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The Republic of Pirates
by Colin Woodard • 2007
Sailors broken by the navy built their own republic: democratic, armed, and flying the black flag.
3.89
12k+
The Republic of Pirates Summary
The Republic of Pirates 90%
Sailors broken by the navy built their own republic: democratic, armed, and flying the black flag.
by Colin Woodard 2007
3.89
12k+ 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 90%
His 1695 heist of a Mughal treasure ship nearly toppled an empire. Then Henry Every disappeared.
by Steven Johnson 2020
3.89
5k+ 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 90%
Before trains, the sea was the fastest highway. World history from the deck of a ship.
by Lincoln Paine 2013
3.89
700 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 90%
Piracy, sugar, and debt built the largest empire ever. The collapse outpaced the climb.
by Niall Ferguson 2003
3.93
10k+ 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 90%
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
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 90%
Scotland's ships were built by war and state meddling: bounties, blockades, tobacco, and smuggling.
by Eric J. Hobsbawm 1997
3.98
588 ratings
Black Flags, Blue Waters
by Eric Jay Dolin • 2018
From welcomed economic partners to hanged outlaws: the real story of pirates in colonial America.
3.76
5k+
Black Flags, Blue Waters Summary
Black Flags, Blue Waters 89%
From welcomed economic partners to hanged outlaws: the real story of pirates in colonial America.
by Eric Jay Dolin 2018
3.76
5k+ ratings
Blackbeard
by Angus Konstam • 2006
Blackbeard blockaded a city for medicine, then sank his flagship to cheat his crew.
3.55
445
Blackbeard Summary
Blackbeard 89%
Blackbeard blockaded a city for medicine, then sank his flagship to cheat his crew.
by Angus Konstam 2006
3.55
445 ratings
The Golden Age of Piracy
by Benerson Little • 2016
No parrots, no plank, no buried treasure. The real pirates were slave-trading democrats.
3.40
366
The Golden Age of Piracy Summary
The Golden Age of Piracy 89%
No parrots, no plank, no buried treasure. The real pirates were slave-trading democrats.
by Benerson Little 2016
3.40
366 ratings
Raiders and Rebels
by Frank Sherry • 1986
How brutalized sailors built a floating republic and waged a thirty-year war against global empire.
4.24
282
Raiders and Rebels Summary
Raiders and Rebels 89%
How brutalized sailors built a floating republic and waged a thirty-year war against global empire.
by Frank Sherry 1986
4.24
282 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 89%
Hawaiians believed Captain Cook was a god. Weeks later, his body was dismembered in the surf.
by Hampton Sides 2024
4.46
24k+ ratings
In the Hurricane's Eye
by Nathaniel Philbrick • 2018
Yorktown was won not by siege but by hurricane season and a French admiral's wild gamble.
4.13
6k+
In the Hurricane's Eye Summary
In the Hurricane's Eye 89%
Yorktown was won not by siege but by hurricane season and a French admiral's wild gamble.
by Nathaniel Philbrick 2018
4.13
6k+ ratings
Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates
by Brian Kilmeade • 2015
North African pirates enslaved Americans and demanded tribute. Jefferson chose war and built a navy.
3.80
17k+
Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates Summary
Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates 89%
North African pirates enslaved Americans and demanded tribute. Jefferson chose war and built a navy.
by Brian Kilmeade 2015
3.80
17k+ ratings
Under the Black Flag
by David Cordingly • 1995
Real pirates raped, tortured, and died at the gallows. How fiction gave us the romance.
3.67
10k+
Under the Black Flag Summary
Under the Black Flag 89%
Real pirates raped, tortured, and died at the gallows. How fiction gave us the romance.
by David Cordingly 1995
3.67
10k+ 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
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 88%
Behind everything you own: an invisible, lawless ocean industry that makes globalization possible.
by Rose George 2013
3.79
4k+ 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 88%
Five centuries of war follow one pattern: maritime innovators rise, then fall to land powers.
by Karen Rasler 2009
4.00
3 ratings
The Wager
by David Grann • 2023
A warship wrecks. Two survivor stories collide. The empire buries the truth to protect its myth.
4.17
219k+
The Wager Summary
The Wager 88%
A warship wrecks. Two survivor stories collide. The empire buries the truth to protect its myth.
by David Grann 2023
4.17
219k+ 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 88%
Three of five ships mutinied. His response made men fear him more than the sea.
by Laurence Bergreen 2003
4.19
19k+ 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
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
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
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 88%
Commerce, not conquest, built the modern world: the history of trade from obsidian to oil.
by William J. Bernstein 2008
4.16
3k+ ratings
Sea of Glory
by Nathaniel Philbrick • 2001
The voyage that mapped Antarctica and filled the Smithsonian, sabotaged by the tyrant who led it.
4.04
7k+
Sea of Glory Summary
Sea of Glory 88%
The voyage that mapped Antarctica and filled the Smithsonian, sabotaged by the tyrant who led it.
by Nathaniel Philbrick 2001
4.04
7k+ 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
To Risk It All
by James G. Stavridis • 2022
Nine naval crises and the decision code each reveals for leading when the stakes are catastrophic.
3.98
684
To Risk It All Summary
To Risk It All 88%
Nine naval crises and the decision code each reveals for leading when the stakes are catastrophic.
by James G. Stavridis 2022
3.98
684 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
The Revenge of Geography
by Robert D. Kaplan • 2012
Three dead geographers predicted today's conflicts. Their maps show what comes next.
3.79
6k+
The Revenge of Geography Summary
The Revenge of Geography 88%
Three dead geographers predicted today's conflicts. Their maps show what comes next.
by Robert D. Kaplan 2012
3.79
6k+ 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 88%
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 88%
America has always been an empire. Refusing to admit it is the root of its failures.
by Niall Ferguson 2004
3.58
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 88%
Empires managed human difference for two millennia. The nation-state is barely sixty.
by Jane Burbank 2010
3.98
430 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
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 88%
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
Majapahit
by Herald van der Linde • 2024
Defying Kublai Khan and uniting a thousand islands: the Javanese empire the world forgot.
4.40
383
Majapahit Summary
Majapahit 88%
Defying Kublai Khan and uniting a thousand islands: the Javanese empire the world forgot.
by Herald van der Linde 2024
4.40
383 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 87%
The economic logic inside every war: why pirates ran democracies and silver bankrupted an empire.
by Duncan Weldon 2026
4.08
262 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 87%
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 Zorg
by Siddharth Kara • 2025
132 Africans thrown overboard for insurance money, and the anonymous letter that ignited abolition.
4.16
6k+
The Zorg Summary
The Zorg 87%
132 Africans thrown overboard for insurance money, and the anonymous letter that ignited abolition.
by Siddharth Kara 2025
4.16
6k+ ratings
Asia's Cauldron
by Robert D. Kaplan • 2014
One sea, half the world's trade, six rival claims: the old Pacific order is over.
3.95
3k+
Asia's Cauldron Summary
Asia's Cauldron 87%
One sea, half the world's trade, six rival claims: the old Pacific order is over.
by Robert D. Kaplan 2014
3.95
3k+ ratings
Longitude
by Dava Sobel • 1995
Parliament offered millions for longitude. A clockmaker delivered. Astronomers moved the goalposts.
3.99
76k+
Longitude Summary
Longitude 87%
Parliament offered millions for longitude. A clockmaker delivered. Astronomers moved the goalposts.
by Dava Sobel 1995
3.99
76k+ ratings
1812
by Walter R. Borneman • 2004
A burned capital, failed invasions, a victory after peace: the disaster that united a country.
3.91
2k+
1812 Summary
1812 87%
A burned capital, failed invasions, a victory after peace: the disaster that united a country.
by Walter R. Borneman 2004
3.91
2k+ 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 87%
The Declaration was not a small-government manifesto but a blueprint for a powerful, activist state.
by Steve Pincus 2016
3.64
36 ratings
The Peloponnesian War
by Donald Kagan • 2003
Fear of a rising rival ignited a 27-year war. Its shape still governs great-power conflict today.
4.13
5k+
The Peloponnesian War Summary
The Peloponnesian War 87%
Fear of a rising rival ignited a 27-year war. Its shape still governs great-power conflict today.
by Donald Kagan 2003
4.13
5k+ ratings
Evolution's Captain
by Peter Nichols • 2003
He kidnapped four Fuegians to save them, gave Darwin his ship, and was destroyed by both.
3.99
511
Evolution's Captain Summary
Evolution's Captain 87%
He kidnapped four Fuegians to save them, gave Darwin his ship, and was destroyed by both.
by Peter Nichols 2003
3.99
511 ratings
Shipwrecked!
by Martin W. Sandler • 2023
Seven shipwrecks froze time. How marine archaeologists learned to unlock them.
3.87
218
Shipwrecked! Summary
Shipwrecked! 87%
Seven shipwrecks froze time. How marine archaeologists learned to unlock them.
by Martin W. Sandler 2023
3.87
218 ratings
Shivaji
by Dennis Kincaid • 1937
The rebel who outwitted Aurangzeb, escaped his prison, and built a kingdom on mountain forts.
4.18
898
Shivaji Summary
Shivaji 87%
The rebel who outwitted Aurangzeb, escaped his prison, and built a kingdom on mountain forts.
by Dennis Kincaid 1937
4.18
898 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
Cod
by Mark Kurlansky • 1997
The fish that built empires and fueled a slave trade. Then it stopped coming back.
3.92
25k+
Cod Summary
Cod 87%
The fish that built empires and fueled a slave trade. Then it stopped coming back.
by Mark Kurlansky 1997
3.92
25k+ 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 87%
A single volume spanning Corsica to St. Helena: the ambition, the genius, the fatal misjudgments.
by Andrew Roberts 2014
4.25
29k+ ratings
Erebus
by Michael Palin • 2018
She mapped Antarctica, then vanished in the Arctic with 129 men. The full story of HMS Erebus.
4.28
12k+
Erebus Summary
Erebus 87%
She mapped Antarctica, then vanished in the Arctic with 129 men. The full story of HMS Erebus.
by Michael Palin 2018
4.28
12k+ 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
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