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...
A Splendid Exchange
by William J. Bernstein • 2008
Commerce, not conquest, built the modern world: the history of trade from obsidian to oil.
4.16
3k+
A Splendid Exchange Summary
A Splendid Exchange 90%
Commerce, not conquest, built the modern world: the history of trade from obsidian to oil.
by William J. Bernstein 2008
4.16
3k+ ratings
The Taste of Conquest
by Michael Krondl • 2007
Nutmeg once outweighed gold. Three cities chased it across oceans and dragged the world behind them.
3.75
949
The Taste of Conquest Summary
The Taste of Conquest 90%
Nutmeg once outweighed gold. Three cities chased it across oceans and dragged the world behind them.
by Michael Krondl 2007
3.75
949 ratings
The Silk Roads
by Peter Frankopan • 2015
History looks different when you place the Silk Roads, not Europe, at the center of everything.
4.17
50k+
The Silk Roads Summary
The Silk Roads 89%
History looks different when you place the Silk Roads, not Europe, at the center of everything.
by Peter Frankopan 2015
4.17
50k+ ratings
Over the Edge of the World
by Laurence Bergreen • 2003
Three of five ships mutinied. His response made men fear him more than the sea.
4.19
19k+
Over the Edge of the World Summary
Over the Edge of the World 89%
Three of five ships mutinied. His response made men fear him more than the sea.
by Laurence Bergreen 2003
4.19
19k+ ratings
The Familial State
by Julia Adams • 2005
The Dutch Golden Age was built by families who treated the state as private property.
3.91
22
The Familial State Summary
The Familial State 89%
The Dutch Golden Age was built by families who treated the state as private property.
by Julia Adams 2005
3.91
22 ratings
Civilization and Capitalism 15th–18th Century, Vol 2
by Fernand Braudel • 1979
Markets are transparent. Capitalism is their shadow, thriving on distance and state collusion.
4.47
603
Civilization and Capitalism 15th–18th Century, Vol 2 Summary
Civilization and Capitalism 15th–18th Century, Vol 2 89%
Markets are transparent. Capitalism is their shadow, thriving on distance and state collusion.
by Fernand Braudel 1979
4.47
603 ratings
Early Modern Europe, 1450–1789
by Merry E. Wiesner-Hanks • 2006
The very idea of 'Europe' was invented in the era we call early modern.
3.96
447
Early Modern Europe, 1450–1789 Summary
Early Modern Europe, 1450–1789 89%
The very idea of 'Europe' was invented in the era we call early modern.
by Merry E. Wiesner-Hanks 2006
3.96
447 ratings
The Great Divergence
by Kenneth Pomeranz • 2000
Europe's industrial breakthrough wasn't its own genius. It took colonial land and underground coal.
3.68
1k+
The Great Divergence Summary
The Great Divergence 89%
Europe's industrial breakthrough wasn't its own genius. It took colonial land and underground coal.
by Kenneth Pomeranz 2000
3.68
1k+ ratings
The Sea and Civilization
by Lincoln Paine • 2013
Before trains, the sea was the fastest highway. World history from the deck of a ship.
3.89
700
The Sea and Civilization Summary
The Sea and Civilization 89%
Before trains, the sea was the fastest highway. World history from the deck of a ship.
by Lincoln Paine 2013
3.89
700 ratings
From Silk to Silicon
by Jeffrey E. Garten • 2016
Ten lives shrank the planet more than any trade pact, and none of them meant to.
3.87
878
From Silk to Silicon Summary
From Silk to Silicon 89%
Ten lives shrank the planet more than any trade pact, and none of them meant to.
by Jeffrey E. Garten 2016
3.87
878 ratings
Marco Polo
by Laurence Bergreen • 2007
A merchant, a Mongol emperor, and seventeen years that redrew the map of the known world.
3.85
3k+
Marco Polo Summary
Marco Polo 88%
A merchant, a Mongol emperor, and seventeen years that redrew the map of the known world.
by Laurence Bergreen 2007
3.85
3k+ ratings
1493
by Charles C. Mann • 2011
Potatoes east, mosquitoes west: the biological upheaval set off by 1492 that still runs the world.
4.12
21k+
1493 Summary
1493 88%
Potatoes east, mosquitoes west: the biological upheaval set off by 1492 that still runs the world.
by Charles C. Mann 2011
4.12
21k+ ratings
Tupaia
by Joan Druett • 2010
The navigator who made Cook's Pacific voyage possible spent two centuries erased from the story.
4.25
201
Tupaia Summary
Tupaia 88%
The navigator who made Cook's Pacific voyage possible spent two centuries erased from the story.
by Joan Druett 2010
4.25
201 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 88%
The full sweep of human history, read not from texts but from 100 physical objects.
by Neil MacGregor 2010
4.19
9k+ ratings
Magellan
by Stefan Zweig • 1938
The man who first circled the globe died in a pointless skirmish halfway through the voyage.
4.42
6k+
Magellan Summary
Magellan 88%
The man who first circled the globe died in a pointless skirmish halfway through the voyage.
by Stefan Zweig 1938
4.42
6k+ ratings
A History of the World in 6 Glasses
by Tom Standage • 2005
Civilization's biggest leaps came in a glass. The story of humanity told through six drinks.
3.81
34k+
A History of the World in 6 Glasses Summary
A History of the World in 6 Glasses 88%
Civilization's biggest leaps came in a glass. The story of humanity told through six drinks.
by Tom Standage 2005
3.81
34k+ ratings
Empire of Cotton
by Sven Beckert • 2014
Before coal, cotton powered the world. The plantation, not the factory, built modern capitalism.
3.90
4k+
Empire of Cotton Summary
Empire of Cotton 88%
Before coal, cotton powered the world. The plantation, not the factory, built modern capitalism.
by Sven Beckert 2014
3.90
4k+ 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 88%
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
Enemy of All Mankind
by Steven Johnson • 2020
His 1695 heist of a Mughal treasure ship nearly toppled an empire. Then Henry Every disappeared.
3.89
5k+
Enemy of All Mankind Summary
Enemy of All Mankind 88%
His 1695 heist of a Mughal treasure ship nearly toppled an empire. Then Henry Every disappeared.
by Steven Johnson 2020
3.89
5k+ ratings
Why Did Europe Conquer the World?
by Philip T. Hoffman • 2015
Centuries of war among Europe's tiny states forged the machine that would conquer the world.
3.42
257
Why Did Europe Conquer the World? Summary
Why Did Europe Conquer the World? 88%
Centuries of war among Europe's tiny states forged the machine that would conquer the world.
by Philip T. Hoffman 2015
3.42
257 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 88%
A bead from India, buried in England, reveals the Silk Road world the Vikings actually built.
by Cat Jarman 2021
4.04
4k+ ratings
Outside the Box
by Marc Levinson • 2020
Globalization moved goods and built China. The next phase trades ideas, and new winners emerge.
3.94
228
Outside the Box Summary
Outside the Box 88%
Globalization moved goods and built China. The next phase trades ideas, and new winners emerge.
by Marc Levinson 2020
3.94
228 ratings
Civilization and Capitalism 15th–18th Century, Vol. 3
by Fernand Braudel • 1979
Capitalism thrives by avoiding the market. How monopolies, not competition, built the modern world.
4.44
498
Civilization and Capitalism 15th–18th Century, Vol. 3 Summary
Civilization and Capitalism 15th–18th Century, Vol. 3 88%
Capitalism thrives by avoiding the market. How monopolies, not competition, built the modern world.
by Fernand Braudel 1979
4.44
498 ratings
Monsoon
by Robert D. Kaplan • 2010
Three narrow straits carry the world's oil. The Indian Ocean rim decides who controls them.
3.96
3k+
Monsoon Summary
Monsoon 88%
Three narrow straits carry the world's oil. The Indian Ocean rim decides who controls them.
by Robert D. Kaplan 2010
3.96
3k+ ratings
1494
by Stephen R. Bown • 2011
A secret royal wedding, a corrupt pope, and one line that carved the world in two.
3.89
369
1494 Summary
1494 88%
A secret royal wedding, a corrupt pope, and one line that carved the world in two.
by Stephen R. Bown 2011
3.89
369 ratings
The Ages of Globalization
by Jeffrey D. Sachs • 2020
What if globalization began with the first human migration? Its latest chapter could be its last.
3.89
404
The Ages of Globalization Summary
The Ages of Globalization 88%
What if globalization began with the first human migration? Its latest chapter could be its last.
by Jeffrey D. Sachs 2020
3.89
404 ratings
Global Capitalism
by Jeffry A. Frieden • 2007
How governments built the first global economy, dismantled it, and rebuilt.
3.87
644
Global Capitalism Summary
Global Capitalism 88%
How governments built the first global economy, dismantled it, and rebuilt.
by Jeffry A. Frieden 2007
3.87
644 ratings
Empire
by Niall Ferguson • 2003
Piracy, sugar, and debt built the largest empire ever. The collapse outpaced the climb.
3.93
10k+
Empire Summary
Empire 88%
Piracy, sugar, and debt built the largest empire ever. The collapse outpaced the climb.
by Niall Ferguson 2003
3.93
10k+ ratings
Indians and English
by Karen Ordahl Kupperman • 2000
Before conquest came curiosity: both sides studied each other as mutual puzzles.
3.85
114
Indians and English Summary
Indians and English 88%
Before conquest came curiosity: both sides studied each other as mutual puzzles.
by Karen Ordahl Kupperman 2000
3.85
114 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 88%
Where empires and religions mixed for centuries, Europe's post-national future is already written.
by Robert D. Kaplan 2022
3.61
888 ratings
Conquests and Cultures
by Thomas Sowell • 1998
Geography blocked Africa, conquests lifted Britain, and human capital explains the gap.
4.44
964
Conquests and Cultures Summary
Conquests and Cultures 88%
Geography blocked Africa, conquests lifted Britain, and human capital explains the gap.
by Thomas Sowell 1998
4.44
964 ratings
The Elephant and the Dragon
by Robyn Meredith • 2007
China built factories, India ran the back office, and together they redrew the global economic map.
3.73
1k+
The Elephant and the Dragon Summary
The Elephant and the Dragon 88%
China built factories, India ran the back office, and together they redrew the global economic map.
by Robyn Meredith 2007
3.73
1k+ ratings
Civilization
by Niall Ferguson • 2011
Five hundred years of Western rule rested on six innovations. The rest have now caught up.
3.86
10k+
Civilization Summary
Civilization 88%
Five hundred years of Western rule rested on six innovations. The rest have now caught up.
by Niall Ferguson 2011
3.86
10k+ ratings
Day of Empire
by Amy Chua • 2007
Dominating the world has always required one thing: taking in the talent everyone else rejects.
3.77
999
Day of Empire Summary
Day of Empire 88%
Dominating the world has always required one thing: taking in the talent everyone else rejects.
by Amy Chua 2007
3.77
999 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 88%
Democracy, republic, and Confucianism were born in the same century. None by design.
by Michael Scott 2016
3.77
635 ratings
The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order
by Samuel P. Huntington • 1998
Global conflict is no longer ideological: seven civilizations now compete for power and survival.
3.78
14k+
The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order Summary
The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order 88%
Global conflict is no longer ideological: seven civilizations now compete for power and survival.
by Samuel P. Huntington 1998
3.78
14k+ ratings
Ninety Percent of Everything
by Rose George • 2013
Behind everything you own: an invisible, lawless ocean industry that makes globalization possible.
3.79
4k+
Ninety Percent of Everything Summary
Ninety Percent of Everything 87%
Behind everything you own: an invisible, lawless ocean industry that makes globalization possible.
by Rose George 2013
3.79
4k+ ratings
The Age of Empire, 1875–1914
by Eric J. Hobsbawm • 1987
How the world's first globalization, built on empire and mass politics, made a world war inevitable.
4.27
5k+
The Age of Empire, 1875–1914 Summary
The Age of Empire, 1875–1914 87%
How the world's first globalization, built on empire and mass politics, made a world war inevitable.
by Eric J. Hobsbawm 1987
4.27
5k+ ratings
The Box
by Marc Levinson • 2006
In 1956, a trucker shipped 58 truck bodies on a tanker. What followed remade the global economy.
3.86
7k+
The Box Summary
The Box 87%
In 1956, a trucker shipped 58 truck bodies on a tanker. What followed remade the global economy.
by Marc Levinson 2006
3.86
7k+ 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 87%
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
Moveable Feasts
by Sarah Murray • 2007
Rome needed grain ships. Cities need container ports. How moving food built the modern world.
3.55
205
Moveable Feasts Summary
Moveable Feasts 87%
Rome needed grain ships. Cities need container ports. How moving food built the modern world.
by Sarah Murray 2007
3.55
205 ratings
A Land So Strange
by Andrés Reséndez • 2007
Four shipwrecked conquistadors crossed America as slaves turned healers, with thousands following.
4.11
4k+
A Land So Strange Summary
A Land So Strange 87%
Four shipwrecked conquistadors crossed America as slaves turned healers, with thousands following.
by Andrés Reséndez 2007
4.11
4k+ ratings
Against the World
by Tara Zahra • 2023
Globalism was not undone by accident. Voters, left out of its gains, dismantled it on purpose.
3.96
254
Against the World Summary
Against the World 87%
Globalism was not undone by accident. Voters, left out of its gains, dismantled it on purpose.
by Tara Zahra 2023
3.96
254 ratings
The Wide Wide Sea
by Hampton Sides • 2024
Hawaiians believed Captain Cook was a god. Weeks later, his body was dismembered in the surf.
4.46
24k+
The Wide Wide Sea Summary
The Wide Wide Sea 87%
Hawaiians believed Captain Cook was a god. Weeks later, his body was dismembered in the surf.
by Hampton Sides 2024
4.46
24k+ ratings
The Birth of Plenty
by William J. Bernstein • 2004
Four conditions built the modern world; without them, even silver empires collapse.
4.19
858
The Birth of Plenty Summary
The Birth of Plenty 87%
Four conditions built the modern world; without them, even silver empires collapse.
by William J. Bernstein 2004
4.19
858 ratings
Fifty Inventions That Shaped the Modern Economy
by Tim Harford • 2017
Fifty inventions, from barbed wire to infant formula, and the economic ripples nobody saw coming.
4.06
4k+
Fifty Inventions That Shaped the Modern Economy Summary
Fifty Inventions That Shaped the Modern Economy 87%
Fifty inventions, from barbed wire to infant formula, and the economic ripples nobody saw coming.
by Tim Harford 2017
4.06
4k+ ratings
The Post-American World
by Fareed Zakaria • 2008
American power isn't eroding. A dozen new powers are simply rising alongside it.
3.86
13k+
The Post-American World Summary
The Post-American World 87%
American power isn't eroding. A dozen new powers are simply rising alongside it.
by Fareed Zakaria 2008
3.86
13k+ ratings
Why Empires Fall
by Peter Heather and John Rapley • 1983
Barbarians didn't kill Rome; economic shifts on its frontiers did. The West is next.
3.60
962
Why Empires Fall Summary
Why Empires Fall 87%
Barbarians didn't kill Rome; economic shifts on its frontiers did. The West is next.
by Peter Heather and John Rapley 1983
3.60
962 ratings
The Square and the Tower
by Niall Ferguson • 2017
The real shapers of history were not kings but the networks connecting everyone else.
3.65
4k+
The Square and the Tower Summary
The Square and the Tower 87%
The real shapers of history were not kings but the networks connecting everyone else.
by Niall Ferguson 2017
3.65
4k+ ratings
A Brief History of Indonesia
by Tim Hannigan • 2015
An archipelago of 17,000 islands: the improbable 2,000-year story of how it became a single nation.
4.02
1k+
A Brief History of Indonesia Summary
A Brief History of Indonesia 87%
An archipelago of 17,000 islands: the improbable 2,000-year story of how it became a single nation.
by Tim Hannigan 2015
4.02
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 26,
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