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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 92%
The very idea of 'Europe' was invented in the era we call early modern.
by Merry E. Wiesner-Hanks 2006
3.96
447 ratings
Reformations
by Carlos M.N. Eire • 2016
Christendom's splintering produced more than new churches; it taught Europe how to doubt.
4.34
461
Reformations Summary
Reformations 91%
Christendom's splintering produced more than new churches; it taught Europe how to doubt.
by Carlos M.N. Eire 2016
4.34
461 ratings
A House in Gross Disorder
by Cynthia B. Herrup • 1999
An earl's trial for rape and sodomy in 1631 was a battle over patriarchy, not just sex.
3.54
119
A House in Gross Disorder Summary
A House in Gross Disorder 90%
An earl's trial for rape and sodomy in 1631 was a battle over patriarchy, not just sex.
by Cynthia B. Herrup 1999
3.54
119 ratings
Europe
by Brendan Simms • 2013
Whoever controls Germany controls Europe: five centuries of war traced to a single strategic prize.
3.95
761
Europe Summary
Europe 90%
Whoever controls Germany controls Europe: five centuries of war traced to a single strategic prize.
by Brendan Simms 2013
3.95
761 ratings
Summer of Fire and Blood
by Lyndal Roper • 2024
Luther declared Christians free. Peasants took him literally, and a hundred thousand were killed.
3.91
488
Summer of Fire and Blood Summary
Summer of Fire and Blood 90%
Luther declared Christians free. Peasants took him literally, and a hundred thousand were killed.
by Lyndal Roper 2024
3.91
488 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 90%
Before conquest came curiosity: both sides studied each other as mutual puzzles.
by Karen Ordahl Kupperman 2000
3.85
114 ratings
The Habsburgs
by Martyn Rady • 2020
The millennium-long dynasty ruling Europe through marriage, forgery, and propaganda, not just war.
3.86
3k+
The Habsburgs Summary
The Habsburgs 90%
The millennium-long dynasty ruling Europe through marriage, forgery, and propaganda, not just war.
by Martyn Rady 2020
3.86
3k+ ratings
The Thirty Years War
by Peter H. Wilson • 2009
Eight million died, and it wasn't a holy war. It was an empire's constitutional collapse.
3.90
2k+
The Thirty Years War Summary
The Thirty Years War 90%
Eight million died, and it wasn't a holy war. It was an empire's constitutional collapse.
by Peter H. Wilson 2009
3.90
2k+ ratings
The Military Revolution and Political Change
by Brian M. Downing • 1992
Democracy's real origin story: not the rise of the bourgeoisie, but how states paid for gunpowder.
3.77
30
The Military Revolution and Political Change Summary
The Military Revolution and Political Change 90%
Democracy's real origin story: not the rise of the bourgeoisie, but how states paid for gunpowder.
by Brian M. Downing 1992
3.77
30 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
Heretics and Heroes
by Thomas Cahill • 2013
Plague, print, and an obstinate monk shattered medieval Europe. The replacement is still here.
3.80
2k+
Heretics and Heroes Summary
Heretics and Heroes 89%
Plague, print, and an obstinate monk shattered medieval Europe. The replacement is still here.
by Thomas Cahill 2013
3.80
2k+ ratings
The Rosicrucian Enlightenment
by Frances A. Yates • 1972
How an occult brotherhood helped launch modern science, then got written out of the story.
4.22
575
The Rosicrucian Enlightenment Summary
The Rosicrucian Enlightenment 89%
How an occult brotherhood helped launch modern science, then got written out of the story.
by Frances A. Yates 1972
4.22
575 ratings
Dark Renaissance
by Stephen Greenblatt • 2025
He taught Shakespeare to be daring. A spy and blasphemer, Marlowe was murdered at twenty-nine.
3.95
2k+
Dark Renaissance Summary
Dark Renaissance 89%
He taught Shakespeare to be daring. A spy and blasphemer, Marlowe was murdered at twenty-nine.
by Stephen Greenblatt 2025
3.95
2k+ ratings
The Medici
by Paul Strathern • 2003
A banking family bankrolled the Renaissance, made popes and queens, and ruled Florence from shadow.
4.10
5k+
The Medici Summary
The Medici 89%
A banking family bankrolled the Renaissance, made popes and queens, and ruled Florence from shadow.
by Paul Strathern 2003
4.10
5k+ ratings
The Making of Martin Luther
by Richard Rex • 2017
A misremembered sentence and a desperate hunger for certainty: the Reformation's hidden engine.
3.94
64
The Making of Martin Luther Summary
The Making of Martin Luther 89%
A misremembered sentence and a desperate hunger for certainty: the Reformation's hidden engine.
by Richard Rex 2017
3.94
64 ratings
Elizabeth I and Her Circle
by Susan Doran • 2015
To understand Elizabeth I, look at her quarreling inner circle of cousins, favorites, and spies.
3.97
181
Elizabeth I and Her Circle Summary
Elizabeth I and Her Circle 89%
To understand Elizabeth I, look at her quarreling inner circle of cousins, favorites, and spies.
by Susan Doran 2015
3.97
181 ratings
Iron Kingdom
by Christopher Clark • 2006
Prussia was no natural nation but a dynasty's gamble, forged by war and erased by it.
4.17
6k+
Iron Kingdom Summary
Iron Kingdom 89%
Prussia was no natural nation but a dynasty's gamble, forged by war and erased by it.
by Christopher Clark 2006
4.17
6k+ ratings
Heart of Europe
by Peter H. Wilson • 2016
Twice as old as imperial Rome, this was a political order built on compromise, not command.
3.75
1k+
Heart of Europe Summary
Heart of Europe 89%
Twice as old as imperial Rome, this was a political order built on compromise, not command.
by Peter H. Wilson 2016
3.75
1k+ ratings
Storia economica dell'Europa pre-industriale
by Carlo M. Cipolla • 1974
How plague, timber famine, and silver hunger forced medieval Europe to invent the modern economy.
4.29
277
Storia economica dell'Europa pre-industriale Summary
Storia economica dell'Europa pre-industriale 89%
How plague, timber famine, and silver hunger forced medieval Europe to invent the modern economy.
by Carlo M. Cipolla 1974
4.29
277 ratings
Kings or People
by Reinhard Bendix • 1978
Sacred kingship fell. Some nations got parliaments, others commissars. The 2,500-year story of why.
3.88
17
Kings or People Summary
Kings or People 89%
Sacred kingship fell. Some nations got parliaments, others commissars. The 2,500-year story of why.
by Reinhard Bendix 1978
3.88
17 ratings
Conquistador
by Buddy Levy • 2008
An emperor greeted invaders as gods. A woman translated their words. A virus did the rest.
4.31
5k+
Conquistador Summary
Conquistador 89%
An emperor greeted invaders as gods. A woman translated their words. A virus did the rest.
by Buddy Levy 2008
4.31
5k+ 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 Rise of the Western World
by Douglass C. North • 1973
The West did not rise because of technology. It rose because of property rights.
3.85
171
The Rise of the Western World Summary
The Rise of the Western World 88%
The West did not rise because of technology. It rose because of property rights.
by Douglass C. North 1973
3.85
171 ratings
A Little History of the World
by E.H. Gombrich • 1936
The whole human story, from cave paintings to the Cold War, in one short, elegant book.
4.10
32k+
A Little History of the World Summary
A Little History of the World 88%
The whole human story, from cave paintings to the Cold War, in one short, elegant book.
by E.H. Gombrich 1936
4.10
32k+ ratings
Martin Luther
by Eric Metaxas • 2017
A thunderstorm vow, a tormented monk, and the conscience that broke the medieval church.
4.15
9k+
Martin Luther Summary
Martin Luther 88%
A thunderstorm vow, a tormented monk, and the conscience that broke the medieval church.
by Eric Metaxas 2017
4.15
9k+ ratings
Soul Machine
by George Makari • 2015
Science couldn't find the soul. So early modern Europe invented the mind to take its place.
3.82
157
Soul Machine Summary
Soul Machine 88%
Science couldn't find the soul. So early modern Europe invented the mind to take its place.
by George Makari 2015
3.82
157 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 88%
How Rome's wealth created the barbarians who remade Europe.
by Peter Heather 2009
3.97
1k+ ratings
The Unquenchable Flame
by Michael Reeves • 2009
A verse in Romans split Western Christianity. The argument it started still isn't settled.
4.49
2k+
The Unquenchable Flame Summary
The Unquenchable Flame 88%
A verse in Romans split Western Christianity. The argument it started still isn't settled.
by Michael Reeves 2009
4.49
2k+ ratings
Medieval Iberia
by Olivia Remie Constable • 1997
Eight centuries, three faiths, one peninsula: medieval Iberia speaks in its own words.
4.07
121
Medieval Iberia Summary
Medieval Iberia 88%
Eight centuries, three faiths, one peninsula: medieval Iberia speaks in its own words.
by Olivia Remie Constable 1997
4.07
121 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 88%
Four shipwrecked conquistadors crossed America as slaves turned healers, with thousands following.
by Andrés Reséndez 2007
4.11
4k+ ratings
Royal Witches
by Gemma Hollman • 2019
When England's kings needed money or crown legitimacy, they accused a royal woman of witchcraft.
3.78
2k+
Royal Witches Summary
Royal Witches 88%
When England's kings needed money or crown legitimacy, they accused a royal woman of witchcraft.
by Gemma Hollman 2019
3.78
2k+ ratings
The Light Ages
by Seb Falk • 2020
Eclipse math, precision clocks, a six-foot computer: the medieval laboratory inside the monastery.
3.67
2k+
The Light Ages Summary
The Light Ages 88%
Eclipse math, precision clocks, a six-foot computer: the medieval laboratory inside the monastery.
by Seb Falk 2020
3.67
2k+ ratings
King John and the Road to Magna Carta
by Stephen Church • 2015
John lost a continent, defied the pope, and signed a charter that still checks power.
3.58
171
King John and the Road to Magna Carta Summary
King John and the Road to Magna Carta 88%
John lost a continent, defied the pope, and signed a charter that still checks power.
by Stephen Church 2015
3.58
171 ratings
The Artist, the Philosopher, and the Warrior
by Paul Strathern • 2009
Da Vinci, Machiavelli, Cesare Borgia: the moment their lives collided and the modern world began.
3.97
1k+
The Artist, the Philosopher, and the Warrior Summary
The Artist, the Philosopher, and the Warrior 88%
Da Vinci, Machiavelli, Cesare Borgia: the moment their lives collided and the modern world began.
by Paul Strathern 2009
3.97
1k+ ratings
A Culture of Growth
by Joel Mokyr • 2016
What fueled modern growth? Not property rights. A cultural shift that made nature a solvable puzzle.
3.94
427
A Culture of Growth Summary
A Culture of Growth 88%
What fueled modern growth? Not property rights. A cultural shift that made nature a solvable puzzle.
by Joel Mokyr 2016
3.94
427 ratings
The Heart of the Declaration
by Steve Pincus • 2016
The Declaration was not a small-government manifesto but a blueprint for a powerful, activist state.
3.64
36
The Heart of the Declaration Summary
The Heart of the Declaration 88%
The Declaration was not a small-government manifesto but a blueprint for a powerful, activist state.
by Steve Pincus 2016
3.64
36 ratings
Forging a Multinational State
by John Deak • 2015
A professional civil service, not the crown, held the Habsburg Empire together for 150 years.
3.92
12
Forging a Multinational State Summary
Forging a Multinational State 88%
A professional civil service, not the crown, held the Habsburg Empire together for 150 years.
by John Deak 2015
3.92
12 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
Going to Church in Medieval England
by Nicholas Orme • 2021
9,500 buildings held medieval England together: the parish church, from birth to burial.
4.19
295
Going to Church in Medieval England Summary
Going to Church in Medieval England 88%
9,500 buildings held medieval England together: the parish church, from birth to burial.
by Nicholas Orme 2021
4.19
295 ratings
Peasants Into Frenchmen
by Eugen Weber • 1976
They didn't speak French or feel French. Roads, schools, and barracks turned them into Frenchmen.
4.28
403
Peasants Into Frenchmen Summary
Peasants Into Frenchmen 88%
They didn't speak French or feel French. Roads, schools, and barracks turned them into Frenchmen.
by Eugen Weber 1976
4.28
403 ratings
Ecclesiastical History of the English People
by Bede • 2003
Holy kings, miracle-working monks, and a council that chose Peter's keys: the conversion of England.
3.91
94
Ecclesiastical History of the English People Summary
Ecclesiastical History of the English People 88%
Holy kings, miracle-working monks, and a council that chose Peter's keys: the conversion of England.
by Bede 2003
3.91
94 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 88%
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 Ottomans
by Marc David Baer • 2021
Six centuries, three continents, one dynasty: the European empire the West wrote out of its history.
3.94
2k+
The Ottomans Summary
The Ottomans 88%
Six centuries, three continents, one dynasty: the European empire the West wrote out of its history.
by Marc David Baer 2021
3.94
2k+ ratings
Why We Love Pirates
by Rebecca Simon • 2020
How the execution of one privateer turned pirate created the outlaw myth we still sail with.
3.67
340
Why We Love Pirates Summary
Why We Love Pirates 88%
How the execution of one privateer turned pirate created the outlaw myth we still sail with.
by Rebecca Simon 2020
3.67
340 ratings
Dominion
by Tom Holland • 2019
Secularism, human rights, even atheism: a historian shows why these are all products of the cross.
4.26
12k+
Dominion Summary
Dominion 88%
Secularism, human rights, even atheism: a historian shows why these are all products of the cross.
by Tom Holland 2019
4.26
12k+ ratings
The House of Medici
by Christopher Hibbert • 1975
Why Florence's uncrowned kings were bankers who built the Renaissance and survived assassination.
3.87
9k+
The House of Medici Summary
The House of Medici 88%
Why Florence's uncrowned kings were bankers who built the Renaissance and survived assassination.
by Christopher Hibbert 1975
3.87
9k+ ratings
Slave Nation
by Alfred W. Blumrosen • 2005
The American Revolution was not about taxes. It began when a British judge ruled slavery illegal.
4.02
113
Slave Nation Summary
Slave Nation 88%
The American Revolution was not about taxes. It began when a British judge ruled slavery illegal.
by Alfred W. Blumrosen 2005
4.02
113 ratings
On History
by Eric J. Hobsbawm • 1997
Scotland's ships were built by war and state meddling: bounties, blockades, tobacco, and smuggling.
3.98
588
On History Summary
On History 88%
Scotland's ships were built by war and state meddling: bounties, blockades, tobacco, and smuggling.
by Eric J. Hobsbawm 1997
3.98
588 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 88%
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 Plantagenets
by Dan Jones • 2012
A shipwrecked prince, a murdered archbishop, and the 246-year dynasty that built England.
4.25
24k+
The Plantagenets Summary
The Plantagenets 88%
A shipwrecked prince, a murdered archbishop, and the 246-year dynasty that built England.
by Dan Jones 2012
4.25
24k+ ratings
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