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Peasants Into Frenchmen
by Eugen Weber • 1976
They didn't speak French or feel French. Roads, schools, and barracks turned them into Frenchmen.
4.28
403
Peasants Into Frenchmen Summary
Peasants Into Frenchmen 89%
They didn't speak French or feel French. Roads, schools, and barracks turned them into Frenchmen.
by Eugen Weber 1976
4.28
403 ratings
Bleu
by Michel Pastoureau • 2000
The Virgin Mary, a French king, and denim: how blue went from barbarian to beloved.
3.99
2k+
Bleu Summary
Bleu 88%
The Virgin Mary, a French king, and denim: how blue went from barbarian to beloved.
by Michel Pastoureau 2000
3.99
2k+ ratings
Civilization and Capitalism 15th–18th Century, Vol. 3
by Fernand Braudel • 1979
Capitalism thrives by avoiding the market. How monopolies, not competition, built the modern world.
4.44
498
Civilization and Capitalism 15th–18th Century, Vol. 3 Summary
Civilization and Capitalism 15th–18th Century, Vol. 3 88%
Capitalism thrives by avoiding the market. How monopolies, not competition, built the modern world.
by Fernand Braudel 1979
4.44
498 ratings
The Lessons of History
by Will Durant • 1968
What forty centuries of history reveal: cycles, geography's grip, and the unchanging human drives.
4.05
21k+
The Lessons of History Summary
The Lessons of History 88%
What forty centuries of history reveal: cycles, geography's grip, and the unchanging human drives.
by Will Durant 1968
4.05
21k+ ratings
Feudal Society, Volume 2
by Marc Bloch • 1939
From mounted warrior to hereditary lord: how the feudal class system invented the social contract.
4.17
428
Feudal Society, Volume 2 Summary
Feudal Society, Volume 2 88%
From mounted warrior to hereditary lord: how the feudal class system invented the social contract.
by Marc Bloch 1939
4.17
428 ratings
Silencing the Past
by Michel-Rolph Trouillot • 1995
Why the Haitian Revolution was erased from history while it was still happening.
4.35
3k+
Silencing the Past Summary
Silencing the Past 87%
Why the Haitian Revolution was erased from history while it was still happening.
by Michel-Rolph Trouillot 1995
4.35
3k+ 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 87%
History is never neutral. Nations and leaders weaponize it daily, and the patterns are predictable.
by Margaret MacMillan 2008
3.64
2k+ ratings
A Study of History, abridged
by Arnold Joseph Toynbee • 1957
History's real units are civilizations, not nations. Their collapses conceal a spiritual purpose.
4.10
224
A Study of History, abridged Summary
A Study of History, abridged 87%
History's real units are civilizations, not nations. Their collapses conceal a spiritual purpose.
by Arnold Joseph Toynbee 1957
4.10
224 ratings
The Rise of the Western World
by Douglass C. North • 1973
The West did not rise because of technology. It rose because of property rights.
3.85
171
The Rise of the Western World Summary
The Rise of the Western World 87%
The West did not rise because of technology. It rose because of property rights.
by Douglass C. North 1973
3.85
171 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 87%
Ten millennia of data point to two conditions for state collapse. America now meets both.
by Peter Turchin 2023
4.06
3k+ ratings
Early Modern Europe, 1450–1789
by Merry E. Wiesner-Hanks • 2006
The very idea of 'Europe' was invented in the era we call early modern.
3.96
447
Early Modern Europe, 1450–1789 Summary
Early Modern Europe, 1450–1789 87%
The very idea of 'Europe' was invented in the era we call early modern.
by Merry E. Wiesner-Hanks 2006
3.96
447 ratings
Civilization and Capitalism 15th–18th Century, Vol 2
by Fernand Braudel • 1979
Markets are transparent. Capitalism is their shadow, thriving on distance and state collusion.
4.47
603
Civilization and Capitalism 15th–18th Century, Vol 2 Summary
Civilization and Capitalism 15th–18th Century, Vol 2 87%
Markets are transparent. Capitalism is their shadow, thriving on distance and state collusion.
by Fernand Braudel 1979
4.47
603 ratings
A History of Histories
by J.W. Burrow • 2007
From Greek inquiry to the modern archive: 2,500 years of historians bending the past to their age.
3.78
456
A History of Histories Summary
A History of Histories 87%
From Greek inquiry to the modern archive: 2,500 years of historians bending the past to their age.
by J.W. Burrow 2007
3.78
456 ratings
The Fourth Turning Is Here
by Neil Howe • 2023
An 80-year cycle pushes America toward a 2030 crisis. The last two ended in total war.
3.93
3k+
The Fourth Turning Is Here Summary
The Fourth Turning Is Here 87%
An 80-year cycle pushes America toward a 2030 crisis. The last two ended in total war.
by Neil Howe 2023
3.93
3k+ ratings
The Order of Things
by Michel Foucault • 1966
Thought is governed by hidden rules that have collapsed twice. 'Man' was their latest product.
4.12
10k+
The Order of Things Summary
The Order of Things 87%
Thought is governed by hidden rules that have collapsed twice. 'Man' was their latest product.
by Michel Foucault 1966
4.12
10k+ 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 87%
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
Remaking Modernity
by Julia Adams • 2004
Modernity was never a European solo act. Colonies, gender, and culture built it from the margins.
3.75
12
Remaking Modernity Summary
Remaking Modernity 87%
Modernity was never a European solo act. Colonies, gender, and culture built it from the margins.
by Julia Adams 2004
3.75
12 ratings
The Light Ages
by Seb Falk • 2020
Eclipse math, precision clocks, a six-foot computer: the medieval laboratory inside the monastery.
3.67
2k+
The Light Ages Summary
The Light Ages 87%
Eclipse math, precision clocks, a six-foot computer: the medieval laboratory inside the monastery.
by Seb Falk 2020
3.67
2k+ 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 87%
Empires aren't conquered. They dissolve from within, on a schedule that mathematics can model.
by Peter Turchin 2005
4.17
928 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 87%
The story of human progress was built to bury indigenous challenges to European society.
by David Graeber 2021
4.19
27k+ ratings
The Sources of Social Power
by Michael Mann • 1986
Why do empires rise and fall? The answer isn't one force but four overlapping power networks.
4.32
158
The Sources of Social Power Summary
The Sources of Social Power 87%
Why do empires rise and fall? The answer isn't one force but four overlapping power networks.
by Michael Mann 1986
4.32
158 ratings
Escape from Rome
by Walter Scheidel • 2019
China kept rebuilding its empire. Europe never rebuilt Rome. That difference changed everything.
4.05
482
Escape from Rome Summary
Escape from Rome 87%
China kept rebuilding its empire. Europe never rebuilt Rome. That difference changed everything.
by Walter Scheidel 2019
4.05
482 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 87%
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 Great Divergence
by Kenneth Pomeranz • 2000
Europe's industrial breakthrough wasn't its own genius. It took colonial land and underground coal.
3.68
1k+
The Great Divergence Summary
The Great Divergence 87%
Europe's industrial breakthrough wasn't its own genius. It took colonial land and underground coal.
by Kenneth Pomeranz 2000
3.68
1k+ 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 87%
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 Gutenberg Parenthesis
by Jeff Jarvis • 2023
Before print, knowledge was conversation. Then books fenced it in. The fences are coming down.
3.83
218
The Gutenberg Parenthesis Summary
The Gutenberg Parenthesis 87%
Before print, knowledge was conversation. Then books fenced it in. The fences are coming down.
by Jeff Jarvis 2023
3.83
218 ratings
Social Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy
by Barrington Moore Jr. • 1966
A nation's political fate was sealed by its lords and peasants: democracy, fascism, or communism.
4.00
1k+
Social Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy Summary
Social Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy 87%
A nation's political fate was sealed by its lords and peasants: democracy, fascism, or communism.
by Barrington Moore Jr. 1966
4.00
1k+ ratings
Dumbing Us Down - 25th Anniversary Hardback Edition
by John Taylor Gatto • 2002
An award-winning teacher walked away. His reason: the system is designed to crush independence.
4.14
12k+
Dumbing Us Down - 25th Anniversary Hardback Edition Summary
Dumbing Us Down - 25th Anniversary Hardback Edition 87%
An award-winning teacher walked away. His reason: the system is designed to crush independence.
by John Taylor Gatto 2002
4.14
12k+ ratings
The Boy Who Could Change the World
by Aaron Swartz • 2015
Schools were built to kill your curiosity. A radical vision for learning differently.
4.21
477
The Boy Who Could Change the World Summary
The Boy Who Could Change the World 87%
Schools were built to kill your curiosity. A radical vision for learning differently.
by Aaron Swartz 2015
4.21
477 ratings
The Storm Before the Calm
by George Friedman • 2020
Every eighty years America's government breaks; every fifty, its economy. Now both arrive at once.
4.05
3k+
The Storm Before the Calm Summary
The Storm Before the Calm 87%
Every eighty years America's government breaks; every fifty, its economy. Now both arrive at once.
by George Friedman 2020
4.05
3k+ 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 87%
Thirteen billion years in one short book: why empires fall, ideas spread, and everything connects.
by Christopher Lascelles 2011
3.86
2k+ ratings
Civilization on Trial
by Arnold Joseph Toynbee • 1948
Civilizations rise to fall, religions to climb. The rubble is the mechanism, not the failure.
3.83
152
Civilization on Trial Summary
Civilization on Trial 87%
Civilizations rise to fall, religions to climb. The rubble is the mechanism, not the failure.
by Arnold Joseph Toynbee 1948
3.83
152 ratings
The Climate of History in a Planetary Age
by Dipesh Chakrabarty • 2021
All our political concepts assume a stable planet. The Anthropocene reveals it never was.
3.68
142
The Climate of History in a Planetary Age Summary
The Climate of History in a Planetary Age 87%
All our political concepts assume a stable planet. The Anthropocene reveals it never was.
by Dipesh Chakrabarty 2021
3.68
142 ratings
Conquests and Cultures
by Thomas Sowell • 1998
Geography blocked Africa, conquests lifted Britain, and human capital explains the gap.
4.44
964
Conquests and Cultures Summary
Conquests and Cultures 87%
Geography blocked Africa, conquests lifted Britain, and human capital explains the gap.
by Thomas Sowell 1998
4.44
964 ratings
La Belle Époque
by Michel Winock • 2002
Cubism blazed in Paris while France panicked about its birth rate and armed for war.
3.70
40
La Belle Époque Summary
La Belle Époque 87%
Cubism blazed in Paris while France panicked about its birth rate and armed for war.
by Michel Winock 2002
3.70
40 ratings
Visual Methodologies
by Gillian Rose • 2001
Seven methods for interpreting images, one demand: know your own position and why it matters.
3.87
278
Visual Methodologies Summary
Visual Methodologies 87%
Seven methods for interpreting images, one demand: know your own position and why it matters.
by Gillian Rose 2001
3.87
278 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 86%
What fueled modern growth? Not property rights. A cultural shift that made nature a solvable puzzle.
by Joel Mokyr 2016
3.94
427 ratings
Nations
by Azar Gat • 2012
The nation is no modern fabrication. Its roots reach into our evolutionary past.
3.90
103
Nations Summary
Nations 86%
The nation is no modern fabrication. Its roots reach into our evolutionary past.
by Azar Gat 2012
3.90
103 ratings
Revolt Against the Modern World
by Julius Evola • 1934
Progress is backwards: history is the long descent from sacred kingship to the rule of the masses.
3.98
2k+
Revolt Against the Modern World Summary
Revolt Against the Modern World 86%
Progress is backwards: history is the long descent from sacred kingship to the rule of the masses.
by Julius Evola 1934
3.98
2k+ ratings
Story of Civilization
by Will Durant • 1975
Civilization rests on four fragile foundations; remove one, and the whole structure collapses.
4.43
2k+
Story of Civilization Summary
Story of Civilization 86%
Civilization rests on four fragile foundations; remove one, and the whole structure collapses.
by Will Durant 1975
4.43
2k+ ratings
Painting and Experience in Fifteenth-Century Italy
by Michael Baxandall • 1972
Art appreciation in 15th-century Italy began with a contract and a barrel-gauging formula.
3.95
3k+
Painting and Experience in Fifteenth-Century Italy Summary
Painting and Experience in Fifteenth-Century Italy 86%
Art appreciation in 15th-century Italy began with a contract and a barrel-gauging formula.
by Michael Baxandall 1972
3.95
3k+ ratings
A French Genocide
by Reynald Secher • 1986
The French Revolution's forgotten genocide: a campaign that erased 14% of the Vendée's population.
4.15
27
A French Genocide Summary
A French Genocide 86%
The French Revolution's forgotten genocide: a campaign that erased 14% of the Vendée's population.
by Reynald Secher 1986
4.15
27 ratings
The Decline and Rise of Democracy
by David Stasavage • 2020
Democracy did not begin in Athens. It emerges where the state is too weak to rule alone.
3.86
223
The Decline and Rise of Democracy Summary
The Decline and Rise of Democracy 86%
Democracy did not begin in Athens. It emerges where the state is too weak to rule alone.
by David Stasavage 2020
3.86
223 ratings
Why the West Rules—for Now
by Ian Morris • 2010
Western rule is a geographical accident. One 15,000-year index shows why, and predicts the handoff.
4.11
6k+
Why the West Rules—for Now Summary
Why the West Rules—for Now 86%
Western rule is a geographical accident. One 15,000-year index shows why, and predicts the handoff.
by Ian Morris 2010
4.11
6k+ 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 86%
Elections are spectacle; political science studies the regulation of conflict beneath.
by Philippe Braud 1986
3
13 ratings
Citizens
by Simon Schama • 1989
Modernizing France crashed into revolution, and bloodshed was its engine, not its accident.
4.03
6k+
Citizens Summary
Citizens 86%
Modernizing France crashed into revolution, and bloodshed was its engine, not its accident.
by Simon Schama 1989
4.03
6k+ ratings
Dialogism
by Michael Holquist • 1990
All speech answers prior speech, all selves depend on others: the dialogic philosophy of Bakhtin.
4.09
88
Dialogism Summary
Dialogism 86%
All speech answers prior speech, all selves depend on others: the dialogic philosophy of Bakhtin.
by Michael Holquist 1990
4.09
88 ratings
The Notebook
by Roland Allen • 2023
A blank paper book reshaped finance, art, and the self long before any screen.
4.32
2k+
The Notebook Summary
The Notebook 86%
A blank paper book reshaped finance, art, and the self long before any screen.
by Roland Allen 2023
4.32
2k+ ratings
Day of Empire
by Amy Chua • 2007
Dominating the world has always required one thing: taking in the talent everyone else rejects.
3.77
999
Day of Empire Summary
Day of Empire 86%
Dominating the world has always required one thing: taking in the talent everyone else rejects.
by Amy Chua 2007
3.77
999 ratings
Rational Choice and Security Studies
by Michael E. Brown • 2000
Two visions of political science: one builds mathematical temples, the other wants to stop war.
3.78
9
Rational Choice and Security Studies Summary
Rational Choice and Security Studies 86%
Two visions of political science: one builds mathematical temples, the other wants to stop war.
by Michael E. Brown 2000
3.78
9 ratings
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