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...
[Brotherhood of Kings] [By
by Amanda H. Podany • 2010
The great kings never met; letters, gold, and dynastic marriages held the peace.
4.48
122
[Brotherhood of Kings] [By Summary
[Brotherhood of Kings] [By 93%
The great kings never met; letters, gold, and dynastic marriages held the peace.
by Amanda H. Podany 2010
4.48
122 ratings
The Ancient Near East
by Amanda H. Podany • 2013
How a forgotten region gave us cities, writing, and the first empires, in a single short volume.
3.89
830
The Ancient Near East Summary
The Ancient Near East 90%
How a forgotten region gave us cities, writing, and the first empires, in a single short volume.
by Amanda H. Podany 2013
3.89
830 ratings
The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt
by Toby Wilkinson • 2010
Three millennia of pharaohs, and the engine beneath every pyramid was absolute, merciless power.
4.13
7k+
The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt Summary
The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt 90%
Three millennia of pharaohs, and the engine beneath every pyramid was absolute, merciless power.
by Toby Wilkinson 2010
4.13
7k+ 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. 89%
The Bronze Age had trade routes and diplomacy. A cascade of disasters brought it down.
by Eric H. Cline 2014
3.74
13k+ ratings
Weavers, Scribes, and Kings
by Amanda H. Podany • 2022
Before empires had kings, they had barley counters and scribes. Their ledgers are our history.
4.39
861
Weavers, Scribes, and Kings Summary
Weavers, Scribes, and Kings 89%
Before empires had kings, they had barley counters and scribes. Their ledgers are our history.
by Amanda H. Podany 2022
4.39
861 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. 89%
Not every civilization collapsed in 1177 B.C. Egypt barely coped; Phoenicia and Cyprus thrived.
by Eric H. Cline 2024
3.77
2k+ ratings
The Assyrian
by Nicholas Guild • 1987
Half-Greek in Assyria's court, a prince navigates omens, war, and a brother's deadly envy.
4.26
2k+
The Assyrian Summary
The Assyrian 88%
Half-Greek in Assyria's court, a prince navigates omens, war, and a brother's deadly envy.
by Nicholas Guild 1987
4.26
2k+ ratings
Phoenicians and the Making of the Mediterranean
by Carolina López-Ruiz • 2021
Phoenicia stitched the ancient Mediterranean together. Greece took the credit and erased the debt.
4.05
19
Phoenicians and the Making of the Mediterranean Summary
Phoenicians and the Making of the Mediterranean 88%
Phoenicia stitched the ancient Mediterranean together. Greece took the credit and erased the debt.
by Carolina López-Ruiz 2021
4.05
19 ratings
The Horse, the Wheel, and Language
by David W. Anthony • 2007
English and Sanskrit share an ancestor spoken by Bronze Age herders. Horse and wheel spread it.
3.99
4k+
The Horse, the Wheel, and Language Summary
The Horse, the Wheel, and Language 88%
English and Sanskrit share an ancestor spoken by Bronze Age herders. Horse and wheel spread it.
by David W. Anthony 2007
3.99
4k+ 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 87%
Mesopotamia spans half of recorded history. Its rise and fall echo our own.
by Paul Kriwaczek 2010
3.89
3k+ 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 87%
Borrowing, theft, lucky accidents: four millennia of cultural history. Purity was never the point.
by Martin Puchner 2023
3.92
924 ratings
Diplomacy
by Joseph M. Siracusa • 2010
How a handful of treaties, a flawed peace, and a napkin deal carved up the map.
3.14
245
Diplomacy Summary
Diplomacy 87%
How a handful of treaties, a flawed peace, and a napkin deal carved up the map.
by Joseph M. Siracusa 2010
3.14
245 ratings
The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy
by John J. Mearsheimer • 2006
How a single interest group has reshaped U.S. Middle East policy, often against American interests.
4.12
4k+
The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy Summary
The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy 87%
How a single interest group has reshaped U.S. Middle East policy, often against American interests.
by John J. Mearsheimer 2006
4.12
4k+ 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 87%
How a brutal, forgotten century of war turned democracies into kingdoms and gave us Alexander.
by Michael Scott 2009
3.83
249 ratings
Vienna 1814
by David King • 2008
Spies in the trash, mistresses shaping policy: the party that gave Europe a century of peace.
4.00
943
Vienna 1814 Summary
Vienna 1814 86%
Spies in the trash, mistresses shaping policy: the party that gave Europe a century of peace.
by David King 2008
4.00
943 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 86%
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
A History of the World in 100 Objects
by Neil MacGregor • 2010
The full sweep of human history, read not from texts but from 100 physical objects.
4.19
9k+
A History of the World in 100 Objects Summary
A History of the World in 100 Objects 86%
The full sweep of human history, read not from texts but from 100 physical objects.
by Neil MacGregor 2010
4.19
9k+ ratings
The Oil Kings
by Andrew Scott Cooper • 2011
Secret U.S. deals armed the Shah and quadrupled oil prices. The world never recovered.
4.10
831
The Oil Kings Summary
The Oil Kings 86%
Secret U.S. deals armed the Shah and quadrupled oil prices. The world never recovered.
by Andrew Scott Cooper 2011
4.10
831 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 86%
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
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 86%
The recurring patterns that built and then quietly destroyed ancient civs from Sumer to Rome.
by Susan Wise Bauer 2007
4.11
7k+ ratings
Hard Choices
by Hillary Rodham Clinton • 2013
Deciding which American principle to sacrifice today: the memoir of a Secretary of State.
3.61
15k+
Hard Choices Summary
Hard Choices 86%
Deciding which American principle to sacrifice today: the memoir of a Secretary of State.
by Hillary Rodham Clinton 2013
3.61
15k+ ratings
River God
by Wilbur Smith • 1993
A eunuch slave leads Egypt's last hope south when the kingdom falls to foreign invaders.
4.23
44k+
River God Summary
River God 86%
A eunuch slave leads Egypt's last hope south when the kingdom falls to foreign invaders.
by Wilbur Smith 1993
4.23
44k+ ratings
Stonehenge
by Bernard Cornwell • 1999
Prehistoric Britain: strange gold divides three brothers as a prophet dreams of a stone temple.
3.70
14k+
Stonehenge Summary
Stonehenge 86%
Prehistoric Britain: strange gold divides three brothers as a prophet dreams of a stone temple.
by Bernard Cornwell 1999
3.70
14k+ ratings
The Celts
by Alice Roberts • 2015
Classical writers got the Celts wrong. They were Atlantic traders, not central European barbarians.
3.92
1k+
The Celts Summary
The Celts 86%
Classical writers got the Celts wrong. They were Atlantic traders, not central European barbarians.
by Alice Roberts 2015
3.92
1k+ ratings
Helen of Troy
by Bettany Hughes • 2005
The Trojan War was blamed on her beauty. The real Bronze Age Helen was a kingmaker.
4.18
2k+
Helen of Troy Summary
Helen of Troy 86%
The Trojan War was blamed on her beauty. The real Bronze Age Helen was a kingmaker.
by Bettany Hughes 2005
4.18
2k+ ratings
The Rise of Rome
by Kathryn Lomas • 2017
Rome was a backwater. It won Italy through flexible citizenship, not just legions.
3.99
288
The Rise of Rome Summary
The Rise of Rome 86%
Rome was a backwater. It won Italy through flexible citizenship, not just legions.
by Kathryn Lomas 2017
3.99
288 ratings
War and Society in Early Rome
by Jeremy Armstrong • 2016
Clan chiefs, not generals, led Rome's first armies. They raided for portable loot, not territory.
4.46
13
War and Society in Early Rome Summary
War and Society in Early Rome 86%
Clan chiefs, not generals, led Rome's first armies. They raided for portable loot, not territory.
by Jeremy Armstrong 2016
4.46
13 ratings
Diplomacy
by Henry Kissinger • 1994
Europe balanced power; America chases ideals. Three centuries of diplomatic collision.
4.25
10k+
Diplomacy Summary
Diplomacy 86%
Europe balanced power; America chases ideals. Three centuries of diplomatic collision.
by Henry Kissinger 1994
4.25
10k+ 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 86%
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
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 86%
Athens rose, Sparta panicked, and a 27-year catastrophe was the only outcome.
by Thucydides
3.95
41k+ ratings
Nefertiti Lived Here
by Mary Chubb • 1954
A Bloomsbury secretary joined an Egyptian dig and moved into the house where Nefertiti lived.
4.19
172
Nefertiti Lived Here Summary
Nefertiti Lived Here 86%
A Bloomsbury secretary joined an Egyptian dig and moved into the house where Nefertiti lived.
by Mary Chubb 1954
4.19
172 ratings
Ancient Egypt
by History Brought Alive • 2021
The Nile shaped everything: how one river turned a desert into history's most enduring civilization.
3.55
22
Ancient Egypt Summary
Ancient Egypt 86%
The Nile shaped everything: how one river turned a desert into history's most enduring civilization.
by History Brought Alive 2021
3.55
22 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 86%
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
Cleopatra
by Alberto Angela • 2018
The seductress myth hides a multilingual strategist who used intellect and intimacy to defy Rome.
3.85
2k+
Cleopatra Summary
Cleopatra 86%
The seductress myth hides a multilingual strategist who used intellect and intimacy to defy Rome.
by Alberto Angela 2018
3.85
2k+ ratings
Lily of the Nile
by Stephanie Dray • 2011
A captive in the emperor's house, Cleopatra's daughter hides divine powers she cannot yet control.
3.89
7k+
Lily of the Nile Summary
Lily of the Nile 86%
A captive in the emperor's house, Cleopatra's daughter hides divine powers she cannot yet control.
by Stephanie Dray 2011
3.89
7k+ 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 86%
Maps of ice-free Antarctica. Flood myths with astronomical codes. Who left them?
by Graham Hancock 1995
4.15
16k+ ratings
War on Peace
by Ronan Farrow • 2018
Before Trump, before forever war, Washington gutted the one tool that could prevent them: diplomacy.
4.14
9k+
War on Peace Summary
War on Peace 86%
Before Trump, before forever war, Washington gutted the one tool that could prevent them: diplomacy.
by Ronan Farrow 2018
4.14
9k+ 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 86%
Egyptology's famous men dug up tombs. The women who built the field got erased.
by Kathleen Sheppard 2024
3.50
2k+ 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 86%
Democracy, republic, and Confucianism were born in the same century. None by design.
by Michael Scott 2016
3.77
635 ratings
Empires and Barbarians
by Peter Heather • 2009
How Rome's wealth created the barbarians who remade Europe.
3.97
1k+
Empires and Barbarians Summary
Empires and Barbarians 86%
How Rome's wealth created the barbarians who remade Europe.
by Peter Heather 2009
3.97
1k+ ratings
Jerusalem
by Simon Sebag Montefiore • 2011
The city that drives a hundred pilgrims insane, and the 3,000-year story behind the madness.
4.1
14k+
Jerusalem Summary
Jerusalem 86%
The city that drives a hundred pilgrims insane, and the 3,000-year story behind the madness.
by Simon Sebag Montefiore 2011
4.1
14k+ ratings
The Inevitability of Tragedy
by Barry Gewen • 2020
Kissinger fled the Nazis and learned a lesson America still ignores: tragedy shapes world affairs.
4.00
490
The Inevitability of Tragedy Summary
The Inevitability of Tragedy 86%
Kissinger fled the Nazis and learned a lesson America still ignores: tragedy shapes world affairs.
by Barry Gewen 2020
4.00
490 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 86%
The case that a sunken Atlantic continent was the single source of all ancient civilization.
by Ignatius L. Donnelly 1882
3.67
701 ratings
Churchill, Hitler, and "The Unnecessary War"
by Patrick J. Buchanan • 2008
Britain's empire fell not to war but to a diplomatic blunder that handed the world to its rivals.
4.21
2k+
Churchill, Hitler, and "The Unnecessary War" Summary
Churchill, Hitler, and "The Unnecessary War" 86%
Britain's empire fell not to war but to a diplomatic blunder that handed the world to its rivals.
by Patrick J. Buchanan 2008
4.21
2k+ ratings
Adriatic
by Robert D. Kaplan • 2022
Where empires and religions mixed for centuries, Europe's post-national future is already written.
3.61
888
Adriatic Summary
Adriatic 86%
Where empires and religions mixed for centuries, Europe's post-national future is already written.
by Robert D. Kaplan 2022
3.61
888 ratings
A Peace to End All Peace
by David Fromkin • 1989
The modern Middle East was drawn in European offices; a century of instability is the result.
4.22
10k+
A Peace to End All Peace Summary
A Peace to End All Peace 86%
The modern Middle East was drawn in European offices; a century of instability is the result.
by David Fromkin 1989
4.22
10k+ 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 86%
A bead from India, buried in England, reveals the Silk Road world the Vikings actually built.
by Cat Jarman 2021
4.04
4k+ ratings
The Sleepwalkers
by Christopher Clark • 2012
Why Europe's leaders, watching the storm gather in 1914, walked their nations straight into it.
4.24
14k+
The Sleepwalkers Summary
The Sleepwalkers 86%
Why Europe's leaders, watching the storm gather in 1914, walked their nations straight into it.
by Christopher Clark 2012
4.24
14k+ ratings
Children of Mars
by Jeremy Armstrong • 2025
Rome's empire was born from clan rivalries, not a master plan. Hannibal's invasion forced the shift.
4.22
36
Children of Mars Summary
Children of Mars 86%
Rome's empire was born from clan rivalries, not a master plan. Hannibal's invasion forced the shift.
by Jeremy Armstrong 2025
4.22
36 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 86%
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
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 27,
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