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The Fish That Ate the Whale
by Rich Cohen • 2012
Penniless at fourteen, he built a banana empire that toppled governments and coined banana republic.
4.11
9k+
The Fish That Ate the Whale Summary
The Fish That Ate the Whale 89%
Penniless at fourteen, he built a banana empire that toppled governments and coined banana republic.
by Rich Cohen 2012
4.11
9k+ ratings
Things Are Never So Bad That They Can't Get Worse
by William Neuman • 2022
How a nation sitting on the world's largest oil reserves starved its own people.
4.13
1k+
Things Are Never So Bad That They Can't Get Worse Summary
Things Are Never So Bad That They Can't Get Worse 88%
How a nation sitting on the world's largest oil reserves starved its own people.
by William Neuman 2022
4.13
1k+ ratings
The Ends of the Earth
by Robert D. Kaplan • 1996
Rivers and soil shape nations more than constitutions. A journey to the frontiers where states fail.
4.11
2k+
The Ends of the Earth Summary
The Ends of the Earth 88%
Rivers and soil shape nations more than constitutions. A journey to the frontiers where states fail.
by Robert D. Kaplan 1996
4.11
2k+ ratings
Surrender or Starve
by Robert D. Kaplan • 1988
A Marxist regime weaponized famine in Ethiopia. The West's life-saving aid also financed the war.
3.67
474
Surrender or Starve Summary
Surrender or Starve 88%
A Marxist regime weaponized famine in Ethiopia. The West's life-saving aid also financed the war.
by Robert D. Kaplan 1988
3.67
474 ratings
The Case Against Socialism
by Rand Paul • 2019
Why socialism always ends in bread lines and body counts, from Venezuela to Mao's China.
4.18
1k+
The Case Against Socialism Summary
The Case Against Socialism 88%
Why socialism always ends in bread lines and body counts, from Venezuela to Mao's China.
by Rand Paul 2019
4.18
1k+ ratings
Forgotten Continent
by Michael Reid • 2007
The underachieving region that may decide the future of democratic capitalism worldwide.
3.89
767
Forgotten Continent Summary
Forgotten Continent 88%
The underachieving region that may decide the future of democratic capitalism worldwide.
by Michael Reid 2007
3.89
767 ratings
Strongmen
by Ruth Ben-Ghiat • 2020
Authoritarians from Mussolini to Trump run the same playbook. A century of evidence shows how.
4.27
5k+
Strongmen Summary
Strongmen 88%
Authoritarians from Mussolini to Trump run the same playbook. A century of evidence shows how.
by Ruth Ben-Ghiat 2020
4.27
5k+ ratings
States and Power in Africa
by Jeffrey Herbst • 2000
Europe built states through war. Africa skipped that step, and its borders now protect failure.
3.99
269
States and Power in Africa Summary
States and Power in Africa 88%
Europe built states through war. Africa skipped that step, and its borders now protect failure.
by Jeffrey Herbst 2000
3.99
269 ratings
Autocracy, Inc.
by Anne Applebaum • 2024
A global network of dictators runs autocracies like for-profit firms. Democracies bankroll them.
4.16
19k+
Autocracy, Inc. Summary
Autocracy, Inc. 88%
A global network of dictators runs autocracies like for-profit firms. Democracies bankroll them.
by Anne Applebaum 2024
4.16
19k+ ratings
World on Fire
by Amy Chua • 2002
Markets enrich minorities; elections enrage majorities. Exporting both is a global powder keg.
3.82
1k+
World on Fire Summary
World on Fire 88%
Markets enrich minorities; elections enrage majorities. Exporting both is a global powder keg.
by Amy Chua 2002
3.82
1k+ ratings
The Battle for Paradise
by Naomi Klein • 2018
After Maria, corporate profiteers and community visionaries race to shape Puerto Rico's future.
4.23
3k+
The Battle for Paradise Summary
The Battle for Paradise 88%
After Maria, corporate profiteers and community visionaries race to shape Puerto Rico's future.
by Naomi Klein 2018
4.23
3k+ ratings
The Dictator's Handbook
by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita • 2011
All politics comes down to one number: how many backers a leader must satisfy to survive.
4.25
11k+
The Dictator's Handbook Summary
The Dictator's Handbook 88%
All politics comes down to one number: how many backers a leader must satisfy to survive.
by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita 2011
4.25
11k+ ratings
Nemesis
by Chalmers Johnson • 2007
Empire and democracy cannot coexist. America chose empire; the bill is coming due.
4.07
968
Nemesis Summary
Nemesis 88%
Empire and democracy cannot coexist. America chose empire; the bill is coming due.
by Chalmers Johnson 2007
4.07
968 ratings
Panama Fever
by Matthew Parker • 2007
A forty-mile obsession that cost 25,000 lives: how a four-century dream became the Panama Canal.
3.80
920
Panama Fever Summary
Panama Fever 88%
A forty-mile obsession that cost 25,000 lives: how a four-century dream became the Panama Canal.
by Matthew Parker 2007
3.80
920 ratings
The Longest Line on the Map
by Eric Rutkow • 2019
A century-long quest to link the Americas by road was stopped cold by a 250-mile jungle.
3.04
258
The Longest Line on the Map Summary
The Longest Line on the Map 88%
A century-long quest to link the Americas by road was stopped cold by a 250-mile jungle.
by Eric Rutkow 2019
3.04
258 ratings
Political Order and Political Decay
by Francis Fukuyama • 2014
Build democracy before the state, and politics becomes clientelism, not good government.
4.34
5k+
Political Order and Political Decay Summary
Political Order and Political Decay 88%
Build democracy before the state, and politics becomes clientelism, not good government.
by Francis Fukuyama 2014
4.34
5k+ ratings
Trumpocracy
by David Frum • 2018
American democracy didn't fall; it was hollowed out by lies and a party that looked away.
3.88
4k+
Trumpocracy Summary
Trumpocracy 87%
American democracy didn't fall; it was hollowed out by lies and a party that looked away.
by David Frum 2018
3.88
4k+ ratings
The Case for Colonialism
by Bruce Gilley • 2023
Start new colonies from scratch. The controversial solution to a century of post-colonial disaster.
4.32
191
The Case for Colonialism Summary
The Case for Colonialism 87%
Start new colonies from scratch. The controversial solution to a century of post-colonial disaster.
by Bruce Gilley 2023
4.32
191 ratings
What Is Populism?
by Jan-Werner Müller • 2014
Forget anti-elite anger. Populism's core is the claim that opponents are not the real people.
3.82
3k+
What Is Populism? Summary
What Is Populism? 87%
Forget anti-elite anger. Populism's core is the claim that opponents are not the real people.
by Jan-Werner Müller 2014
3.82
3k+ ratings
Brazil Is the New America
by James Dale Davidson • 2012
The math of debt, energy, and demography says the American era ends and Brazil's begins.
3.17
36
Brazil Is the New America Summary
Brazil Is the New America 87%
The math of debt, energy, and demography says the American era ends and Brazil's begins.
by James Dale Davidson 2012
3.17
36 ratings
The Last American President
by Thom Hartmann • 2025
Billionaire money, racial grievance, cruel politics: how the GOP became an authoritarian machine.
4.48
321
The Last American President Summary
The Last American President 87%
Billionaire money, racial grievance, cruel politics: how the GOP became an authoritarian machine.
by Thom Hartmann 2025
4.48
321 ratings
Gambling on Development
by Stefan Dercon • 2022
Elite bets on growth, not aid or policy, explain why some nations prosper and others stall.
4.02
275
Gambling on Development Summary
Gambling on Development 87%
Elite bets on growth, not aid or policy, explain why some nations prosper and others stall.
by Stefan Dercon 2022
4.02
275 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
A New Foreign Policy
by Jeffrey D. Sachs • 2018
The world became multipolar. America didn't notice. Here is the cost and the way out.
3.88
337
A New Foreign Policy Summary
A New Foreign Policy 87%
The world became multipolar. America didn't notice. Here is the cost and the way out.
by Jeffrey D. Sachs 2018
3.88
337 ratings
Sovietistan
by Erika Fatland • 2014
Why a country made gas and electricity free, and what happened when it all ran out.
4.27
9k+
Sovietistan Summary
Sovietistan 87%
Why a country made gas and electricity free, and what happened when it all ran out.
by Erika Fatland 2014
4.27
9k+ 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
Republic, Lost
by Lawrence Lessig • 2011
America's government answers to funders, not voters. The corruption is legal, and it's by design.
4.18
3k+
Republic, Lost Summary
Republic, Lost 87%
America's government answers to funders, not voters. The corruption is legal, and it's by design.
by Lawrence Lessig 2011
4.18
3k+ ratings
The Bottom Billion
by Paul Collier • 2007
Four traps keep a billion people poor, and the usual remedies only tighten them.
3.85
8k+
The Bottom Billion Summary
The Bottom Billion 87%
Four traps keep a billion people poor, and the usual remedies only tighten them.
by Paul Collier 2007
3.85
8k+ ratings
The New Class War
by Michael Lind • 2017
A new class war is on: the college-educated managerial minority versus the working majority.
3.74
840
The New Class War Summary
The New Class War 87%
A new class war is on: the college-educated managerial minority versus the working majority.
by Michael Lind 2017
3.74
840 ratings
The Network State
by Balaji S. Srinivasan • 2022
Startup companies become unicorns. What if startup communities become countries?
3.92
1k+
The Network State Summary
The Network State 87%
Startup companies become unicorns. What if startup communities become countries?
by Balaji S. Srinivasan 2022
3.92
1k+ ratings
The New Rulers of the World
by John Pilger • 2002
The global economy was built on mass graves. A reporter shows you who filled them.
4.14
1k+
The New Rulers of the World Summary
The New Rulers of the World 87%
The global economy was built on mass graves. A reporter shows you who filled them.
by John Pilger 2002
4.14
1k+ ratings
The Future of Freedom
by Fareed Zakaria • 2003
Democracy without courts, rights, and restraints is just a machine for producing elected strongmen.
4.02
4k+
The Future of Freedom Summary
The Future of Freedom 87%
Democracy without courts, rights, and restraints is just a machine for producing elected strongmen.
by Fareed Zakaria 2003
4.02
4k+ ratings
Central America's Forgotten History
by Aviva Chomsky • 2021
Central American migration isn't about poverty. It's the legacy of a century of US intervention.
4.06
518
Central America's Forgotten History Summary
Central America's Forgotten History 87%
Central American migration isn't about poverty. It's the legacy of a century of US intervention.
by Aviva Chomsky 2021
4.06
518 ratings
America, América
by Greg Grandin • 2025
Spain asked if conquest was just. England called emptied land vacant. The rift defines the Americas.
4.51
1k+
America, América Summary
America, América 87%
Spain asked if conquest was just. England called emptied land vacant. The rift defines the Americas.
by Greg Grandin 2025
4.51
1k+ ratings
Democracy
by Hans-Hermann Hoppe • 2001
A king owns the country and thinks in decades. Elected leaders just need four years.
4.13
3k+
Democracy Summary
Democracy 87%
A king owns the country and thinks in decades. Elected leaders just need four years.
by Hans-Hermann Hoppe 2001
4.13
3k+ ratings
Presidents, Populism, and the Crisis of Democracy
by William G. Howell • 2020
The Constitution was designed for inaction; that structural flaw now fuels populist demagogues.
3.87
82
Presidents, Populism, and the Crisis of Democracy Summary
Presidents, Populism, and the Crisis of Democracy 87%
The Constitution was designed for inaction; that structural flaw now fuels populist demagogues.
by William G. Howell 2020
3.87
82 ratings
The Tyranny of Experts
by William Easterly • 2014
Poverty isn't a knowledge gap; it's a power gap. A century of development got it backward.
3.87
1k+
The Tyranny of Experts Summary
The Tyranny of Experts 87%
Poverty isn't a knowledge gap; it's a power gap. A century of development got it backward.
by William Easterly 2014
3.87
1k+ ratings
The Horn of Africa
by Christopher Clapham • 2017
Africa's only region never fully colonized produced border wars bloodier than any colonial map did.
3.89
54
The Horn of Africa Summary
The Horn of Africa 87%
Africa's only region never fully colonized produced border wars bloodier than any colonial map did.
by Christopher Clapham 2017
3.89
54 ratings
The Looting Machine
by Tom Burgis • 2015
Your phone links you to a hidden network that turns Africa's oil and minerals into poverty.
4.04
3k+
The Looting Machine Summary
The Looting Machine 87%
Your phone links you to a hidden network that turns Africa's oil and minerals into poverty.
by Tom Burgis 2015
4.04
3k+ ratings
The Demagogue's Playbook
by Eric A. Posner • 2020
The Founders built a republic to keep demagogues out. Two centuries later, the safeguards are gone.
3.79
147
The Demagogue's Playbook Summary
The Demagogue's Playbook 87%
The Founders built a republic to keep demagogues out. Two centuries later, the safeguards are gone.
by Eric A. Posner 2020
3.79
147 ratings
The Price of Greatness
by Jay Cost • 2018
The Constitution's coauthors split over its purpose. That rift still produces American oligarchy.
3.71
245
The Price of Greatness Summary
The Price of Greatness 87%
The Constitution's coauthors split over its purpose. That rift still produces American oligarchy.
by Jay Cost 2018
3.71
245 ratings
Popular Dictatorships
by Aleksandar Matovski • 2022
The ballot box is not a check on authoritarianism but its most powerful source of legitimacy.
3.56
16
Popular Dictatorships Summary
Popular Dictatorships 87%
The ballot box is not a check on authoritarianism but its most powerful source of legitimacy.
by Aleksandar Matovski 2022
3.56
16 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
An Economy and a State for Lebanon
by Charbel Nahas • 2020
Behind Lebanon's crisis: a currency illusion, a sectarian spoils system, and a generation that fled.
4.33
15
An Economy and a State for Lebanon Summary
An Economy and a State for Lebanon 87%
Behind Lebanon's crisis: a currency illusion, a sectarian spoils system, and a generation that fled.
by Charbel Nahas 2020
4.33
15 ratings
Cuba
by Ada Ferrer • 2021
Cuba was America's obsession long before Castro. The Cold War just froze a deeper fight.
4.46
6k+
Cuba Summary
Cuba 87%
Cuba was America's obsession long before Castro. The Cold War just froze a deeper fight.
by Ada Ferrer 2021
4.46
6k+ ratings
Let Them Eat Tweets
by Jacob S. Hacker • 2020
The GOP's formula: policies for the rich, powered by racial grievance, protected by a rigged system.
4.09
550
Let Them Eat Tweets Summary
Let Them Eat Tweets 87%
The GOP's formula: policies for the rich, powered by racial grievance, protected by a rigged system.
by Jacob S. Hacker 2020
4.09
550 ratings
How Democracies Die
by Steven Levitsky • 2018
Coups are relics. The new authoritarian wins the election first, then slowly silences the referees.
4.16
33k+
How Democracies Die Summary
How Democracies Die 87%
Coups are relics. The new authoritarian wins the election first, then slowly silences the referees.
by Steven Levitsky 2018
4.16
33k+ ratings
Che Guevara Reader
by Ernesto Che Guevara • 1997
Winning the war is step one. Che Guevara's collected writings on what revolutions do after victory.
4.08
359
Che Guevara Reader Summary
Che Guevara Reader 87%
Winning the war is step one. Che Guevara's collected writings on what revolutions do after victory.
by Ernesto Che Guevara 1997
4.08
359 ratings
Kicking Away the Ladder
by Ha-Joon Chang • 2002
Tariffs, subsidies, and industrial espionage built the West. Now it preaches free trade to the rest.
4.21
1k+
Kicking Away the Ladder Summary
Kicking Away the Ladder 87%
Tariffs, subsidies, and industrial espionage built the West. Now it preaches free trade to the rest.
by Ha-Joon Chang 2002
4.21
1k+ ratings
Notes on Resistance
by Noam Chomsky • 2022
Four crises are converging. The institutions that caused them are now blocking every fix.
4.30
405
Notes on Resistance Summary
Notes on Resistance 87%
Four crises are converging. The institutions that caused them are now blocking every fix.
by Noam Chomsky 2022
4.30
405 ratings
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