Start free trial
EnglishEnglish
EspañolSpanish
简体中文Chinese
繁體中文Chinese (Traditional)
FrançaisFrench
DeutschGerman
日本語Japanese
PortuguêsPortuguese
ItalianoItalian
한국어Korean
РусскийRussian
NederlandsDutch
العربيةArabic
PolskiPolish
हिन्दीHindi
Tiếng ViệtVietnamese
SvenskaSwedish
ΕλληνικάGreek
TürkçeTurkish
ไทยThai
ČeštinaCzech
RomânăRomanian
MagyarHungarian
УкраїнськаUkrainian
IndonesiaIndonesian
DanskDanish
SuomiFinnish
БългарскиBulgarian
עבריתHebrew
NorskNorwegian
HrvatskiCroatian
CatalàCatalan
SlovenčinaSlovak
LietuviųLithuanian
SlovenščinaSlovenian
СрпскиSerbian
EestiEstonian
LatviešuLatvian
فارسیPersian
മലയാളംMalayalam
தமிழ்Tamil
اردوUrdu
SoBrief
Searching...
Politics As a Vocation
by Max Weber • 2013
The modern state's one true monopoly is not mail or schools. It is the legitimate use of force.
3.77
709
Politics As a Vocation Summary
Politics As a Vocation 95%
The modern state's one true monopoly is not mail or schools. It is the legitimate use of force.
by Max Weber 2013
3.77
709 ratings
Hatred of Democracy
by Jacques Rancière • 2005
Democracy is not about elections. It is the scandal that no one is born to rule.
3.72
970
Hatred of Democracy Summary
Hatred of Democracy 93%
Democracy is not about elections. It is the scandal that no one is born to rule.
by Jacques Rancière 2005
3.72
970 ratings
The Populist Delusion
by Neema Parvini • 2020
Organization inevitably creates oligarchy. Every union, party, and revolution proves it.
4.32
551
The Populist Delusion Summary
The Populist Delusion 93%
Organization inevitably creates oligarchy. Every union, party, and revolution proves it.
by Neema Parvini 2020
4.32
551 ratings
Hegemony and Socialist Strategy
by Ernesto Laclau • 1985
Consensus is a mirage. Conflict is ineradicable; any left project that forgets this fails.
3.82
1k+
Hegemony and Socialist Strategy Summary
Hegemony and Socialist Strategy 93%
Consensus is a mirage. Conflict is ineradicable; any left project that forgets this fails.
by Ernesto Laclau 1985
3.82
1k+ ratings
The Myth of the State
by Ernst Cassirer • 1946
The Greeks fought myth with reason. The modern state perfected it as a weapon.
3.90
209
The Myth of the State Summary
The Myth of the State 93%
The Greeks fought myth with reason. The modern state perfected it as a weapon.
by Ernst Cassirer 1946
3.90
209 ratings
Reveille for Radicals
by Saul D. Alinsky • 1946
Democracy requires organized conflict and leaders from the bottom. A 1946 manual, still unheeded.
3.84
589
Reveille for Radicals Summary
Reveille for Radicals 93%
Democracy requires organized conflict and leaders from the bottom. A 1946 manual, still unheeded.
by Saul D. Alinsky 1946
3.84
589 ratings
What Is Populism?
by Jan-Werner Müller • 2014
Forget anti-elite anger. Populism's core is the claim that opponents are not the real people.
3.82
3k+
What Is Populism? Summary
What Is Populism? 93%
Forget anti-elite anger. Populism's core is the claim that opponents are not the real people.
by Jan-Werner Müller 2014
3.82
3k+ ratings
The Problem of Political Authority
by Michael Huemer • 2012
No social contract was ever signed. Every argument for state authority collapses under scrutiny.
4.39
715
The Problem of Political Authority Summary
The Problem of Political Authority 93%
No social contract was ever signed. Every argument for state authority collapses under scrutiny.
by Michael Huemer 2012
4.39
715 ratings
Shitbürgertum
by Ulf Poschardt • 2025
Moral posturing, language control, contempt for ambition: how a parasitic class captured Germany.
3.21
301
Shitbürgertum Summary
Shitbürgertum 93%
Moral posturing, language control, contempt for ambition: how a parasitic class captured Germany.
by Ulf Poschardt 2025
3.21
301 ratings
Rules for Radicals
by Saul D. Alinsky • 1971
A tactical handbook for the powerless: how ridicule, pressure, and their own rules become weapons.
3.73
9k+
Rules for Radicals Summary
Rules for Radicals 93%
A tactical handbook for the powerless: how ridicule, pressure, and their own rules become weapons.
by Saul D. Alinsky 1971
3.73
9k+ ratings
Democracy May Not Exist, but We'll Miss It When It's Gone
by Astra Taylor • 2019
Democracy is not broken. It is eight unresolvable tensions; the work is holding them together.
4.20
731
Democracy May Not Exist, but We'll Miss It When It's Gone Summary
Democracy May Not Exist, but We'll Miss It When It's Gone 93%
Democracy is not broken. It is eight unresolvable tensions; the work is holding them together.
by Astra Taylor 2019
4.20
731 ratings
The Sociological Imagination
by C. Wright Mills • 1959
Private pain is a public problem in disguise—and most social science hides the connection.
4.16
3k+
The Sociological Imagination Summary
The Sociological Imagination 93%
Private pain is a public problem in disguise—and most social science hides the connection.
by C. Wright Mills 1959
4.16
3k+ ratings
Demanding the Impossible
by Peter H. Marshall • 1992
Self-rule predates the state. Anarchist thought from ancient Taoism to the modern era.
4.12
1k+
Demanding the Impossible Summary
Demanding the Impossible 93%
Self-rule predates the state. Anarchist thought from ancient Taoism to the modern era.
by Peter H. Marshall 1992
4.12
1k+ ratings
This Is an Uprising
by Mark Engler • 2016
Nonviolence is not a virtue. It is a technology of conflict, and it brings down regimes.
4.20
1k+
This Is an Uprising Summary
This Is an Uprising 93%
Nonviolence is not a virtue. It is a technology of conflict, and it brings down regimes.
by Mark Engler 2016
4.20
1k+ ratings
The Logic of Political Survival
by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita • 2003
Why democracies build roads and dictatorships build patronage: the math of political survival.
3.98
162
The Logic of Political Survival Summary
The Logic of Political Survival 92%
Why democracies build roads and dictatorships build patronage: the math of political survival.
by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita 2003
3.98
162 ratings
In Mistrust We Trust
by Ivan Krastev • 2013
More rights, more information, less collective power: the paradox at the heart of modern democracy.
3.96
73
In Mistrust We Trust Summary
In Mistrust We Trust 92%
More rights, more information, less collective power: the paradox at the heart of modern democracy.
by Ivan Krastev 2013
3.96
73 ratings
Liberalism and Its Discontents
by Francis Fukuyama • 2022
Liberalism's enemies on left and right agree on one thing. Neither has a workable replacement.
3.90
3k+
Liberalism and Its Discontents Summary
Liberalism and Its Discontents 92%
Liberalism's enemies on left and right agree on one thing. Neither has a workable replacement.
by Francis Fukuyama 2022
3.90
3k+ ratings
How Propaganda Works
by Jason F. Stanley • 2015
How coded language and elite myths rig democratic debate, and why the educated fall hardest.
3.59
859
How Propaganda Works Summary
How Propaganda Works 92%
How coded language and elite myths rig democratic debate, and why the educated fall hardest.
by Jason F. Stanley 2015
3.59
859 ratings
Two Cheers for Anarchism
by James C. Scott • 2012
The anarchist's case: local know-how, small defiance, and messy disorder beat grand plans.
3.96
2k+
Two Cheers for Anarchism Summary
Two Cheers for Anarchism 92%
The anarchist's case: local know-how, small defiance, and messy disorder beat grand plans.
by James C. Scott 2012
3.96
2k+ ratings
Citizens
by Jon Alexander • 2022
Society runs on two stories: we are subjects or consumers. A third story changes everything.
4.04
317
Citizens Summary
Citizens 92%
Society runs on two stories: we are subjects or consumers. A third story changes everything.
by Jon Alexander 2022
4.04
317 ratings
Notes on Resistance
by Noam Chomsky • 2022
Four crises are converging. The institutions that caused them are now blocking every fix.
4.30
405
Notes on Resistance Summary
Notes on Resistance 92%
Four crises are converging. The institutions that caused them are now blocking every fix.
by Noam Chomsky 2022
4.30
405 ratings
The Future of Freedom
by Fareed Zakaria • 2003
Democracy without courts, rights, and restraints is just a machine for producing elected strongmen.
4.02
4k+
The Future of Freedom Summary
The Future of Freedom 92%
Democracy without courts, rights, and restraints is just a machine for producing elected strongmen.
by Fareed Zakaria 2003
4.02
4k+ ratings
Democracy Rules
by Jan-Werner Müller • 2021
Losing is the skill democracy forgot, and without institutions to structure conflict, it unravels.
3.46
168
Democracy Rules Summary
Democracy Rules 92%
Losing is the skill democracy forgot, and without institutions to structure conflict, it unravels.
by Jan-Werner Müller 2021
3.46
168 ratings
Free and Equal
by Daniel Chandler • 2023
Forget who you are, design society. Rawls did; the result might be our fairest system.
3.95
439
Free and Equal Summary
Free and Equal 92%
Forget who you are, design society. Rawls did; the result might be our fairest system.
by Daniel Chandler 2023
3.95
439 ratings
Lectures on the History of Political Philosophy
by Rawls • 2007
How Hobbes, Locke, Hume, Rousseau, and Marx each tried to solve the problem of political legitimacy.
4.15
289
Lectures on the History of Political Philosophy Summary
Lectures on the History of Political Philosophy 92%
How Hobbes, Locke, Hume, Rousseau, and Marx each tried to solve the problem of political legitimacy.
by Rawls 2007
4.15
289 ratings
Wars and Capital (Semiotext
by Éric Alliez • 2016
Capitalism is a war system that uses markets, not an economic system that uses war.
3.93
29
Wars and Capital (Semiotext Summary
Wars and Capital (Semiotext 92%
Capitalism is a war system that uses markets, not an economic system that uses war.
by Éric Alliez 2016
3.93
29 ratings
Identity and Violence
by Amartya Sen • 2006
The single-identity myth killed millions. A philosopher shows why, and what a plural self demands.
3.83
2k+
Identity and Violence Summary
Identity and Violence 92%
The single-identity myth killed millions. A philosopher shows why, and what a plural self demands.
by Amartya Sen 2006
3.83
2k+ ratings
Political Philosophy
by Adam Swift • 2001
Democracy's trick: we accept losing because the game was fair, even if the result is wrong.
3.91
432
Political Philosophy Summary
Political Philosophy 92%
Democracy's trick: we accept losing because the game was fair, even if the result is wrong.
by Adam Swift 2001
3.91
432 ratings
A Force More Powerful
by Peter Ackerman • 2000
A century of evidence: strikes and boycotts toppled more regimes than bombs ever did.
4.11
300
A Force More Powerful Summary
A Force More Powerful 92%
A century of evidence: strikes and boycotts toppled more regimes than bombs ever did.
by Peter Ackerman 2000
4.11
300 ratings
The People vs. Democracy
by Yascha Mounk • 2018
Populists dismantle institutions; unelected courts rule from above; split tearing democracy apart.
4.05
2k+
The People vs. Democracy Summary
The People vs. Democracy 92%
Populists dismantle institutions; unelected courts rule from above; split tearing democracy apart.
by Yascha Mounk 2018
4.05
2k+ ratings
The Good State
by A.C. Grayling • 2020
Most democracies fail their own test: the government reflects a minority, not the people.
3.81
130
The Good State Summary
The Good State 92%
Most democracies fail their own test: the government reflects a minority, not the people.
by A.C. Grayling 2020
3.81
130 ratings
Hegemony How-To
by Jonathan Smucker • 2017
Activist is a political dead end: it isolates movements, excuses sympathizers, cedes power.
4.24
442
Hegemony How-To Summary
Hegemony How-To 92%
Activist is a political dead end: it isolates movements, excuses sympathizers, cedes power.
by Jonathan Smucker 2017
4.24
442 ratings
Consequences of Capitalism
by Noam Chomsky • 2020
The system that breeds inequality also engineers the discontent that threatens to bring it down.
4.33
2k+
Consequences of Capitalism Summary
Consequences of Capitalism 92%
The system that breeds inequality also engineers the discontent that threatens to bring it down.
by Noam Chomsky 2020
4.33
2k+ 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 92%
Elections are spectacle; political science studies the regulation of conflict beneath.
by Philippe Braud 1986
3
13 ratings
The Anatomy of Fascism
by Robert O. Paxton • 2004
A historian maps the path to fascist power: the deals, the power split, and the warning signs.
4.22
6k+
The Anatomy of Fascism Summary
The Anatomy of Fascism 92%
A historian maps the path to fascist power: the deals, the power split, and the warning signs.
by Robert O. Paxton 2004
4.22
6k+ ratings
The Old is Dying and the New Cannot Be Born
by Nancy Fraser • 2019
Progressive movements allied with finance, left working people behind, and the crisis isn't over.
3.93
1k+
The Old is Dying and the New Cannot Be Born Summary
The Old is Dying and the New Cannot Be Born 92%
Progressive movements allied with finance, left working people behind, and the crisis isn't over.
by Nancy Fraser 2019
3.93
1k+ ratings
In the Long Run
by Jonathan White • 2024
The future made democracy possible. Calculated, secret, and algorithmic futures are dismantling it.
3.78
85
In the Long Run Summary
In the Long Run 92%
The future made democracy possible. Calculated, secret, and algorithmic futures are dismantling it.
by Jonathan White 2024
3.78
85 ratings
Liberty in the Age of Terror
by A.C. Grayling • 2009
The West answered terrorism by curtailing the very liberties it claimed to protect.
3.57
143
Liberty in the Age of Terror Summary
Liberty in the Age of Terror 92%
The West answered terrorism by curtailing the very liberties it claimed to protect.
by A.C. Grayling 2009
3.57
143 ratings
Why Liberalism Failed
by Patrick J. Deneen • 2018
Liberalism didn't fail despite its successes. Its successes broke it.
3.84
4k+
Why Liberalism Failed Summary
Why Liberalism Failed 92%
Liberalism didn't fail despite its successes. Its successes broke it.
by Patrick J. Deneen 2018
3.84
4k+ ratings
Against Democracy
by Jason Brennan • 2016
Voters are ignorant and participation corrupts them. The competent should rule instead.
3.68
1k+
Against Democracy Summary
Against Democracy 92%
Voters are ignorant and participation corrupts them. The competent should rule instead.
by Jason Brennan 2016
3.68
1k+ ratings
End Times
by Peter Turchin • 2023
Ten millennia of data point to two conditions for state collapse. America now meets both.
4.06
3k+
End Times Summary
End Times 92%
Ten millennia of data point to two conditions for state collapse. America now meets both.
by Peter Turchin 2023
4.06
3k+ ratings
Occupy
by Noam Chomsky • 2012
Occupy's tents came down. The national argument it started about concentrated wealth never stopped.
3.59
2k+
Occupy Summary
Occupy 92%
Occupy's tents came down. The national argument it started about concentrated wealth never stopped.
by Noam Chomsky 2012
3.59
2k+ ratings
Politics Is for Power
by Eitan D. Hersh • 2020
Political obsession is a spectator sport that cedes power to the people who actually organize.
4.09
1k+
Politics Is for Power Summary
Politics Is for Power 92%
Political obsession is a spectator sport that cedes power to the people who actually organize.
by Eitan D. Hersh 2020
4.09
1k+ ratings
Demopolis
by Josiah Ober • 2019
180 years of democracy without liberalism: what Athens reveals about the fundamentals of self-rule.
3.40
25
Demopolis Summary
Demopolis 92%
180 years of democracy without liberalism: what Athens reveals about the fundamentals of self-rule.
by Josiah Ober 2019
3.40
25 ratings
The Myth of the Strong Leader
by Archie Brown • 2014
The forceful leader who centralizes power: admired today, but the historical record is brutal.
3.66
806
The Myth of the Strong Leader Summary
The Myth of the Strong Leader 92%
The forceful leader who centralizes power: admired today, but the historical record is brutal.
by Archie Brown 2014
3.66
806 ratings
Uses of Disorder
by Richard Sennett • 1970
The young craving for purity is architecting our cities into sterile, segregated cages.
3.88
258
Uses of Disorder Summary
Uses of Disorder 92%
The young craving for purity is architecting our cities into sterile, segregated cages.
by Richard Sennett 1970
3.88
258 ratings
Transforming Leadership
by James MacGregor Burns • 2003
Leadership has two modes: the deal-making kind and the kind that reshapes what people want.
3.81
251
Transforming Leadership Summary
Transforming Leadership 92%
Leadership has two modes: the deal-making kind and the kind that reshapes what people want.
by James MacGregor Burns 2003
3.81
251 ratings
Globalismo
by Agustín Laje • 2024
Social engineering survived the Terror and went global. Your sovereignty is its target.
4.46
145
Globalismo Summary
Globalismo 92%
Social engineering survived the Terror and went global. Your sovereignty is its target.
by Agustín Laje 2024
4.46
145 ratings
Fascism
by Madeleine K. Albright • 2018
Democracies are dismantled one law at a time. The 1930s playbook is back.
4.25
21k+
Fascism Summary
Fascism 92%
Democracies are dismantled one law at a time. The 1930s playbook is back.
by Madeleine K. Albright 2018
4.25
21k+ ratings
The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism
by Martin Wolf • 2023
The system that delivered freedom and prosperity is devouring itself from the inside.
3.91
1k+
The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism Summary
The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism 92%
The system that delivered freedom and prosperity is devouring itself from the inside.
by Martin Wolf 2023
3.91
1k+ ratings
Home
Swipe
Library
Get App
Try Full Access for 3 Days
Listen, bookmark, and more
Compare Features Free Pro
📖 Read Summaries
Read unlimited summaries. Free users get 3 per month
🎧 Listen to Summaries
Listen to unlimited summaries in 40 languages
❤️ Unlimited Bookmarks
Free users are limited to 4
📜 Unlimited History
Free users are limited to 4
📥 Unlimited Downloads
Free users are limited to 1
Risk-Free Timeline
Today: Get Instant Access
Listen to full summaries of 26,000+ books. That's 12,000+ hours of audio!
Day 2: Trial Reminder
We'll send you a notification that your trial is ending soon.
Day 3: Your subscription begins
You'll be charged on Jul 26,
cancel anytime before.
Consume 2.8× More Books
2.8× more books Listening Reading
Our users love us
600,000+ readers
Trustpilot Rating
TrustPilot
4.6 Excellent
This site is a total game-changer. I've been flying through book summaries like never before. Highly, highly recommend.
— Dave G
Worth my money and time, and really well made. I've never seen this quality of summaries on other websites. Very helpful!
— Em
Highly recommended!! Fantastic service. Perfect for those that want a little more than a teaser but not all the intricate details of a full audio book.
— Greg M
Save 62%
Yearly
$119.88 $44.99/year/yr
$3.75/mo
Monthly
$9.99/mo
Start a 3-Day Free Trial
3 days free, then $44.99/year. Cancel anytime.
Unlock a world of fiction & nonfiction books
26,000+ books for the price of 2 books
Read any book in 10 minutes
Discover new books like Tinder
Request any book if it's not summarized
Read more books than anyone you know
#1 app for book lovers
Lifelike & immersive summaries
30-day money-back guarantee
Download summaries in EPUBs or PDFs
Cancel anytime in a few clicks
Scanner
Find a barcode to scan

We have a special gift for you
Open
38% OFF
DISCOUNT FOR YOU
$79.99
$49.99/year
only $4.16 per month
Continue
2 taps to start, super easy to cancel
Settings
General
Widget
Loading...
We have a special gift for you
Open
38% OFF
DISCOUNT FOR YOU
$79.99
$49.99/year
only $4.16 per month
Continue
2 taps to start, super easy to cancel