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How Tyrants Fall
by Marcel Dirsus • 2024
The trap of power: why most dictators meet exile, prison, or a violent end.
3.92
804
How Tyrants Fall Summary
How Tyrants Fall 92%
The trap of power: why most dictators meet exile, prison, or a violent end.
by Marcel Dirsus 2024
3.92
804 ratings
Covert Regime Change
by Lindsey A. O'Rourke • 2018
64 covert regime changes, a 39% success rate, and blowback that erased the gains.
4.14
85
Covert Regime Change Summary
Covert Regime Change 89%
64 covert regime changes, a 39% success rate, and blowback that erased the gains.
by Lindsey A. O'Rourke 2018
4.14
85 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
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
Bangladesh
by Anthony Mascarenhas • 1986
Bangladesh's founders each betrayed the nation. The nation devoured each in turn.
4.12
945
Bangladesh Summary
Bangladesh 88%
Bangladesh's founders each betrayed the nation. The nation devoured each in turn.
by Anthony Mascarenhas 1986
4.12
945 ratings
Why Civil Resistance Works
by Erica Chenoweth • 2011
The most effective weapon against a dictator is not a gun: 200,000 people refusing to cooperate.
3.98
729
Why Civil Resistance Works Summary
Why Civil Resistance Works 87%
The most effective weapon against a dictator is not a gun: 200,000 people refusing to cooperate.
by Erica Chenoweth 2011
3.98
729 ratings
[(The Coup
by Ervand Abrahamian • 2013
Oil, not communism, drove the 1953 Iran coup. Its buried logic still poisons US-Iran relations.
4.13
748
[(The Coup Summary
[(The Coup 87%
Oil, not communism, drove the 1953 Iran coup. Its buried logic still poisons US-Iran relations.
by Ervand Abrahamian 2013
4.13
748 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 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
All the Shah's Men
by Stephen Kinzer • 2003
The 1953 CIA coup in Iran: how a quick win for oil created decades of blowback.
4.29
12k+
All the Shah's Men Summary
All the Shah's Men 87%
The 1953 CIA coup in Iran: how a quick win for oil created decades of blowback.
by Stephen Kinzer 2003
4.29
12k+ ratings
The Management of Savagery
by Max Blumenthal • 2019
Al Qaeda, ISIS, and Trump: three products of the same American national security machine.
4.29
807
The Management of Savagery Summary
The Management of Savagery 87%
Al Qaeda, ISIS, and Trump: three products of the same American national security machine.
by Max Blumenthal 2019
4.29
807 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 87%
Empire and democracy cannot coexist. America chose empire; the bill is coming due.
by Chalmers Johnson 2007
4.07
968 ratings
How to Rule the World
by André de Guillaume • 2002
Forget ethics: a satirical guide to seizing absolute power, from career choice to crushing dissent.
3.67
547
How to Rule the World Summary
How to Rule the World 87%
Forget ethics: a satirical guide to seizing absolute power, from career choice to crushing dissent.
by André de Guillaume 2002
3.67
547 ratings
Surprise, Kill, Vanish
by Annie Jacobsen • 2019
Between peace and open war: the secret history of presidents who chose killing in the shadows.
4.31
7k+
Surprise, Kill, Vanish Summary
Surprise, Kill, Vanish 87%
Between peace and open war: the secret history of presidents who chose killing in the shadows.
by Annie Jacobsen 2019
4.31
7k+ ratings
On Tyranny
by Timothy Snyder • 2017
What ordinary citizens did wrong last century, and what you can do right this one.
4.29
112k+
On Tyranny Summary
On Tyranny 87%
What ordinary citizens did wrong last century, and what you can do right this one.
by Timothy Snyder 2017
4.29
112k+ ratings
Fascism
by Madeleine K. Albright • 2018
Democracies are dismantled one law at a time. The 1930s playbook is back.
4.25
21k+
Fascism Summary
Fascism 87%
Democracies are dismantled one law at a time. The 1930s playbook is back.
by Madeleine K. Albright 2018
4.25
21k+ 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 87%
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
Killing Hope
by William Blum • 1995
For forty years, the CIA overthrew governments across the globe. The full ledger is in one book.
4.27
2k+
Killing Hope Summary
Killing Hope 87%
For forty years, the CIA overthrew governments across the globe. The full ledger is in one book.
by William Blum 1995
4.27
2k+ ratings
Broken Government
by John W. Dean • 2007
Nixon's White House counsel reveals how Republicans broke Congress, the presidency, and the courts.
4.06
331
Broken Government Summary
Broken Government 87%
Nixon's White House counsel reveals how Republicans broke Congress, the presidency, and the courts.
by John W. Dean 2007
4.06
331 ratings
Politics
by Harold D. Lasswell • 1936
A map of power: how the few take the most and make everyone accept it.
3.37
41
Politics Summary
Politics 87%
A map of power: how the few take the most and make everyone accept it.
by Harold D. Lasswell 1936
3.37
41 ratings
The Technological Republic
by Alexander C. Karp • 2025
The West won the digital revolution, then stopped building weapons. Now software is the battlefield.
3.54
4k+
The Technological Republic Summary
The Technological Republic 87%
The West won the digital revolution, then stopped building weapons. Now software is the battlefield.
by Alexander C. Karp 2025
3.54
4k+ ratings
Imperial Hubris
by Michael Scheuer • 2004
Al-Qaeda is not a terror group but an insurgency, and American policy is its top recruiter.
3.81
2k+
Imperial Hubris Summary
Imperial Hubris 87%
Al-Qaeda is not a terror group but an insurgency, and American policy is its top recruiter.
by Michael Scheuer 2004
3.81
2k+ ratings
Follow the Money
by Dan Bongino • 2020
A Cambridge dinner, a monitored phone call, and the trap that felled a national security advisor.
4.36
757
Follow the Money Summary
Follow the Money 87%
A Cambridge dinner, a monitored phone call, and the trap that felled a national security advisor.
by Dan Bongino 2020
4.36
757 ratings
Becoming Kim Jong Un
by Jung H. Pak • 2020
Why Kim Jong Un won't denuclearize: a CIA officer on his ruthless survival strategy.
3.76
1k+
Becoming Kim Jong Un Summary
Becoming Kim Jong Un 87%
Why Kim Jong Un won't denuclearize: a CIA officer on his ruthless survival strategy.
by Jung H. Pak 2020
3.76
1k+ ratings
The Anatomy of Fascism
by Robert O. Paxton • 2004
A historian maps the path to fascist power: the deals, the power split, and the warning signs.
4.22
6k+
The Anatomy of Fascism Summary
The Anatomy of Fascism 87%
A historian maps the path to fascist power: the deals, the power split, and the warning signs.
by Robert O. Paxton 2004
4.22
6k+ ratings
Renegade
by Adam Kinzinger • 2023
One Republican congressman's inside story: his party fell to a demagogue, and he chose to speak.
4.15
2k+
Renegade Summary
Renegade 87%
One Republican congressman's inside story: his party fell to a demagogue, and he chose to speak.
by Adam Kinzinger 2023
4.15
2k+ ratings
Political Ponerology
by Andrew M. Lobaczewski • 2007
A small, conscienceless minority drives tyranny; your belief in fairness is their greatest weapon.
4.06
398
Political Ponerology Summary
Political Ponerology 87%
A small, conscienceless minority drives tyranny; your belief in fairness is their greatest weapon.
by Andrew M. Lobaczewski 2007
4.06
398 ratings
The Brothers
by Stephen Kinzer • 2013
The Secretary of State and CIA director were brothers. They ran the Cold War as a family crusade.
4.15
5k+
The Brothers Summary
The Brothers 86%
The Secretary of State and CIA director were brothers. They ran the Cold War as a family crusade.
by Stephen Kinzer 2013
4.15
5k+ ratings
NATO's Secret Armies
by Daniele Ganser • 2004
NATO's hidden armies were built for the Soviets. They turned on Western democracy instead.
4.01
421
NATO's Secret Armies Summary
NATO's Secret Armies 86%
NATO's hidden armies were built for the Soviets. They turned on Western democracy instead.
by Daniele Ganser 2004
4.01
421 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 86%
Why socialism always ends in bread lines and body counts, from Venezuela to Mao's China.
by Rand Paul 2019
4.18
1k+ 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 86%
Calculate everything, seize the decisive moment, rewrite history: Napoleon's own playbook for power.
by Napoléon Bonaparte 1955
4.18
109 ratings
Democracy
by Charles Tilly • 2007
Democracy isn't a finish line. Three processes build it; elites can tear them down much faster.
3.64
173
Democracy Summary
Democracy 86%
Democracy isn't a finish line. Three processes build it; elites can tear them down much faster.
by Charles Tilly 2007
3.64
173 ratings
Why Leaders Lie
by John J. Mearsheimer • 2010
Leaders don't often lie to foreign enemies. Their most dangerous deceptions target their own public.
3.47
882
Why Leaders Lie Summary
Why Leaders Lie 86%
Leaders don't often lie to foreign enemies. Their most dangerous deceptions target their own public.
by John J. Mearsheimer 2010
3.47
882 ratings
Becoming Brigitte
by Xavier Poussard • 2025
No photos before 40. A 53% face match. France jailed the people who asked why.
4.18
281
Becoming Brigitte Summary
Becoming Brigitte 86%
No photos before 40. A 53% face match. France jailed the people who asked why.
by Xavier Poussard 2025
4.18
281 ratings
Rogue State
by William Blum • 2000
The world's leading democracy has overthrown forty governments since 1945, calling it freedom.
3.97
926
Rogue State Summary
Rogue State 86%
The world's leading democracy has overthrown forty governments since 1945, calling it freedom.
by William Blum 2000
3.97
926 ratings
L'eco del boato
by Mirco Dondi • 2015
Italy's worst bombings were blamed on the left, but the real bombers wore state uniforms.
4.02
49
L'eco del boato Summary
L'eco del boato 86%
Italy's worst bombings were blamed on the left, but the real bombers wore state uniforms.
by Mirco Dondi 2015
4.02
49 ratings
Khomeinism
by Ervand Abrahamian • 1993
The Islamic Republic was never fundamentalist. It was populist, and that explains everything.
3.89
171
Khomeinism Summary
Khomeinism 86%
The Islamic Republic was never fundamentalist. It was populist, and that explains everything.
by Ervand Abrahamian 1993
3.89
171 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 86%
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
Letters from Burma
by Aung San Suu Kyi • 1995
Compassion beats brutality in politics: a Nobel laureate's letters from house arrest in Burma.
3.90
2k+
Letters from Burma Summary
Letters from Burma 86%
Compassion beats brutality in politics: a Nobel laureate's letters from house arrest in Burma.
by Aung San Suu Kyi 1995
3.90
2k+ 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 86%
Ten millennia of data point to two conditions for state collapse. America now meets both.
by Peter Turchin 2023
4.06
3k+ 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 86%
The ballot box is not a check on authoritarianism but its most powerful source of legitimacy.
by Aleksandar Matovski 2022
3.56
16 ratings
How to Be a Dictator
by Frank Dikötter • 2019
Why every dictator is the architect of his godlike image, and why the statues fall.
3.69
3k+
How to Be a Dictator Summary
How to Be a Dictator 86%
Why every dictator is the architect of his godlike image, and why the statues fall.
by Frank Dikötter 2019
3.69
3k+ ratings
Unhumans
by Jack Posobiec • 2024
The playbook that toppled societies from Robespierre to Mao is now targeting the West.
3.99
1k+
Unhumans Summary
Unhumans 86%
The playbook that toppled societies from Robespierre to Mao is now targeting the West.
by Jack Posobiec 2024
3.99
1k+ ratings
Counterinsurgency Warfare
by David Galula • 1964
The guerrilla blends into the population. This book showed armies how to separate the two.
4.02
1k+
Counterinsurgency Warfare Summary
Counterinsurgency Warfare 86%
The guerrilla blends into the population. This book showed armies how to separate the two.
by David Galula 1964
4.02
1k+ ratings
Enough Already
by Scott Horton • 2021
9/11 was a trap, and the War on Terror was the overreaction al Qaeda had counted on.
4.61
699
Enough Already Summary
Enough Already 86%
9/11 was a trap, and the War on Terror was the overreaction al Qaeda had counted on.
by Scott Horton 2021
4.61
699 ratings
Government Gangsters
by Kash Patel • 2023
Federal law enforcement has been captured by unelected officials wielding it as a political weapon.
4.46
2k+
Government Gangsters Summary
Government Gangsters 86%
Federal law enforcement has been captured by unelected officials wielding it as a political weapon.
by Kash Patel 2023
4.46
2k+ ratings
A Force More Powerful
by Peter Ackerman • 2000
A century of evidence: strikes and boycotts toppled more regimes than bombs ever did.
4.11
300
A Force More Powerful Summary
A Force More Powerful 86%
A century of evidence: strikes and boycotts toppled more regimes than bombs ever did.
by Peter Ackerman 2000
4.11
300 ratings
Hatred of Democracy
by Jacques Rancière • 2005
Democracy is not about elections. It is the scandal that no one is born to rule.
3.72
970
Hatred of Democracy Summary
Hatred of Democracy 86%
Democracy is not about elections. It is the scandal that no one is born to rule.
by Jacques Rancière 2005
3.72
970 ratings
The Revolt of the Public and the Crisis of Authority
by Martin Gurri • 2014
The digital revolution gave the public the power to destroy institutions but not to replace them.
4.19
2k+
The Revolt of the Public and the Crisis of Authority Summary
The Revolt of the Public and the Crisis of Authority 86%
The digital revolution gave the public the power to destroy institutions but not to replace them.
by Martin Gurri 2014
4.19
2k+ ratings
The Project
by David A. Graham • 2025
A manual for capturing the state: gut the civil service, politicize the DOJ, and nullify Congress.
4.02
2k+
The Project Summary
The Project 86%
A manual for capturing the state: gut the civil service, politicize the DOJ, and nullify Congress.
by David A. Graham 2025
4.02
2k+ ratings
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