50 Books like Railroaded

The Tycoons

by Charles R. Morris • 2005

Four rival industrialists, four methods, one generation: how America became the world's factory.

3.74

2k+

🏛️ Gilded Age 🚂 Railroads 💰 Robber Barons 🏭 Industrial Revolution 📊 Corporate Consolidation

The Tycoons 97%

Four rival industrialists, four methods, one generation: how America became the world's factory.

by Charles R. Morris 2005

3.74

2k+ ratings

🏛️ Gilded Age 🚂 Railroads 💰 Robber Barons 🏭 Industrial Revolution 📊 Corporate Consolidation

The Robber Barons

by Matthew Josephson • 1934

A handful of men seized America's railroads, oil, and steel; government helped them do it.

3.73

429

💰 Gilded Age 🏭 Captains Of Industry 🎩 Monopoly And Trusts 🚂 Railroad Empires 🏛️ Political Corruption

The Robber Barons 96%

A handful of men seized America's railroads, oil, and steel; government helped them do it.

by Matthew Josephson 1934

3.73

429 ratings

💰 Gilded Age 🏭 Captains Of Industry 🎩 Monopoly And Trusts 🚂 Railroad Empires 🏛️ Political Corruption

An Empire of Wealth

by John Steele Gordon • 2004

How a scrappy republic became the engine of global capitalism, from canals to microchips.

4.10

1k+

🏛️ Economic History 🏭 American Capitalism 💰 Financial History ⚙️ Industrial Revolution 🚂 Infrastructure History

An Empire of Wealth 96%

How a scrappy republic became the engine of global capitalism, from canals to microchips.

by John Steele Gordon 2004

4.10

1k+ ratings

🏛️ Economic History 🏭 American Capitalism 💰 Financial History ⚙️ Industrial Revolution 🚂 Infrastructure History

J.P. Morgan - The Life and Deals of America’s Banker

by J.R. MacGregor • 2019

He rescued American capitalism twice, so the government built the Federal Reserve to replace him.

3.87

143

🎭 Gilded Age 🏦 Banking History 📈 Wall Street History 📉 Financial Panics 🏛️ Federal Reserve Origins

J.P. Morgan - The Life and Deals of America’s Banker Summary

J.P. Morgan - The Life and Deals of America’s Banker 95%

He rescued American capitalism twice, so the government built the Federal Reserve to replace him.

by J.R. MacGregor 2019

3.87

143 ratings

🎭 Gilded Age 🏦 Banking History 📈 Wall Street History 📉 Financial Panics 🏛️ Federal Reserve Origins

Capitalism in America

by Alan Greenspan • 2018

America's 400-year economic experiment: why each era's solution becomes the next era's problem.

4.06

2k+

🏛️ Economic History 🇺🇸 American Capitalism 🏢 Business History 💵 Monetary History ⚖️ Government And Markets

Capitalism in America 95%

America's 400-year economic experiment: why each era's solution becomes the next era's problem.

by Alan Greenspan 2018

4.06

2k+ ratings

🏛️ Economic History 🇺🇸 American Capitalism 🏢 Business History 💵 Monetary History ⚖️ Government And Markets

The Republic for Which It Stands

by Richard White • 2017

America rebuilt itself after 1865 into something no one voted for. A history of broken promises.

4.16

2k+

🏛️ Reconstruction Era 💰 Gilded Age 🔨 Labor History 🌳 Environmental History ⚖️ Jim Crow Origins

The Republic for Which It Stands Summary

The Republic for Which It Stands 95%

America rebuilt itself after 1865 into something no one voted for. A history of broken promises.

by Richard White 2017

4.16

2k+ ratings

🏛️ Reconstruction Era 💰 Gilded Age 🔨 Labor History 🌳 Environmental History ⚖️ Jim Crow Origins

All the Presidents' Bankers

by Nomi Prins • 2014

A century of backroom deals: how bankers, not presidents, drove America's rise to global power.

4.07

539

🏦 Banking History 💰 Political Economy 🏛️ Regulatory Capture 📉 Financial Crises 🗽 American Empire

All the Presidents' Bankers 95%

A century of backroom deals: how bankers, not presidents, drove America's rise to global power.

by Nomi Prins 2014

4.07

539 ratings

🏦 Banking History 💰 Political Economy 🏛️ Regulatory Capture 📉 Financial Crises 🗽 American Empire

Goliath

by Matt Stoller • 2019

A century ago, America broke the trusts. An intellectual counterrevolution brought them back.

4.23

1k+

⚖️ Antitrust Policy 🏢 Corporate Power 🔄 Neoliberalism 📜 New Deal Economics 🎓 Chicago School Economics

Goliath 94%

A century ago, America broke the trusts. An intellectual counterrevolution brought them back.

by Matt Stoller 2019

4.23

1k+ ratings

⚖️ Antitrust Policy 🏢 Corporate Power 🔄 Neoliberalism 📜 New Deal Economics 🎓 Chicago School Economics

America's Bank

by Roger Lowenstein • 2015

In 1907, one elderly banker had to save the American financial system from his private library.

3.81

1k+

🏦 Central Banking 💰 Monetary History 📉 Financial Panics 🎩 Gilded Age Banking 🗳️ Progressive Era

America's Bank 94%

In 1907, one elderly banker had to save the American financial system from his private library.

by Roger Lowenstein 2015

3.81

1k+ ratings

🏦 Central Banking 💰 Monetary History 📉 Financial Panics 🎩 Gilded Age Banking 🗳️ Progressive Era

Transaction Man

by Nicholas Lemann • 2019

America traded institutions for deals, then deals for networks. Each era left more people behind.

3.71

318

🏢 Corporate Governance 📜 Financial History 🇺🇸 American Capitalism 📈 Shareholder Capitalism 🏚️ Institutional Decline

Transaction Man 94%

America traded institutions for deals, then deals for networks. Each era left more people behind.

by Nicholas Lemann 2019

3.71

318 ratings

🏢 Corporate Governance 📜 Financial History 🇺🇸 American Capitalism 📈 Shareholder Capitalism 🏚️ Institutional Decline

The Big Myth

by Naomi Oreskes • 2023

Free market worship was never ancient wisdom. It was a business propaganda campaign.

4.36

712

📉 Economic Myths 🏢 Corporate Lobbying 📢 Propaganda History 🌪️ Deregulation Disasters ⛓️‍💥 Free Market Critique

The Big Myth 94%

Free market worship was never ancient wisdom. It was a business propaganda campaign.

by Naomi Oreskes 2023

4.36

712 ratings

📉 Economic Myths 🏢 Corporate Lobbying 📢 Propaganda History 🌪️ Deregulation Disasters ⛓️‍💥 Free Market Critique

Money and Power

by William D. Cohan • 2011

Goldman Sachs's rise from a near-fatal 1970 crisis to the most powerful bank in the world.

3.85

2k+

🏦 Investment Banking 🏛️ Wall Street History 📜 Corporate Biography 📉 Financial Crises 🤝 Banking Culture

Money and Power 94%

Goldman Sachs's rise from a near-fatal 1970 crisis to the most powerful bank in the world.

by William D. Cohan 2011

3.85

2k+ ratings

🏦 Investment Banking 🏛️ Wall Street History 📜 Corporate Biography 📉 Financial Crises 🤝 Banking Culture

The House of Morgan

by Ron Chernow • 1990

Before the Federal Reserve, a single private bank rescued Wall Street and answered to no one.

3.96

13k+

🏛️ Banking History 👑 Financial Dynasties 📈 Wall Street History 🎩 Gilded Age ⚖️ Financial Regulation

The House of Morgan 94%

Before the Federal Reserve, a single private bank rescued Wall Street and answered to no one.

by Ron Chernow 1990

3.96

13k+ ratings

🏛️ Banking History 👑 Financial Dynasties 📈 Wall Street History 🎩 Gilded Age ⚖️ Financial Regulation

Global Capitalism

by Jeffry A. Frieden • 2007

How governments built the first global economy, dismantled it, and rebuilt.

3.87

644

🏛️ Economic History 🌐 Global Capitalism 🥇 Gold Standard 🚢 International Trade 🌍 Globalization History

Global Capitalism 93%

How governments built the first global economy, dismantled it, and rebuilt.

by Jeffry A. Frieden 2007

3.87

644 ratings

🏛️ Economic History 🌐 Global Capitalism 🥇 Gold Standard 🚢 International Trade 🌍 Globalization History

Concrete Economics

by Stephen S. Cohen • 2015

Free markets didn't build American prosperity. Government did, repeatedly, then we forgot.

3.87

283

🏛️ Economic History 🏭 Industrial Policy 🏗️ State-Led Development 🇺🇸 Economic Nationalism 💰 Financialization

Concrete Economics 93%

Free markets didn't build American prosperity. Government did, repeatedly, then we forgot.

by Stephen S. Cohen 2015

3.87

283 ratings

🏛️ Economic History 🏭 Industrial Policy 🏗️ State-Led Development 🇺🇸 Economic Nationalism 💰 Financialization

The Anti-Oligarchy Constitution

by Joseph Fishkin • 2022

A lost constitutional tradition: preventing oligarchy as the government's first duty.

4.10

🏦 Political Economy 📜 Constitutional History ⚖️ Economic Justice 🛠️ Labor History 🌾 Populism

The Anti-Oligarchy Constitution 93%

A lost constitutional tradition: preventing oligarchy as the government's first duty.

by Joseph Fishkin 2022

4.10

40 ratings

🏦 Political Economy 📜 Constitutional History ⚖️ Economic Justice 🛠️ Labor History 🌾 Populism

John D. Rockefeller - The Original Titan

by J.R. MacGregor • 2019

From bookkeeper to America's most ruthless monopolist, then to its most strategic philanthropist.

3.80

161

🧱 Gilded Age Titans 🛢️ Oil Industry History 🏭 Industrial Consolidation 🔗 Monopoly Power 🎁 Strategic Philanthropy

John D. Rockefeller - The Original Titan Summary

John D. Rockefeller - The Original Titan 93%

From bookkeeper to America's most ruthless monopolist, then to its most strategic philanthropist.

by J.R. MacGregor 2019

3.80

161 ratings

🧱 Gilded Age Titans 🛢️ Oil Industry History 🏭 Industrial Consolidation 🔗 Monopoly Power 🎁 Strategic Philanthropy

Titan

by Ron Chernow • 1998

A pious Baptist created the Standard Oil octopus, gave away millions to be remembered as a saint.

4.15

38k+

🛢️ Oil Industry History 💰 Robber Barons 🏗️ Corporate Consolidation ✝️ Protestant Ethic 🎁 Mega Philanthropy

Titan 93%

A pious Baptist created the Standard Oil octopus, gave away millions to be remembered as a saint.

by Ron Chernow 1998

4.15

38k+ ratings

🛢️ Oil Industry History 💰 Robber Barons 🏗️ Corporate Consolidation ✝️ Protestant Ethic 🎁 Mega Philanthropy

How the South Won the Civil War

by Heather Cox Richardson • 2020

Southern oligarchy lost the war but won the West, rebranding as cowboy individualism.

4.31

5k+

🇺🇸 American Political History 🏛️ Oligarchy Studies 🐎 Frontier Mythology ⛓️ Racial Hierarchy 🗳️ Voter Suppression

How the South Won the Civil War 93%

Southern oligarchy lost the war but won the West, rebranding as cowboy individualism.

by Heather Cox Richardson 2020

4.31

5k+ ratings

🇺🇸 American Political History 🏛️ Oligarchy Studies 🐎 Frontier Mythology ⛓️ Racial Hierarchy 🗳️ Voter Suppression

Business Adventures

by John Brooks • 1969

A $350 million flop, a market panic, and ten other disasters Wall Street keeps repeating.

3.81

25k+

🏢 Corporate Case Studies 📈 Financial History 🏦 Wall Street 📉 Market Panics 💥 Corporate Hubris

Business Adventures 93%

A $350 million flop, a market panic, and ten other disasters Wall Street keeps repeating.

by John Brooks 1969

3.81

25k+ ratings

🏢 Corporate Case Studies 📈 Financial History 🏦 Wall Street 📉 Market Panics 💥 Corporate Hubris

Inside Money

by Zachary Karabell • 2021

The private bank that shunned speculation, survived every panic, and built the American century.

4.09

411

🏦 Private Banking 🗽 Wall Street History 🏛️ American Establishment 👨‍👦‍👦 Family Business 🌎 Dollar Diplomacy

Inside Money 93%

The private bank that shunned speculation, survived every panic, and built the American century.

by Zachary Karabell 2021

4.09

411 ratings

🏦 Private Banking 🗽 Wall Street History 🏛️ American Establishment 👨‍👦‍👦 Family Business 🌎 Dollar Diplomacy

People, Power, and Profits

by Joseph E. Stiglitz • 2019

Monopoly power and political capture broke American prosperity. A Nobel economist's plan to fix it.

3.88

2k+

📉 Economic Inequality 🏛️ Political Economy 🏢 Antitrust And Monopoly 💰 Rent Seeking 👷 Labor Economics

People, Power, and Profits 93%

Monopoly power and political capture broke American prosperity. A Nobel economist's plan to fix it.

by Joseph E. Stiglitz 2019

3.88

2k+ ratings

📉 Economic Inequality 🏛️ Political Economy 🏢 Antitrust And Monopoly 💰 Rent Seeking 👷 Labor Economics

Saving Capitalism

by Robert B. Reich • 2004

Capitalism's rules are written by the powerful, and the rest of us pay the price.

4.18

5k+

🏛️ Political Economy 📉 Economic Inequality 🏗️ Market Regulation 🏢 Corporate Power ⚒️ Labor And Unions

Saving Capitalism 93%

Capitalism's rules are written by the powerful, and the rest of us pay the price.

by Robert B. Reich 2004

4.18

5k+ ratings

🏛️ Political Economy 📉 Economic Inequality 🏗️ Market Regulation 🏢 Corporate Power ⚒️ Labor And Unions

Industry and Empire

by Eric J. Hobsbawm • 1968

Britain's industrial head start created an empire-dependent economy destined to fall behind.

3.92

574

📈 Economic History 🏭 Industrial Revolution 🇬🇧 British History 🏛️ Marxist Historiography 👥 History From Below

Industry and Empire 93%

Britain's industrial head start created an empire-dependent economy destined to fall behind.

by Eric J. Hobsbawm 1968

3.92

574 ratings

📈 Economic History 🏭 Industrial Revolution 🇬🇧 British History 🏛️ Marxist Historiography 👥 History From Below

The Partnership

by Charles D. Ellis • 2008

The partnership culture that made Goldman Sachs unstoppable, and why success forced it to go public.

3.82

1k+

🇺🇸 American Business History 🏛️ Wall Street History 🏢 Corporate Biography 💼 Investment Banking 📉 Financial Crises

The Partnership 93%

The partnership culture that made Goldman Sachs unstoppable, and why success forced it to go public.

by Charles D. Ellis 2008

3.82

1k+ ratings

🇺🇸 American Business History 🏛️ Wall Street History 🏢 Corporate Biography 💼 Investment Banking 📉 Financial Crises

How Not to Get Rich

by Alan Pell Crawford • 2014

Before he was America's most beloved author, Mark Twain was its most disastrous investor.

3.63

123

🏦 Financial Biography 🎩 Gilded Age ✍️ Literary Biography 📉 Business Failures 🎲 Speculation

How Not to Get Rich 93%

Before he was America's most beloved author, Mark Twain was its most disastrous investor.

by Alan Pell Crawford 2014

3.63

123 ratings

🏦 Financial Biography 🎩 Gilded Age ✍️ Literary Biography 📉 Business Failures 🎲 Speculation

Bailout Nation

by Barry Ritholtz • 2009

Wall Street keeps the upside. Taxpayers eat the losses. How America rewrote the rules of capitalism.

3.87

572

🏦 Financial Crises 💵 Monetary Policy 🏠 Housing Bubbles 💰 Corporate Bailouts ⚠️ Moral Hazard

Bailout Nation 93%

Wall Street keeps the upside. Taxpayers eat the losses. How America rewrote the rules of capitalism.

by Barry Ritholtz 2009

3.87

572 ratings

🏦 Financial Crises 💵 Monetary Policy 🏠 Housing Bubbles 💰 Corporate Bailouts ⚠️ Moral Hazard

Wealth Secrets of the One Percent

by Sam Wilkin • 2015

Extreme wealth isn't earned. It's taken through monopoly, political capture, and rigged rules.

3.71

357

🏦 Wealth Inequality 🏛️ History Of Capitalism 🗳️ Political Economy 🤝 Crony Capitalism 🎮 Regulatory Capture

Wealth Secrets of the One Percent Summary

Wealth Secrets of the One Percent 93%

Extreme wealth isn't earned. It's taken through monopoly, political capture, and rigged rules.

by Sam Wilkin 2015

3.71

357 ratings

🏦 Wealth Inequality 🏛️ History Of Capitalism 🗳️ Political Economy 🤝 Crony Capitalism 🎮 Regulatory Capture

Giants of Enterprise

by Richard S. Tedlow • 2001

Seven titans built American business. The power they won then turned on them.

4.25

2k+

📜 Business History 🇺🇸 American Capitalism 🏭 Industrial Innovation 🛍️ Consumer Culture 🏷️ Brand Building

Giants of Enterprise 93%

Seven titans built American business. The power they won then turned on them.

by Richard S. Tedlow 2001

4.25

2k+ ratings

📜 Business History 🇺🇸 American Capitalism 🏭 Industrial Innovation 🛍️ Consumer Culture 🏷️ Brand Building

Andrew Carnegie

by David Nasaw • 2006

How a penniless immigrant built the world's biggest steel empire, and then tried to die broke.

3.86

6k+

🏛️ Gilded Age 🧑‍💼 Captains Of Industry 🎁 Strategic Philanthropy 📜 Business History 💪 Self-Made Men

Andrew Carnegie 93%

How a penniless immigrant built the world's biggest steel empire, and then tried to die broke.

by David Nasaw 2006

3.86

6k+ ratings

🏛️ Gilded Age 🧑‍💼 Captains Of Industry 🎁 Strategic Philanthropy 📜 Business History 💪 Self-Made Men

The Prize

by Daniel Yergin • 1991

How a dark liquid wrote the rules of power, decided wars, and built the greatest fortunes.

4.44

13k+

🛢️ Commodity History ⛽ Petroleum Industry 🌍 Energy Geopolitics 📖 Narrative History 🏭 Industrial Capitalism

The Prize 93%

How a dark liquid wrote the rules of power, decided wars, and built the greatest fortunes.

by Daniel Yergin 1991

4.44

13k+ ratings

🛢️ Commodity History ⛽ Petroleum Industry 🌍 Energy Geopolitics 📖 Narrative History 🏭 Industrial Capitalism

Who Stole the American Dream?

by Hedrick Smith • 2012

One 1971 memo mobilized business for political combat. The middle class never recovered.

4.19

874

🏛️ Political Economy 🏢 Corporate Power 📉 Middle Class Decline 💰 Income Inequality 🗳️ Campaign Finance

Who Stole the American Dream? 93%

One 1971 memo mobilized business for political combat. The middle class never recovered.

by Hedrick Smith 2012

4.19

874 ratings

🏛️ Political Economy 🏢 Corporate Power 📉 Middle Class Decline 💰 Income Inequality 🗳️ Campaign Finance

Hall of Mirrors

by Barry Eichengreen • 2014

History saved us from the Great Depression but steered us straight into the Great Recession.

4.01

296

📉 Financial Crises 📜 Economic History 💵 Monetary Policy 🏦 Central Banking 🔄 Historical Parallels

Hall of Mirrors 93%

History saved us from the Great Depression but steered us straight into the Great Recession.

by Barry Eichengreen 2014

4.01

296 ratings

📉 Financial Crises 📜 Economic History 💵 Monetary Policy 🏦 Central Banking 🔄 Historical Parallels

The Go-Go Years

by John Brooks • 1973

The 1960s market repeated 1929's excess and its crash. Two improbable men improvised a rescue.

3.82

305

🏛️ Financial History 🏢 Wall Street Culture 🫧 Market Bubbles 📉 Market Panics 📊 Creative Accounting

The Go-Go Years 93%

The 1960s market repeated 1929's excess and its crash. Two improbable men improvised a rescue.

by John Brooks 1973

3.82

305 ratings

🏛️ Financial History 🏢 Wall Street Culture 🫧 Market Bubbles 📉 Market Panics 📊 Creative Accounting

The Great Bridge

by David McCullough • 1972

The father died. The son collapsed. The daughter-in-law stepped in and built the Brooklyn Bridge.

4.26

19k+

💰 Gilded Age History 🌉 Civil Engineering History 🏗️ Megaproject Narratives 👨‍👩‍👦 Family Sagas 🗳️ Political Machines

The Great Bridge 93%

The father died. The son collapsed. The daughter-in-law stepped in and built the Brooklyn Bridge.

by David McCullough 1972

4.26

19k+ ratings

💰 Gilded Age History 🌉 Civil Engineering History 🏗️ Megaproject Narratives 👨‍👩‍👦 Family Sagas 🗳️ Political Machines

California Burning

by Katherine Blunt • 2022

The California utility that chose shareholder returns over safety, and the fires that followed.

4.26

2k+

🏢 Corporate Malfeasance ⚡ Energy Policy 🔌 Utility Regulation 🔥 Wildfire Crisis 🛠️ Aging Infrastructure

California Burning 93%

The California utility that chose shareholder returns over safety, and the fires that followed.

by Katherine Blunt 2022

4.26

2k+ ratings

🏢 Corporate Malfeasance ⚡ Energy Policy 🔌 Utility Regulation 🔥 Wildfire Crisis 🛠️ Aging Infrastructure

A Splendid Exchange

by William J. Bernstein • 2008

Commerce, not conquest, built the modern world: the history of trade from obsidian to oil.

4.16

3k+

📈 Economic History 🌍 Global Trade 🕰️ Big History ⚓ Maritime History 🌶️ Commodity History

A Splendid Exchange 93%

Commerce, not conquest, built the modern world: the history of trade from obsidian to oil.

by William J. Bernstein 2008

4.16

3k+ ratings

📈 Economic History 🌍 Global Trade 🕰️ Big History ⚓ Maritime History 🌶️ Commodity History

Predator Nation

by Charles Ferguson • 2012

The 2008 crash was no accident; it was a crime, and the perpetrators run the country.

4.11

491

🏦 Financial Crises 🏛️ Regulatory Capture 📉 Income Inequality 🗳️ Political Corruption 📜 Deregulation

Predator Nation 93%

The 2008 crash was no accident; it was a crime, and the perpetrators run the country.

by Charles Ferguson 2012

4.11

491 ratings

🏦 Financial Crises 🏛️ Regulatory Capture 📉 Income Inequality 🗳️ Political Corruption 📜 Deregulation

Master Switch

by Tim Wu • 2010

Telephone, radio, film, TV: each began open and ended a monopoly. The internet is next.

3.89

8k+

🏢 Media Monopolies 📜 Information History 🔄 Technological Cycles 🏛️ Corporate Consolidation ⚖️ Antitrust

Master Switch 93%

Telephone, radio, film, TV: each began open and ended a monopoly. The internet is next.

by Tim Wu 2010

3.89

8k+ ratings

🏢 Media Monopolies 📜 Information History 🔄 Technological Cycles 🏛️ Corporate Consolidation ⚖️ Antitrust

Made in the USA

by Vaclav Smil • 2013

How the country that made a third of the planet's goods stopped making almost everything.

3.76

510

🏛️ Economic History 🏭 American Industry ⚡ Energy Economics 📉 Deindustrialization 🔗 Supply Chains

Made in the USA 92%

How the country that made a third of the planet's goods stopped making almost everything.

by Vaclav Smil 2013

3.76

510 ratings

🏛️ Economic History 🏭 American Industry ⚡ Energy Economics 📉 Deindustrialization 🔗 Supply Chains

The New Lombard Street

by Perry G. Mehrling • 2010

The Fed's 1873 playbook broke in 2008. The new role: dealer of last resort.

4.26

274

🏦 Central Banking 📜 Monetary History 🔧 Financial Plumbing 🔄 Credit Cycles 🕶️ Shadow Banking

The New Lombard Street 92%

The Fed's 1873 playbook broke in 2008. The new role: dealer of last resort.

by Perry G. Mehrling 2010

4.26

274 ratings

🏦 Central Banking 📜 Monetary History 🔧 Financial Plumbing 🔄 Credit Cycles 🕶️ Shadow Banking

The Shock Doctrine

by Naomi Klein • 2007

Chile 1973, Iraq 2003, New Orleans 2005: each crisis was followed by the same economic playbook.

4.30

55k+

🏛️ Political Economy 🏢 Corporate Power 🏗️ Privatization 🌪️ Disaster Politics 💣 War Profiteering

The Shock Doctrine 92%

Chile 1973, Iraq 2003, New Orleans 2005: each crisis was followed by the same economic playbook.

by Naomi Klein 2007

4.30

55k+ ratings

🏛️ Political Economy 🏢 Corporate Power 🏗️ Privatization 🌪️ Disaster Politics 💣 War Profiteering

Griftopia

by Matt Taibbi • 2010

From the ballot box to the commodities pit, one unified hustle is picking every American pocket.

4.16

10k+

📰 Financial Journalism 🫧 Bubble Economics 🏛️ Systemic Corruption 🎛️ Regulatory Capture 💸 Predatory Finance

Griftopia 92%

From the ballot box to the commodities pit, one unified hustle is picking every American pocket.

by Matt Taibbi 2010

4.16

10k+ ratings

📰 Financial Journalism 🫧 Bubble Economics 🏛️ Systemic Corruption 🎛️ Regulatory Capture 💸 Predatory Finance

The Big Change

by Frederick Lewis Allen • 1952

America went from farmers to superpower in fifty years: the metamorphosis that reshaped its soul.

3.95

243

📖 American History 🕰️ Early 20th Century 🔄 Economic Transformation 📈 Social Mobility 🏢 Corporate America

The Big Change 92%

America went from farmers to superpower in fifty years: the metamorphosis that reshaped its soul.

by Frederick Lewis Allen 1952

3.95

243 ratings

📖 American History 🕰️ Early 20th Century 🔄 Economic Transformation 📈 Social Mobility 🏢 Corporate America

The Square and the Tower

by Niall Ferguson • 2017

The real shapers of history were not kings but the networks connecting everyone else.

3.65

4k+

🌍 World History 💰 Economic History 📜 Big History 🕸️ Network Science 👥 Social Networks

The Square and the Tower 92%

The real shapers of history were not kings but the networks connecting everyone else.

by Niall Ferguson 2017

3.65

4k+ ratings

🌍 World History 💰 Economic History 📜 Big History 🕸️ Network Science 👥 Social Networks

The Economics of Innocent Fraud

by John Kenneth Galbraith • 2004

Free markets, consumer choice, central bank rescue: stories the powerful tell to hide their control.

3.61

525

🌐 Political Economy 🏛️ Institutional Economics 🏢 Corporate Power 📢 Manufactured Demand 📋 Corporate Governance

The Economics of Innocent Fraud 92%

Free markets, consumer choice, central bank rescue: stories the powerful tell to hide their control.

by John Kenneth Galbraith 2004

3.61

525 ratings

🌐 Political Economy 🏛️ Institutional Economics 🏢 Corporate Power 📢 Manufactured Demand 📋 Corporate Governance

Kicking Away the Ladder

by Ha-Joon Chang • 2002

Tariffs, subsidies, and industrial espionage built the West. Now it preaches free trade to the rest.

4.21

1k+

🏛️ Economic History 🌐 Development Economics 💰 Political Economy 🏭 Industrial Policy 🚢 Trade Protectionism

Kicking Away the Ladder 92%

Tariffs, subsidies, and industrial espionage built the West. Now it preaches free trade to the rest.

by Ha-Joon Chang 2002

4.21

1k+ ratings

🏛️ Economic History 🌐 Development Economics 💰 Political Economy 🏭 Industrial Policy 🚢 Trade Protectionism

Lombard Street

by Walter Bagehot • 1873

All England's credit rests on one institution. When it wobbles, the money market panics.

3.89

435

🏦 Central Banking 🚨 Financial Panics 🔄 Credit Cycles 🧠 Market Psychology 📚 Classical Economics

Lombard Street 92%

All England's credit rests on one institution. When it wobbles, the money market panics.

by Walter Bagehot 1873

3.89

435 ratings

🏦 Central Banking 🚨 Financial Panics 🔄 Credit Cycles 🧠 Market Psychology 📚 Classical Economics

The Great Crash 1929

by John Kenneth Galbraith • 1955

Authorities knew a crash was coming; five structural flaws ensured it became the Great Depression.

3.92

6k+

📜 Financial History 📉 Stock Market Crashes 🫧 Speculative Bubbles 🧠 Market Psychology 🏛️ Institutional Economics

The Great Crash 1929 92%

Authorities knew a crash was coming; five structural flaws ensured it became the Great Depression.

by John Kenneth Galbraith 1955

3.92

6k+ ratings

📜 Financial History 📉 Stock Market Crashes 🫧 Speculative Bubbles 🧠 Market Psychology 🏛️ Institutional Economics

The Age of Abundance

by Brink Lindsey • 2007

Postwar abundance split America into two rival faiths; their deadlock still defines us.

3.51

134

🇺🇸 Postwar America 💰 Mass Affluence ✌️ Counterculture ⛪ Evangelical Politics 🏛️ Political Realignment

The Age of Abundance 92%

Postwar abundance split America into two rival faiths; their deadlock still defines us.

by Brink Lindsey 2007

3.51

134 ratings

🇺🇸 Postwar America 💰 Mass Affluence ✌️ Counterculture ⛪ Evangelical Politics 🏛️ Political Realignment

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	—

People love SoBrief

Join our global community of 600,000+ readers

★★★★★

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