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SoBrief
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On Grand Strategy
by John Lewis Gaddis • 2018
Great strategists don't pick sides. They hold opposing truths in each hand and act anyway.
3.75
5k+
On Grand Strategy Summary
On Grand Strategy 93%
Great strategists don't pick sides. They hold opposing truths in each hand and act anyway.
by John Lewis Gaddis 2018
3.75
5k+ 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 92%
Every city promises the good life. Aristotle's test for which ones actually deliver it.
by Aristotle
3.98
43k+ ratings
The Art of War/The Prince
by Niccolò Machiavelli • 1521
Virtue alone cannot keep a ruler in power. A Renaissance case for choosing strength over goodness.
4.08
1k+
The Art of War/The Prince Summary
The Art of War/The Prince 92%
Virtue alone cannot keep a ruler in power. A Renaissance case for choosing strength over goodness.
by Niccolò Machiavelli 1521
4.08
1k+ ratings
The Discourses
by Niccolò Machiavelli • 1517
Rome's class conflict did not sink the republic. Machiavelli argues it is what made it great.
4.08
10k+
The Discourses Summary
The Discourses 92%
Rome's class conflict did not sink the republic. Machiavelli argues it is what made it great.
by Niccolò Machiavelli 1517
4.08
10k+ ratings
Machiavelli
by Quentin Skinner • 1981
A Florentine diplomat lost his job, then wrote the rules of power that still scandalize.
3.84
942
Machiavelli Summary
Machiavelli 92%
A Florentine diplomat lost his job, then wrote the rules of power that still scandalize.
by Quentin Skinner 1981
3.84
942 ratings
The Art of War
by Niccolò Machiavelli • 1521
A republic that hires soldiers is already dead. The cure: citizen farmers trained like Romans.
4.05
9k+
The Art of War Summary
The Art of War 92%
A republic that hires soldiers is already dead. The cure: citizen farmers trained like Romans.
by Niccolò Machiavelli 1521
4.05
9k+ ratings
How to Win an Election
by Quintus Tullius Cicero
Cicero's brother wrote the campaign playbook: flatter, promise, know your enemy's secrets.
3.78
1k+
How to Win an Election Summary
How to Win an Election 92%
Cicero's brother wrote the campaign playbook: flatter, promise, know your enemy's secrets.
by Quintus Tullius Cicero
3.78
1k+ ratings
EL PRÍNCIPE - Maquiavelo
by Nicolás Maquiavelo • 2023
Moral rulers get ruined. The ones who survive know exactly when to abandon virtue.
3.87
713
EL PRÍNCIPE - Maquiavelo Summary
EL PRÍNCIPE - Maquiavelo 92%
Moral rulers get ruined. The ones who survive know exactly when to abandon virtue.
by Nicolás Maquiavelo 2023
3.87
713 ratings
The Prince
by Niccolò Machiavelli • 1532
How to keep power when being good would cost you everything. The advice that horrified Europe.
3.84
387k+
The Prince Summary
The Prince 91%
How to keep power when being good would cost you everything. The advice that horrified Europe.
by Niccolò Machiavelli 1532
3.84
387k+ ratings
The Arthashastra
by Kautilya
Centuries before Machiavelli, a manual of power that never forgot the welfare of the people.
4.12
1k+
The Arthashastra Summary
The Arthashastra 91%
Centuries before Machiavelli, a manual of power that never forgot the welfare of the people.
by Kautilya
4.12
1k+ 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" 91%
Aristotle's buried argument: democracy beats kingship when collective wisdom meets law's restraint.
by Clifford Angell Bates Jr. 2002
4.80
5 ratings
资治通鉴
by 司马光 • 2012
1,300 years of Chinese history conceal a master class in power, trust, and statecraft.
4.44
77
资治通鉴 Summary
资治通鉴 91%
1,300 years of Chinese history conceal a master class in power, trust, and statecraft.
by 司马光 2012
4.44
77 ratings
Plutarch's Lives
by Plutarch • 2015
Greek meets Roman: paired biographies that map the character traits behind every rise and fall.
4.19
3k+
Plutarch's Lives Summary
Plutarch's Lives 91%
Greek meets Roman: paired biographies that map the character traits behind every rise and fall.
by Plutarch 2015
4.19
3k+ ratings
Masters of Command
by Barry S. Strauss • 2012
Three ancient generals, ten common instincts, and the single rhythm of war that still defines power.
4.02
883
Masters of Command Summary
Masters of Command 90%
Three ancient generals, ten common instincts, and the single rhythm of war that still defines power.
by Barry S. Strauss 2012
4.02
883 ratings
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 90%
An ancient democracy defied the drift toward oligarchy. The secret was rhetoric, not rules.
by Josiah Ober 1989
3.71
48 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 90%
The oar built Athenian democracy. Two centuries later, a lost fleet destroyed it.
by John R. Hale 2009
4.18
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
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 90%
Plutarch's method: put Greek beside Roman, compare their virtues, let character judge history.
by Plutarch
4.10
6k+ ratings
The Mind of Napoleon
by Napoléon Bonaparte • 1955
Calculate everything, seize the decisive moment, rewrite history: Napoleon's own playbook for power.
4.18
109
The Mind of Napoleon Summary
The Mind of Napoleon 90%
Calculate everything, seize the decisive moment, rewrite history: Napoleon's own playbook for power.
by Napoléon Bonaparte 1955
4.18
109 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 90%
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
Peace Pact
by David C. Hendrickson • 2003
Before it was a nation, America was a powder keg. The Constitution was the peace treaty.
3.36
25
Peace Pact Summary
Peace Pact 90%
Before it was a nation, America was a powder keg. The Constitution was the peace treaty.
by David C. Hendrickson 2003
3.36
25 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 90%
Ancient democracy meant the poor ruled directly. Modern democracy was built to stop that.
by Paul Cartledge 2016
3.80
215 ratings
50 Politics Classics
by Tom Butler-Bowdon • 2015
Fifty political classics, one digest: the ideas on power and freedom that still shape the world.
3.99
297
50 Politics Classics Summary
50 Politics Classics 90%
Fifty political classics, one digest: the ideas on power and freedom that still shape the world.
by Tom Butler-Bowdon 2015
3.99
297 ratings
The Myth of the State
by Ernst Cassirer • 1946
The Greeks fought myth with reason. The modern state perfected it as a weapon.
3.90
209
The Myth of the State Summary
The Myth of the State 90%
The Greeks fought myth with reason. The modern state perfected it as a weapon.
by Ernst Cassirer 1946
3.90
209 ratings
Abraham Lincoln, Philosopher Statesman
by Joseph R. Fornieri • 2013
Lincoln's secret: he wrestled with eternal principles before he ever grasped for power.
4.67
6
Abraham Lincoln, Philosopher Statesman Summary
Abraham Lincoln, Philosopher Statesman 90%
Lincoln's secret: he wrestled with eternal principles before he ever grasped for power.
by Joseph R. Fornieri 2013
4.67
6 ratings
The Development of the Modern State
by Gianfranco Poggi • 1978
How the modern state, from feudalism to liberalism, created its own crisis of legitimacy.
3.48
86
The Development of the Modern State Summary
The Development of the Modern State 90%
How the modern state, from feudalism to liberalism, created its own crisis of legitimacy.
by Gianfranco Poggi 1978
3.48
86 ratings
Bring Back the Bureaucrats
by John DiIulio • 2014
Government grew. Bureaucracy didn't. The case for hiring federal workers to make it smaller.
3.22
32
Bring Back the Bureaucrats Summary
Bring Back the Bureaucrats 90%
Government grew. Bureaucracy didn't. The case for hiring federal workers to make it smaller.
by John DiIulio 2014
3.22
32 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 90%
Liberalism was born as duty and generosity. The individual-rights version is only seventy years old.
by Helena Rosenblatt 2018
4.04
448 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 90%
Locke and Montesquieu get the credit. America's founders were actually reading Cicero and Cato.
by Thomas E. Ricks 2020
4.06
4k+ ratings
The Annals/The Histories
by Tacitus • 2003
Four emperors in one year, a city in flames, and a historian who watched it all.
4.03
375
The Annals/The Histories Summary
The Annals/The Histories 90%
Four emperors in one year, a city in flames, and a historian who watched it all.
by Tacitus 2003
4.03
375 ratings
Dialogues and Essays
by Seneca
A ruler who builds on fear builds a prison, not a kingdom: Seneca's case for clemency.
4.30
1k+
Dialogues and Essays Summary
Dialogues and Essays 90%
A ruler who builds on fear builds a prison, not a kingdom: Seneca's case for clemency.
by Seneca
4.30
1k+ ratings
Chanakya Neeti
by Ashwini Parashar • 2009
A 2,300-year-old manual for leading nations, reading people, and conquering your own worst impulses.
3.95
650
Chanakya Neeti Summary
Chanakya Neeti 90%
A 2,300-year-old manual for leading nations, reading people, and conquering your own worst impulses.
by Ashwini Parashar 2009
3.95
650 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 90%
Persuasion is a system, not a gift: the rules for character, emotion, and logical proof.
by Aristotle
4.00
2k+ 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 90%
180 years of democracy without liberalism: what Athens reveals about the fundamentals of self-rule.
by Josiah Ober 2019
3.40
25 ratings
Sun Tzu
by Gerald A. Michaelson • 1998
A 2,500-year-old general's playbook, rewritten for the boardroom: 50 rules for winning any market.
3.82
621
Sun Tzu Summary
Sun Tzu 90%
A 2,500-year-old general's playbook, rewritten for the boardroom: 50 rules for winning any market.
by Gerald A. Michaelson 1998
3.82
621 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 90%
Every eighty years America's government breaks; every fifty, its economy. Now both arrive at once.
by George Friedman 2020
4.05
3k+ ratings
Ética a Nicómaco. Ética a Eudemo
by Aristotle • 2019
Happiness is an activity of character, practiced over a lifetime, not a feeling you stumble into.
4.23
197
Ética a Nicómaco. Ética a Eudemo Summary
Ética a Nicómaco. Ética a Eudemo 90%
Happiness is an activity of character, practiced over a lifetime, not a feeling you stumble into.
by Aristotle 2019
4.23
197 ratings
The Next Decade
by George Friedman • 2011
America stumbled into empire. Holding it requires a playbook its founders would have despised.
3.84
2k+
The Next Decade Summary
The Next Decade 90%
America stumbled into empire. Holding it requires a playbook its founders would have despised.
by George Friedman 2011
3.84
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 90%
How a brutal, forgotten century of war turned democracies into kingdoms and gave us Alexander.
by Michael Scott 2009
3.83
249 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
On War
by Carl von Clausewitz • 1832
Victory is meaningless without a political aim. Generals who forget this win battles and lose wars.
3.96
15k+
On War Summary
On War 90%
Victory is meaningless without a political aim. Generals who forget this win battles and lose wars.
by Carl von Clausewitz 1832
3.96
15k+ 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 90%
Greek soldiers, poets, thinkers assembled the Western mind. Their answers remain our questions.
by Thomas Cahill 2004
3.75
3k+ ratings
The Political System
by David Easton • 1953
Political science is rich in data but poor in theory. This 1953 diagnosis still holds.
3.96
28
The Political System Summary
The Political System 90%
Political science is rich in data but poor in theory. This 1953 diagnosis still holds.
by David Easton 1953
3.96
28 ratings
Tacitus' Annals
by Ronald Mellor • 2010
Tacitus turned history into a mirror for tyrants. Here is how to read his darkest masterpiece.
4.21
24
Tacitus' Annals Summary
Tacitus' Annals 90%
Tacitus turned history into a mirror for tyrants. Here is how to read his darkest masterpiece.
by Ronald Mellor 2010
4.21
24 ratings
Man, the State, and War
by Kenneth N. Waltz • 1954
You cannot fix war by fixing people or states alone. Anarchy makes all other causes possible.
3.97
2k+
Man, the State, and War Summary
Man, the State, and War 90%
You cannot fix war by fixing people or states alone. Anarchy makes all other causes possible.
by Kenneth N. Waltz 1954
3.97
2k+ ratings
The Concept of the Political
by Carl Schmitt • 1927
Politics begins not with debate but with the naming of an enemy.
3.94
4k+
The Concept of the Political Summary
The Concept of the Political 90%
Politics begins not with debate but with the naming of an enemy.
by Carl Schmitt 1927
3.94
4k+ ratings
The 48 Laws of Power
by Robert Greene • 1999
The rules of power are unwritten, ancient, and amoral. This book writes them down.
4.08
231k+
The 48 Laws of Power Summary
The 48 Laws of Power 90%
The rules of power are unwritten, ancient, and amoral. This book writes them down.
by Robert Greene 1999
4.08
231k+ 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 90%
The Declaration's forgotten argument: equality is the only real shield against domination.
by Danielle S. Allen 2014
3.83
888 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 90%
From Homer to Plutarch, fifty Greek lives reveal a civilization built on myth, war, and reinvention.
by David Stuttard 2014
3.82
233 ratings
Words Like Loaded Pistols
by Sam Leith • 2011
Rhetoric built and toppled civilizations, and its ancient rules still run every ad you see.
3.75
2k+
Words Like Loaded Pistols Summary
Words Like Loaded Pistols 90%
Rhetoric built and toppled civilizations, and its ancient rules still run every ad you see.
by Sam Leith 2011
3.75
2k+ ratings
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