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...
Concrete Planet
by Robert Courland • 2011
Concrete is older than the wheel, built Rome, and now silently corrodes the modern world.
3.89
218
Concrete Planet Summary
Concrete Planet 93%
Concrete is older than the wheel, built Rome, and now silently corrodes the modern world.
by Robert Courland 2011
3.89
218 ratings
Civil Engineering
by David Muir Wood • 2012
Why bridges stand and dams hold: a compact tour of civil engineering, from soil to steel.
3.61
137
Civil Engineering Summary
Civil Engineering 91%
Why bridges stand and dams hold: a compact tour of civil engineering, from soil to steel.
by David Muir Wood 2012
3.61
137 ratings
Engineers of Dreams
by Henry Petroski • 1995
America's bridges were built by dreamers, rivals, and the hard lessons of catastrophic failure.
3.78
166
Engineers of Dreams Summary
Engineers of Dreams 90%
America's bridges were built by dreamers, rivals, and the hard lessons of catastrophic failure.
by Henry Petroski 1995
3.78
166 ratings
SPQR
by Mary Beard • 2015
A thousand-year story of how Rome's genius for inclusion built an empire, then broke its republic.
4.06
83k+
SPQR Summary
SPQR 90%
A thousand-year story of how Rome's genius for inclusion built an empire, then broke its republic.
by Mary Beard 2015
4.06
83k+ ratings
Engineering in Plain Sight
by Grady Hillhouse • 2022
An illustrated field guide to the engineering secrets embedded in every street, pole, and bridge.
4.20
856
Engineering in Plain Sight Summary
Engineering in Plain Sight 89%
An illustrated field guide to the engineering secrets embedded in every street, pole, and bridge.
by Grady Hillhouse 2022
4.20
856 ratings
Brunelleschi's Dome
by Ross King • 1999
A goldsmith promised to build the world's largest dome without scaffolding. No one believed him.
3.91
28k+
Brunelleschi's Dome Summary
Brunelleschi's Dome 89%
A goldsmith promised to build the world's largest dome without scaffolding. No one believed him.
by Ross King 1999
3.91
28k+ ratings
The Ten Books on Architecture
by Vitruvius
The ancient blueprint behind Western architecture: from human proportion to war machines.
4.04
3k+
The Ten Books on Architecture Summary
The Ten Books on Architecture 89%
The ancient blueprint behind Western architecture: from human proportion to war machines.
by Vitruvius
4.04
3k+ ratings
The Road Taken
by Henry Petroski • 2016
The $121 billion congestion tax: what the history of pavement says about fixing America's roads.
3.44
529
The Road Taken Summary
The Road Taken 89%
The $121 billion congestion tax: what the history of pavement says about fixing America's roads.
by Henry Petroski 2016
3.44
529 ratings
The Rise of Rome
by Kathryn Lomas • 2017
Rome was a backwater. It won Italy through flexible citizenship, not just legions.
3.99
288
The Rise of Rome Summary
The Rise of Rome 89%
Rome was a backwater. It won Italy through flexible citizenship, not just legions.
by Kathryn Lomas 2017
3.99
288 ratings
To Forgive Design
by Henry Petroski • 2012
The safest bridges and planes are designed by studying the ones that fell down.
3.53
217
To Forgive Design Summary
To Forgive Design 89%
The safest bridges and planes are designed by studying the ones that fell down.
by Henry Petroski 2012
3.53
217 ratings
The Fate of Rome
by Kyle Harper • 2017
The Roman Empire wasn't just conquered. It was overwhelmed by climate chaos and pandemic disease.
4.19
2k+
The Fate of Rome Summary
The Fate of Rome 88%
The Roman Empire wasn't just conquered. It was overwhelmed by climate chaos and pandemic disease.
by Kyle Harper 2017
4.19
2k+ ratings
Structures
by J.E. Gordon • 1978
The hidden physics that keeps the world standing, and the surprising ways everything still breaks.
4.14
4k+
Structures Summary
Structures 88%
The hidden physics that keeps the world standing, and the surprising ways everything still breaks.
by J.E. Gordon 1978
4.14
4k+ ratings
Maintenance of Everything
by Stewart Brand • 2026
Civilization runs on maintenance nobody sees, values, or funds. Until it stops.
4.00
516
Maintenance of Everything Summary
Maintenance of Everything 88%
Civilization runs on maintenance nobody sees, values, or funds. Until it stops.
by Stewart Brand 2026
4.00
516 ratings
Children of Mars
by Jeremy Armstrong • 2025
Rome's empire was born from clan rivalries, not a master plan. Hannibal's invasion forced the shift.
4.22
36
Children of Mars Summary
Children of Mars 88%
Rome's empire was born from clan rivalries, not a master plan. Hannibal's invasion forced the shift.
by Jeremy Armstrong 2025
4.22
36 ratings
To Engineer Is Human
by Henry Petroski • 1985
Every disaster is a lesson plan. Bridges stay up because engineers study the ones that fell.
3.69
3k+
To Engineer Is Human Summary
To Engineer Is Human 88%
Every disaster is a lesson plan. Bridges stay up because engineers study the ones that fell.
by Henry Petroski 1985
3.69
3k+ ratings
Twelve Caesars
by Mary Beard • 2021
Suetonius named twelve Caesars. A millennium of misidentification, satire, and reinvention followed.
3.68
2k+
Twelve Caesars Summary
Twelve Caesars 88%
Suetonius named twelve Caesars. A millennium of misidentification, satire, and reinvention followed.
by Mary Beard 2021
3.68
2k+ ratings
Decoding the Heavens
by Jo Marchant • 2009
Sponge divers pulled a 2,000-year-old computer from the sea. Decoding its gears took a century.
4.10
566
Decoding the Heavens Summary
Decoding the Heavens 88%
Sponge divers pulled a 2,000-year-old computer from the sea. Decoding its gears took a century.
by Jo Marchant 2009
4.10
566 ratings
Rubicon
by Tom Holland • 2003
Before Caesar, competition was Rome's strength. After him, it became the Republic's executioner.
4.23
28k+
Rubicon Summary
Rubicon 88%
Before Caesar, competition was Rome's strength. After him, it became the Republic's executioner.
by Tom Holland 2003
4.23
28k+ ratings
War and Society in Early Rome
by Jeremy Armstrong • 2016
Clan chiefs, not generals, led Rome's first armies. They raided for portable loot, not territory.
4.46
13
War and Society in Early Rome Summary
War and Society in Early Rome 88%
Clan chiefs, not generals, led Rome's first armies. They raided for portable loot, not territory.
by Jeremy Armstrong 2016
4.46
13 ratings
Success through Failure
by Henry Petroski • 2006
Every triumph contains the seed of its collapse; the art of design is spotting it early.
3.60
201
Success through Failure Summary
Success through Failure 88%
Every triumph contains the seed of its collapse; the art of design is spotting it early.
by Henry Petroski 2006
3.60
201 ratings
The Perfectionists
by Simon Winchester • 2018
From cylinders to microchips: the hidden pursuit of perfect smoothness that built the modern world.
4.15
7k+
The Perfectionists Summary
The Perfectionists 88%
From cylinders to microchips: the hidden pursuit of perfect smoothness that built the modern world.
by Simon Winchester 2018
4.15
7k+ ratings
Panama Fever
by Matthew Parker • 2007
A forty-mile obsession that cost 25,000 lives: how a four-century dream became the Panama Canal.
3.80
920
Panama Fever Summary
Panama Fever 88%
A forty-mile obsession that cost 25,000 lives: how a four-century dream became the Panama Canal.
by Matthew Parker 2007
3.80
920 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
Emperor of Rome
by Mary Beard • 2023
Rome's one-man rule was an accident, sustained by performance, paperwork, and palace murders.
4.08
7k+
Emperor of Rome Summary
Emperor of Rome 88%
Rome's one-man rule was an accident, sustained by performance, paperwork, and palace murders.
by Mary Beard 2023
4.08
7k+ ratings
Empires and Barbarians
by Peter Heather • 2009
How Rome's wealth created the barbarians who remade Europe.
3.97
1k+
Empires and Barbarians Summary
Empires and Barbarians 87%
How Rome's wealth created the barbarians who remade Europe.
by Peter Heather 2009
3.97
1k+ ratings
Structural Analysis
by Russell C. Hibbeler • 1982
Trusses, beams, and frames: how to find every force and deflection inside them before they're built.
4.10
424
Structural Analysis Summary
Structural Analysis 87%
Trusses, beams, and frames: how to find every force and deflection inside them before they're built.
by Russell C. Hibbeler 1982
4.10
424 ratings
The Romans
by Edward J. Watts • 2025
Most empires fall. Rome reinvented itself for two millennia by turning enemies into citizens.
4.16
187
The Romans Summary
The Romans 87%
Most empires fall. Rome reinvented itself for two millennia by turning enemies into citizens.
by Edward J. Watts 2025
4.16
187 ratings
The Annals/The Histories
by Tacitus • 2003
Four emperors in one year, a city in flames, and a historian who watched it all.
4.03
375
The Annals/The Histories Summary
The Annals/The Histories 87%
Four emperors in one year, a city in flames, and a historian who watched it all.
by Tacitus 2003
4.03
375 ratings
Mortal Republic
by Edward J. Watts • 2018
Rome's republic wasn't conquered. Its own citizens dismantled it, choice by choice, over a century.
4.06
1k+
Mortal Republic Summary
Mortal Republic 87%
Rome's republic wasn't conquered. Its own citizens dismantled it, choice by choice, over a century.
by Edward J. Watts 2018
4.06
1k+ ratings
Invention by Design; How Engineers Get from Thought to Thing
by Petroski • 1996
Paper clips, fax machines, bridges: what their shortcomings reveal about the logic of engineering.
3.75
351
Invention by Design; How Engineers Get from Thought to Thing Summary
Invention by Design; How Engineers Get from Thought to Thing 87%
Paper clips, fax machines, bridges: what their shortcomings reveal about the logic of engineering.
by Petroski 1996
3.75
351 ratings
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Volume I
by Edward Gibbon • 1776
What undid Rome: a bought army, a mad emperor, and a religion that rejected earthly power.
4.17
4k+
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Volume I Summary
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Volume I 87%
What undid Rome: a bought army, a mad emperor, and a religion that rejected earthly power.
by Edward Gibbon 1776
4.17
4k+ ratings
The Children of Athena. Greek Intellectuals in the Age of Rome
by Charles Freeman • 2023
Rome ruled, but Greek thinkers kept advancing philosophy, science, and medicine for 500 years.
3.98
82
The Children of Athena. Greek Intellectuals in the Age of Rome Summary
The Children of Athena. Greek Intellectuals in the Age of Rome 87%
Rome ruled, but Greek thinkers kept advancing philosophy, science, and medicine for 500 years.
by Charles Freeman 2023
3.98
82 ratings
Cities
by Monica L. Smith • 2019
Cities were never about efficiency. They were about all the things you cannot get alone.
3.26
446
Cities Summary
Cities 87%
Cities were never about efficiency. They were about all the things you cannot get alone.
by Monica L. Smith 2019
3.26
446 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 87%
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
Networks of New York
by Ingrid Burrington • 2016
Orange lines on the pavement mark fiber-optic cables: a field guide to the visible internet.
3.80
232
Networks of New York Summary
Networks of New York 87%
Orange lines on the pavement mark fiber-optic cables: a field guide to the visible internet.
by Ingrid Burrington 2016
3.80
232 ratings
How to Invent Everything
by Ryan North • 2018
Stranded in the past with nothing but your wits, and the flowchart says you're before 50,000 BCE.
4.14
6k+
How to Invent Everything Summary
How to Invent Everything 87%
Stranded in the past with nothing but your wits, and the flowchart says you're before 50,000 BCE.
by Ryan North 2018
4.14
6k+ ratings
The Light Ages
by Seb Falk • 2020
Eclipse math, precision clocks, a six-foot computer: the medieval laboratory inside the monastery.
3.67
2k+
The Light Ages Summary
The Light Ages 87%
Eclipse math, precision clocks, a six-foot computer: the medieval laboratory inside the monastery.
by Seb Falk 2020
3.67
2k+ ratings
The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire
by Edward Gibbon • 1788
Rome wasn't just conquered; weak rulers and religious civil wars hollowed it out first.
4.25
1k+
The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire Summary
The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire 87%
Rome wasn't just conquered; weak rulers and religious civil wars hollowed it out first.
by Edward Gibbon 1788
4.25
1k+ ratings
The Essential Engineer
by Henry Petroski • 2010
Science explains; engineering creates. When we confuse the two, our biggest problems get harder.
3.37
270
The Essential Engineer Summary
The Essential Engineer 87%
Science explains; engineering creates. When we confuse the two, our biggest problems get harder.
by Henry Petroski 2010
3.37
270 ratings
At Home
by Bill Bryson • 2010
Every room in your house conceals a history of bloodshed, invention, and empire.
3.99
99k+
At Home Summary
At Home 87%
Every room in your house conceals a history of bloodshed, invention, and empire.
by Bill Bryson 2010
3.99
99k+ ratings
The Things We Make
by Bill Hammack • 2023
Engineering isn't applied science: it's the art of solving problems before anyone understands them.
3.75
1k+
The Things We Make Summary
The Things We Make 87%
Engineering isn't applied science: it's the art of solving problems before anyone understands them.
by Bill Hammack 2023
3.75
1k+ ratings
Tacitus' Annals
by Ronald Mellor • 2010
Tacitus turned history into a mirror for tyrants. Here is how to read his darkest masterpiece.
4.21
24
Tacitus' Annals Summary
Tacitus' Annals 87%
Tacitus turned history into a mirror for tyrants. Here is how to read his darkest masterpiece.
by Ronald Mellor 2010
4.21
24 ratings
The Gallic War
by Gaius Julius Caesar
Caesar's own account of conquering Gaul. Every victory was ammunition for the political war ahead.
4.02
14k+
The Gallic War Summary
The Gallic War 87%
Caesar's own account of conquering Gaul. Every victory was ammunition for the political war ahead.
by Gaius Julius Caesar
4.02
14k+ ratings
The Evolution of Useful Things
by Henry Petroski • 1994
Annoyance, not function, gave us forks, zippers, paper clips. The real driver of everyday design.
3.52
1k+
The Evolution of Useful Things Summary
The Evolution of Useful Things 87%
Annoyance, not function, gave us forks, zippers, paper clips. The real driver of everyday design.
by Henry Petroski 1994
3.52
1k+ 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
Pompeii
by Robert Harris • 2003
Pompeii's water supply fails. A young engineer hunts the break as the mountain begins to stir.
3.88
54k+
Pompeii Summary
Pompeii 87%
Pompeii's water supply fails. A young engineer hunts the break as the mountain begins to stir.
by Robert Harris 2003
3.88
54k+ ratings
The Pencil
by Henry Petroski • 1992
A pencil hides centuries of engineering failures, global trade, and the secret to good design.
3.80
657
The Pencil Summary
The Pencil 87%
A pencil hides centuries of engineering failures, global trade, and the secret to good design.
by Henry Petroski 1992
3.80
657 ratings
Stuff Matters
by Mark Miodownik • 2013
What a steel razor and a teacup reveal about civilization: the hidden science of everyday materials.
4.11
21k+
Stuff Matters Summary
Stuff Matters 87%
What a steel razor and a teacup reveal about civilization: the hidden science of everyday materials.
by Mark Miodownik 2013
4.11
21k+ ratings
After 1177 B.C.
by Eric H. Cline • 2024
Not every civilization collapsed in 1177 B.C. Egypt barely coped; Phoenicia and Cyprus thrived.
3.77
2k+
After 1177 B.C. Summary
After 1177 B.C. 87%
Not every civilization collapsed in 1177 B.C. Egypt barely coped; Phoenicia and Cyprus thrived.
by Eric H. Cline 2024
3.77
2k+ ratings
The Longest Line on the Map
by Eric Rutkow • 2019
A century-long quest to link the Americas by road was stopped cold by a 250-mile jungle.
3.04
258
The Longest Line on the Map Summary
The Longest Line on the Map 87%
A century-long quest to link the Americas by road was stopped cold by a 250-mile jungle.
by Eric Rutkow 2019
3.04
258 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 25,
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