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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 91%
Piracy, sugar, and debt built the largest empire ever. The collapse outpaced the climb.
by Niall Ferguson 2003
3.93
10k+ ratings
War and Change in World Politics
by Robert Gilpin • 1999
International order never lasts. Uneven growth among states eventually demands a reset by war.
3.97
362
War and Change in World Politics Summary
War and Change in World Politics 90%
International order never lasts. Uneven growth among states eventually demands a reset by war.
by Robert Gilpin 1999
3.97
362 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 90%
Dominating the world has always required one thing: taking in the talent everyone else rejects.
by Amy Chua 2007
3.77
999 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 90%
The recurring patterns that built and then quietly destroyed ancient civs from Sumer to Rome.
by Susan Wise Bauer 2007
4.11
7k+ ratings
Colossus
by Niall Ferguson • 2004
America has always been an empire. Refusing to admit it is the root of its failures.
3.58
2k+
Colossus Summary
Colossus 90%
America has always been an empire. Refusing to admit it is the root of its failures.
by Niall Ferguson 2004
3.58
2k+ ratings
Colonialism
by Nigel Biggar • 2023
The British Empire spent a century and 1.8% of its income on abolition. Critics skip that.
3.97
786
Colonialism Summary
Colonialism 89%
The British Empire spent a century and 1.8% of its income on abolition. Critics skip that.
by Nigel Biggar 2023
3.97
786 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 89%
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 Loom of Time
by Robert D. Kaplan • 2023
The Middle East was shaped for empire, not democracy. The West still refuses to believe it.
4.27
553
The Loom of Time Summary
The Loom of Time 89%
The Middle East was shaped for empire, not democracy. The West still refuses to believe it.
by Robert D. Kaplan 2023
4.27
553 ratings
The Hell of Good Intentions
by Stephen M. Walt • 2018
After the Cold War, America tried to lead the world. It overreached, failed, and learned nothing.
4.01
735
The Hell of Good Intentions Summary
The Hell of Good Intentions 89%
After the Cold War, America tried to lead the world. It overreached, failed, and learned nothing.
by Stephen M. Walt 2018
4.01
735 ratings
Decline and Fall
by John Michael Greer • 2014
Empires are wealth pumps. America's runs on oil, nearly dry. The collapse cycle is inevitable.
4.29
156
Decline and Fall Summary
Decline and Fall 89%
Empires are wealth pumps. America's runs on oil, nearly dry. The collapse cycle is inevitable.
by John Michael Greer 2014
4.29
156 ratings
The Fate of Empires and Search for Survival
by John Bagot Glubb • 1978
Ten generations: energy, conquest, affluence, decay. The West is running out of time.
4.21
751
The Fate of Empires and Search for Survival Summary
The Fate of Empires and Search for Survival 89%
Ten generations: energy, conquest, affluence, decay. The West is running out of time.
by John Bagot Glubb 1978
4.21
751 ratings
Blowback
by Chalmers Johnson • 2000
Covert empire: why policies hidden from the American public keep producing violent retaliation.
4.06
3k+
Blowback Summary
Blowback 89%
Covert empire: why policies hidden from the American public keep producing violent retaliation.
by Chalmers Johnson 2000
4.06
3k+ 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? 89%
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
The Great Powers and Global Struggle, 1490-1990
by Karen Rasler • 2009
Five centuries of war follow one pattern: maritime innovators rise, then fall to land powers.
4.00
3
The Great Powers and Global Struggle, 1490-1990 Summary
The Great Powers and Global Struggle, 1490-1990 89%
Five centuries of war follow one pattern: maritime innovators rise, then fall to land powers.
by Karen Rasler 2009
4.00
3 ratings
The New Rulers of the World
by John Pilger • 2002
The global economy was built on mass graves. A reporter shows you who filled them.
4.14
1k+
The New Rulers of the World Summary
The New Rulers of the World 89%
The global economy was built on mass graves. A reporter shows you who filled them.
by John Pilger 2002
4.14
1k+ ratings
The Godfather Doctrine
by Dr John C. Hulsman • 2009
America's unipolar era is over. A Godfather parable shows why realism outlasts its rivals.
3.85
80
The Godfather Doctrine Summary
The Godfather Doctrine 89%
America's unipolar era is over. A Godfather parable shows why realism outlasts its rivals.
by Dr John C. Hulsman 2009
3.85
80 ratings
American Exceptionalism and American Innocence
by Roberto Sirvent • 2019
American history is the original fake news: a cover story for genocide, slavery, and endless war.
4.08
287
American Exceptionalism and American Innocence Summary
American Exceptionalism and American Innocence 89%
American history is the original fake news: a cover story for genocide, slavery, and endless war.
by Roberto Sirvent 2019
4.08
287 ratings
Empires in World History
by Jane Burbank • 2010
Empires managed human difference for two millennia. The nation-state is barely sixty.
3.98
430
Empires in World History Summary
Empires in World History 89%
Empires managed human difference for two millennia. The nation-state is barely sixty.
by Jane Burbank 2010
3.98
430 ratings
The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers
by Paul Kennedy • 1987
The great powers didn't fail on the battlefield. They lost in the factory first.
4.14
6k+
The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers Summary
The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers 89%
The great powers didn't fail on the battlefield. They lost in the factory first.
by Paul Kennedy 1987
4.14
6k+ ratings
The Great Delusion
by John J. Mearsheimer • 2018
Liberal dreams of peace ignore two immovable forces: the nation and the anarchy between states.
4.10
1k+
The Great Delusion Summary
The Great Delusion 89%
Liberal dreams of peace ignore two immovable forces: the nation and the anarchy between states.
by John J. Mearsheimer 2018
4.10
1k+ 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 89%
The millennium-long dynasty ruling Europe through marriage, forgery, and propaganda, not just war.
by Martyn Rady 2020
3.86
3k+ 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 89%
Empire and democracy cannot coexist. America chose empire; the bill is coming due.
by Chalmers Johnson 2007
4.07
968 ratings
Emperor of Rome
by Mary Beard • 2023
Rome's one-man rule was an accident, sustained by performance, paperwork, and palace murders.
4.08
7k+
Emperor of Rome Summary
Emperor of Rome 89%
Rome's one-man rule was an accident, sustained by performance, paperwork, and palace murders.
by Mary Beard 2023
4.08
7k+ ratings
Uncommon Wealth
by Kojo Koram • 2022
Offshore finance and debt traps: empire's playbook, tested abroad, now returned to reshape Britain.
4.29
508
Uncommon Wealth Summary
Uncommon Wealth 89%
Offshore finance and debt traps: empire's playbook, tested abroad, now returned to reshape Britain.
by Kojo Koram 2022
4.29
508 ratings
Glimpses of World History
by Jawaharlal Nehru • 1934
From a British prison cell, a jailed father teaches his daughter all of world history.
4.32
2k+
Glimpses of World History Summary
Glimpses of World History 89%
From a British prison cell, a jailed father teaches his daughter all of world history.
by Jawaharlal Nehru 1934
4.32
2k+ ratings
The Story of the Malakand Field Force
by Winston S. Churchill • 1898
It took a frontier war for a young Churchill to understand the brutal logic of empire.
3.99
358
The Story of the Malakand Field Force Summary
The Story of the Malakand Field Force 89%
It took a frontier war for a young Churchill to understand the brutal logic of empire.
by Winston S. Churchill 1898
3.99
358 ratings
The Two Faces of American Freedom
by Aziz Rana • 2010
American freedom depends on subjugation: a hidden bargain that shaped the republic from the start.
4.03
90
The Two Faces of American Freedom Summary
The Two Faces of American Freedom 89%
American freedom depends on subjugation: a hidden bargain that shaped the republic from the start.
by Aziz Rana 2010
4.03
90 ratings
Waste Land
by Robert D. Kaplan • 2025
When crises travel instantly but solutions stall at borders, we get one unending emergency.
3.60
972
Waste Land Summary
Waste Land 89%
When crises travel instantly but solutions stall at borders, we get one unending emergency.
by Robert D. Kaplan 2025
3.60
972 ratings
The Case for Colonialism
by Bruce Gilley • 2023
Start new colonies from scratch. The controversial solution to a century of post-colonial disaster.
4.32
191
The Case for Colonialism Summary
The Case for Colonialism 89%
Start new colonies from scratch. The controversial solution to a century of post-colonial disaster.
by Bruce Gilley 2023
4.32
191 ratings
Napoleon
by Andrew Roberts • 2014
A single volume spanning Corsica to St. Helena: the ambition, the genius, the fatal misjudgments.
4.25
29k+
Napoleon Summary
Napoleon 89%
A single volume spanning Corsica to St. Helena: the ambition, the genius, the fatal misjudgments.
by Andrew Roberts 2014
4.25
29k+ ratings
The End of Power
by Moisés Naím • 2013
Power is crumbling everywhere at once. The three hidden forces dismantling every hierarchy.
3.63
4k+
The End of Power Summary
The End of Power 89%
Power is crumbling everywhere at once. The three hidden forces dismantling every hierarchy.
by Moisés Naím 2013
3.63
4k+ ratings
Blood and Treasure
by Duncan Weldon • 2026
The economic logic inside every war: why pirates ran democracies and silver bankrupted an empire.
4.08
262
Blood and Treasure Summary
Blood and Treasure 89%
The economic logic inside every war: why pirates ran democracies and silver bankrupted an empire.
by Duncan Weldon 2026
4.08
262 ratings
Power Systems
by Noam Chomsky • 2012
The American empire playbook: erase the natives, crush foreign democracy, silence the home front.
4.12
3k+
Power Systems Summary
Power Systems 89%
The American empire playbook: erase the natives, crush foreign democracy, silence the home front.
by Noam Chomsky 2012
4.12
3k+ 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 89%
America stumbled into empire. Holding it requires a playbook its founders would have despised.
by George Friedman 2011
3.84
2k+ ratings
The Power Elite and the State
by G. William Domhoff • 1990
Social Security and the IMF were built by the same corporate insiders they supposedly tamed.
3.83
6
The Power Elite and the State Summary
The Power Elite and the State 89%
Social Security and the IMF were built by the same corporate insiders they supposedly tamed.
by G. William Domhoff 1990
3.83
6 ratings
A Century of War
by F. William Engdahl • 1992
How Anglo-American elites controlled oil to engineer a century of wars and financial crises.
4.20
480
A Century of War Summary
A Century of War 89%
How Anglo-American elites controlled oil to engineer a century of wars and financial crises.
by F. William Engdahl 1992
4.20
480 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 89%
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
A New Foreign Policy
by Jeffrey D. Sachs • 2018
The world became multipolar. America didn't notice. Here is the cost and the way out.
3.88
337
A New Foreign Policy Summary
A New Foreign Policy 89%
The world became multipolar. America didn't notice. Here is the cost and the way out.
by Jeffrey D. Sachs 2018
3.88
337 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 89%
Al Qaeda, ISIS, and Trump: three products of the same American national security machine.
by Max Blumenthal 2019
4.29
807 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 88%
The modern Middle East was drawn in European offices; a century of instability is the result.
by David Fromkin 1989
4.22
10k+ 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 88%
Calculate everything, seize the decisive moment, rewrite history: Napoleon's own playbook for power.
by Napoléon Bonaparte 1955
4.18
109 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 88%
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
The Tragedy of Great Power Politics
by John J. Mearsheimer • 2001
Why great powers cannot stop seeking dominance: anarchy rewards aggression and punishes restraint.
4.06
4k+
The Tragedy of Great Power Politics Summary
The Tragedy of Great Power Politics 88%
Why great powers cannot stop seeking dominance: anarchy rewards aggression and punishes restraint.
by John J. Mearsheimer 2001
4.06
4k+ ratings
Has the West Lost It?
by Kishore Mahbubani • 2018
China and India ran the global economy for 1,800 years. The West's brief interruption is ending.
3.70
984
Has the West Lost It? Summary
Has the West Lost It? 88%
China and India ran the global economy for 1,800 years. The West's brief interruption is ending.
by Kishore Mahbubani 2018
3.70
984 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 88%
Four emperors in one year, a city in flames, and a historian who watched it all.
by Tacitus 2003
4.03
375 ratings
Who Rules the World?
by Noam Chomsky • 2014
A superpower that tortures, invades, and sabotages democracy while the world calls it humanitarian.
4.05
13k+
Who Rules the World? Summary
Who Rules the World? 88%
A superpower that tortures, invades, and sabotages democracy while the world calls it humanitarian.
by Noam Chomsky 2014
4.05
13k+ ratings
The Return of Marco Polo's World
by Robert D. Kaplan • 2018
Liberal order collapsed. Eurasia fused into one war-prone corridor, and America is an island.
3.79
848
The Return of Marco Polo's World Summary
The Return of Marco Polo's World 88%
Liberal order collapsed. Eurasia fused into one war-prone corridor, and America is an island.
by Robert D. Kaplan 2018
3.79
848 ratings
Imperialism
by Vladimir Lenin • 1917
Capitalism outgrew free competition, building monopolies that needed colonies to survive.
4.27
11k+
Imperialism Summary
Imperialism 88%
Capitalism outgrew free competition, building monopolies that needed colonies to survive.
by Vladimir Lenin 1917
4.27
11k+ ratings
HOMBRES QUE CAMBIARON LA HISTORIA
by Jaime Maristany • 2014
From Moses to Napoleon: the leadership moves that turned ten mortals into history's architects.
3.28
170
HOMBRES QUE CAMBIARON LA HISTORIA Summary
HOMBRES QUE CAMBIARON LA HISTORIA 88%
From Moses to Napoleon: the leadership moves that turned ten mortals into history's architects.
by Jaime Maristany 2014
3.28
170 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 88%
Every eighty years America's government breaks; every fifty, its economy. Now both arrive at once.
by George Friedman 2020
4.05
3k+ ratings
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