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...
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 90%
History is never neutral. Nations and leaders weaponize it daily, and the patterns are predictable.
by Margaret MacMillan 2008
3.64
2k+ ratings
A History of Histories
by J.W. Burrow • 2007
From Greek inquiry to the modern archive: 2,500 years of historians bending the past to their age.
3.78
456
A History of Histories Summary
A History of Histories 90%
From Greek inquiry to the modern archive: 2,500 years of historians bending the past to their age.
by J.W. Burrow 2007
3.78
456 ratings
Silencing the Past
by Michel-Rolph Trouillot • 1995
Why the Haitian Revolution was erased from history while it was still happening.
4.35
3k+
Silencing the Past Summary
Silencing the Past 89%
Why the Haitian Revolution was erased from history while it was still happening.
by Michel-Rolph Trouillot 1995
4.35
3k+ 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 89%
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 Lessons of History
by Will Durant • 1968
What forty centuries of history reveal: cycles, geography's grip, and the unchanging human drives.
4.05
21k+
The Lessons of History Summary
The Lessons of History 88%
What forty centuries of history reveal: cycles, geography's grip, and the unchanging human drives.
by Will Durant 1968
4.05
21k+ ratings
The Storm Before the Calm
by George Friedman • 2020
Every eighty years America's government breaks; every fifty, its economy. Now both arrive at once.
4.05
3k+
The Storm Before the Calm Summary
The Storm Before the Calm 88%
Every eighty years America's government breaks; every fifty, its economy. Now both arrive at once.
by George Friedman 2020
4.05
3k+ ratings
The Deadline
by Jill Lepore • 2023
The dead still run the country. A historian shows how, from the Constitution to the smartphone.
4.31
621
The Deadline Summary
The Deadline 88%
The dead still run the country. A historian shows how, from the Constitution to the smartphone.
by Jill Lepore 2023
4.31
621 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
The Power Broker
by Robert A. Caro • 1974
How one unelected man built New York, bulldozed entire communities, and answered to no one.
4.53
30k+
The Power Broker Summary
The Power Broker 88%
How one unelected man built New York, bulldozed entire communities, and answered to no one.
by Robert A. Caro 1974
4.53
30k+ ratings
A Study of History, Abridgement of Vols 1-6
by Arnold Joseph Toynbee • 1987
History's pattern: empires die, and their true heirs are the churches they tried to crush.
4.11
543
A Study of History, Abridgement of Vols 1-6 Summary
A Study of History, Abridgement of Vols 1-6 88%
History's pattern: empires die, and their true heirs are the churches they tried to crush.
by Arnold Joseph Toynbee 1987
4.11
543 ratings
The Forum and the Tower
by Mary Ann Glendon • 2011
Lasting law is a two-person job: a thinker and a ruler, together despite themselves.
3.95
66
The Forum and the Tower Summary
The Forum and the Tower 88%
Lasting law is a two-person job: a thinker and a ruler, together despite themselves.
by Mary Ann Glendon 2011
3.95
66 ratings
The Case for Colonialism
by Bruce Gilley • 2023
Start new colonies from scratch. The controversial solution to a century of post-colonial disaster.
4.32
191
The Case for Colonialism Summary
The Case for Colonialism 88%
Start new colonies from scratch. The controversial solution to a century of post-colonial disaster.
by Bruce Gilley 2023
4.32
191 ratings
A Short History of the World in 50 Lies
by Natasha Tidd • 2023
A forged document, a faked war, an imaginary country: the lies that changed history.
3.60
2k+
A Short History of the World in 50 Lies Summary
A Short History of the World in 50 Lies 88%
A forged document, a faked war, an imaginary country: the lies that changed history.
by Natasha Tidd 2023
3.60
2k+ ratings
The Fourth Turning Is Here
by Neil Howe • 2023
An 80-year cycle pushes America toward a 2030 crisis. The last two ended in total war.
3.93
3k+
The Fourth Turning Is Here Summary
The Fourth Turning Is Here 88%
An 80-year cycle pushes America toward a 2030 crisis. The last two ended in total war.
by Neil Howe 2023
3.93
3k+ ratings
Inside the Apple
by Michelle Nevius • 2009
A walking guide to reading Manhattan: every block holds a chapter of American history.
4.14
403
Inside the Apple Summary
Inside the Apple 88%
A walking guide to reading Manhattan: every block holds a chapter of American history.
by Michelle Nevius 2009
4.14
403 ratings
Civilization on Trial
by Arnold Joseph Toynbee • 1948
Civilizations rise to fall, religions to climb. The rubble is the mechanism, not the failure.
3.83
152
Civilization on Trial Summary
Civilization on Trial 88%
Civilizations rise to fall, religions to climb. The rubble is the mechanism, not the failure.
by Arnold Joseph Toynbee 1948
3.83
152 ratings
Lies My Teacher Told Me
by James W. Loewen • 1995
History textbooks don't just teach the past. They teach you not to ask certain questions.
3.97
75k+
Lies My Teacher Told Me Summary
Lies My Teacher Told Me 88%
History textbooks don't just teach the past. They teach you not to ask certain questions.
by James W. Loewen 1995
3.97
75k+ ratings
Ancient Worlds
by Michael Scott • 2016
Democracy, republic, and Confucianism were born in the same century. None by design.
3.77
635
Ancient Worlds Summary
Ancient Worlds 88%
Democracy, republic, and Confucianism were born in the same century. None by design.
by Michael Scott 2016
3.77
635 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 88%
Americans rebelled for the king, not against him. The presidency became the crown they were denied.
by Eric Nelson 2014
4.12
116 ratings
You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train
by Howard Zinn • 1994
Shipyards, bombers, protest lines: a historian argues that sitting still picks a side.
4.34
4k+
You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train Summary
You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train 88%
Shipyards, bombers, protest lines: a historian argues that sitting still picks a side.
by Howard Zinn 1994
4.34
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
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 88%
Nationalism invented nations, not the reverse, and the two-century project is already decaying.
by Eric J. Hobsbawm 1990
3.91
2k+ ratings
The Age of Choice
by Sophia Rosenfeld • 2025
Choice became freedom only recently. The history reveals why more options leave us less free.
3.57
182
The Age of Choice Summary
The Age of Choice 88%
Choice became freedom only recently. The history reveals why more options leave us less free.
by Sophia Rosenfeld 2025
3.57
182 ratings
Story of Civilization
by Will Durant • 1975
Civilization rests on four fragile foundations; remove one, and the whole structure collapses.
4.43
2k+
Story of Civilization Summary
Story of Civilization 88%
Civilization rests on four fragile foundations; remove one, and the whole structure collapses.
by Will Durant 1975
4.43
2k+ 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
Early Modern Europe, 1450–1789
by Merry E. Wiesner-Hanks • 2006
The very idea of 'Europe' was invented in the era we call early modern.
3.96
447
Early Modern Europe, 1450–1789 Summary
Early Modern Europe, 1450–1789 88%
The very idea of 'Europe' was invented in the era we call early modern.
by Merry E. Wiesner-Hanks 2006
3.96
447 ratings
The Great Bridge
by David McCullough • 1972
The father died. The son collapsed. The daughter-in-law stepped in and built the Brooklyn Bridge.
4.26
19k+
The Great Bridge Summary
The Great Bridge 88%
The father died. The son collapsed. The daughter-in-law stepped in and built the Brooklyn Bridge.
by David McCullough 1972
4.26
19k+ ratings
A People’s History of the United States
by Howard Zinn • 1980
The history you learned in school is a cover story for class war, genocide, and slave revolts.
4.09
268k+
A People’s History of the United States Summary
A People’s History of the United States 88%
The history you learned in school is a cover story for class war, genocide, and slave revolts.
by Howard Zinn 1980
4.09
268k+ ratings
War and Peace and War
by Peter Turchin • 2005
Empires aren't conquered. They dissolve from within, on a schedule that mathematics can model.
4.17
928
War and Peace and War Summary
War and Peace and War 88%
Empires aren't conquered. They dissolve from within, on a schedule that mathematics can model.
by Peter Turchin 2005
4.17
928 ratings
Remaking Modernity
by Julia Adams • 2004
Modernity was never a European solo act. Colonies, gender, and culture built it from the margins.
3.75
12
Remaking Modernity Summary
Remaking Modernity 88%
Modernity was never a European solo act. Colonies, gender, and culture built it from the margins.
by Julia Adams 2004
3.75
12 ratings
How the South Won the Civil War
by Heather Cox Richardson • 2020
Southern oligarchy lost the war but won the West, rebranding as cowboy individualism.
4.31
5k+
How the South Won the Civil War Summary
How the South Won the Civil War 88%
Southern oligarchy lost the war but won the West, rebranding as cowboy individualism.
by Heather Cox Richardson 2020
4.31
5k+ ratings
Modern Times
by Paul Johnson • 1983
Einstein and Freud dismantled the old moral universe. Into the void stepped the totalitarians.
4.29
3k+
Modern Times Summary
Modern Times 88%
Einstein and Freud dismantled the old moral universe. Into the void stepped the totalitarians.
by Paul Johnson 1983
4.29
3k+ 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 88%
Historic sites are not museums but battlegrounds where America's unresolved fights remain live.
by Beverly Gage 2026
3.84
2k+ ratings
Herodotus
by Elizabeth Vandiver • 2000
Before Herodotus, the past was myth. After him, it was evidence, causes, and human choice.
4.24
420
Herodotus Summary
Herodotus 88%
Before Herodotus, the past was myth. After him, it was evidence, causes, and human choice.
by Elizabeth Vandiver 2000
4.24
420 ratings
The Making of Martin Luther
by Richard Rex • 2017
A misremembered sentence and a desperate hunger for certainty: the Reformation's hidden engine.
3.94
64
The Making of Martin Luther Summary
The Making of Martin Luther 88%
A misremembered sentence and a desperate hunger for certainty: the Reformation's hidden engine.
by Richard Rex 2017
3.94
64 ratings
A True History of the United States
by Daniel A. Sjursen • 2021
Genocide, slavery, and concentrated wealth: an unblinking history from the bottom up.
4.43
707
A True History of the United States Summary
A True History of the United States 88%
Genocide, slavery, and concentrated wealth: an unblinking history from the bottom up.
by Daniel A. Sjursen 2021
4.43
707 ratings
Heart of Europe
by Peter H. Wilson • 2016
Twice as old as imperial Rome, this was a political order built on compromise, not command.
3.75
1k+
Heart of Europe Summary
Heart of Europe 88%
Twice as old as imperial Rome, this was a political order built on compromise, not command.
by Peter H. Wilson 2016
3.75
1k+ ratings
A Study of History, abridged
by Arnold Joseph Toynbee • 1957
History's real units are civilizations, not nations. Their collapses conceal a spiritual purpose.
4.10
224
A Study of History, abridged Summary
A Study of History, abridged 88%
History's real units are civilizations, not nations. Their collapses conceal a spiritual purpose.
by Arnold Joseph Toynbee 1957
4.10
224 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 88%
The conservative reply to Zinn: America's record, from Columbus to 9/11, earns its patriotism.
by Larry Schweikart 2004
4.11
4k+ ratings
Indians and English
by Karen Ordahl Kupperman • 2000
Before conquest came curiosity: both sides studied each other as mutual puzzles.
3.85
114
Indians and English Summary
Indians and English 88%
Before conquest came curiosity: both sides studied each other as mutual puzzles.
by Karen Ordahl Kupperman 2000
3.85
114 ratings
Nationalism
by Liah Greenfeld • 1992
Nationalism was born from aristocratic vanity. One form built liberty; the other, tyranny.
3.77
66
Nationalism Summary
Nationalism 88%
Nationalism was born from aristocratic vanity. One form built liberty; the other, tyranny.
by Liah Greenfeld 1992
3.77
66 ratings
A Short History of the World
by Christopher Lascelles • 2011
Thirteen billion years in one short book: why empires fall, ideas spread, and everything connects.
3.86
2k+
A Short History of the World Summary
A Short History of the World 88%
Thirteen billion years in one short book: why empires fall, ideas spread, and everything connects.
by Christopher Lascelles 2011
3.86
2k+ ratings
The Book on the Bookshelf
by Henry Petroski • 1999
Why books once faced the wall and wore chains: the bookshelf as a history of engineering.
3.75
1k+
The Book on the Bookshelf Summary
The Book on the Bookshelf 88%
Why books once faced the wall and wore chains: the bookshelf as a history of engineering.
by Henry Petroski 1999
3.75
1k+ ratings
A Little History of the World
by E.H. Gombrich • 1936
The whole human story, from cave paintings to the Cold War, in one short, elegant book.
4.10
32k+
A Little History of the World Summary
A Little History of the World 88%
The whole human story, from cave paintings to the Cold War, in one short, elegant book.
by E.H. Gombrich 1936
4.10
32k+ ratings
Yankee Leviathan
by Richard Franklin Bensel • 1991
The Confederacy's statist war machine, not the Constitution, built the modern American state.
3.69
49
Yankee Leviathan Summary
Yankee Leviathan 88%
The Confederacy's statist war machine, not the Constitution, built the modern American state.
by Richard Franklin Bensel 1991
3.69
49 ratings
On Power
by Robert A. Caro • 2017
How one man built a financial empire inside the government and became untouchable.
3.95
1k+
On Power Summary
On Power 88%
How one man built a financial empire inside the government and became untouchable.
by Robert A. Caro 2017
3.95
1k+ 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 88%
Your nation is not ancient. Print markets, colonial maps, and selective forgetting built it.
by Benedict Anderson 1983
4.11
17k+ 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 87%
Ten generations: energy, conquest, affluence, decay. The West is running out of time.
by John Bagot Glubb 1978
4.21
751 ratings
End Times
by Peter Turchin • 2023
Ten millennia of data point to two conditions for state collapse. America now meets both.
4.06
3k+
End Times Summary
End Times 87%
Ten millennia of data point to two conditions for state collapse. America now meets both.
by Peter Turchin 2023
4.06
3k+ ratings
The True and Only Heaven
by Christopher Lasch • 1991
Progress is exhausted; the only usable past belongs to those who doubted it.
4.36
382
The True and Only Heaven Summary
The True and Only Heaven 87%
Progress is exhausted; the only usable past belongs to those who doubted it.
by Christopher Lasch 1991
4.36
382 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