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...
The Vital Question
by Nick Lane • 2016
Complex life arose exactly once in 4 billion years. The reason: a hidden energy constraint.
4.18
6k+
The Vital Question Summary
The Vital Question 94%
Complex life arose exactly once in 4 billion years. The reason: a hidden energy constraint.
by Nick Lane 2016
4.18
6k+ ratings
Power, Sex, Suicide
by Nick Lane • 2005
Complex life required an improbable merger two billion years ago. Everything since follows.
4.25
4k+
Power, Sex, Suicide Summary
Power, Sex, Suicide 93%
Complex life required an improbable merger two billion years ago. Everything since follows.
by Nick Lane 2005
4.25
4k+ ratings
What Is Life?
by Paul Nurse • 2020
All life runs on five core principles. A Nobel laureate shows what they are.
3.94
3k+
What Is Life? Summary
What Is Life? 91%
All life runs on five core principles. A Nobel laureate shows what they are.
by Paul Nurse 2020
3.94
3k+ ratings
Creation
by Adam Rutherford • 2013
Life emerged once from chemistry. Now we write new genetic code and build cells from scratch.
3.97
762
Creation Summary
Creation 90%
Life emerged once from chemistry. Now we write new genetic code and build cells from scratch.
by Adam Rutherford 2013
3.97
762 ratings
Understanding Living Systems
by Raymond Noble • 2023
DNA is not your destiny: the cell rewrites its genome, and organisms direct evolution.
3.84
56
Understanding Living Systems Summary
Understanding Living Systems 90%
DNA is not your destiny: the cell rewrites its genome, and organisms direct evolution.
by Raymond Noble 2023
3.84
56 ratings
Life Ascending
by Nick Lane • 2009
Evolution's hardest problems, from life's origin to death itself, all have a chemical answer.
4.13
5k+
Life Ascending Summary
Life Ascending 90%
Evolution's hardest problems, from life's origin to death itself, all have a chemical answer.
by Nick Lane 2009
4.13
5k+ ratings
The Lives of a Cell
by Lewis Thomas • 1974
You are a mobile habitat, viruses are roaming genes, and Earth is a single cell.
4.14
10k+
The Lives of a Cell Summary
The Lives of a Cell 90%
You are a mobile habitat, viruses are roaming genes, and Earth is a single cell.
by Lewis Thomas 1974
4.14
10k+ ratings
Climbing Mount Improbable
by Richard Dawkins • 1996
Eyes evolved from scratch forty times. Each time the path was a staircase, not a leap.
4.11
10k+
Climbing Mount Improbable Summary
Climbing Mount Improbable 90%
Eyes evolved from scratch forty times. Each time the path was a staircase, not a leap.
by Richard Dawkins 1996
4.11
10k+ ratings
The Music of Life
by Denis Noble • 2006
The genome is a database, not a dictator. Life runs on systems, not commands.
3.85
388
The Music of Life Summary
The Music of Life 90%
The genome is a database, not a dictator. Life runs on systems, not commands.
by Denis Noble 2006
3.85
388 ratings
The Machinery of Life
by David S. Goodsell • 1992
A molecular biologist's watercolors reveal the nanoscale machines running every cell in your body.
4.43
741
The Machinery of Life Summary
The Machinery of Life 90%
A molecular biologist's watercolors reveal the nanoscale machines running every cell in your body.
by David S. Goodsell 1992
4.43
741 ratings
The Greatest Show on Earth
by Richard Dawkins • 2009
From radioactive rocks to lizards that grew new heads in 37 years: the evidence for evolution.
4.16
56k+
The Greatest Show on Earth Summary
The Greatest Show on Earth 89%
From radioactive rocks to lizards that grew new heads in 37 years: the evidence for evolution.
by Richard Dawkins 2009
4.16
56k+ ratings
How Life Works
by Philip Ball • 2023
Genes don't give orders; cells decide for themselves. Biology's central metaphor was wrong.
4.21
651
How Life Works Summary
How Life Works 89%
Genes don't give orders; cells decide for themselves. Biology's central metaphor was wrong.
by Philip Ball 2023
4.21
651 ratings
The Demon in the Machine
by Paul C.W. Davies • 2020
Life runs on information, not chemistry. Molecular demons manage it with near-perfect efficiency.
4.06
944
The Demon in the Machine Summary
The Demon in the Machine 89%
Life runs on information, not chemistry. Molecular demons manage it with near-perfect efficiency.
by Paul C.W. Davies 2020
4.06
944 ratings
I Contain Multitudes
by Ed Yong • 2016
Not a self, but an ecosystem. Microbes built your organs and may direct your brain.
4.17
32k+
I Contain Multitudes Summary
I Contain Multitudes 89%
Not a self, but an ecosystem. Microbes built your organs and may direct your brain.
by Ed Yong 2016
4.17
32k+ ratings
Introducción a la biología celular
by Bruce Alberts • 1997
How a four-letter code builds proteins, fuels cells, and sometimes causes cancer.
3.96
873
Introducción a la biología celular Summary
Introducción a la biología celular 89%
How a four-letter code builds proteins, fuels cells, and sometimes causes cancer.
by Bruce Alberts 1997
3.96
873 ratings
Arrival of the Fittest
by Andreas Wagner • 2014
10^130 possible proteins. Random search fails. Evolution's shortcut is hidden in the mathematics.
3.82
726
Arrival of the Fittest Summary
Arrival of the Fittest 89%
10^130 possible proteins. Random search fails. Evolution's shortcut is hidden in the mathematics.
by Andreas Wagner 2014
3.82
726 ratings
The Extended Phenotype
by Richard Dawkins • 1982
Genes don't stop at skin: a beaver dam is a genetic tool, like the teeth.
4.12
10k+
The Extended Phenotype Summary
The Extended Phenotype 89%
Genes don't stop at skin: a beaver dam is a genetic tool, like the teeth.
by Richard Dawkins 1982
4.12
10k+ ratings
The Web of Life
by Fritjof Capra • 1996
Life and mind are the same self-organizing process from the first cell to the living planet.
4.18
2k+
The Web of Life Summary
The Web of Life 89%
Life and mind are the same self-organizing process from the first cell to the living planet.
by Fritjof Capra 1996
4.18
2k+ ratings
The Catalyst
by Thomas R. Cech • 2024
DNA is famous. RNA built life, runs complexity, and will drive the next medical revolution.
4.28
831
The Catalyst Summary
The Catalyst 89%
DNA is famous. RNA built life, runs complexity, and will drive the next medical revolution.
by Thomas R. Cech 2024
4.28
831 ratings
Darwin's Doubt
by Stephen C. Meyer • 2013
The Cambrian explosion produced complex animals without ancestors. The math points to a designer.
4.19
2k+
Darwin's Doubt Summary
Darwin's Doubt 89%
The Cambrian explosion produced complex animals without ancestors. The math points to a designer.
by Stephen C. Meyer 2013
4.19
2k+ ratings
Evolution Controversy, The
by Thomas B. Fowler • 2007
Four schools, three definitions, one unspoken fight: the evolution controversy, surveyed.
4.04
26
Evolution Controversy, The Summary
Evolution Controversy, The 89%
Four schools, three definitions, one unspoken fight: the evolution controversy, surveyed.
by Thomas B. Fowler 2007
4.04
26 ratings
The Song of the Cell
by Siddhartha Mukherjee • 2022
We are 37 trillion cells in conversation. Learning that language has already cured the incurable.
4.29
16k+
The Song of the Cell Summary
The Song of the Cell 89%
We are 37 trillion cells in conversation. Learning that language has already cured the incurable.
by Siddhartha Mukherjee 2022
4.29
16k+ ratings
Darwin's Black Box
by Michael J. Behe • 1996
A mousetrap stops working when one part is missing. So do the molecular machines inside every cell.
3.78
4k+
Darwin's Black Box Summary
Darwin's Black Box 89%
A mousetrap stops working when one part is missing. So do the molecular machines inside every cell.
by Michael J. Behe 1996
3.78
4k+ ratings
A Crack in Creation
by Jennifer A. Doudna • 2017
The tool to rewrite the human genome came from bacteria. Our wisdom is still catching up.
4.13
7k+
A Crack in Creation Summary
A Crack in Creation 89%
The tool to rewrite the human genome came from bacteria. Our wisdom is still catching up.
by Jennifer A. Doudna 2017
4.13
7k+ ratings
The Blind Watchmaker
by Richard Dawkins • 1986
A blind, unthinking algorithm built every wing, eye, and brain on Earth; no designer required.
4.09
42k+
The Blind Watchmaker Summary
The Blind Watchmaker 89%
A blind, unthinking algorithm built every wing, eye, and brain on Earth; no designer required.
by Richard Dawkins 1986
4.09
42k+ ratings
Signature in the Cell
by Stephen C. Meyer • 2009
DNA's code can't be written by material processes; the only known source is intelligence.
4.32
2k+
Signature in the Cell Summary
Signature in the Cell 89%
DNA's code can't be written by material processes; the only known source is intelligence.
by Stephen C. Meyer 2009
4.32
2k+ ratings
A Planet of Viruses
by Carl Zimmer • 2011
Viruses aren't just enemies. They built our DNA, rule the oceans, and may have sparked life.
4.06
5k+
A Planet of Viruses Summary
A Planet of Viruses 89%
Viruses aren't just enemies. They built our DNA, rule the oceans, and may have sparked life.
by Carl Zimmer 2011
4.06
5k+ ratings
The Animal Kingdom
by Peter Holland • 2011
DNA reveals the animal kingdom's true family tree: insects dominate, humans are a recent arrival.
3.99
240
The Animal Kingdom Summary
The Animal Kingdom 89%
DNA reveals the animal kingdom's true family tree: insects dominate, humans are a recent arrival.
by Peter Holland 2011
3.99
240 ratings
The Origin of Species
by Charles Darwin • 1859
How one blind, patient mechanism produced every species on Earth, from orchids to humans.
4.01
123k+
The Origin of Species Summary
The Origin of Species 89%
How one blind, patient mechanism produced every species on Earth, from orchids to humans.
by Charles Darwin 1859
4.01
123k+ ratings
What Evolution Is
by Ernst W. Mayr • 2001
An architect of modern evolutionary theory shows his work: fossils, genes, and islands all converge.
4.02
4k+
What Evolution Is Summary
What Evolution Is 89%
An architect of modern evolutionary theory shows his work: fossils, genes, and islands all converge.
by Ernst W. Mayr 2001
4.02
4k+ ratings
Richard Dawkins
by Mark Ridley • 2006
Evolution from the gene up: two dozen intellectuals on the revolution Dawkins began.
3.77
485
Richard Dawkins Summary
Richard Dawkins 89%
Evolution from the gene up: two dozen intellectuals on the revolution Dawkins began.
by Mark Ridley 2006
3.77
485 ratings
The Ancestor's Tale
by Richard Dawkins • 2004
Evolution traced backward, from human to the first cell: a pilgrimage through shared ancestry.
4.15
29k+
The Ancestor's Tale Summary
The Ancestor's Tale 89%
Evolution traced backward, from human to the first cell: a pilgrimage through shared ancestry.
by Richard Dawkins 2004
4.15
29k+ ratings
The Genesis Machine
by Amy Webb • 2022
Life is becoming programmable. The technology is here; the rules for using it are not.
3.94
745
The Genesis Machine Summary
The Genesis Machine 89%
Life is becoming programmable. The technology is here; the rules for using it are not.
by Amy Webb 2022
3.94
745 ratings
Molecular Biology of the Cell
by Bruce Alberts • 1983
Every cell in your body runs the same operating system. This is its complete manual.
4.36
3k+
Molecular Biology of the Cell Summary
Molecular Biology of the Cell 89%
Every cell in your body runs the same operating system. This is its complete manual.
by Bruce Alberts 1983
4.36
3k+ ratings
From Darwin to Derrida
by David Haig • 2020
Meaning and purpose seem beyond physics. This biologist argues they are products of it.
3.69
80
From Darwin to Derrida Summary
From Darwin to Derrida 89%
Meaning and purpose seem beyond physics. This biologist argues they are products of it.
by David Haig 2020
3.69
80 ratings
Life on the Edge
by Johnjoe McFadden • 2014
Enzymes tunnel through walls, leaves harvest light near perfectly, birds steer by subatomic compass.
4.11
4k+
Life on the Edge Summary
Life on the Edge 89%
Enzymes tunnel through walls, leaves harvest light near perfectly, birds steer by subatomic compass.
by Johnjoe McFadden 2014
4.11
4k+ ratings
Gene Machine
by Venki Ramakrishnan • 2018
A physicist entered biology's most cutthroat race, solved a million-atom machine, and won the Nobel.
4.00
2k+
Gene Machine Summary
Gene Machine 88%
A physicist entered biology's most cutthroat race, solved a million-atom machine, and won the Nobel.
by Venki Ramakrishnan 2018
4.00
2k+ ratings
The Epigenetics Revolution
by Nessa Carey • 2011
A second code sits above your genes, translating hunger, stress, and touch into biology.
4.05
5k+
The Epigenetics Revolution Summary
The Epigenetics Revolution 88%
A second code sits above your genes, translating hunger, stress, and touch into biology.
by Nessa Carey 2011
4.05
5k+ ratings
The Klamath Knot
by David Rains Wallace • 1983
An Oregon forest 40 million years old: evolution still running experiments Darwin never imagined.
4.20
184
The Klamath Knot Summary
The Klamath Knot 88%
An Oregon forest 40 million years old: evolution still running experiments Darwin never imagined.
by David Rains Wallace 1983
4.20
184 ratings
Unweaving the Rainbow
by Richard Dawkins • 2000
Keats was wrong: explaining the rainbow reveals an elegance no myth can match.
4.01
12k+
Unweaving the Rainbow Summary
Unweaving the Rainbow 88%
Keats was wrong: explaining the rainbow reveals an elegance no myth can match.
by Richard Dawkins 2000
4.01
12k+ ratings
The Good Virus
by Tom Ireland • 2023
Bacteria-eating viruses saved lives for a century. Then the West abandoned them as antibiotics rose.
4.38
669
The Good Virus Summary
The Good Virus 88%
Bacteria-eating viruses saved lives for a century. Then the West abandoned them as antibiotics rose.
by Tom Ireland 2023
4.38
669 ratings
At the Water's Edge
by Carl Zimmer • 1998
Getting onto land was a 390-million-year project. Going back took whales just 15 million.
4.09
2k+
At the Water's Edge Summary
At the Water's Edge 88%
Getting onto land was a 390-million-year project. Going back took whales just 15 million.
by Carl Zimmer 1998
4.09
2k+ ratings
DNA
by James D. Watson • 2002
DNA's co-discoverer on how the double helix became a tool to rewrite medicine, crime, and identity.
4.11
3k+
DNA Summary
DNA 88%
DNA's co-discoverer on how the double helix became a tool to rewrite medicine, crime, and identity.
by James D. Watson 2002
4.11
3k+ ratings
Oxygen
by Nick Lane • 2002
The molecule that powers every breath you take is also rusting you from the inside out.
4.13
3k+
Oxygen Summary
Oxygen 88%
The molecule that powers every breath you take is also rusting you from the inside out.
by Nick Lane 2002
4.13
3k+ ratings
Undeniable
by Douglas Axe • 2016
Natural selection fine-tunes, never invents. The math making life's origin by accident impossible.
4.05
673
Undeniable Summary
Undeniable 88%
Natural selection fine-tunes, never invents. The math making life's origin by accident impossible.
by Douglas Axe 2016
4.05
673 ratings
Deep Simplicity
by John Gribbin • 2004
Simple rules, run long enough, build a universe. A physicist shows the working.
3.98
2k+
Deep Simplicity Summary
Deep Simplicity 88%
Simple rules, run long enough, build a universe. A physicist shows the working.
by John Gribbin 2004
3.98
2k+ ratings
Aliens
by Jim Al-Khalili • 2016
50,000 civilizations may share our galaxy. The search is chemistry, biology, and deep listening.
3.78
1k+
Aliens Summary
Aliens 88%
50,000 civilizations may share our galaxy. The search is chemistry, biology, and deep listening.
by Jim Al-Khalili 2016
3.78
1k+ ratings
Molecular Cell Biology
by Harvey F. Lodish • 1992
The molecular logic unifying water, ATP, genes, and signals into the machinery of life.
4.11
730
Molecular Cell Biology Summary
Molecular Cell Biology 88%
The molecular logic unifying water, ATP, genes, and signals into the machinery of life.
by Harvey F. Lodish 1992
4.11
730 ratings
Domesticated
by Richard C. Francis • 2015
Selecting for tameness remakes body, brain, and behavior. The same force may have shaped us.
3.98
594
Domesticated Summary
Domesticated 88%
Selecting for tameness remakes body, brain, and behavior. The same force may have shaped us.
by Richard C. Francis 2015
3.98
594 ratings
Mutants
by Armand Marie Leroi • 2003
The hidden genetic rules that build the human body, revealed by its most extreme errors.
4.05
4k+
Mutants Summary
Mutants 88%
The hidden genetic rules that build the human body, revealed by its most extreme errors.
by Armand Marie Leroi 2003
4.05
4k+ 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