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 Crisis of the Modern World
by René Guénon • 1927
Modernity is a spiritual dark age, and the West's greatest achievements are its diagnostic symptoms.
4.09
2k+
The Crisis of the Modern World Summary
The Crisis of the Modern World 91%
Modernity is a spiritual dark age, and the West's greatest achievements are its diagnostic symptoms.
by René Guénon 1927
4.09
2k+ ratings
Religion in Human Evolution
by Robert N. Bellah • 2011
Before belief, play. The story from animal ritual to Axial sages who questioned every god.
3.97
451
Religion in Human Evolution Summary
Religion in Human Evolution 90%
Before belief, play. The story from animal ritual to Axial sages who questioned every god.
by Robert N. Bellah 2011
3.97
451 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 90%
History's real units are civilizations, not nations. Their collapses conceal a spiritual purpose.
by Arnold Joseph Toynbee 1957
4.10
224 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 90%
What forty centuries of history reveal: cycles, geography's grip, and the unchanging human drives.
by Will Durant 1968
4.05
21k+ 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
Pyrrhonism
by Adrian Kuzminski • 2008
Ancient Greece had its own Buddhism: suspending belief for tranquility, not skepticism.
4.01
70
Pyrrhonism Summary
Pyrrhonism 90%
Ancient Greece had its own Buddhism: suspending belief for tranquility, not skepticism.
by Adrian Kuzminski 2008
4.01
70 ratings
Jainism
by Jeffery D. Long • 2009
Karma, in Jainism, is a physical substance. The 2,500-year-old map for scraping the soul clean.
3.82
118
Jainism Summary
Jainism 90%
Karma, in Jainism, is a physical substance. The 2,500-year-old map for scraping the soul clean.
by Jeffery D. Long 2009
3.82
118 ratings
How the World Thinks
by Julian Baggini • 2018
The West asks what is true. India asks what liberates. A map of philosophy beyond Europe.
3.67
3k+
How the World Thinks Summary
How the World Thinks 90%
The West asks what is true. India asks what liberates. A map of philosophy beyond Europe.
by Julian Baggini 2018
3.67
3k+ ratings
Ancient Worlds
by Michael Scott • 2016
Democracy, republic, and Confucianism were born in the same century. None by design.
3.77
635
Ancient Worlds Summary
Ancient Worlds 90%
Democracy, republic, and Confucianism were born in the same century. None by design.
by Michael Scott 2016
3.77
635 ratings
The Gnostic Religion
by Hans Jonas • 1958
Cosmos as prison, creator as enemy: the ancient heresy that prefigured existentialism.
4.23
475
The Gnostic Religion Summary
The Gnostic Religion 90%
Cosmos as prison, creator as enemy: the ancient heresy that prefigured existentialism.
by Hans Jonas 1958
4.23
475 ratings
Confucianism
by Daniel K. Gardner • 2014
No god, no police: how one moral philosophy held Chinese society together for two thousand years.
3.98
372
Confucianism Summary
Confucianism 89%
No god, no police: how one moral philosophy held Chinese society together for two thousand years.
by Daniel K. Gardner 2014
3.98
372 ratings
Cynicism
by Ansgar Allen • 2014
Cynicism once meant tearing everything down. Now it just means giving up.
3.71
146
Cynicism Summary
Cynicism 89%
Cynicism once meant tearing everything down. Now it just means giving up.
by Ansgar Allen 2014
3.71
146 ratings
On Quality
by Robert M. Pirsig • 2021
Value isn't a judgment we add to reality. It is reality, and everything else follows.
3.64
387
On Quality Summary
On Quality 89%
Value isn't a judgment we add to reality. It is reality, and everything else follows.
by Robert M. Pirsig 2021
3.64
387 ratings
The Marriage of Sense and Soul
by Ken Wilber • 1998
The war between science and religion is a category error. Fix the method, conflict dissolves.
4.11
522
The Marriage of Sense and Soul Summary
The Marriage of Sense and Soul 89%
The war between science and religion is a category error. Fix the method, conflict dissolves.
by Ken Wilber 1998
4.11
522 ratings
Fallen Leaves
by Will Durant • 2014
At life's end, a historian sets down what he knows about desire, war, art, and God.
3.92
1k+
Fallen Leaves Summary
Fallen Leaves 89%
At life's end, a historian sets down what he knows about desire, war, art, and God.
by Will Durant 2014
3.92
1k+ 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 89%
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 Passion of the Western Mind
by Richard Tarnas • 1991
Western thought is a single dramatic story, from ancient archetypes to postmodern doubt.
4.24
2k+
The Passion of the Western Mind Summary
The Passion of the Western Mind 89%
Western thought is a single dramatic story, from ancient archetypes to postmodern doubt.
by Richard Tarnas 1991
4.24
2k+ ratings
Secular Buddhism
by Stephen Batchelor • 2017
Buddhism without rebirth or ritual: four practical tasks for flourishing in this life, right now.
3.88
289
Secular Buddhism Summary
Secular Buddhism 89%
Buddhism without rebirth or ritual: four practical tasks for flourishing in this life, right now.
by Stephen Batchelor 2017
3.88
289 ratings
Dominion
by Tom Holland • 2019
Secularism, human rights, even atheism: a historian shows why these are all products of the cross.
4.26
12k+
Dominion Summary
Dominion 89%
Secularism, human rights, even atheism: a historian shows why these are all products of the cross.
by Tom Holland 2019
4.26
12k+ ratings
The Theological Origins of Modernity
by Michael Allen Gillespie • 2008
The modern world is a theological argument that left the church and took over everything.
4.23
270
The Theological Origins of Modernity Summary
The Theological Origins of Modernity 89%
The modern world is a theological argument that left the church and took over everything.
by Michael Allen Gillespie 2008
4.23
270 ratings
The Consequences of Ideas
by R.C. Sproul • 1988
Philosophy's stark choice: Kant's closed door or Aquinas's open one. Fallout, from Thales to Sartre.
4.18
2k+
The Consequences of Ideas Summary
The Consequences of Ideas 89%
Philosophy's stark choice: Kant's closed door or Aquinas's open one. Fallout, from Thales to Sartre.
by R.C. Sproul 1988
4.18
2k+ ratings
Remaking the World
by Andrew Wilson • 2023
1776's revolutions built the secular West. Can faith still answer its deepest anxieties?
4.46
2k+
Remaking the World Summary
Remaking the World 89%
1776's revolutions built the secular West. Can faith still answer its deepest anxieties?
by Andrew Wilson 2023
4.46
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 89%
Civilization rests on four fragile foundations; remove one, and the whole structure collapses.
by Will Durant 1975
4.43
2k+ ratings
A Short History of Chinese Philosophy
by Feng Youlan • 1948
The 2,500-year argument over how to live well that China conducted instead of religion.
4.33
687
A Short History of Chinese Philosophy Summary
A Short History of Chinese Philosophy 89%
The 2,500-year argument over how to live well that China conducted instead of religion.
by Feng Youlan 1948
4.33
687 ratings
The Stillborn God
by Mark Lilla • 2007
Politics broke from God only recently, and Weimar nearly put them back together.
3.60
289
The Stillborn God Summary
The Stillborn God 89%
Politics broke from God only recently, and Weimar nearly put them back together.
by Mark Lilla 2007
3.60
289 ratings
Awakening From the Meaning Crisis
by John Vervaeke • 2024
The West's loss of meaning has a 40,000-year history. Tracing it reveals the exit.
4.70
69
Awakening From the Meaning Crisis Summary
Awakening From the Meaning Crisis 89%
The West's loss of meaning has a 40,000-year history. Tracing it reveals the exit.
by John Vervaeke 2024
4.70
69 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 89%
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
A Secular Age
by Charles Margrave Taylor • 2007
Modern unbelief required building a new self, a new society, and a new kind of time.
4.27
2k+
A Secular Age Summary
A Secular Age 89%
Modern unbelief required building a new self, a new society, and a new kind of time.
by Charles Margrave Taylor 2007
4.27
2k+ ratings
Less Than Nothing
by Slavoj Žižek • 2012
Reality is a hole in nothingness, propped up by fictions, and Hegel's dialectic is the map.
4.17
650
Less Than Nothing Summary
Less Than Nothing 89%
Reality is a hole in nothingness, propped up by fictions, and Hegel's dialectic is the map.
by Slavoj Žižek 2012
4.17
650 ratings
Plato
by Plato
Jesus didn't exist. Early Christians worshiped a heavenly myth; the Gospels are Hebrew rewrites.
4.38
12k+
Plato Summary
Plato 89%
Jesus didn't exist. Early Christians worshiped a heavenly myth; the Gospels are Hebrew rewrites.
by Plato
4.38
12k+ ratings
Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament
by John H. Walton • 2006
The Old Testament's world was nothing like ours. Its hardest verses only make sense inside it.
4.25
809
Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament Summary
Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament 89%
The Old Testament's world was nothing like ours. Its hardest verses only make sense inside it.
by John H. Walton 2006
4.25
809 ratings
René Girard's Mimetic Theory
by Wolfgang Palaver • 2008
Your desire is borrowed. Trace that fact from petty envy to the founding murder of civilization.
4.21
168
René Girard's Mimetic Theory Summary
René Girard's Mimetic Theory 89%
Your desire is borrowed. Trace that fact from petty envy to the founding murder of civilization.
by Wolfgang Palaver 2008
4.21
168 ratings
The Battle for God
by Karen Armstrong • 2000
Fundamentalism is not faith's past. It is modernity's child, and opposition only feeds it.
3.95
7k+
The Battle for God Summary
The Battle for God 89%
Fundamentalism is not faith's past. It is modernity's child, and opposition only feeds it.
by Karen Armstrong 2000
3.95
7k+ ratings
Religion and the Rebel
by Colin Wilson • 1957
The rebel craving spiritual intensity is not broken: he is civilization's healthy warning symptom.
4.08
249
Religion and the Rebel Summary
Religion and the Rebel 89%
The rebel craving spiritual intensity is not broken: he is civilization's healthy warning symptom.
by Colin Wilson 1957
4.08
249 ratings
Six Questions of Socrates
by Christopher Phillips • 2004
Socrates' six questions, asked around the world, reveal the good life has no single answer.
3.70
389
Six Questions of Socrates Summary
Six Questions of Socrates 89%
Socrates' six questions, asked around the world, reveal the good life has no single answer.
by Christopher Phillips 2004
3.70
389 ratings
The First Scientist
by Carlo Rovelli • 2005
26 centuries ago, one man freed the Earth from its supports and nature from its gods.
4.06
2k+
The First Scientist Summary
The First Scientist 89%
26 centuries ago, one man freed the Earth from its supports and nature from its gods.
by Carlo Rovelli 2005
4.06
2k+ ratings
The Listening Society
by Hanzi Freinacht • 2017
Political systems ignore how minds grow. A blueprint for a state that develops its citizens.
4.49
402
The Listening Society Summary
The Listening Society 89%
Political systems ignore how minds grow. A blueprint for a state that develops its citizens.
by Hanzi Freinacht 2017
4.49
402 ratings
Why Does the World Exist?
by Jim Holt • 2011
Physics, philosophy, and theology each claim to know why anything exists. None of them agree.
3.81
7k+
Why Does the World Exist? Summary
Why Does the World Exist? 89%
Physics, philosophy, and theology each claim to know why anything exists. None of them agree.
by Jim Holt 2011
3.81
7k+ ratings
The Stage of Time
by Matthew LaCroix • 2019
History was rewritten, your DNA was engineered, and a hidden planet resets civilization on cycle.
4.21
346
The Stage of Time Summary
The Stage of Time 89%
History was rewritten, your DNA was engineered, and a hidden planet resets civilization on cycle.
by Matthew LaCroix 2019
4.21
346 ratings
How to Save the West
by Spencer Klavan • 2023
The West's unraveling isn't political. It's philosophical, and the remedy is older than the problem.
4.27
468
How to Save the West Summary
How to Save the West 89%
The West's unraveling isn't political. It's philosophical, and the remedy is older than the problem.
by Spencer Klavan 2023
4.27
468 ratings
Ancient Philosophy
by Anthony Kenny • 2004
The questions the ancient Greeks asked still define philosophy, and still resist easy answers.
3.95
580
Ancient Philosophy Summary
Ancient Philosophy 89%
The questions the ancient Greeks asked still define philosophy, and still resist easy answers.
by Anthony Kenny 2004
3.95
580 ratings
Outgrowing God
by Richard Dawkins • 2019
Humans have invented thousands of gods. A scientist's case for why yours is one of them.
4.06
6k+
Outgrowing God Summary
Outgrowing God 89%
Humans have invented thousands of gods. A scientist's case for why yours is one of them.
by Richard Dawkins 2019
4.06
6k+ ratings
The History of the Ancient World
by Susan Wise Bauer • 2007
The recurring patterns that built and then quietly destroyed ancient civs from Sumer to Rome.
4.11
7k+
The History of the Ancient World Summary
The History of the Ancient World 89%
The recurring patterns that built and then quietly destroyed ancient civs from Sumer to Rome.
by Susan Wise Bauer 2007
4.11
7k+ ratings
The End of Faith
by Sam Harris • 2004
Religious moderates make faith immune to criticism, and extremists exploit that immunity.
3.89
44k+
The End of Faith Summary
The End of Faith 89%
Religious moderates make faith immune to criticism, and extremists exploit that immunity.
by Sam Harris 2004
3.89
44k+ ratings
A God That Could be Real
by Nancy Ellen Abrams • 2015
What if God isn't a creator but a creation, emerging from collective human consciousness right now?
3.71
276
A God That Could be Real Summary
A God That Could be Real 89%
What if God isn't a creator but a creation, emerging from collective human consciousness right now?
by Nancy Ellen Abrams 2015
3.71
276 ratings
Philosophy of Existence
by Karl Jaspers • 1938
Objects aren't real. The real is a horizon you inhabit, never grasp, and awaken to.
3.79
323
Philosophy of Existence Summary
Philosophy of Existence 89%
Objects aren't real. The real is a horizon you inhabit, never grasp, and awaken to.
by Karl Jaspers 1938
3.79
323 ratings
Soul Machine
by George Makari • 2015
Science couldn't find the soul. So early modern Europe invented the mind to take its place.
3.82
157
Soul Machine Summary
Soul Machine 89%
Science couldn't find the soul. So early modern Europe invented the mind to take its place.
by George Makari 2015
3.82
157 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 89%
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 New Orientalists
by Ian Almond • 2007
Postmodernism attacked Orientalism. Then, from Nietzsche to Žižek, it built a subtler one.
3.41
41
The New Orientalists Summary
The New Orientalists 89%
Postmodernism attacked Orientalism. Then, from Nietzsche to Žižek, it built a subtler one.
by Ian Almond 2007
3.41
41 ratings
The Socratic Method
by Ward Farnsworth • 2021
How to outgrow dogmatic thinking with ancient questioning tactics that reveal hidden contradictions.
4.26
1k+
The Socratic Method Summary
The Socratic Method 89%
How to outgrow dogmatic thinking with ancient questioning tactics that reveal hidden contradictions.
by Ward Farnsworth 2021
4.26
1k+ 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 25,
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