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The Sea and Civilization
by Lincoln Paine • 2013
Before trains, the sea was the fastest highway. World history from the deck of a ship.
3.89
700
The Sea and Civilization Summary
The Sea and Civilization 95%
Before trains, the sea was the fastest highway. World history from the deck of a ship.
by Lincoln Paine 2013
3.89
700 ratings
Decoding the Heavens
by Jo Marchant • 2009
Sponge divers pulled a 2,000-year-old computer from the sea. Decoding its gears took a century.
4.10
566
Decoding the Heavens Summary
Decoding the Heavens 93%
Sponge divers pulled a 2,000-year-old computer from the sea. Decoding its gears took a century.
by Jo Marchant 2009
4.10
566 ratings
The Wager
by David Grann • 2023
A warship wrecks. Two survivor stories collide. The empire buries the truth to protect its myth.
4.17
219k+
The Wager Summary
The Wager 92%
A warship wrecks. Two survivor stories collide. The empire buries the truth to protect its myth.
by David Grann 2023
4.17
219k+ ratings
The Lost City of the Monkey God
by Douglas Preston • 2017
Cartels, vipers, disease. A filmmaker searched for a lost city. A laser found it first.
3.93
63k+
The Lost City of the Monkey God Summary
The Lost City of the Monkey God 92%
Cartels, vipers, disease. A filmmaker searched for a lost city. A laser found it first.
by Douglas Preston 2017
3.93
63k+ ratings
Fingerprints of the Gods
by Graham Hancock • 1995
Maps of ice-free Antarctica. Flood myths with astronomical codes. Who left them?
4.15
16k+
Fingerprints of the Gods Summary
Fingerprints of the Gods 92%
Maps of ice-free Antarctica. Flood myths with astronomical codes. Who left them?
by Graham Hancock 1995
4.15
16k+ ratings
Hidden History
by Brian Haughton • 2007
Twelve ancient mysteries where the evidence outlasts every explanation archaeologists have offered.
3.71
233
Hidden History Summary
Hidden History 91%
Twelve ancient mysteries where the evidence outlasts every explanation archaeologists have offered.
by Brian Haughton 2007
3.71
233 ratings
Ninety Percent of Everything
by Rose George • 2013
Behind everything you own: an invisible, lawless ocean industry that makes globalization possible.
3.79
4k+
Ninety Percent of Everything Summary
Ninety Percent of Everything 91%
Behind everything you own: an invisible, lawless ocean industry that makes globalization possible.
by Rose George 2013
3.79
4k+ ratings
Sea of Glory
by Nathaniel Philbrick • 2001
The voyage that mapped Antarctica and filled the Smithsonian, sabotaged by the tyrant who led it.
4.04
7k+
Sea of Glory Summary
Sea of Glory 91%
The voyage that mapped Antarctica and filled the Smithsonian, sabotaged by the tyrant who led it.
by Nathaniel Philbrick 2001
4.04
7k+ ratings
The Atlantis Blueprint
by Rand Flem-Ath • 2000
Ancient maps of an ice-free Antarctica point to a lost civilization that once surveyed the globe.
3.81
574
The Atlantis Blueprint Summary
The Atlantis Blueprint 91%
Ancient maps of an ice-free Antarctica point to a lost civilization that once surveyed the globe.
by Rand Flem-Ath 2000
3.81
574 ratings
When the Sky Fell
by Rand Flem-Ath • 1995
Ancient maps reveal an ice-free Antarctica. The civilization that charted it may still be there.
3.92
278
When the Sky Fell Summary
When the Sky Fell 91%
Ancient maps reveal an ice-free Antarctica. The civilization that charted it may still be there.
by Rand Flem-Ath 1995
3.92
278 ratings
1177 B.C.
by Eric H. Cline • 2014
The Bronze Age had trade routes and diplomacy. A cascade of disasters brought it down.
3.74
13k+
1177 B.C. Summary
1177 B.C. 91%
The Bronze Age had trade routes and diplomacy. A cascade of disasters brought it down.
by Eric H. Cline 2014
3.74
13k+ ratings
Tupaia
by Joan Druett • 2010
The navigator who made Cook's Pacific voyage possible spent two centuries erased from the story.
4.25
201
Tupaia Summary
Tupaia 91%
The navigator who made Cook's Pacific voyage possible spent two centuries erased from the story.
by Joan Druett 2010
4.25
201 ratings
Blackbeard
by Angus Konstam • 2006
Blackbeard blockaded a city for medicine, then sank his flagship to cheat his crew.
3.55
445
Blackbeard Summary
Blackbeard 91%
Blackbeard blockaded a city for medicine, then sank his flagship to cheat his crew.
by Angus Konstam 2006
3.55
445 ratings
Biblical Archaeology
by Eric H. Cline • 2009
Biblical archaeology set out to prove scripture. It built a science that asked better questions.
3.91
340
Biblical Archaeology Summary
Biblical Archaeology 91%
Biblical archaeology set out to prove scripture. It built a science that asked better questions.
by Eric H. Cline 2009
3.91
340 ratings
River Kings
by Cat Jarman • 2021
A bead from India, buried in England, reveals the Silk Road world the Vikings actually built.
4.04
4k+
River Kings Summary
River Kings 91%
A bead from India, buried in England, reveals the Silk Road world the Vikings actually built.
by Cat Jarman 2021
4.04
4k+ ratings
After 1177 B.C.
by Eric H. Cline • 2024
Not every civilization collapsed in 1177 B.C. Egypt barely coped; Phoenicia and Cyprus thrived.
3.77
2k+
After 1177 B.C. Summary
After 1177 B.C. 91%
Not every civilization collapsed in 1177 B.C. Egypt barely coped; Phoenicia and Cyprus thrived.
by Eric H. Cline 2024
3.77
2k+ ratings
Cod
by Mark Kurlansky • 1997
The fish that built empires and fueled a slave trade. Then it stopped coming back.
3.92
25k+
Cod Summary
Cod 91%
The fish that built empires and fueled a slave trade. Then it stopped coming back.
by Mark Kurlansky 1997
3.92
25k+ ratings
The Lost Men
by Kelly Tyler-Lewis • 2006
Ten men, stranded in Antarctica, marched 1,300 miles laying depots for an explorer they barely knew.
4.15
2k+
The Lost Men Summary
The Lost Men 90%
Ten men, stranded in Antarctica, marched 1,300 miles laying depots for an explorer they barely knew.
by Kelly Tyler-Lewis 2006
4.15
2k+ ratings
Shark Life
by Peter Benchley • 2002
Sharks kill fewer than 10 people a year. The author of Jaws explains why.
4.01
845
Shark Life Summary
Shark Life 90%
Sharks kill fewer than 10 people a year. The author of Jaws explains why.
by Peter Benchley 2002
4.01
845 ratings
The Golden Age of Piracy
by Benerson Little • 2016
No parrots, no plank, no buried treasure. The real pirates were slave-trading democrats.
3.40
366
The Golden Age of Piracy Summary
The Golden Age of Piracy 90%
No parrots, no plank, no buried treasure. The real pirates were slave-trading democrats.
by Benerson Little 2016
3.40
366 ratings
Over the Edge of the World
by Laurence Bergreen • 2003
Three of five ships mutinied. His response made men fear him more than the sea.
4.19
19k+
Over the Edge of the World Summary
Over the Edge of the World 90%
Three of five ships mutinied. His response made men fear him more than the sea.
by Laurence Bergreen 2003
4.19
19k+ ratings
Endurance
by Alfred Lansing • 1959
Ice crushed their ship. For 497 days, 28 men drifted. Escape meant 800 miles in a lifeboat.
4.46
169k+
Endurance Summary
Endurance 90%
Ice crushed their ship. For 497 days, 28 men drifted. Escape meant 800 miles in a lifeboat.
by Alfred Lansing 1959
4.46
169k+ ratings
Cities
by Monica L. Smith • 2019
Cities were never about efficiency. They were about all the things you cannot get alone.
3.26
446
Cities Summary
Cities 90%
Cities were never about efficiency. They were about all the things you cannot get alone.
by Monica L. Smith 2019
3.26
446 ratings
Woodsong
by Gary Paulsen • 1990
A secret room tracked the U-boat; the Lusitania never received a warning.
3.93
4k+
Woodsong Summary
Woodsong 90%
A secret room tracked the U-boat; the Lusitania never received a warning.
by Gary Paulsen 1990
3.93
4k+ ratings
The Republic of Pirates
by Colin Woodard • 2007
Sailors broken by the navy built their own republic: democratic, armed, and flying the black flag.
3.89
12k+
The Republic of Pirates Summary
The Republic of Pirates 90%
Sailors broken by the navy built their own republic: democratic, armed, and flying the black flag.
by Colin Woodard 2007
3.89
12k+ ratings
The Gales of November
by John U. Bacon • 2025
The Great Lakes breed deadlier waves. The Edmund Fitzgerald was built for cargo, not survival.
4.50
15k+
The Gales of November Summary
The Gales of November 90%
The Great Lakes breed deadlier waves. The Edmund Fitzgerald was built for cargo, not survival.
by John U. Bacon 2025
4.50
15k+ ratings
Buddhism
by Damien Keown • 1996
Buddhism has no god, no bible, no pope. What holds its many traditions together?
3.74
3k+
Buddhism Summary
Buddhism 90%
Buddhism has no god, no bible, no pope. What holds its many traditions together?
by Damien Keown 1996
3.74
3k+ ratings
America Before
by Graham Hancock • 2019
Mainstream archaeology says the Americas were settled 13,000 years ago. The evidence says 100,000.
4.13
4k+
America Before Summary
America Before 90%
Mainstream archaeology says the Americas were settled 13,000 years ago. The evidence says 100,000.
by Graham Hancock 2019
4.13
4k+ ratings
Evolution's Captain
by Peter Nichols • 2003
He kidnapped four Fuegians to save them, gave Darwin his ship, and was destroyed by both.
3.99
511
Evolution's Captain Summary
Evolution's Captain 90%
He kidnapped four Fuegians to save them, gave Darwin his ship, and was destroyed by both.
by Peter Nichols 2003
3.99
511 ratings
Moby-Duck
by Donovan Hohn • 2011
One man chased 28,800 lost bath toys into ocean gyres, Chinese factories, and the melting ice.
3.31
3k+
Moby-Duck Summary
Moby-Duck 90%
One man chased 28,800 lost bath toys into ocean gyres, Chinese factories, and the melting ice.
by Donovan Hohn 2011
3.31
3k+ ratings
Raiders and Rebels
by Frank Sherry • 1986
How brutalized sailors built a floating republic and waged a thirty-year war against global empire.
4.24
282
Raiders and Rebels Summary
Raiders and Rebels 90%
How brutalized sailors built a floating republic and waged a thirty-year war against global empire.
by Frank Sherry 1986
4.24
282 ratings
The White Darkness
by David Grann • 2018
Obsessed with Shackleton, a soldier crossed Antarctica alone. His hero knew when to stop. He didn't.
3.97
10k+
The White Darkness Summary
The White Darkness 90%
Obsessed with Shackleton, a soldier crossed Antarctica alone. His hero knew when to stop. He didn't.
by David Grann 2018
3.97
10k+ ratings
Four Lost Cities
by Annalee Newitz • 2021
Lost cities didn't vanish; their people walked away when rulers chose monuments over working sewers.
3.78
7k+
Four Lost Cities Summary
Four Lost Cities 90%
Lost cities didn't vanish; their people walked away when rulers chose monuments over working sewers.
by Annalee Newitz 2021
3.78
7k+ ratings
The Box
by Marc Levinson • 2006
In 1956, a trucker shipped 58 truck bodies on a tanker. What followed remade the global economy.
3.86
7k+
The Box Summary
The Box 90%
In 1956, a trucker shipped 58 truck bodies on a tanker. What followed remade the global economy.
by Marc Levinson 2006
3.86
7k+ ratings
The Book on the Bookshelf
by Henry Petroski • 1999
Why books once faced the wall and wore chains: the bookshelf as a history of engineering.
3.75
1k+
The Book on the Bookshelf Summary
The Book on the Bookshelf 90%
Why books once faced the wall and wore chains: the bookshelf as a history of engineering.
by Henry Petroski 1999
3.75
1k+ ratings
Atlantis
by Ignatius L. Donnelly • 1882
The case that a sunken Atlantic continent was the single source of all ancient civilization.
3.67
701
Atlantis Summary
Atlantis 90%
The case that a sunken Atlantic continent was the single source of all ancient civilization.
by Ignatius L. Donnelly 1882
3.67
701 ratings
Black Flags, Blue Waters
by Eric Jay Dolin • 2018
From welcomed economic partners to hanged outlaws: the real story of pirates in colonial America.
3.76
5k+
Black Flags, Blue Waters Summary
Black Flags, Blue Waters 90%
From welcomed economic partners to hanged outlaws: the real story of pirates in colonial America.
by Eric Jay Dolin 2018
3.76
5k+ ratings
They Came Before Columbus
by Ivan Van Sertima • 2003
Africans built ships, crossed the Atlantic, and left stone faces in Mexico before Columbus was born.
4.46
3k+
They Came Before Columbus Summary
They Came Before Columbus 90%
Africans built ships, crossed the Atlantic, and left stone faces in Mexico before Columbus was born.
by Ivan Van Sertima 2003
4.46
3k+ ratings
The Universe Within
by Neil Shubin • 2013
Your body is a clock tuned to Earth's rotation and a museum of cosmic history.
3.88
3k+
The Universe Within Summary
The Universe Within 90%
Your body is a clock tuned to Earth's rotation and a museum of cosmic history.
by Neil Shubin 2013
3.88
3k+ ratings
A Night to Remember
by Walter Lord • 1955
Ice at 11:40. Lifeboats for only half on board. Two hours later, the orchestra was still playing.
4.10
30k+
A Night to Remember Summary
A Night to Remember 90%
Ice at 11:40. Lifeboats for only half on board. Two hours later, the orchestra was still playing.
by Walter Lord 1955
4.10
30k+ ratings
In Search of the Phoenicians
by Josephine Quinn • 2017
The Phoenicians never called themselves that; Greeks, Romans, and modern nations invented them.
3.67
150
In Search of the Phoenicians Summary
In Search of the Phoenicians 90%
The Phoenicians never called themselves that; Greeks, Romans, and modern nations invented them.
by Josephine Quinn 2017
3.67
150 ratings
Mawson's Will
by Lennard Bickel • 1977
He ate the dogs to live. The livers were poison, and he was still alone.
4.26
2k+
Mawson's Will Summary
Mawson's Will 89%
He ate the dogs to live. The livers were poison, and he was still alone.
by Lennard Bickel 1977
4.26
2k+ ratings
How We Got to Now
by Steven Johnson • 2014
Six ordinary breakthroughs built the modern world; their biggest consequences were never planned.
4.12
16k+
How We Got to Now Summary
How We Got to Now 89%
Six ordinary breakthroughs built the modern world; their biggest consequences were never planned.
by Steven Johnson 2014
4.12
16k+ ratings
The Pencil
by Henry Petroski • 1992
A pencil hides centuries of engineering failures, global trade, and the secret to good design.
3.80
657
The Pencil Summary
The Pencil 89%
A pencil hides centuries of engineering failures, global trade, and the secret to good design.
by Henry Petroski 1992
3.80
657 ratings
The Celts
by Alice Roberts • 2015
Classical writers got the Celts wrong. They were Atlantic traders, not central European barbarians.
3.92
1k+
The Celts Summary
The Celts 89%
Classical writers got the Celts wrong. They were Atlantic traders, not central European barbarians.
by Alice Roberts 2015
3.92
1k+ ratings
The Lost City of Z
by David Grann • 2009
An explorer vanished in 1925 hunting a lost Amazon city. Modern science has found his civilization.
3.90
112k+
The Lost City of Z Summary
The Lost City of Z 89%
An explorer vanished in 1925 hunting a lost Amazon city. Modern science has found his civilization.
by David Grann 2009
3.90
112k+ ratings
The Golden Road
by William Dalrymple • 2024
Before the Silk Road, monsoon winds made India the intellectual heart of the ancient world.
4.12
4k+
The Golden Road Summary
The Golden Road 89%
Before the Silk Road, monsoon winds made India the intellectual heart of the ancient world.
by William Dalrymple 2024
4.12
4k+ ratings
Chariots of the Gods
by Erich von Däniken • 1999
Ancient gods were alien visitors. Evidence sits in pyramids, the Bible, and giant desert runways.
3.53
17k+
Chariots of the Gods Summary
Chariots of the Gods 89%
Ancient gods were alien visitors. Evidence sits in pyramids, the Bible, and giant desert runways.
by Erich von Däniken 1999
3.53
17k+ ratings
Forbidden Archeology
by Michael A. Cremo • 1993
Modern human fossils appear in Miocene strata. For over a century, science has looked away.
4.05
1k+
Forbidden Archeology Summary
Forbidden Archeology 89%
Modern human fossils appear in Miocene strata. For over a century, science has looked away.
by Michael A. Cremo 1993
4.05
1k+ ratings
Women in the Valley of the Kings
by Kathleen Sheppard • 2024
Egyptology's famous men dug up tombs. The women who built the field got erased.
3.50
2k+
Women in the Valley of the Kings Summary
Women in the Valley of the Kings 89%
Egyptology's famous men dug up tombs. The women who built the field got erased.
by Kathleen Sheppard 2024
3.50
2k+ ratings
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