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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 88%
Europe's 'ancient peoples' were political fictions, invented by nineteenth-century nationalism.
by Patrick J. Geary 2001
3.83
409 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 88%
A secret order spent millennia planning one nation. Its symbols are still on your money.
by Manly P. Hall 1944
4.10
740 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
Revolutionary Characters
by Gordon S. Wood • 2006
Not demigods but Enlightenment thinkers who had to turn philosophy into a working republic.
3.96
4k+
Revolutionary Characters Summary
Revolutionary Characters 88%
Not demigods but Enlightenment thinkers who had to turn philosophy into a working republic.
by Gordon S. Wood 2006
3.96
4k+ ratings
The Common Cause
by Robert G. Parkinson • 2016
Racial fear united the colonies. The propaganda outlasted the war to define American citizenship.
4.10
49
The Common Cause Summary
The Common Cause 88%
Racial fear united the colonies. The propaganda outlasted the war to define American citizenship.
by Robert G. Parkinson 2016
4.10
49 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
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
Providence and the Invention of the United States, 1607–1876
by Nicholas Guyatt • 2007
God's plan for America was a British idea that justified slavery and empire.
3.93
14
Providence and the Invention of the United States, 1607–1876 Summary
Providence and the Invention of the United States, 1607–1876 87%
God's plan for America was a British idea that justified slavery and empire.
by Nicholas Guyatt 2007
3.93
14 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 87%
Three racial orders have governed America. The fourth has no use for race at all.
by Michael Lind 1995
3.95
87 ratings
Mayflower
by Nathaniel Philbrick • 2006
The first Thanksgiving was followed by a war bloodier per capita than the Civil War.
3.89
47k+
Mayflower Summary
Mayflower 87%
The first Thanksgiving was followed by a war bloodier per capita than the Civil War.
by Nathaniel Philbrick 2006
3.89
47k+ ratings
Choice Theory
by William Glasser • 1999
How the frontier let America flee racism and inequality, until the wall shut the last exit.
4.01
4k+
Choice Theory Summary
Choice Theory 87%
How the frontier let America flee racism and inequality, until the wall shut the last exit.
by William Glasser 1999
4.01
4k+ 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
Bill O'Reilly's Legends & Lies
by David Fisher • 2016
The frontier heroes you know hid darker truths. Nine lives that collapse the legend.
4.05
4k+
Bill O'Reilly's Legends & Lies Summary
Bill O'Reilly's Legends & Lies 87%
The frontier heroes you know hid darker truths. Nine lives that collapse the legend.
by David Fisher 2016
4.05
4k+ 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 87%
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 Pioneers
by David McCullough • 2019
Before the Constitution, one land deal doubled the country and banned slavery in every future state.
3.82
28k+
The Pioneers Summary
The Pioneers 87%
Before the Constitution, one land deal doubled the country and banned slavery in every future state.
by David McCullough 2019
3.82
28k+ 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 87%
Your politics and lifespan were set centuries ago, by whichever settlers claimed your region.
by Colin Woodard 2025
4.10
309 ratings
Civic Ideals
by Rogers M. Smith • 1997
America's citizenship wasn't just about freedom; it was built on racial and gender hierarchy.
4.12
42
Civic Ideals Summary
Civic Ideals 87%
America's citizenship wasn't just about freedom; it was built on racial and gender hierarchy.
by Rogers M. Smith 1997
4.12
42 ratings
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 87%
Nationalism invented nations, not the reverse, and the two-century project is already decaying.
by Eric J. Hobsbawm 1990
3.91
2k+ ratings
This Land Is Your Land
by Beverly Gage • 2026
Historic sites are not museums but battlegrounds where America's unresolved fights remain live.
3.84
2k+
This Land Is Your Land Summary
This Land Is Your Land 87%
Historic sites are not museums but battlegrounds where America's unresolved fights remain live.
by Beverly Gage 2026
3.84
2k+ 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
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 87%
Society manufactures heroes like studios build movie stars. Ten case studies expose the machinery.
by Otto English 2023
3.92
896 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 87%
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
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 87%
A who's who of Greek mythology, from Chaos and Titans to Olympians, heroes, and monsters.
by Liv Albert 2021
4.24
3k+ ratings
The Secret Token
by Andrew Lawler • 2018
The Lost Colony assimilated. America built its first origin myth to hide that truth.
3.76
2k+
The Secret Token Summary
The Secret Token 87%
The Lost Colony assimilated. America built its first origin myth to hide that truth.
by Andrew Lawler 2018
3.76
2k+ ratings
A Patriot's History of the United States
by Larry Schweikart • 2004
The conservative reply to Zinn: America's record, from Columbus to 9/11, earns its patriotism.
4.11
4k+
A Patriot's History of the United States Summary
A Patriot's History of the United States 87%
The conservative reply to Zinn: America's record, from Columbus to 9/11, earns its patriotism.
by Larry Schweikart 2004
4.11
4k+ 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 87%
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
Founding Brothers
by Joseph J. Ellis • 2000
The American founding hung on private dinners, personal feuds, a duel, and one last letter.
3.95
48k+
Founding Brothers Summary
Founding Brothers 87%
The American founding hung on private dinners, personal feuds, a duel, and one last letter.
by Joseph J. Ellis 2000
3.95
48k+ ratings
Stonehenge
by Bernard Cornwell • 1999
Prehistoric Britain: strange gold divides three brothers as a prophet dreams of a stone temple.
3.70
14k+
Stonehenge Summary
Stonehenge 87%
Prehistoric Britain: strange gold divides three brothers as a prophet dreams of a stone temple.
by Bernard Cornwell 1999
3.70
14k+ 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 87%
Greeks humanized gods; monsters became metaphors. The stories that built the Western mind.
by Edith Hamilton 1942
4.04
60k+ 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 87%
No fixed canon: Greek myths formed a fluid system of gods, heroes, and rituals, endlessly reshaped.
by Richard Buxton 2004
4.23
2k+ ratings
The Five Thousand Year Leap
by W. Cleon Skousen • 1981
The principles that compressed 5,000 years of political trial into a single working republic.
4.27
7k+
The Five Thousand Year Leap Summary
The Five Thousand Year Leap 87%
The principles that compressed 5,000 years of political trial into a single working republic.
by W. Cleon Skousen 1981
4.27
7k+ ratings
John Adams
by David McCullough • 2001
Washington led the army, Jefferson wrote the words. Adams did the work that saved them both.
4.09
379k+
John Adams Summary
John Adams 87%
Washington led the army, Jefferson wrote the words. Adams did the work that saved them both.
by David McCullough 2001
4.09
379k+ ratings
We Have Not a Government
by George William Van Cleve • 2017
State free-riding broke the first U.S. government. A debt crisis and revolt forced a grand bargain.
3.99
76
We Have Not a Government Summary
We Have Not a Government 87%
State free-riding broke the first U.S. government. A debt crisis and revolt forced a grand bargain.
by George William Van Cleve 2017
3.99
76 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
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 87%
Your nation is not ancient. Print markets, colonial maps, and selective forgetting built it.
by Benedict Anderson 1983
4.11
17k+ ratings
The Lost Realms
by Zecharia Sitchin • 1990
The same ancient astronauts who mined Sumer also raised the lost cities of the Americas.
4.15
980
The Lost Realms Summary
The Lost Realms 87%
The same ancient astronauts who mined Sumer also raised the lost cities of the Americas.
by Zecharia Sitchin 1990
4.15
980 ratings
American Exceptionalism
by Seymour Martin Lipset • 1996
America's best and worst traits come from the same source: its founding creed.
3.50
116
American Exceptionalism Summary
American Exceptionalism 87%
America's best and worst traits come from the same source: its founding creed.
by Seymour Martin Lipset 1996
3.50
116 ratings
Undaunted Courage
by Stephen E. Ambrose • 1996
A brave captain mapped the West for Jefferson, then got lost in his own mind.
4.23
68k+
Undaunted Courage Summary
Undaunted Courage 87%
A brave captain mapped the West for Jefferson, then got lost in his own mind.
by Stephen E. Ambrose 1996
4.23
68k+ 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 87%
The nation is no modern fabrication. Its roots reach into our evolutionary past.
by Azar Gat 2012
3.90
103 ratings
The American Spirit
by David McCullough • 2017
Why the American past is a well to draw strength from, not a burden to escape.
4.22
7k+
The American Spirit Summary
The American Spirit 87%
Why the American past is a well to draw strength from, not a burden to escape.
by David McCullough 2017
4.22
7k+ ratings
The Great Contradiction
by Joseph J. Ellis • 2025
To create a nation, the founders protected slavery. Indian removal was the other price of union.
4.20
1k+
The Great Contradiction Summary
The Great Contradiction 87%
To create a nation, the founders protected slavery. Indian removal was the other price of union.
by Joseph J. Ellis 2025
4.20
1k+ ratings
The Royalist Revolution
by Eric Nelson • 2014
Americans rebelled for the king, not against him. The presidency became the crown they were denied.
4.12
116
The Royalist Revolution Summary
The Royalist Revolution 86%
Americans rebelled for the king, not against him. The presidency became the crown they were denied.
by Eric Nelson 2014
4.12
116 ratings
Albion's Seed
by David Hackett Fischer • 1989
Four British migrations planted rival cultures in America, each with its own definition of freedom.
4.38
4k+
Albion's Seed Summary
Albion's Seed 86%
Four British migrations planted rival cultures in America, each with its own definition of freedom.
by David Hackett Fischer 1989
4.38
4k+ ratings
Did America Have a Christian Founding?
by Mark David Hall • 2019
Founders weren't deists. Christian convictions shaped the Constitution more than the Enlightenment.
3.99
379
Did America Have a Christian Founding? Summary
Did America Have a Christian Founding? 86%
Founders weren't deists. Christian convictions shaped the Constitution more than the Enlightenment.
by Mark David Hall 2019
3.99
379 ratings
Jefferson's Empire
by Peter S. Onuf • 2000
An empire built on consent that required conquest: the paradox at the core of American identity.
3.56
57
Jefferson's Empire Summary
Jefferson's Empire 86%
An empire built on consent that required conquest: the paradox at the core of American identity.
by Peter S. Onuf 2000
3.56
57 ratings
Not "A Nation of Immigrants"
by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz • 2021
Behind the immigrant myth: a settler state founded on land theft, genocide, and a war economy.
4.35
1k+
Not "A Nation of Immigrants" Summary
Not "A Nation of Immigrants" 86%
Behind the immigrant myth: a settler state founded on land theft, genocide, and a war economy.
by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz 2021
4.35
1k+ ratings
The Aeneid
by Virgil
Destined to found Rome, a Trojan exile braves divine wrath, tragic love, and war.
3.88
145k+
The Aeneid Summary
The Aeneid 86%
Destined to found Rome, a Trojan exile braves divine wrath, tragic love, and war.
by Virgil
3.88
145k+ ratings
The Original Compromise
by David Brian Robertson • 2012
Shared ideals didn't build it. Raw bargains, evasions, and a tragic deal on slavery did.
3.86
35
The Original Compromise Summary
The Original Compromise 86%
Shared ideals didn't build it. Raw bargains, evasions, and a tragic deal on slavery did.
by David Brian Robertson 2012
3.86
35 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 86%
How a colored cloth acquired the power to start wars, unite strangers, and terrify millions.
by Tim Marshall 2016
3.65
6k+ ratings
The Dying Citizen
by Victor Davis Hanson • 2021
The four forces dismantling American citizenship are one crisis, each speeding the others.
4.35
2k+
The Dying Citizen Summary
The Dying Citizen 86%
The four forces dismantling American citizenship are one crisis, each speeding the others.
by Victor Davis Hanson 2021
4.35
2k+ ratings
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