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Nations and Nationalism since 1780
by Eric J. Hobsbawm • 1990
Nationalism invented nations, not the reverse, and the two-century project is already decaying.
3.91
2k+
Nations and Nationalism since 1780 Summary
Nations and Nationalism since 1780 89%
Nationalism invented nations, not the reverse, and the two-century project is already decaying.
by Eric J. Hobsbawm 1990
3.91
2k+ ratings
The Secret Destiny of America
by Manly P. Hall • 1944
A secret order spent millennia planning one nation. Its symbols are still on your money.
4.10
740
The Secret Destiny of America Summary
The Secret Destiny of America 89%
A secret order spent millennia planning one nation. Its symbols are still on your money.
by Manly P. Hall 1944
4.10
740 ratings
The Complete World of Greek Mythology
by Richard Buxton • 2004
No fixed canon: Greek myths formed a fluid system of gods, heroes, and rituals, endlessly reshaped.
4.23
2k+
The Complete World of Greek Mythology Summary
The Complete World of Greek Mythology 89%
No fixed canon: Greek myths formed a fluid system of gods, heroes, and rituals, endlessly reshaped.
by Richard Buxton 2004
4.23
2k+ ratings
Greek Mythology
by Liv Albert • 2021
A who's who of Greek mythology, from Chaos and Titans to Olympians, heroes, and monsters.
4.24
3k+
Greek Mythology Summary
Greek Mythology 89%
A who's who of Greek mythology, from Chaos and Titans to Olympians, heroes, and monsters.
by Liv Albert 2021
4.24
3k+ ratings
Imagined Communities
by Benedict Anderson • 1983
Your nation is not ancient. Print markets, colonial maps, and selective forgetting built it.
4.11
17k+
Imagined Communities Summary
Imagined Communities 89%
Your nation is not ancient. Print markets, colonial maps, and selective forgetting built it.
by Benedict Anderson 1983
4.11
17k+ ratings
The Myth of Nations
by Patrick J. Geary • 2001
Europe's 'ancient peoples' were political fictions, invented by nineteenth-century nationalism.
3.83
409
The Myth of Nations Summary
The Myth of Nations 89%
Europe's 'ancient peoples' were political fictions, invented by nineteenth-century nationalism.
by Patrick J. Geary 2001
3.83
409 ratings
Nationalism
by Craig J. Calhoun • 1998
The nation you belong to was not discovered. It was built, mapped, and made to feel ancient.
3.86
58
Nationalism Summary
Nationalism 89%
The nation you belong to was not discovered. It was built, mapped, and made to feel ancient.
by Craig J. Calhoun 1998
3.86
58 ratings
Fake Heroes
by Otto English • 2023
Society manufactures heroes like studios build movie stars. Ten case studies expose the machinery.
3.92
896
Fake Heroes Summary
Fake Heroes 88%
Society manufactures heroes like studios build movie stars. Ten case studies expose the machinery.
by Otto English 2023
3.92
896 ratings
Worth Dying For
by Tim Marshall • 2016
How a colored cloth acquired the power to start wars, unite strangers, and terrify millions.
3.65
6k+
Worth Dying For Summary
Worth Dying For 88%
How a colored cloth acquired the power to start wars, unite strangers, and terrify millions.
by Tim Marshall 2016
3.65
6k+ ratings
When the Sky Fell
by Rand Flem-Ath • 1995
Ancient maps reveal an ice-free Antarctica. The civilization that charted it may still be there.
3.92
278
When the Sky Fell Summary
When the Sky Fell 88%
Ancient maps reveal an ice-free Antarctica. The civilization that charted it may still be there.
by Rand Flem-Ath 1995
3.92
278 ratings
American Exceptionalism and Civil Religion
by John D. Wilsey • 2015
The belief that God chose America has fueled conquest, racism, and self-delusion. An honest history.
4.17
175
American Exceptionalism and Civil Religion Summary
American Exceptionalism and Civil Religion 88%
The belief that God chose America has fueled conquest, racism, and self-delusion. An honest history.
by John D. Wilsey 2015
4.17
175 ratings
Nations
by Azar Gat • 2012
The nation is no modern fabrication. Its roots reach into our evolutionary past.
3.90
103
Nations Summary
Nations 88%
The nation is no modern fabrication. Its roots reach into our evolutionary past.
by Azar Gat 2012
3.90
103 ratings
The Return of Ulysses
by Edith Hall • 2008
Every age rewrites the Odyssey, turning monsters into victims and heroes into questions.
3.75
53
The Return of Ulysses Summary
The Return of Ulysses 88%
Every age rewrites the Odyssey, turning monsters into victims and heroes into questions.
by Edith Hall 2008
3.75
53 ratings
The Uses of Greek Mythology
by Ken Dowden • 1992
Greek myth founded cities, structured initiations, and drew the line between human and monster.
3.62
34
The Uses of Greek Mythology Summary
The Uses of Greek Mythology 88%
Greek myth founded cities, structured initiations, and drew the line between human and monster.
by Ken Dowden 1992
3.62
34 ratings
Mythology
by Edith Hamilton • 1942
Greeks humanized gods; monsters became metaphors. The stories that built the Western mind.
4.04
60k+
Mythology Summary
Mythology 88%
Greeks humanized gods; monsters became metaphors. The stories that built the Western mind.
by Edith Hamilton 1942
4.04
60k+ ratings
Dangerous Games
by Margaret MacMillan • 2008
History is never neutral. Nations and leaders weaponize it daily, and the patterns are predictable.
3.64
2k+
Dangerous Games Summary
Dangerous Games 88%
History is never neutral. Nations and leaders weaponize it daily, and the patterns are predictable.
by Margaret MacMillan 2008
3.64
2k+ ratings
The Next American Nation
by Michael Lind • 1995
Three racial orders have governed America. The fourth has no use for race at all.
3.95
87
The Next American Nation Summary
The Next American Nation 88%
Three racial orders have governed America. The fourth has no use for race at all.
by Michael Lind 1995
3.95
87 ratings
The Penguin Book of Classical Myths by Jenny March
by Jennifer R. March • 2008
Your single-volume guide to every Greek myth that shaped Western imagination, from Chaos to Rome.
4.10
777
The Penguin Book of Classical Myths by Jenny March Summary
The Penguin Book of Classical Myths by Jenny March 88%
Your single-volume guide to every Greek myth that shaped Western imagination, from Chaos to Rome.
by Jennifer R. March 2008
4.10
777 ratings
Metaphysics of War
by Julius Evola • 1996
The sacred dimension of war: what warriors from Rome to the Gita grasped, and modernity lost.
4.03
876
Metaphysics of War Summary
Metaphysics of War 88%
The sacred dimension of war: what warriors from Rome to the Gita grasped, and modernity lost.
by Julius Evola 1996
4.03
876 ratings
Treasury of Greek Mythology
by Donna Jo Napoli • 2011
Greek myths retold by what they explain: seasons, stars, earthquakes, and why power never stays put.
4.01
3k+
Treasury of Greek Mythology Summary
Treasury of Greek Mythology 88%
Greek myths retold by what they explain: seasons, stars, earthquakes, and why power never stays put.
by Donna Jo Napoli 2011
4.01
3k+ ratings
We Need New Stories
by Nesrine Malik • 2021
The stories we tell about free speech, gender, and national virtue protect power, not truth.
4.02
996
We Need New Stories Summary
We Need New Stories 88%
The stories we tell about free speech, gender, and national virtue protect power, not truth.
by Nesrine Malik 2021
4.02
996 ratings
مامان و معنی زندگی
by Irvin D. Yalom • 1999
From Zeus to Thor, the timeless stories of gods and heroes that shaped the Western world.
4.07
11k+
مامان و معنی زندگی Summary
مامان و معنی زندگی 88%
From Zeus to Thor, the timeless stories of gods and heroes that shaped the Western world.
by Irvin D. Yalom 1999
4.07
11k+ ratings
Why Leaders Lie
by John J. Mearsheimer • 2010
Leaders don't often lie to foreign enemies. Their most dangerous deceptions target their own public.
3.47
882
Why Leaders Lie Summary
Why Leaders Lie 88%
Leaders don't often lie to foreign enemies. Their most dangerous deceptions target their own public.
by John J. Mearsheimer 2010
3.47
882 ratings
The Invention of Tradition
by Eric J. Hobsbawm • 1983
Most timeless rituals were built recently, assembled when rapid change broke old social bonds.
3.95
2k+
The Invention of Tradition Summary
The Invention of Tradition 88%
Most timeless rituals were built recently, assembled when rapid change broke old social bonds.
by Eric J. Hobsbawm 1983
3.95
2k+ ratings
The Hero with a Thousand Faces
by Joseph Campbell • 1972
A scholar traced one story pattern through every myth on earth, and Hollywood never looked back.
4.12
46k+
The Hero with a Thousand Faces Summary
The Hero with a Thousand Faces 88%
A scholar traced one story pattern through every myth on earth, and Hollywood never looked back.
by Joseph Campbell 1972
4.12
46k+ ratings
Atlantis
by Ignatius L. Donnelly • 1882
The case that a sunken Atlantic continent was the single source of all ancient civilization.
3.67
701
Atlantis Summary
Atlantis 88%
The case that a sunken Atlantic continent was the single source of all ancient civilization.
by Ignatius L. Donnelly 1882
3.67
701 ratings
The Kalevala
by Elias Lönnrot • 1835
From a seabird's egg, the world is sung. An ancient sage reclaims the stolen sun.
4.05
6k+
The Kalevala Summary
The Kalevala 88%
From a seabird's egg, the world is sung. An ancient sage reclaims the stolen sun.
by Elias Lönnrot 1835
4.05
6k+ ratings
National Identity
by Anthony D. Smith • 1991
Nations feel ancient, but they are modern inventions built from ethnic memories and myths.
3.71
243
National Identity Summary
National Identity 88%
Nations feel ancient, but they are modern inventions built from ethnic memories and myths.
by Anthony D. Smith 1991
3.71
243 ratings
The Myth of the Twentieth Century
by Alfred Rosenberg • 1930
Race as soul, blood as destiny: the 1930 manifesto that became Nazi ideology's core.
3.63
263
The Myth of the Twentieth Century Summary
The Myth of the Twentieth Century 88%
Race as soul, blood as destiny: the 1930 manifesto that became Nazi ideology's core.
by Alfred Rosenberg 1930
3.63
263 ratings
Nation Building
by Andreas Wimmer • 2018
Ethnic diversity doesn't predict state failure. A missing centralized state centuries ago does.
4.08
36
Nation Building Summary
Nation Building 88%
Ethnic diversity doesn't predict state failure. A missing centralized state centuries ago does.
by Andreas Wimmer 2018
4.08
36 ratings
American Exceptionalism
by Deborah L. Madsen • 1998
How a Puritan theology of chosenness became the alibi for a continent's conquest and distant wars.
3.50
16
American Exceptionalism Summary
American Exceptionalism 88%
How a Puritan theology of chosenness became the alibi for a continent's conquest and distant wars.
by Deborah L. Madsen 1998
3.50
16 ratings
Scatterlings
by Martin Shaw • 2019
Myths were never metaphors. They are the earth's living speech, and they have not fallen silent.
4.63
106
Scatterlings Summary
Scatterlings 88%
Myths were never metaphors. They are the earth's living speech, and they have not fallen silent.
by Martin Shaw 2019
4.63
106 ratings
Heroic Failure
by Fintan O'Toole • 2018
Brexit wasn't about economics. It was a culture of glorified defeat and shared self-harm.
4.11
2k+
Heroic Failure Summary
Heroic Failure 88%
Brexit wasn't about economics. It was a culture of glorified defeat and shared self-harm.
by Fintan O'Toole 2018
4.11
2k+ ratings
The Greek Myths
by Robin Waterfield • 2011
All of Greek myth, from creation to homecoming, told as one continuous and vivid story.
3.73
2k+
The Greek Myths Summary
The Greek Myths 88%
All of Greek myth, from creation to homecoming, told as one continuous and vivid story.
by Robin Waterfield 2011
3.73
2k+ ratings
The Cry for Myth
by Rollo May • 1991
What if myths aren't falsehoods but the psychological scaffolding a mind cannot function without?
4.07
442
The Cry for Myth Summary
The Cry for Myth 88%
What if myths aren't falsehoods but the psychological scaffolding a mind cannot function without?
by Rollo May 1991
4.07
442 ratings
De ce este România altfel?
by Lucian Boia • 2012
A country formed centuries late, borrowed Europe’s surface, ruled by myth: a diagnosis of Romania.
3.84
3k+
De ce este România altfel? Summary
De ce este România altfel? 88%
A country formed centuries late, borrowed Europe’s surface, ruled by myth: a diagnosis of Romania.
by Lucian Boia 2012
3.84
3k+ ratings
Nations Apart
by Colin Woodard • 2025
Your politics and lifespan were set centuries ago, by whichever settlers claimed your region.
4.10
309
Nations Apart Summary
Nations Apart 88%
Your politics and lifespan were set centuries ago, by whichever settlers claimed your region.
by Colin Woodard 2025
4.10
309 ratings
A Short History of Myth
by Karen Armstrong • 2005
We traded myth for reason and got neither meaning nor a world we can bear.
3.69
7k+
A Short History of Myth Summary
A Short History of Myth 88%
We traded myth for reason and got neither meaning nor a world we can bear.
by Karen Armstrong 2005
3.69
7k+ ratings
7 Secrets from Hindu Calender Art
by Devdutt Pattanaik • 2011
The gods on Indian walls are a visual code. Read the symbols, unlock the philosophy.
3.72
510
7 Secrets from Hindu Calender Art Summary
7 Secrets from Hindu Calender Art 87%
The gods on Indian walls are a visual code. Read the symbols, unlock the philosophy.
by Devdutt Pattanaik 2011
3.72
510 ratings
Revolt Against the Modern World
by Julius Evola • 1934
Progress is backwards: history is the long descent from sacred kingship to the rule of the masses.
3.98
2k+
Revolt Against the Modern World Summary
Revolt Against the Modern World 87%
Progress is backwards: history is the long descent from sacred kingship to the rule of the masses.
by Julius Evola 1934
3.98
2k+ ratings
Indaba My Children
by Vusamazulu Credo Mutwa • 1964
Before Africa wrote, it remembered: the Bantu sacred history from creation to a future messiah.
4.41
450
Indaba My Children Summary
Indaba My Children 87%
Before Africa wrote, it remembered: the Bantu sacred history from creation to a future messiah.
by Vusamazulu Credo Mutwa 1964
4.41
450 ratings
Gods and Robots
by Adrienne Mayor • 2018
Ancient Greeks imagined robots, AI, and the ethics we still wrestle with, long before the tech.
3.73
718
Gods and Robots Summary
Gods and Robots 87%
Ancient Greeks imagined robots, AI, and the ethics we still wrestle with, long before the tech.
by Adrienne Mayor 2018
3.73
718 ratings
Great American Hypocrites
by Glenn Greenwald • 2008
Republicans win by dressing up as John Wayne while the press applauds the costume.
3.70
450
Great American Hypocrites Summary
Great American Hypocrites 87%
Republicans win by dressing up as John Wayne while the press applauds the costume.
by Glenn Greenwald 2008
3.70
450 ratings
Kybalion
by Three Initiates • 1912
From gold trinkets to the Aegina marbles: how Greek sculptors learned to make stone breathe.
4.23
17k+
Kybalion Summary
Kybalion 87%
From gold trinkets to the Aegina marbles: how Greek sculptors learned to make stone breathe.
by Three Initiates 1912
4.23
17k+ ratings
The Return of the Russian Leviathan
by Sergei Medvedev • 2017
Governance traded for spectacle: how resentment and distorted history built Putin's Russia.
4.06
337
The Return of the Russian Leviathan Summary
The Return of the Russian Leviathan 87%
Governance traded for spectacle: how resentment and distorted history built Putin's Russia.
by Sergei Medvedev 2017
4.06
337 ratings
These Truths
by Jill Lepore • 2018
American politics is a 500-year argument over who counts as a person and whose truth prevails.
4.40
14k+
These Truths Summary
These Truths 87%
American politics is a 500-year argument over who counts as a person and whose truth prevails.
by Jill Lepore 2018
4.40
14k+ ratings
Shahnameh
by Abolqasem Ferdowsi • 1010
A legendary warrior fights an unknown challenger; neither knows the other is his only son.
4.52
6k+
Shahnameh Summary
Shahnameh 87%
A legendary warrior fights an unknown challenger; neither knows the other is his only son.
by Abolqasem Ferdowsi 1010
4.52
6k+ ratings
The Viking Spirit
by Daniel McCoy • 2016
Why the Norse gods reflected a doomed world, not a moral one.
4.15
2k+
The Viking Spirit Summary
The Viking Spirit 87%
Why the Norse gods reflected a doomed world, not a moral one.
by Daniel McCoy 2016
4.15
2k+ ratings
Eureka!
by Peter V. Jones • 2014
Never a nation, always a competition. The story of ancient Greece that skips the boring parts.
3.53
445
Eureka! Summary
Eureka! 87%
Never a nation, always a competition. The story of ancient Greece that skips the boring parts.
by Peter V. Jones 2014
3.53
445 ratings
War and the Iliad
by Simone Weil • 1940
The Iliad's hero is force: what turns a person into a corpse or a living thing.
4.09
983
War and the Iliad Summary
War and the Iliad 87%
The Iliad's hero is force: what turns a person into a corpse or a living thing.
by Simone Weil 1940
4.09
983 ratings
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