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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 88%
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 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 87%
The recurring patterns that built and then quietly destroyed ancient civs from Sumer to Rome.
by Susan Wise Bauer 2007
4.11
7k+ 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 87%
Piracy, sugar, and debt built the largest empire ever. The collapse outpaced the climb.
by Niall Ferguson 2003
3.93
10k+ 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 86%
Every eighty years America's government breaks; every fifty, its economy. Now both arrive at once.
by George Friedman 2020
4.05
3k+ 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 86%
Ten generations: energy, conquest, affluence, decay. The West is running out of time.
by John Bagot Glubb 1978
4.21
751 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 86%
The millennium-long dynasty ruling Europe through marriage, forgery, and propaganda, not just war.
by Martyn Rady 2020
3.86
3k+ 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 86%
International order never lasts. Uneven growth among states eventually demands a reset by war.
by Robert Gilpin 1999
3.97
362 ratings
The Fourth Turning Is Here
by Neil Howe • 2023
An 80-year cycle pushes America toward a 2030 crisis. The last two ended in total war.
3.93
3k+
The Fourth Turning Is Here Summary
The Fourth Turning Is Here 86%
An 80-year cycle pushes America toward a 2030 crisis. The last two ended in total war.
by Neil Howe 2023
3.93
3k+ 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 86%
Dominating the world has always required one thing: taking in the talent everyone else rejects.
by Amy Chua 2007
3.77
999 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 85%
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
War and Peace and War
by Peter Turchin • 2005
Empires aren't conquered. They dissolve from within, on a schedule that mathematics can model.
4.17
928
War and Peace and War Summary
War and Peace and War 85%
Empires aren't conquered. They dissolve from within, on a schedule that mathematics can model.
by Peter Turchin 2005
4.17
928 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 85%
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
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 85%
A single volume spanning Corsica to St. Helena: the ambition, the genius, the fatal misjudgments.
by Andrew Roberts 2014
4.25
29k+ ratings
The Man in the High Castle
by Mike Avila • 2019
A decade-long battle to adapt a cult novel, and the designers who built its fascist America.
4.00
13
The Man in the High Castle Summary
The Man in the High Castle 85%
A decade-long battle to adapt a cult novel, and the designers who built its fascist America.
by Mike Avila 2019
4.00
13 ratings
Empire of Debt
by William Bonner • 2005
Empires take tribute from subjects. America borrows from them instead, and the bill is due.
3.90
332
Empire of Debt Summary
Empire of Debt 85%
Empires take tribute from subjects. America borrows from them instead, and the bill is due.
by William Bonner 2005
3.90
332 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 85%
When crises travel instantly but solutions stall at borders, we get one unending emergency.
by Robert D. Kaplan 2025
3.60
972 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 85%
America has always been an empire. Refusing to admit it is the root of its failures.
by Niall Ferguson 2004
3.58
2k+ ratings
Endless Universe
by Paul J. Steinhardt • 2007
The Big Bang was not the beginning. A trillion-year cycle of collisions remakes the universe.
4.12
1k+
Endless Universe Summary
Endless Universe 85%
The Big Bang was not the beginning. A trillion-year cycle of collisions remakes the universe.
by Paul J. Steinhardt 2007
4.12
1k+ ratings
By Peter B. Evans - Bringing the State Back In
by Ted Rall • 2002
The War on Terror was never justice; it was a 50-billion-barrel pipeline through Afghanistan.
3.58
170
By Peter B. Evans - Bringing the State Back In Summary
By Peter B. Evans - Bringing the State Back In 85%
The War on Terror was never justice; it was a 50-billion-barrel pipeline through Afghanistan.
by Ted Rall 2002
3.58
170 ratings
The Cyclic Universe
by Howard Burton • 2013
An infinite cycle: the far future of one universe ignites the Big Bang of the next.
4.25
28
The Cyclic Universe Summary
The Cyclic Universe 85%
An infinite cycle: the far future of one universe ignites the Big Bang of the next.
by Howard Burton 2013
4.25
28 ratings
Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order
by Ray Dalio • 2021
Empires die on schedule: debt, division, rival. The sequence is repeating now.
4.27
18k+
Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order Summary
Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order 85%
Empires die on schedule: debt, division, rival. The sequence is repeating now.
by Ray Dalio 2021
4.27
18k+ ratings
War! What Is It Good For?
by Ian Morris • 2014
Ten thousand years of war made the world ten times safer. The paradox behind that claim.
3.95
2k+
War! What Is It Good For? Summary
War! What Is It Good For? 85%
Ten thousand years of war made the world ten times safer. The paradox behind that claim.
by Ian Morris 2014
3.95
2k+ 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 85%
Five centuries of war follow one pattern: maritime innovators rise, then fall to land powers.
by Karen Rasler 2009
4.00
3 ratings
A Short History of the World
by Christopher Lascelles • 2011
Thirteen billion years in one short book: why empires fall, ideas spread, and everything connects.
3.86
2k+
A Short History of the World Summary
A Short History of the World 85%
Thirteen billion years in one short book: why empires fall, ideas spread, and everything connects.
by Christopher Lascelles 2011
3.86
2k+ 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 85%
Empires managed human difference for two millennia. The nation-state is barely sixty.
by Jane Burbank 2010
3.98
430 ratings
The Comanche Empire
by Pekka Hämäläinen • 2008
How the Comanches built a nomadic empire that made European colonies into its economic hinterland.
4.17
2k+
The Comanche Empire Summary
The Comanche Empire 85%
How the Comanches built a nomadic empire that made European colonies into its economic hinterland.
by Pekka Hämäläinen 2008
4.17
2k+ 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 85%
Rome's one-man rule was an accident, sustained by performance, paperwork, and palace murders.
by Mary Beard 2023
4.08
7k+ 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 85%
From a British prison cell, a jailed father teaches his daughter all of world history.
by Jawaharlal Nehru 1934
4.32
2k+ 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 85%
A professional civil service, not the crown, held the Habsburg Empire together for 150 years.
by John Deak 2015
3.92
12 ratings
The Future of Geography
by Tim Marshall • 2023
Space is the new geography of power: every conflict below is replicating in orbit.
3.91
8k+
The Future of Geography Summary
The Future of Geography 85%
Space is the new geography of power: every conflict below is replicating in orbit.
by Tim Marshall 2023
3.91
8k+ 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 85%
His 1695 heist of a Mughal treasure ship nearly toppled an empire. Then Henry Every disappeared.
by Steven Johnson 2020
3.89
5k+ ratings
A Study of History, Abridgement of Vols 1-6
by Arnold Joseph Toynbee • 1987
History's pattern: empires die, and their true heirs are the churches they tried to crush.
4.11
543
A Study of History, Abridgement of Vols 1-6 Summary
A Study of History, Abridgement of Vols 1-6 85%
History's pattern: empires die, and their true heirs are the churches they tried to crush.
by Arnold Joseph Toynbee 1987
4.11
543 ratings
Escape from Rome
by Walter Scheidel • 2019
China kept rebuilding its empire. Europe never rebuilt Rome. That difference changed everything.
4.05
482
Escape from Rome Summary
Escape from Rome 85%
China kept rebuilding its empire. Europe never rebuilt Rome. That difference changed everything.
by Walter Scheidel 2019
4.05
482 ratings
The Fourth Turning
by William Strauss • 1996
America's history runs on an 80-year cycle of four social seasons. The crisis season has begun.
3.87
8k+
The Fourth Turning Summary
The Fourth Turning 85%
America's history runs on an 80-year cycle of four social seasons. The crisis season has begun.
by William Strauss 1996
3.87
8k+ 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 85%
The American empire playbook: erase the natives, crush foreign democracy, silence the home front.
by Noam Chomsky 2012
4.12
3k+ ratings
The Fish That Ate the Whale
by Rich Cohen • 2012
Penniless at fourteen, he built a banana empire that toppled governments and coined banana republic.
4.11
9k+
The Fish That Ate the Whale Summary
The Fish That Ate the Whale 85%
Penniless at fourteen, he built a banana empire that toppled governments and coined banana republic.
by Rich Cohen 2012
4.11
9k+ ratings
The Lessons of History
by Will Durant • 1968
What forty centuries of history reveal: cycles, geography's grip, and the unchanging human drives.
4.05
21k+
The Lessons of History Summary
The Lessons of History 85%
What forty centuries of history reveal: cycles, geography's grip, and the unchanging human drives.
by Will Durant 1968
4.05
21k+ ratings
Indiana Jones and Philosophy
by Dean Kowalski • 2023
Beneath the fedora: a philosophy seminar on heroism, faith, aging, and who really owns the past.
3.71
21
Indiana Jones and Philosophy Summary
Indiana Jones and Philosophy 85%
Beneath the fedora: a philosophy seminar on heroism, faith, aging, and who really owns the past.
by Dean Kowalski 2023
3.71
21 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 85%
Ten millennia of data point to two conditions for state collapse. America now meets both.
by Peter Turchin 2023
4.06
3k+ 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 85%
The economic logic inside every war: why pirates ran democracies and silver bankrupted an empire.
by Duncan Weldon 2026
4.08
262 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 85%
American history is the original fake news: a cover story for genocide, slavery, and endless war.
by Roberto Sirvent 2019
4.08
287 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 85%
The global economy was built on mass graves. A reporter shows you who filled them.
by John Pilger 2002
4.14
1k+ ratings
Hitchcock/Truffaut
by François Truffaut • 1985
A bomb under the table, a document nobody cares about: Hitchcock decodes suspense for Truffaut.
4.47
10k+
Hitchcock/Truffaut Summary
Hitchcock/Truffaut 85%
A bomb under the table, a document nobody cares about: Hitchcock decodes suspense for Truffaut.
by François Truffaut 1985
4.47
10k+ 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 85%
Covert empire: why policies hidden from the American public keep producing violent retaliation.
by Chalmers Johnson 2000
4.06
3k+ ratings
The Shortest History of Germany
by James Hawes • 2017
Behind the 20th century’s disasters stands a hidden network of financiers and imperial idealists.
3.70
9k+
The Shortest History of Germany Summary
The Shortest History of Germany 85%
Behind the 20th century’s disasters stands a hidden network of financiers and imperial idealists.
by James Hawes 2017
3.70
9k+ ratings
Blood in the Streets
by James Dale Davidson • 1987
When empires decline, money dies. Where it goes, and the playbook for riding the wreckage.
3.86
37
Blood in the Streets Summary
Blood in the Streets 85%
When empires decline, money dies. Where it goes, and the playbook for riding the wreckage.
by James Dale Davidson 1987
3.86
37 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 85%
Al Qaeda, ISIS, and Trump: three products of the same American national security machine.
by Max Blumenthal 2019
4.29
807 ratings
Einstein's Fridge
by Paul Sen • 2021
The science of heat built the modern world and governs time's arrow, life, and black holes.
4.26
989
Einstein's Fridge Summary
Einstein's Fridge 85%
The science of heat built the modern world and governs time's arrow, life, and black holes.
by Paul Sen 2021
4.26
989 ratings
Doctor Strange and Philosophy
by Mark D. White • 2018
How a surgeon's shattered hands open a portal to virtue ethics, quantum mind, and dirty choices.
4.27
44
Doctor Strange and Philosophy Summary
Doctor Strange and Philosophy 85%
How a surgeon's shattered hands open a portal to virtue ethics, quantum mind, and dirty choices.
by Mark D. White 2018
4.27
44 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 85%
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
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