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...
The Ancient Celts
by Barry Cunliffe • 2018
Two millennia of reinvention: the Celts as barbarians, noble savages, and nationalist ancestors.
3.92
1k+
The Ancient Celts Summary
The Ancient Celts 98%
Two millennia of reinvention: the Celts as barbarians, noble savages, and nationalist ancestors.
by Barry Cunliffe 2018
3.92
1k+ 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 93%
The Phoenicians never called themselves that; Greeks, Romans, and modern nations invented them.
by Josephine Quinn 2017
3.67
150 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. 93%
The Bronze Age had trade routes and diplomacy. A cascade of disasters brought it down.
by Eric H. Cline 2014
3.74
13k+ 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. 92%
Not every civilization collapsed in 1177 B.C. Egypt barely coped; Phoenicia and Cyprus thrived.
by Eric H. Cline 2024
3.77
2k+ 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 92%
Cities were never about efficiency. They were about all the things you cannot get alone.
by Monica L. Smith 2019
3.26
446 ratings
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 92%
Before trains, the sea was the fastest highway. World history from the deck of a ship.
by Lincoln Paine 2013
3.89
700 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 92%
Twelve ancient mysteries where the evidence outlasts every explanation archaeologists have offered.
by Brian Haughton 2007
3.71
233 ratings
Culture
by Martin Puchner • 2023
Borrowing, theft, lucky accidents: four millennia of cultural history. Purity was never the point.
3.92
924
Culture Summary
Culture 92%
Borrowing, theft, lucky accidents: four millennia of cultural history. Purity was never the point.
by Martin Puchner 2023
3.92
924 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 92%
A bead from India, buried in England, reveals the Silk Road world the Vikings actually built.
by Cat Jarman 2021
4.04
4k+ ratings
Viking Age Iceland
by Jesse L. Byock • 2001
No king, no army, no taxes: the machinery that held Viking Iceland together for three centuries.
4.09
674
Viking Age Iceland Summary
Viking Age Iceland 91%
No king, no army, no taxes: the machinery that held Viking Iceland together for three centuries.
by Jesse L. Byock 2001
4.09
674 ratings
Women's Work
by Elizabeth Wayland Barber • 1994
String conquered the planet, and for 20,000 years, the hands that spun it were women's.
4.31
3k+
Women's Work Summary
Women's Work 91%
String conquered the planet, and for 20,000 years, the hands that spun it were women's.
by Elizabeth Wayland Barber 1994
4.31
3k+ 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 91%
Lost cities didn't vanish; their people walked away when rulers chose monuments over working sewers.
by Annalee Newitz 2021
3.78
7k+ 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 91%
The case that a sunken Atlantic continent was the single source of all ancient civilization.
by Ignatius L. Donnelly 1882
3.67
701 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 91%
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
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
How the Irish Saved Civilization
by Thomas Cahill • 1995
After Rome's fall, Irish monks became the unlikely saviors of classical literature.
3.81
47k+
How the Irish Saved Civilization Summary
How the Irish Saved Civilization 91%
After Rome's fall, Irish monks became the unlikely saviors of classical literature.
by Thomas Cahill 1995
3.81
47k+ ratings
The Dawn of Everything
by David Graeber • 2021
The story of human progress was built to bury indigenous challenges to European society.
4.19
27k+
The Dawn of Everything Summary
The Dawn of Everything 91%
The story of human progress was built to bury indigenous challenges to European society.
by David Graeber 2021
4.19
27k+ 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 91%
Mainstream archaeology says the Americas were settled 13,000 years ago. The evidence says 100,000.
by Graham Hancock 2019
4.13
4k+ 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 90%
Maps of ice-free Antarctica. Flood myths with astronomical codes. Who left them?
by Graham Hancock 1995
4.15
16k+ ratings
Creators, Conquerors, and Citizens
by Robin Waterfield • 2018
One culture, a thousand warring city-states: the split that built ancient Greece and doomed it.
3.92
436
Creators, Conquerors, and Citizens Summary
Creators, Conquerors, and Citizens 90%
One culture, a thousand warring city-states: the split that built ancient Greece and doomed it.
by Robin Waterfield 2018
3.92
436 ratings
Children of Ash and Elm
by Neil Price • 2020
A four-part soul, a cosmos alive with spirits: the Viking Age makes sense only from the inside.
4.14
10k+
Children of Ash and Elm Summary
Children of Ash and Elm 90%
A four-part soul, a cosmos alive with spirits: the Viking Age makes sense only from the inside.
by Neil Price 2020
4.14
10k+ ratings
Nations and Nationalism since 1780
by Eric J. Hobsbawm • 1990
Nationalism invented nations, not the reverse, and the two-century project is already decaying.
3.91
2k+
Nations and Nationalism since 1780 Summary
Nations and Nationalism since 1780 90%
Nationalism invented nations, not the reverse, and the two-century project is already decaying.
by Eric J. Hobsbawm 1990
3.91
2k+ 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 90%
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
The Fate of Rome
by Kyle Harper • 2017
The Roman Empire wasn't just conquered. It was overwhelmed by climate chaos and pandemic disease.
4.19
2k+
The Fate of Rome Summary
The Fate of Rome 90%
The Roman Empire wasn't just conquered. It was overwhelmed by climate chaos and pandemic disease.
by Kyle Harper 2017
4.19
2k+ 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 90%
Modern human fossils appear in Miocene strata. For over a century, science has looked away.
by Michael A. Cremo 1993
4.05
1k+ ratings
Final Pagan Generation
by Edward J. Watts • 2015
Why Rome's last pagans didn't fight Christianity but managed its rise from inside the empire.
3.99
259
Final Pagan Generation Summary
Final Pagan Generation 90%
Why Rome's last pagans didn't fight Christianity but managed its rise from inside the empire.
by Edward J. Watts 2015
3.99
259 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 90%
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
A Short History of the World
by Christopher Lascelles • 2011
Thirteen billion years in one short book: why empires fall, ideas spread, and everything connects.
3.86
2k+
A Short History of the World Summary
A Short History of the World 90%
Thirteen billion years in one short book: why empires fall, ideas spread, and everything connects.
by Christopher Lascelles 2011
3.86
2k+ ratings
Dangerous Games
by Margaret MacMillan • 2008
History is never neutral. Nations and leaders weaponize it daily, and the patterns are predictable.
3.64
2k+
Dangerous Games Summary
Dangerous Games 90%
History is never neutral. Nations and leaders weaponize it daily, and the patterns are predictable.
by Margaret MacMillan 2008
3.64
2k+ 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 90%
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 Chemical Muse
by D.C.A. Hillman • 2008
Classical civilization was built on psychoactive plants. The story of how history erased that.
3.89
177
The Chemical Muse Summary
The Chemical Muse 90%
Classical civilization was built on psychoactive plants. The story of how history erased that.
by D.C.A. Hillman 2008
3.89
177 ratings
War and Peace and War
by Peter Turchin • 2005
Empires aren't conquered. They dissolve from within, on a schedule that mathematics can model.
4.17
928
War and Peace and War Summary
War and Peace and War 90%
Empires aren't conquered. They dissolve from within, on a schedule that mathematics can model.
by Peter Turchin 2005
4.17
928 ratings
Cities of God
by Rodney Stark • 2006
Christianity conquered Rome via port cities, personal ties, and 3.4 percent annual growth.
3.74
473
Cities of God Summary
Cities of God 90%
Christianity conquered Rome via port cities, personal ties, and 3.4 percent annual growth.
by Rodney Stark 2006
3.74
473 ratings
A Study of History, Abridgement of Vols 1-6
by Arnold Joseph Toynbee • 1987
History's pattern: empires die, and their true heirs are the churches they tried to crush.
4.11
543
A Study of History, Abridgement of Vols 1-6 Summary
A Study of History, Abridgement of Vols 1-6 90%
History's pattern: empires die, and their true heirs are the churches they tried to crush.
by Arnold Joseph Toynbee 1987
4.11
543 ratings
Civilization
by Niall Ferguson • 2011
Five hundred years of Western rule rested on six innovations. The rest have now caught up.
3.86
10k+
Civilization Summary
Civilization 90%
Five hundred years of Western rule rested on six innovations. The rest have now caught up.
by Niall Ferguson 2011
3.86
10k+ ratings
The Persian Empire
by John W.I. Lee • 2012
Greek histories painted Persia as despotism. The empire's own record tells a different story.
4.10
520
The Persian Empire Summary
The Persian Empire 90%
Greek histories painted Persia as despotism. The empire's own record tells a different story.
by John W.I. Lee 2012
4.10
520 ratings
1491
by Charles C. Mann • 2005
A hemisphere of cities, empires, and millions, emptied by smallpox before colonists arrived.
4.05
96k+
1491 Summary
1491 89%
A hemisphere of cities, empires, and millions, emptied by smallpox before colonists arrived.
by Charles C. Mann 2005
4.05
96k+ ratings
A Little History of the World
by E.H. Gombrich • 1936
The whole human story, from cave paintings to the Cold War, in one short, elegant book.
4.10
32k+
A Little History of the World Summary
A Little History of the World 89%
The whole human story, from cave paintings to the Cold War, in one short, elegant book.
by E.H. Gombrich 1936
4.10
32k+ ratings
Bandits
by Eric J. Hobsbawm • 1969
Every peasant society produces its own Robin Hood. A historian maps the universal pattern.
3.75
800
Bandits Summary
Bandits 89%
Every peasant society produces its own Robin Hood. A historian maps the universal pattern.
by Eric J. Hobsbawm 1969
3.75
800 ratings
Babylon
by Paul Kriwaczek • 2010
Mesopotamia spans half of recorded history. Its rise and fall echo our own.
3.89
3k+
Babylon Summary
Babylon 89%
Mesopotamia spans half of recorded history. Its rise and fall echo our own.
by Paul Kriwaczek 2010
3.89
3k+ ratings
A Culture of Growth
by Joel Mokyr • 2016
What fueled modern growth? Not property rights. A cultural shift that made nature a solvable puzzle.
3.94
427
A Culture of Growth Summary
A Culture of Growth 89%
What fueled modern growth? Not property rights. A cultural shift that made nature a solvable puzzle.
by Joel Mokyr 2016
3.94
427 ratings
Shipwrecked!
by Martin W. Sandler • 2023
Seven shipwrecks froze time. How marine archaeologists learned to unlock them.
3.87
218
Shipwrecked! Summary
Shipwrecked! 89%
Seven shipwrecks froze time. How marine archaeologists learned to unlock them.
by Martin W. Sandler 2023
3.87
218 ratings
Against the Grain
by James C. Scott • 2017
Every early state ran on a cereal grain. The rest of the story is coercion, plague, and collapse.
4.13
5k+
Against the Grain Summary
Against the Grain 89%
Every early state ran on a cereal grain. The rest of the story is coercion, plague, and collapse.
by James C. Scott 2017
4.13
5k+ ratings
The World Until Yesterday
by Jared Diamond • 2012
What hunter-gatherers knew about raising children, avoiding danger, and ending feuds we forgot.
3.78
11k+
The World Until Yesterday Summary
The World Until Yesterday 89%
What hunter-gatherers knew about raising children, avoiding danger, and ending feuds we forgot.
by Jared Diamond 2012
3.78
11k+ ratings
Did God Have a Wife? Archaeology and Folk Religion in Ancient Israel
by William G. Dever • 2005
Archaeology reveals ordinary Israelites worshiped Asherah as Yahweh's consort. The Bible erased her.
3.93
307
Did God Have a Wife? Archaeology and Folk Religion in Ancient Israel Summary
Did God Have a Wife? Archaeology and Folk Religion in Ancient Israel 89%
Archaeology reveals ordinary Israelites worshiped Asherah as Yahweh's consort. The Bible erased her.
by William G. Dever 2005
3.93
307 ratings
A Short History of the World
by H.G. Wells • 1922
Human history is the final page of a two-billion-year story we are only beginning to read.
3.86
3k+
A Short History of the World Summary
A Short History of the World 89%
Human history is the final page of a two-billion-year story we are only beginning to read.
by H.G. Wells 1922
3.86
3k+ ratings
Predictable Results in Unpredictable Times
by Stephen R. Covey • 2009
The West built its politics on a mistake: that humans are naturally selfish animals.
3.72
186
Predictable Results in Unpredictable Times Summary
Predictable Results in Unpredictable Times 89%
The West built its politics on a mistake: that humans are naturally selfish animals.
by Stephen R. Covey 2009
3.72
186 ratings
Palestine
by Nur Masalha • 2018
Palestine's name and people stretch back three millennia. That history was deliberately buried.
4.03
1k+
Palestine Summary
Palestine 89%
Palestine's name and people stretch back three millennia. That history was deliberately buried.
by Nur Masalha 2018
4.03
1k+ ratings
Tacitus' Annals
by Ronald Mellor • 2010
Tacitus turned history into a mirror for tyrants. Here is how to read his darkest masterpiece.
4.21
24
Tacitus' Annals Summary
Tacitus' Annals 89%
Tacitus turned history into a mirror for tyrants. Here is how to read his darkest masterpiece.
by Ronald Mellor 2010
4.21
24 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
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