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Mass and Elite in Democratic Athens
by Josiah Ober • 1989
An ancient democracy defied the drift toward oligarchy. The secret was rhetoric, not rules.
3.71
48
Mass and Elite in Democratic Athens Summary
Mass and Elite in Democratic Athens 94%
An ancient democracy defied the drift toward oligarchy. The secret was rhetoric, not rules.
by Josiah Ober 1989
3.71
48 ratings
Democracy
by Paul Cartledge • 2016
Ancient democracy meant the poor ruled directly. Modern democracy was built to stop that.
3.80
215
Democracy Summary
Democracy 94%
Ancient democracy meant the poor ruled directly. Modern democracy was built to stop that.
by Paul Cartledge 2016
3.80
215 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 93%
180 years of democracy without liberalism: what Athens reveals about the fundamentals of self-rule.
by Josiah Ober 2019
3.40
25 ratings
Athens on Trial
by Jennifer T. Roberts • 1994
Ancient Athens was the West's cautionary tale against democracy for two millennia. What changed?
3.60
10
Athens on Trial Summary
Athens on Trial 93%
Ancient Athens was the West's cautionary tale against democracy for two millennia. What changed?
by Jennifer T. Roberts 1994
3.60
10 ratings
The Rise and Fall of Classical Greece
by Josiah Ober • 2015
A thousand rival city-states, not empire, produced classical Greece's unprecedented prosperity.
3.94
308
The Rise and Fall of Classical Greece Summary
The Rise and Fall of Classical Greece 92%
A thousand rival city-states, not empire, produced classical Greece's unprecedented prosperity.
by Josiah Ober 2015
3.94
308 ratings
Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea
by Thomas Cahill • 2004
Greek soldiers, poets, thinkers assembled the Western mind. Their answers remain our questions.
3.75
3k+
Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea Summary
Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea 92%
Greek soldiers, poets, thinkers assembled the Western mind. Their answers remain our questions.
by Thomas Cahill 2004
3.75
3k+ ratings
A History of Ancient Greece
by Eric H. Cline • 2006
Before Rome, Greece invented the West. Then Athens and Sparta tore it apart.
3.91
163
A History of Ancient Greece Summary
A History of Ancient Greece 92%
Before Rome, Greece invented the West. Then Athens and Sparta tore it apart.
by Eric H. Cline 2006
3.91
163 ratings
Eureka!
by Peter V. Jones • 2014
Never a nation, always a competition. The story of ancient Greece that skips the boring parts.
3.53
445
Eureka! Summary
Eureka! 92%
Never a nation, always a competition. The story of ancient Greece that skips the boring parts.
by Peter V. Jones 2014
3.53
445 ratings
Aristotle's "Best Regime"
by Clifford Angell Bates Jr. • 2002
Aristotle's buried argument: democracy beats kingship when collective wisdom meets law's restraint.
4.80
5
Aristotle's "Best Regime" Summary
Aristotle's "Best Regime" 92%
Aristotle's buried argument: democracy beats kingship when collective wisdom meets law's restraint.
by Clifford Angell Bates Jr. 2002
4.80
5 ratings
Lords of the Sea
by John R. Hale • 2009
The oar built Athenian democracy. Two centuries later, a lost fleet destroyed it.
4.18
2k+
Lords of the Sea Summary
Lords of the Sea 92%
The oar built Athenian democracy. Two centuries later, a lost fleet destroyed it.
by John R. Hale 2009
4.18
2k+ ratings
From Democrats to Kings
by Michael Scott • 2009
How a brutal, forgotten century of war turned democracies into kingdoms and gave us Alexander.
3.83
249
From Democrats to Kings Summary
From Democrats to Kings 91%
How a brutal, forgotten century of war turned democracies into kingdoms and gave us Alexander.
by Michael Scott 2009
3.83
249 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 91%
One culture, a thousand warring city-states: the split that built ancient Greece and doomed it.
by Robin Waterfield 2018
3.92
436 ratings
A History of Ancient Greece in Fifty Lives
by David Stuttard • 2014
From Homer to Plutarch, fifty Greek lives reveal a civilization built on myth, war, and reinvention.
3.82
233
A History of Ancient Greece in Fifty Lives Summary
A History of Ancient Greece in Fifty Lives 91%
From Homer to Plutarch, fifty Greek lives reveal a civilization built on myth, war, and reinvention.
by David Stuttard 2014
3.82
233 ratings
The Plague of War
by Jennifer T. Roberts • 2017
Athens and Sparta destroyed each other in a war neither wanted. The only winner was Macedon.
3.94
179
The Plague of War Summary
The Plague of War 91%
Athens and Sparta destroyed each other in a war neither wanted. The only winner was Macedon.
by Jennifer T. Roberts 2017
3.94
179 ratings
The Peloponnesian War
by Donald Kagan • 2003
Fear of a rising rival ignited a 27-year war. Its shape still governs great-power conflict today.
4.13
5k+
The Peloponnesian War Summary
The Peloponnesian War 91%
Fear of a rising rival ignited a 27-year war. Its shape still governs great-power conflict today.
by Donald Kagan 2003
4.13
5k+ ratings
Ancient Greece
by Thomas R. Martin • 1992
A journey from the Minoans to Alexander, explaining how Greece shaped the Western world.
3.98
3k+
Ancient Greece Summary
Ancient Greece 91%
A journey from the Minoans to Alexander, explaining how Greece shaped the Western world.
by Thomas R. Martin 1992
3.98
3k+ ratings
The Battle of Salamis
by Barry S. Strauss • 2004
One lie trapped Persia's 1300 ships in a narrow strait, and Western civilization survived.
4.10
1k+
The Battle of Salamis Summary
The Battle of Salamis 90%
One lie trapped Persia's 1300 ships in a narrow strait, and Western civilization survived.
by Barry S. Strauss 2004
4.10
1k+ ratings
Plato at the Googleplex
by Rebecca Goldstein • 2014
Plato, alive today, would walk into Google and ask questions Silicon Valley still cannot answer.
3.85
2k+
Plato at the Googleplex Summary
Plato at the Googleplex 90%
Plato, alive today, would walk into Google and ask questions Silicon Valley still cannot answer.
by Rebecca Goldstein 2014
3.85
2k+ ratings
History of the Peloponnesian War
by Thucydides
Athens rose, Sparta panicked, and a 27-year catastrophe was the only outcome.
3.95
41k+
History of the Peloponnesian War Summary
History of the Peloponnesian War 90%
Athens rose, Sparta panicked, and a 27-year catastrophe was the only outcome.
by Thucydides
3.95
41k+ ratings
Open Democracy
by Hélène Landemore • 2020
Elections hand power to the few. A design for ordinary citizens to actually rule.
4.09
109
Open Democracy Summary
Open Democracy 90%
Elections hand power to the few. A design for ordinary citizens to actually rule.
by Hélène Landemore 2020
4.09
109 ratings
Persian Fire
by Tom Holland • 2005
An ancient clash of civilizations: how a tiny Greece stopped a superpower, and invented the West.
4.17
12k+
Persian Fire Summary
Persian Fire 90%
An ancient clash of civilizations: how a tiny Greece stopped a superpower, and invented the West.
by Tom Holland 2005
4.17
12k+ ratings
Mortal Republic
by Edward J. Watts • 2018
Rome's republic wasn't conquered. Its own citizens dismantled it, choice by choice, over a century.
4.06
1k+
Mortal Republic Summary
Mortal Republic 90%
Rome's republic wasn't conquered. Its own citizens dismantled it, choice by choice, over a century.
by Edward J. Watts 2018
4.06
1k+ ratings
Nemesis
by David Stuttard • 2018
He charmed Athens, betrayed Sparta, and schemed in Persia. His ambition cost Athens its empire.
4.28
162
Nemesis Summary
Nemesis 90%
He charmed Athens, betrayed Sparta, and schemed in Persia. His ambition cost Athens its empire.
by David Stuttard 2018
4.28
162 ratings
The Spartans
by Paul Cartledge • 2002
The 300 Spartans died to preserve a system of mass enslavement; heroism and horror were one.
3.78
3k+
The Spartans Summary
The Spartans 90%
The 300 Spartans died to preserve a system of mass enslavement; heroism and horror were one.
by Paul Cartledge 2002
3.78
3k+ ratings
Politics
by Aristotle
Every city promises the good life. Aristotle's test for which ones actually deliver it.
3.98
43k+
Politics Summary
Politics 90%
Every city promises the good life. Aristotle's test for which ones actually deliver it.
by Aristotle
3.98
43k+ ratings
On Sparta
by Plutarch
Lycurgus designed a state that produced fearless soldiers. Wealth broke it faster than any enemy.
4.12
2k+
On Sparta Summary
On Sparta 90%
Lycurgus designed a state that produced fearless soldiers. Wealth broke it faster than any enemy.
by Plutarch
4.12
2k+ 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 90%
Losing is the skill democracy forgot, and without institutions to structure conflict, it unravels.
by Jan-Werner Müller 2021
3.46
168 ratings
How Democratic Is the American Constitution?
by Robert A. Dahl • 2001
No other advanced democracy ever copied our Constitution. What they all saw that we do not.
3.69
760
How Democratic Is the American Constitution? Summary
How Democratic Is the American Constitution? 90%
No other advanced democracy ever copied our Constitution. What they all saw that we do not.
by Robert A. Dahl 2001
3.69
760 ratings
Democracy and Its Critics
by Robert A. Dahl • 1989
Democracy requires conditions that sound simple and are almost never present at the same time.
3.84
316
Democracy and Its Critics Summary
Democracy and Its Critics 90%
Democracy requires conditions that sound simple and are almost never present at the same time.
by Robert A. Dahl 1989
3.84
316 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 89%
Democracy is not broken. It is eight unresolvable tensions; the work is holding them together.
by Astra Taylor 2019
4.20
731 ratings
The Trial and Death of Socrates
by Plato
Athens tried its greatest thinker. He turned a death sentence into philosophy's founding argument.
4.12
46k+
The Trial and Death of Socrates Summary
The Trial and Death of Socrates 89%
Athens tried its greatest thinker. He turned a death sentence into philosophy's founding argument.
by Plato
4.12
46k+ 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 89%
Most democracies fail their own test: the government reflects a minority, not the people.
by A.C. Grayling 2020
3.81
130 ratings
Aesthetic Theory
by Theodor W. Adorno • 1970
Free isn't removed walls; it's a body, a fact, a road, and solidarity.
4.14
3k+
Aesthetic Theory Summary
Aesthetic Theory 89%
Free isn't removed walls; it's a body, a fact, a road, and solidarity.
by Theodor W. Adorno 1970
4.14
3k+ ratings
Carmide
by Plato
What is temperance? The pursuit leads Socrates to ask whether knowledge can study only itself.
3.53
2k+
Carmide Summary
Carmide 89%
What is temperance? The pursuit leads Socrates to ask whether knowledge can study only itself.
by Plato
3.53
2k+ ratings
Plutarch's Lives
by Plutarch
Plutarch's method: put Greek beside Roman, compare their virtues, let character judge history.
4.10
6k+
Plutarch's Lives Summary
Plutarch's Lives 89%
Plutarch's method: put Greek beside Roman, compare their virtues, let character judge history.
by Plutarch
4.10
6k+ 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 89%
Voters are ignorant and participation corrupts them. The competent should rule instead.
by Jason Brennan 2016
3.68
1k+ ratings
On Democracy
by Robert A. Dahl • 1998
Democracy is barely a century old, needs rare conditions, and capitalism is its host and hazard.
3.68
1k+
On Democracy Summary
On Democracy 89%
Democracy is barely a century old, needs rare conditions, and capitalism is its host and hazard.
by Robert A. Dahl 1998
3.68
1k+ ratings
Our Declaration
by Danielle S. Allen • 2014
The Declaration's forgotten argument: equality is the only real shield against domination.
3.83
888
Our Declaration Summary
Our Declaration 89%
The Declaration's forgotten argument: equality is the only real shield against domination.
by Danielle S. Allen 2014
3.83
888 ratings
Early Socratic Dialogues
by Plato
Virtue is knowledge, wickedness is ignorance, and Socrates proved that no one in Athens had either.
4.05
417
Early Socratic Dialogues Summary
Early Socratic Dialogues 89%
Virtue is knowledge, wickedness is ignorance, and Socrates proved that no one in Athens had either.
by Plato
4.05
417 ratings
When the People Speak
by James S. Fishkin • 2009
Democracy's dirty secret: a few hundred informed citizens reason better than millions.
3.76
49
When the People Speak Summary
When the People Speak 89%
Democracy's dirty secret: a few hundred informed citizens reason better than millions.
by James S. Fishkin 2009
3.76
49 ratings
Thermopylae
by Paul Cartledge • 2006
The Persian Empire seemed unstoppable. 300 Spartans proved otherwise; their defeat saved Greece.
3.79
1k+
Thermopylae Summary
Thermopylae 89%
The Persian Empire seemed unstoppable. 300 Spartans proved otherwise; their defeat saved Greece.
by Paul Cartledge 2006
3.79
1k+ ratings
Does American Democracy Still Work?
by Alan Wolfe • 2006
American democracy has morphed into a form that is democratic on paper but illiberal in practice.
3.57
21
Does American Democracy Still Work? Summary
Does American Democracy Still Work? 89%
American democracy has morphed into a form that is democratic on paper but illiberal in practice.
by Alan Wolfe 2006
3.57
21 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 89%
Populists dismantle institutions; unelected courts rule from above; split tearing democracy apart.
by Yascha Mounk 2018
4.05
2k+ ratings
Democracy in America
by Alexis de Tocqueville • 1835
Equality built American democracy—and made majority rule the new despotism.
4.05
27k+
Democracy in America Summary
Democracy in America 89%
Equality built American democracy—and made majority rule the new despotism.
by Alexis de Tocqueville 1835
4.05
27k+ ratings
Nationalism
by Liah Greenfeld • 1992
Nationalism was born from aristocratic vanity. One form built liberty; the other, tyranny.
3.77
66
Nationalism Summary
Nationalism 89%
Nationalism was born from aristocratic vanity. One form built liberty; the other, tyranny.
by Liah Greenfeld 1992
3.77
66 ratings
درباره اورستیا
by Simon Goldhill • 1992
Why the charter myth of Western theatre is far more unsettling than its torchlit finale admits.
3.98
63
درباره اورستیا Summary
درباره اورستیا 89%
Why the charter myth of Western theatre is far more unsettling than its torchlit finale admits.
by Simon Goldhill 1992
3.98
63 ratings
First Principles
by Thomas E. Ricks • 2020
Locke and Montesquieu get the credit. America's founders were actually reading Cicero and Cato.
4.06
4k+
First Principles Summary
First Principles 89%
Locke and Montesquieu get the credit. America's founders were actually reading Cicero and Cato.
by Thomas E. Ricks 2020
4.06
4k+ 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 89%
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
The Rhetoric & The Poetics of Aristotle
by Aristotle
Persuasion is a system, not a gift: the rules for character, emotion, and logical proof.
4.00
2k+
The Rhetoric & The Poetics of Aristotle Summary
The Rhetoric & The Poetics of Aristotle 89%
Persuasion is a system, not a gift: the rules for character, emotion, and logical proof.
by Aristotle
4.00
2k+ ratings
The Lost History of Liberalism
by Helena Rosenblatt • 2018
Liberalism was born as duty and generosity. The individual-rights version is only seventy years old.
4.04
448
The Lost History of Liberalism Summary
The Lost History of Liberalism 89%
Liberalism was born as duty and generosity. The individual-rights version is only seventy years old.
by Helena Rosenblatt 2018
4.04
448 ratings
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