introduction to Metaphysics Summary
Introduction to Metaphysics
Before any science, one question: what does it mean to exist? Philosophy forgot, and reality shrank.
by Martin Heidegger 1929 254 pages
4.03
4k+ 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
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
Carmide
by Plato
What is temperance? The pursuit leads Socrates to ask whether knowledge can study only itself.
3.53
1k+
Carmide Summary
Carmide
What is temperance? The pursuit leads Socrates to ask whether knowledge can study only itself.
by Plato
3.53
1k+ ratings
Ethics
by Baruch Spinoza • 1677
God and nature are one; free will, an illusion. Freedom is grasping the causes that move you.
4.10
21k+
Ethics Summary
Ethics
God and nature are one; free will, an illusion. Freedom is grasping the causes that move you.
by Baruch Spinoza 1677 186 pages
4.10
21k+ ratings
Introductory Lectures on Aesthetics
by Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel • 2004
Art makes truth visible, but the age when it could fully satisfy the spirit is over.
3.89
1k+
Introductory Lectures on Aesthetics Summary
Introductory Lectures on Aesthetics
Art makes truth visible, but the age when it could fully satisfy the spirit is over.
by Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel 2004 197 pages
3.89
1k+ ratings
Methodology of the Oppressed
by Chela Sandoval • 2000
The West just discovered fragmentation. The oppressed call it home, and they have a manual.
4.15
408
Methodology of the Oppressed Summary
Methodology of the Oppressed
The West just discovered fragmentation. The oppressed call it home, and they have a manual.
by Chela Sandoval 2000 232 pages
4.15
408 ratings
The True Life
by Alain Badiou • 2016
A philosopher's diagnosis: boys can't become men, girls lose girlhood; the solution is corruption.
3.61
500+
The True Life Summary
The True Life
A philosopher's diagnosis: boys can't become men, girls lose girlhood; the solution is corruption.
by Alain Badiou 2016 80 pages
3.61
500+ ratings
Innate
by Kevin J. Mitchell • 2018
Genes and chance wire your brain; experience amplifies the differences, never erases them.
4.14
500+
Innate Summary
Innate
Genes and chance wire your brain; experience amplifies the differences, never erases them.
by Kevin J. Mitchell 2018 304 pages
4.14
500+ ratings
Keynes
by Robert Skidelsky • 2010
Keynes's core claim: saving too much makes everyone poorer, and only government spending can fix it.
3.45
184
Keynes Summary
Keynes
Keynes's core claim: saving too much makes everyone poorer, and only government spending can fix it.
by Robert Skidelsky 2010 208 pages
3.45
184 ratings
Essential Works of Lenin
by Vladimir Lenin • 1964
Monopoly, finance capital, and empire: Lenin's thesis on capitalism's inevitable last chapter.
4.11
500+
Essential Works of Lenin Summary
Essential Works of Lenin
Monopoly, finance capital, and empire: Lenin's thesis on capitalism's inevitable last chapter.
by Vladimir Lenin 1964 400 pages
4.11
500+ ratings
Killing the Host
by Michael Hudson • 2013
Debt inflates wealth, then crushes the real economy; the 2008 bailouts saved the wrong patient.
4.34
387
Killing the Host Summary
Killing the Host
Debt inflates wealth, then crushes the real economy; the 2008 bailouts saved the wrong patient.
by Michael Hudson 2013 400 pages
4.34
387 ratings
Benjamin Graham on Investing
by Benjamin Graham • 2009
Original writings from the father of value investing: how to spot bargains the market has missed.
4.45
430
Benjamin Graham on Investing Summary
Benjamin Graham on Investing
Original writings from the father of value investing: how to spot bargains the market has missed.
by Benjamin Graham 2009 416 pages
4.45
430 ratings
Gravitation and Cosmology
by Steven Weinberg • 1972
A textbook that doesn't ask you to imagine curved spacetime; it proves you can't avoid it.
4.50
177
Gravitation and Cosmology Summary
Gravitation and Cosmology
A textbook that doesn't ask you to imagine curved spacetime; it proves you can't avoid it.
by Steven Weinberg 1972 688 pages
4.50
177 ratings
Political Ecology
by Paul Robbins • 2004
Environmental problems are political problems. A critical field guide to the tools that prove it.
3.92
208
Political Ecology Summary
Political Ecology
Environmental problems are political problems. A critical field guide to the tools that prove it.
by Paul Robbins 2004 242 pages
3.92
208 ratings
Realpolitik
by John Bew • 2015
Realpolitik was a liberal reformer's idea before Bismarck hijacked it. What was lost.
3.94
161
Realpolitik Summary
Realpolitik
Realpolitik was a liberal reformer's idea before Bismarck hijacked it. What was lost.
by John Bew 2015 408 pages
3.94
161 ratings
Deliverance and Spiritual Warfare Manual
by John Eckhardt • 2014
No market, no prices. No prices, no economic calculus. That's why socialism devours its own capital.
4.63
345
Deliverance and Spiritual Warfare Manual Summary
Deliverance and Spiritual Warfare Manual
No market, no prices. No prices, no economic calculus. That's why socialism devours its own capital.
by John Eckhardt 2014 272 pages
4.63
345 ratings
Modern Money Theory
by L. Randall Wray • 2012
Taxes don't pay for government. They make its currency desirable. The real rules start from there.
4.22
327
Modern Money Theory Summary
Modern Money Theory
Taxes don't pay for government. They make its currency desirable. The real rules start from there.
by L. Randall Wray 2012 294 pages
4.22
327 ratings
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