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The Book of the Courtier
by Baldassare Castiglione • 1528
The Renaissance guide to making everything look effortless, and why that wins the prince's ear.
3.62
3k+
The Book of the Courtier Summary
The Book of the Courtier 89%
The Renaissance guide to making everything look effortless, and why that wins the prince's ear.
by Baldassare Castiglione 1528
3.62
3k+ ratings
Dialogues and Essays
by Seneca
A ruler who builds on fear builds a prison, not a kingdom: Seneca's case for clemency.
4.30
1k+
Dialogues and Essays Summary
Dialogues and Essays 88%
A ruler who builds on fear builds a prison, not a kingdom: Seneca's case for clemency.
by Seneca
4.30
1k+ ratings
Justice and Remembrance
by Reza Shah-Kazemi • 2006
To rule justly, the heart needs more polishing than the mind needs training.
4.41
124
Justice and Remembrance Summary
Justice and Remembrance 88%
To rule justly, the heart needs more polishing than the mind needs training.
by Reza Shah-Kazemi 2006
4.41
124 ratings
The Prince
by Niccolò Machiavelli • 1532
How to keep power when being good would cost you everything. The advice that horrified Europe.
3.84
387k+
The Prince Summary
The Prince 87%
How to keep power when being good would cost you everything. The advice that horrified Europe.
by Niccolò Machiavelli 1532
3.84
387k+ 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 87%
Sacred kingship fell. Some nations got parliaments, others commissars. The 2,500-year story of why.
by Reinhard Bendix 1978
3.88
17 ratings
Machiavelli
by Quentin Skinner • 1981
A Florentine diplomat lost his job, then wrote the rules of power that still scandalize.
3.84
942
Machiavelli Summary
Machiavelli 87%
A Florentine diplomat lost his job, then wrote the rules of power that still scandalize.
by Quentin Skinner 1981
3.84
942 ratings
The Road to Character
by David Brooks • 2015
Two kinds of virtue compete in every life. The modern world only teaches the shallower one.
3.65
27k+
The Road to Character Summary
The Road to Character 87%
Two kinds of virtue compete in every life. The modern world only teaches the shallower one.
by David Brooks 2015
3.65
27k+ ratings
资治通鉴
by 司马光 • 2012
1,300 years of Chinese history conceal a master class in power, trust, and statecraft.
4.44
77
资治通鉴 Summary
资治通鉴 87%
1,300 years of Chinese history conceal a master class in power, trust, and statecraft.
by 司马光 2012
4.44
77 ratings
EL PRÍNCIPE - Maquiavelo
by Nicolás Maquiavelo • 2023
Moral rulers get ruined. The ones who survive know exactly when to abandon virtue.
3.87
713
EL PRÍNCIPE - Maquiavelo Summary
EL PRÍNCIPE - Maquiavelo 87%
Moral rulers get ruined. The ones who survive know exactly when to abandon virtue.
by Nicolás Maquiavelo 2023
3.87
713 ratings
Character Is Destiny
by John McCain • 2005
Character, not circumstance, writes your future. A senator's tour through the lives that prove it.
3.95
562
Character Is Destiny Summary
Character Is Destiny 87%
Character, not circumstance, writes your future. A senator's tour through the lives that prove it.
by John McCain 2005
3.95
562 ratings
The Art of Worldly Wisdom
by Baltasar Gracián • 1647
300 rules for when to speak, when to trust, and why reputation outlasts talent.
4.17
5k+
The Art of Worldly Wisdom Summary
The Art of Worldly Wisdom 86%
300 rules for when to speak, when to trust, and why reputation outlasts talent.
by Baltasar Gracián 1647
4.17
5k+ ratings
On Grand Strategy
by John Lewis Gaddis • 2018
Great strategists don't pick sides. They hold opposing truths in each hand and act anyway.
3.75
5k+
On Grand Strategy Summary
On Grand Strategy 86%
Great strategists don't pick sides. They hold opposing truths in each hand and act anyway.
by John Lewis Gaddis 2018
3.75
5k+ ratings
The Art of War/The Prince
by Niccolò Machiavelli • 1521
Virtue alone cannot keep a ruler in power. A Renaissance case for choosing strength over goodness.
4.08
1k+
The Art of War/The Prince Summary
The Art of War/The Prince 86%
Virtue alone cannot keep a ruler in power. A Renaissance case for choosing strength over goodness.
by Niccolò Machiavelli 1521
4.08
1k+ ratings
Maxims
by François de La Rochefoucauld • 1665
Every virtue is self-interest in a mask. Even your humility is pride that learned to bow.
4.03
5k+
Maxims Summary
Maxims 86%
Every virtue is self-interest in a mask. Even your humility is pride that learned to bow.
by François de La Rochefoucauld 1665
4.03
5k+ ratings
Complete Chanakya Neeti
by R.P. Jain • 2013
2,300-year-old rules for people, power, and crisis, from the strategist who built an empire.
3.93
2k+
Complete Chanakya Neeti Summary
Complete Chanakya Neeti 86%
2,300-year-old rules for people, power, and crisis, from the strategist who built an empire.
by R.P. Jain 2013
3.93
2k+ 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 86%
Calculate everything, seize the decisive moment, rewrite history: Napoleon's own playbook for power.
by Napoléon Bonaparte 1955
4.18
109 ratings
The Arthashastra
by Kautilya
Centuries before Machiavelli, a manual of power that never forgot the welfare of the people.
4.12
1k+
The Arthashastra Summary
The Arthashastra 86%
Centuries before Machiavelli, a manual of power that never forgot the welfare of the people.
by Kautilya
4.12
1k+ ratings
Al-Ghazali on Disciplining the Soul and on Breaking the Two Desires
by Abu Hamid al-Ghazali • 1990
Why hunger is a spiritual technology and desire a discipline, from Islam's great psychologist.
4.58
639
Al-Ghazali on Disciplining the Soul and on Breaking the Two Desires Summary
Al-Ghazali on Disciplining the Soul and on Breaking the Two Desires 86%
Why hunger is a spiritual technology and desire a discipline, from Islam's great psychologist.
by Abu Hamid al-Ghazali 1990
4.58
639 ratings
How to Be a Gentleman
by John Bridges • 1998
The modern gentleman's guide: dress, dining, and the one rule that replaces forty others.
3.74
2k+
How to Be a Gentleman Summary
How to Be a Gentleman 86%
The modern gentleman's guide: dress, dining, and the one rule that replaces forty others.
by John Bridges 1998
3.74
2k+ ratings
El Hombre Light
by Enrique Rojas • 1992
When everything is permitted and nothing matters, a new kind of person emerges: informed and hollow.
3.12
535
El Hombre Light Summary
El Hombre Light 86%
When everything is permitted and nothing matters, a new kind of person emerges: informed and hollow.
by Enrique Rojas 1992
3.12
535 ratings
The Dictator's Handbook
by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita • 2011
All politics comes down to one number: how many backers a leader must satisfy to survive.
4.25
11k+
The Dictator's Handbook Summary
The Dictator's Handbook 86%
All politics comes down to one number: how many backers a leader must satisfy to survive.
by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita 2011
4.25
11k+ ratings
How to Rule the World
by André de Guillaume • 2002
Forget ethics: a satirical guide to seizing absolute power, from career choice to crushing dissent.
3.67
547
How to Rule the World Summary
How to Rule the World 86%
Forget ethics: a satirical guide to seizing absolute power, from career choice to crushing dissent.
by André de Guillaume 2002
3.67
547 ratings
One Nation Under Therapy
by Christina Hoff Sommers • 2005
Therapy culture taught Americans to be fragile. Resilience and moral clarity are the antidote.
3.60
376
One Nation Under Therapy Summary
One Nation Under Therapy 86%
Therapy culture taught Americans to be fragile. Resilience and moral clarity are the antidote.
by Christina Hoff Sommers 2005
3.60
376 ratings
Confucianism
by Daniel K. Gardner • 2014
No god, no police: how one moral philosophy held Chinese society together for two thousand years.
3.98
372
Confucianism Summary
Confucianism 86%
No god, no police: how one moral philosophy held Chinese society together for two thousand years.
by Daniel K. Gardner 2014
3.98
372 ratings
The Quest for Character
by Massimo Pigliucci • 2022
Socrates couldn't make Alcibiades virtuous. Their failure explains why good leaders are so rare.
3.97
242
The Quest for Character Summary
The Quest for Character 86%
Socrates couldn't make Alcibiades virtuous. Their failure explains why good leaders are so rare.
by Massimo Pigliucci 2022
3.97
242 ratings
The Analects
by Confucius
Moral example, not law: the ancient guide to building the gravity of a true leader.
3.80
24k+
The Analects Summary
The Analects 86%
Moral example, not law: the ancient guide to building the gravity of a true leader.
by Confucius
3.80
24k+ ratings
The 48 Laws of Power
by Robert Greene • 1999
The rules of power are unwritten, ancient, and amoral. This book writes them down.
4.08
231k+
The 48 Laws of Power Summary
The 48 Laws of Power 86%
The rules of power are unwritten, ancient, and amoral. This book writes them down.
by Robert Greene 1999
4.08
231k+ ratings
The Voice of Human Justice
by George Jordac • 2008
Ali governed with a justice so radical that fourteen centuries later, no state has matched it.
4.36
128
The Voice of Human Justice Summary
The Voice of Human Justice 86%
Ali governed with a justice so radical that fourteen centuries later, no state has matched it.
by George Jordac 2008
4.36
128 ratings
Zen Lessons
by Thomas Cleary • 1989
Zen's manual for leaders: influence without ego, authority without force, clarity without dogma.
3.87
231
Zen Lessons Summary
Zen Lessons 86%
Zen's manual for leaders: influence without ego, authority without force, clarity without dogma.
by Thomas Cleary 1989
3.87
231 ratings
How Do You Kill 11 Million People?
by Andy Andrews • 2011
A democracy dies the same way eleven million people did: one lie at a time.
4.06
4k+
How Do You Kill 11 Million People? Summary
How Do You Kill 11 Million People? 86%
A democracy dies the same way eleven million people did: one lie at a time.
by Andy Andrews 2011
4.06
4k+ ratings
The China Model
by Daniel A. Bell • 2015
Voters are ignorant, money corrupts, and the future gets no vote. China's alternative explained.
3.60
290
The China Model Summary
The China Model 86%
Voters are ignorant, money corrupts, and the future gets no vote. China's alternative explained.
by Daniel A. Bell 2015
3.60
290 ratings
The Power of Servant-Leadership
by Robert K. Greenleaf • 1998
The leadership philosophy where serving others comes first, and authority follows naturally.
3.98
318
The Power of Servant-Leadership Summary
The Power of Servant-Leadership 86%
The leadership philosophy where serving others comes first, and authority follows naturally.
by Robert K. Greenleaf 1998
3.98
318 ratings
Doppelganger
by Naomi Klein • 2023
Mistaken for her alt-right double, a leftist author maps the mirror world devouring our politics.
4.19
37k+
Doppelganger Summary
Doppelganger 86%
Mistaken for her alt-right double, a leftist author maps the mirror world devouring our politics.
by Naomi Klein 2023
4.19
37k+ ratings
Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince
by Tim Phillips • 2008
Machiavelli's playbook, translated: why being loved is overrated, and what to do about it.
3.63
181
Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince Summary
Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince 86%
Machiavelli's playbook, translated: why being loved is overrated, and what to do about it.
by Tim Phillips 2008
3.63
181 ratings
Spoilt Rotten
by dalrymple-theodore • 2010
Sentiment now governs law, schools, and foreign aid. The cruelty that follows is no accident.
3.96
1k+
Spoilt Rotten Summary
Spoilt Rotten 86%
Sentiment now governs law, schools, and foreign aid. The cruelty that follows is no accident.
by dalrymple-theodore 2010
3.96
1k+ ratings
Chanakya Neeti
by Ashwini Parashar • 2009
A 2,300-year-old manual for leading nations, reading people, and conquering your own worst impulses.
3.95
650
Chanakya Neeti Summary
Chanakya Neeti 86%
A 2,300-year-old manual for leading nations, reading people, and conquering your own worst impulses.
by Ashwini Parashar 2009
3.95
650 ratings
The Concise 48 Laws of Power
by Robert Greene • 2013
Power moves are ancient and predictable. The person who cannot read them is already a target.
4.08
6k+
The Concise 48 Laws of Power Summary
The Concise 48 Laws of Power 86%
Power moves are ancient and predictable. The person who cannot read them is already a target.
by Robert Greene 2013
4.08
6k+ ratings
Practical Wisdom
by Barry Schwartz • 2010
Rules and incentives are making professionals worse at their jobs. Aristotle knew the fix.
3.70
816
Practical Wisdom Summary
Practical Wisdom 86%
Rules and incentives are making professionals worse at their jobs. Aristotle knew the fix.
by Barry Schwartz 2010
3.70
816 ratings
Shitbürgertum
by Ulf Poschardt • 2025
Moral posturing, language control, contempt for ambition: how a parasitic class captured Germany.
3.21
301
Shitbürgertum Summary
Shitbürgertum 86%
Moral posturing, language control, contempt for ambition: how a parasitic class captured Germany.
by Ulf Poschardt 2025
3.21
301 ratings
How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life
by Russell "Russ" Roberts • 2014
Everyone knows Smith the economist. Smith the moral philosopher might actually make you happy.
3.93
3k+
How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life Summary
How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life 86%
Everyone knows Smith the economist. Smith the moral philosopher might actually make you happy.
by Russell "Russ" Roberts 2014
3.93
3k+ ratings
The Art of Manliness
by Brett McKay • 2009
The skills, manners, and virtues your grandfather knew that modern life stopped teaching.
3.90
3k+
The Art of Manliness Summary
The Art of Manliness 86%
The skills, manners, and virtues your grandfather knew that modern life stopped teaching.
by Brett McKay 2009
3.90
3k+ ratings
Bring Back the Bureaucrats
by John DiIulio • 2014
Government grew. Bureaucracy didn't. The case for hiring federal workers to make it smaller.
3.22
32
Bring Back the Bureaucrats Summary
Bring Back the Bureaucrats 86%
Government grew. Bureaucracy didn't. The case for hiring federal workers to make it smaller.
by John DiIulio 2014
3.22
32 ratings
Leading Wisely
by Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries • 2022
Suffering, silence, and the Golden Rule: a psychoanalyst's guide to leading without losing yourself.
4.08
24
Leading Wisely Summary
Leading Wisely 86%
Suffering, silence, and the Golden Rule: a psychoanalyst's guide to leading without losing yourself.
by Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries 2022
4.08
24 ratings
How Democratic Is the American Constitution?
by Robert A. Dahl • 2001
No other advanced democracy ever copied our Constitution. What they all saw that we do not.
3.69
760
How Democratic Is the American Constitution? Summary
How Democratic Is the American Constitution? 86%
No other advanced democracy ever copied our Constitution. What they all saw that we do not.
by Robert A. Dahl 2001
3.69
760 ratings
The Way to Happiness
by L. Ron Hubbard • 1989
Personal integrity and the golden rule: L. Ron Hubbard's practical moral code for a life that works.
3.76
535
The Way to Happiness Summary
The Way to Happiness 86%
Personal integrity and the golden rule: L. Ron Hubbard's practical moral code for a life that works.
by L. Ron Hubbard 1989
3.76
535 ratings
The Development of the Modern State
by Gianfranco Poggi • 1978
How the modern state, from feudalism to liberalism, created its own crisis of legitimacy.
3.48
86
The Development of the Modern State Summary
The Development of the Modern State 86%
How the modern state, from feudalism to liberalism, created its own crisis of legitimacy.
by Gianfranco Poggi 1978
3.48
86 ratings
Eleanor Roosevelt's Book of Common Sense Etiquette
by Eleanor Roosevelt • 1962
Forget the forks; real etiquette is a habit of kindness. Here is how to make it yours.
3.97
62
Eleanor Roosevelt's Book of Common Sense Etiquette Summary
Eleanor Roosevelt's Book of Common Sense Etiquette 86%
Forget the forks; real etiquette is a habit of kindness. Here is how to make it yours.
by Eleanor Roosevelt 1962
3.97
62 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
Essential Confucius
by Confucius • 1992
The 2,500-year-old blueprint for building a just society, starting with the self.
3.80
262
Essential Confucius Summary
Essential Confucius 86%
The 2,500-year-old blueprint for building a just society, starting with the self.
by Confucius 1992
3.80
262 ratings
The Servant
by James C. Hunter • 1998
Career thriving, marriage failing: a manager joins a monastery retreat taught by a CEO turned monk.
4
11k+
The Servant Summary
The Servant 86%
Career thriving, marriage failing: a manager joins a monastery retreat taught by a CEO turned monk.
by James C. Hunter 1998
4
11k+ ratings
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