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SoBrief
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The Fatal Shore
by Robert Hughes • 1986
Britain exiled its criminals to the far side of the earth. The accident that became Australia.
4.09
11k+
The Fatal Shore Summary
The Fatal Shore 91%
Britain exiled its criminals to the far side of the earth. The accident that became Australia.
by Robert Hughes 1986
4.09
11k+ ratings
Education of a Felon
by Edward Bunker • 1999
A career criminal's brutal education behind bars, and how literature gave him a way out.
4.14
2k+
Education of a Felon Summary
Education of a Felon 90%
A career criminal's brutal education behind bars, and how literature gave him a way out.
by Edward Bunker 1999
4.14
2k+ ratings
Discipline and Punish
by Michel Foucault • 1975
The scaffold gave way to the file. Power stopped breaking bodies and started classifying souls.
4.24
37k+
Discipline and Punish Summary
Discipline and Punish 90%
The scaffold gave way to the file. Power stopped breaking bodies and started classifying souls.
by Michel Foucault 1975
4.24
37k+ ratings
Worse Than Slavery
by David M. Oshinsky • 1996
Slavery ended. Mississippi made convicts cheaper than slaves and built an empire on their labor.
4.31
1k+
Worse Than Slavery Summary
Worse Than Slavery 90%
Slavery ended. Mississippi made convicts cheaper than slaves and built an empire on their labor.
by David M. Oshinsky 1996
4.31
1k+ ratings
Unusually Cruel
by Marc Morjé Howard • 2017
Ten times the prisoners of Europe, and not because of crime: four forces behind American punishment.
4.39
41
Unusually Cruel Summary
Unusually Cruel 90%
Ten times the prisoners of Europe, and not because of crime: four forces behind American punishment.
by Marc Morjé Howard 2017
4.39
41 ratings
Illiberal America
by Steven Hahn • 2024
American liberty as a tradition is a Cold War invention; illiberalism is the nation's true center.
4.16
318
Illiberal America Summary
Illiberal America 89%
American liberty as a tradition is a Cold War invention; illiberalism is the nation's true center.
by Steven Hahn 2024
4.16
318 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 89%
How the execution of one privateer turned pirate created the outlaw myth we still sail with.
by Rebecca Simon 2020
3.67
340 ratings
The Tyranny of Good Intentions
by Paul Craig Roberts • 2000
Good intentions retooled criminal justice into a weapon, and the Constitution is losing.
4.06
127
The Tyranny of Good Intentions Summary
The Tyranny of Good Intentions 89%
Good intentions retooled criminal justice into a weapon, and the Constitution is losing.
by Paul Craig Roberts 2000
4.06
127 ratings
Slavery by Another Name
by Douglas A. Blackmon • 2008
The 13th Amendment's exception for criminals became a new slavery that lasted eighty years.
4.38
7k+
Slavery by Another Name Summary
Slavery by Another Name 89%
The 13th Amendment's exception for criminals became a new slavery that lasted eighty years.
by Douglas A. Blackmon 2008
4.38
7k+ ratings
The Infernal Machine
by Steven Johnson • 2024
Dynamite was meant to destroy governments. It built the most powerful one: the surveillance state.
4.03
2k+
The Infernal Machine Summary
The Infernal Machine 89%
Dynamite was meant to destroy governments. It built the most powerful one: the surveillance state.
by Steven Johnson 2024
4.03
2k+ ratings
Are Prisons Obsolete?
by Angela Y. Davis • 2003
Prisons are modern slavery, built for profit rather than safety. Reform only makes them stronger.
4.51
31k+
Are Prisons Obsolete? Summary
Are Prisons Obsolete? 89%
Prisons are modern slavery, built for profit rather than safety. Reform only makes them stronger.
by Angela Y. Davis 2003
4.51
31k+ ratings
Manifest Injustice
by Barry Siegel • 2013
The clemency board voted unanimously to free him. Then the governor, facing reelection, said no.
4.10
178
Manifest Injustice Summary
Manifest Injustice 89%
The clemency board voted unanimously to free him. Then the governor, facing reelection, said no.
by Barry Siegel 2013
4.10
178 ratings
A House in Gross Disorder
by Cynthia B. Herrup • 1999
An earl's trial for rape and sodomy in 1631 was a battle over patriarchy, not just sex.
3.54
119
A House in Gross Disorder Summary
A House in Gross Disorder 89%
An earl's trial for rape and sodomy in 1631 was a battle over patriarchy, not just sex.
by Cynthia B. Herrup 1999
3.54
119 ratings
American Prison
by Shane Bauer • 2018
Undercover as a guard, a reporter finds that profiting from captivity built the American prison.
4.23
13k+
American Prison Summary
American Prison 89%
Undercover as a guard, a reporter finds that profiting from captivity built the American prison.
by Shane Bauer 2018
4.23
13k+ ratings
Punishment Without Crime
by Alexandra Natapoff • 2018
Thirteen million people are swept through local courts each year, and no one is watching.
4.16
441
Punishment Without Crime Summary
Punishment Without Crime 89%
Thirteen million people are swept through local courts each year, and no one is watching.
by Alexandra Natapoff 2018
4.16
441 ratings
The Jailhouse Lawyer
by Calvin Duncan • 2025
He taught himself law from death row, freed other inmates, and walked free after 28 years.
4.49
1k+
The Jailhouse Lawyer Summary
The Jailhouse Lawyer 89%
He taught himself law from death row, freed other inmates, and walked free after 28 years.
by Calvin Duncan 2025
4.49
1k+ ratings
The New Jim Crow
by Michelle Alexander • 2010
No racist laws required: a felony conviction now strips the rights Jim Crow took by name.
4.52
118k+
The New Jim Crow Summary
The New Jim Crow 89%
No racist laws required: a felony conviction now strips the rights Jim Crow took by name.
by Michelle Alexander 2010
4.52
118k+ ratings
Orange Is the New Black
by Piper Kerman • 2010
A decade-old drug crime. A year in federal prison. The hidden world of women doing time.
3.72
207k+
Orange Is the New Black Summary
Orange Is the New Black 89%
A decade-old drug crime. A year in federal prison. The hidden world of women doing time.
by Piper Kerman 2010
3.72
207k+ ratings
Punishing the Poor
by Loïc Wacquant • 2004
Welfare cuts and mass incarceration are two sides of the same neoliberal project, not opposites.
4.21
277
Punishing the Poor Summary
Punishing the Poor 89%
Welfare cuts and mass incarceration are two sides of the same neoliberal project, not opposites.
by Loïc Wacquant 2004
4.21
277 ratings
The Catalpa Rescue
by Peter FitzSimons • 2019
Six Irish prisoners, one American whaler, and a flag that dared the British Empire to fire.
4.30
644
The Catalpa Rescue Summary
The Catalpa Rescue 89%
Six Irish prisoners, one American whaler, and a flag that dared the British Empire to fire.
by Peter FitzSimons 2019
4.30
644 ratings
The Perils of Federalism
by Lisa L. Miller • 2008
Federalism rewards punitive interests. The communities hit hardest by crime stay shut out.
3.54
13
The Perils of Federalism Summary
The Perils of Federalism 89%
Federalism rewards punitive interests. The communities hit hardest by crime stay shut out.
by Lisa L. Miller 2008
3.54
13 ratings
Insane
by Alisa Roth • 2018
Jails hold more people with mental illness than hospitals. Incarceration makes them sicker.
4.07
1k+
Insane Summary
Insane 89%
Jails hold more people with mental illness than hospitals. Incarceration makes them sicker.
by Alisa Roth 2018
4.07
1k+ ratings
Doing Justice
by Preet Bharara • 2019
Every charging decision is a moral wager. A former U.S. Attorney lays out the odds.
4.27
6k+
Doing Justice Summary
Doing Justice 88%
Every charging decision is a moral wager. A former U.S. Attorney lays out the odds.
by Preet Bharara 2019
4.27
6k+ ratings
Criminal (In)Justice
by Rafael A. Mangual • 2022
Two percent of counties produce half the murders. Decarceration makes those places deadlier.
4.13
222
Criminal (In)Justice Summary
Criminal (In)Justice 88%
Two percent of counties produce half the murders. Decarceration makes those places deadlier.
by Rafael A. Mangual 2022
4.13
222 ratings
Last Chance in Texas
by John Hubner • 2005
At a Texas juvenile prison, violent offenders reenact their crimes. Only one in ten reoffends.
4.29
828
Last Chance in Texas Summary
Last Chance in Texas 88%
At a Texas juvenile prison, violent offenders reenact their crimes. Only one in ten reoffends.
by John Hubner 2005
4.29
828 ratings
Entry Lessons
by Jorja Leap • 2022
For women, prison punishes trauma survival. The women who lived it are building something better.
4.33
49
Entry Lessons Summary
Entry Lessons 88%
For women, prison punishes trauma survival. The women who lived it are building something better.
by Jorja Leap 2022
4.33
49 ratings
Smart on Crime
by Kamala Harris • 2009
Tough on crime filled prisons without making us safe; a prosecutor's case for being smart instead.
3.75
346
Smart on Crime Summary
Smart on Crime 88%
Tough on crime filled prisons without making us safe; a prosecutor's case for being smart instead.
by Kamala Harris 2009
3.75
346 ratings
A Criminal History of Mankind
by Colin Wilson • 1985
Why tyrants, murderers, and petty thieves all share the same stunted psychology.
3.90
777
A Criminal History of Mankind Summary
A Criminal History of Mankind 88%
Why tyrants, murderers, and petty thieves all share the same stunted psychology.
by Colin Wilson 1985
3.90
777 ratings
Crime & Punishment
by Russell Marks • 2015
Prison punishes disadvantage, not crime. The alternatives that reduce reoffending work elsewhere.
4.08
49
Crime & Punishment Summary
Crime & Punishment 88%
Prison punishes disadvantage, not crime. The alternatives that reduce reoffending work elsewhere.
by Russell Marks 2015
4.08
49 ratings
Profit and Punishment
by Tony Messenger • 2021
When courts depend on fines to stay open, the poor become the revenue.
4.26
658
Profit and Punishment Summary
Profit and Punishment 88%
When courts depend on fines to stay open, the poor become the revenue.
by Tony Messenger 2021
4.26
658 ratings
The Secret Barrister
by The Secret Barrister • 2018
A barrister reveals how criminal courts became an assembly line, and who pays the price.
3.88
23k+
The Secret Barrister Summary
The Secret Barrister 88%
A barrister reveals how criminal courts became an assembly line, and who pays the price.
by The Secret Barrister 2018
3.88
23k+ ratings
Just Mercy
by Bryan Stevenson • 2014
Alabama framed a black man for murder: one Harvard lawyer came south to fight it.
4.62
265k+
Just Mercy Summary
Just Mercy 88%
Alabama framed a black man for murder: one Harvard lawyer came south to fight it.
by Bryan Stevenson 2014
4.62
265k+ ratings
The Five
by Hallie Rubenhold • 2019
Jack the Ripper killed five women. The label pinned on three of them was a lie.
4.09
69k+
The Five Summary
The Five 88%
Jack the Ripper killed five women. The label pinned on three of them was a lie.
by Hallie Rubenhold 2019
4.09
69k+ ratings
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 88%
Sailors broken by the navy built their own republic: democratic, armed, and flying the black flag.
by Colin Woodard 2007
3.89
12k+ ratings
Memoirs of a Radical Lawyer
by Michael Mansfield • 2009
A radical barrister's four-decade brief against the British legal system's claim to justice.
4.01
157
Memoirs of a Radical Lawyer Summary
Memoirs of a Radical Lawyer 88%
A radical barrister's four-decade brief against the British legal system's claim to justice.
by Michael Mansfield 2009
4.01
157 ratings
Smuggler Nation
by Peter Andreas • 2013
Molasses, slaves, blueprints, cocaine: America's defining chapters all ran on smuggling.
3.96
214
Smuggler Nation Summary
Smuggler Nation 88%
Molasses, slaves, blueprints, cocaine: America's defining chapters all ran on smuggling.
by Peter Andreas 2013
3.96
214 ratings
L'instinct de mort
by Jacques Mesrine • 1984
From mourning a dead songbird to mastering the prison break: the gangster France could never hold.
4.31
422
L'instinct de mort Summary
L'instinct de mort 88%
From mourning a dead songbird to mastering the prison break: the gangster France could never hold.
by Jacques Mesrine 1984
4.31
422 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 88%
From welcomed economic partners to hanged outlaws: the real story of pirates in colonial America.
by Eric Jay Dolin 2018
3.76
5k+ ratings
Manifesting Justice
by Valena E. Beety • 2022
Wrongful convictions target women and queer people differently. A legal method to fight back.
4.33
126
Manifesting Justice Summary
Manifesting Justice 88%
Wrongful convictions target women and queer people differently. A legal method to fight back.
by Valena E. Beety 2022
4.33
126 ratings
White Gold
by Giles Milton • 2004
Barbary corsairs took a million Europeans. One boy was eleven when taken, thirty-four when free.
4.13
2k+
White Gold Summary
White Gold 88%
Barbary corsairs took a million Europeans. One boy was eleven when taken, thirty-four when free.
by Giles Milton 2004
4.13
2k+ ratings
Hauptmann's Ladder
by Richard T. Cahill Jr. • 2014
The Lindbergh case retried: a ladder, a money trail, and doubts the execution never settled.
4.17
125
Hauptmann's Ladder Summary
Hauptmann's Ladder 88%
The Lindbergh case retried: a ladder, a money trail, and doubts the execution never settled.
by Richard T. Cahill Jr. 2014
4.17
125 ratings
When Crack Was King
by Donovan X. Ramsey • 2023
The crack epidemic was built on two myths, a 100-to-1 law, and government complicity.
4.34
7k+
When Crack Was King Summary
When Crack Was King 88%
The crack epidemic was built on two myths, a 100-to-1 law, and government complicity.
by Donovan X. Ramsey 2023
4.34
7k+ ratings
A Colony in a Nation
by Christopher L. Hayes • 2017
Slave patrols built American policing. It still treats poor neighborhoods as occupied territory.
4.18
6k+
A Colony in a Nation Summary
A Colony in a Nation 88%
Slave patrols built American policing. It still treats poor neighborhoods as occupied territory.
by Christopher L. Hayes 2017
4.18
6k+ 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 88%
132 Africans thrown overboard for insurance money, and the anonymous letter that ignited abolition.
by Siddharth Kara 2025
4.16
6k+ ratings
Papillon
by Henri Charrière • 1969
Framed for murder, he spent 14 years planning the one escape Devil's Island thought impossible.
4.23
76k+
Papillon Summary
Papillon 88%
Framed for murder, he spent 14 years planning the one escape Devil's Island thought impossible.
by Henri Charrière 1969
4.23
76k+ ratings
A Renegade History of the United States
by Thaddeus Russell • 2010
America's founders feared pleasure. Its drunkards, prostitutes, and gangsters made freedom real.
3.81
2k+
A Renegade History of the United States Summary
A Renegade History of the United States 88%
America's founders feared pleasure. Its drunkards, prostitutes, and gangsters made freedom real.
by Thaddeus Russell 2010
3.81
2k+ ratings
The Other Side of Prospect
by Nicholas Dawidoff • 2022
A murder in New Haven, a false confession, and the forces that made both inevitable.
4.43
462
The Other Side of Prospect Summary
The Other Side of Prospect 88%
A murder in New Haven, a false confession, and the forces that made both inevitable.
by Nicholas Dawidoff 2022
4.43
462 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 88%
His 1695 heist of a Mughal treasure ship nearly toppled an empire. Then Henry Every disappeared.
by Steven Johnson 2020
3.89
5k+ ratings
Writing My Wrongs
by Shaka Senghor • 2013
He shot a man and went to prison. In solitary, he found a pen, and everything changed.
4.25
5k+
Writing My Wrongs Summary
Writing My Wrongs 88%
He shot a man and went to prison. In solitary, he found a pen, and everything changed.
by Shaka Senghor 2013
4.25
5k+ 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 88%
No parrots, no plank, no buried treasure. The real pirates were slave-trading democrats.
by Benerson Little 2016
3.40
366 ratings
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