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How Everything Became War and the Military Became Everything
by Rosa Brooks • 2016
War, law, and state fray together. A Pentagon insider on where the seams gave way.
3.93
2k+
How Everything Became War and the Military Became Everything Summary
How Everything Became War and the Military Became Everything 91%
War, law, and state fray together. A Pentagon insider on where the seams gave way.
by Rosa Brooks 2016
3.93
2k+ ratings
The Sociology of War and Violence
by Siniša Malešević • 2010
Modernity is the deadliest era. The cause: bureaucracy and ideology, not biology.
4.26
61
The Sociology of War and Violence Summary
The Sociology of War and Violence 91%
Modernity is the deadliest era. The cause: bureaucracy and ideology, not biology.
by Siniša Malešević 2010
4.26
61 ratings
Makers of Modern Strategy from Machiavelli to the Nuclear Age
by Peter Paret • 1943
From mercenary captains to nuclear strategists: the ideas and forces that rewrote war.
4.03
2k+
Makers of Modern Strategy from Machiavelli to the Nuclear Age Summary
Makers of Modern Strategy from Machiavelli to the Nuclear Age 91%
From mercenary captains to nuclear strategists: the ideas and forces that rewrote war.
by Peter Paret 1943
4.03
2k+ ratings
Drift
by Rachel Maddow • 2012
No grand conspiracy drove America to endless war. A series of small, reversible decisions did.
4.07
21k+
Drift Summary
Drift 90%
No grand conspiracy drove America to endless war. A series of small, reversible decisions did.
by Rachel Maddow 2012
4.07
21k+ ratings
War
by Margaret MacMillan • 2020
From the Iceman to total war: how organized conflict has shaped every corner of human life.
3.58
4k+
War Summary
War 90%
From the Iceman to total war: how organized conflict has shaped every corner of human life.
by Margaret MacMillan 2020
3.58
4k+ ratings
Enough Already
by Scott Horton • 2021
9/11 was a trap, and the War on Terror was the overreaction al Qaeda had counted on.
4.61
699
Enough Already Summary
Enough Already 90%
9/11 was a trap, and the War on Terror was the overreaction al Qaeda had counted on.
by Scott Horton 2021
4.61
699 ratings
The Handbook of 5GW
by Daniel H. Abbott • 2010
War is no longer about bullets. It is a silent, invisible struggle for your perception.
4.09
23
The Handbook of 5GW Summary
The Handbook of 5GW 90%
War is no longer about bullets. It is a silent, invisible struggle for your perception.
by Daniel H. Abbott 2010
4.09
23 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 90%
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 New Rules of War
by Sean McFate • 2019
An ex-mercenary on why the West keeps losing: the game changed, and nobody noticed.
3.96
2k+
The New Rules of War Summary
The New Rules of War 90%
An ex-mercenary on why the West keeps losing: the game changed, and nobody noticed.
by Sean McFate 2019
3.96
2k+ ratings
The Military Revolution and Political Change
by Brian M. Downing • 1992
Democracy's real origin story: not the rise of the bourgeoisie, but how states paid for gunpowder.
3.77
30
The Military Revolution and Political Change Summary
The Military Revolution and Political Change 90%
Democracy's real origin story: not the rise of the bourgeoisie, but how states paid for gunpowder.
by Brian M. Downing 1992
3.77
30 ratings
Man, the State, and War
by Kenneth N. Waltz • 1954
You cannot fix war by fixing people or states alone. Anarchy makes all other causes possible.
3.97
2k+
Man, the State, and War Summary
Man, the State, and War 90%
You cannot fix war by fixing people or states alone. Anarchy makes all other causes possible.
by Kenneth N. Waltz 1954
3.97
2k+ ratings
The Imagineers of War
by Sharon Weinberger • 2017
DARPA gave us the Internet and lost Vietnam. The same faith in technology drove both.
3.69
565
The Imagineers of War Summary
The Imagineers of War 90%
DARPA gave us the Internet and lost Vietnam. The same faith in technology drove both.
by Sharon Weinberger 2017
3.69
565 ratings
Counterinsurgency Warfare
by David Galula • 1964
The guerrilla blends into the population. This book showed armies how to separate the two.
4.02
1k+
Counterinsurgency Warfare Summary
Counterinsurgency Warfare 90%
The guerrilla blends into the population. This book showed armies how to separate the two.
by David Galula 1964
4.02
1k+ ratings
The Hell of Good Intentions
by Stephen M. Walt • 2018
After the Cold War, America tried to lead the world. It overreached, failed, and learned nothing.
4.01
735
The Hell of Good Intentions Summary
The Hell of Good Intentions 89%
After the Cold War, America tried to lead the world. It overreached, failed, and learned nothing.
by Stephen M. Walt 2018
4.01
735 ratings
Who Rules the World?
by Noam Chomsky • 2014
A superpower that tortures, invades, and sabotages democracy while the world calls it humanitarian.
4.05
13k+
Who Rules the World? Summary
Who Rules the World? 89%
A superpower that tortures, invades, and sabotages democracy while the world calls it humanitarian.
by Noam Chomsky 2014
4.05
13k+ ratings
If Russia Wins
by Carlo Masala • 2025
Ukraine falls, then Russia probes NATO's border. The alliance cracks, and Article 5 goes unused.
3.94
4k+
If Russia Wins Summary
If Russia Wins 89%
Ukraine falls, then Russia probes NATO's border. The alliance cracks, and Article 5 goes unused.
by Carlo Masala 2025
3.94
4k+ ratings
Coercion, Capital, and European States, A.D. 990-1992
by Charles Tilly • 1990
The state that best combined armies and taxation won Europe. That formula is now failing.
4.09
590
Coercion, Capital, and European States, A.D. 990-1992 Summary
Coercion, Capital, and European States, A.D. 990-1992 89%
The state that best combined armies and taxation won Europe. That formula is now failing.
by Charles Tilly 1990
4.09
590 ratings
Strategy
by Lawrence Freedman • 2013
Strategy is not a plan: a battle of minds from chimpanzee coalitions to nuclear deterrence.
3.97
3k+
Strategy Summary
Strategy 89%
Strategy is not a plan: a battle of minds from chimpanzee coalitions to nuclear deterrence.
by Lawrence Freedman 2013
3.97
3k+ ratings
The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy
by John J. Mearsheimer • 2006
How a single interest group has reshaped U.S. Middle East policy, often against American interests.
4.12
4k+
The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy Summary
The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy 89%
How a single interest group has reshaped U.S. Middle East policy, often against American interests.
by John J. Mearsheimer 2006
4.12
4k+ ratings
The Future of Violence
by Benjamin Wittes • 2014
The state's monopoly on violence is ending. Networked technology handed individuals strategic power.
3.42
318
The Future of Violence Summary
The Future of Violence 89%
The state's monopoly on violence is ending. Networked technology handed individuals strategic power.
by Benjamin Wittes 2014
3.42
318 ratings
Nemesis
by Chalmers Johnson • 2007
Empire and democracy cannot coexist. America chose empire; the bill is coming due.
4.07
968
Nemesis Summary
Nemesis 89%
Empire and democracy cannot coexist. America chose empire; the bill is coming due.
by Chalmers Johnson 2007
4.07
968 ratings
The Management of Savagery
by Max Blumenthal • 2019
Al Qaeda, ISIS, and Trump: three products of the same American national security machine.
4.29
807
The Management of Savagery Summary
The Management of Savagery 89%
Al Qaeda, ISIS, and Trump: three products of the same American national security machine.
by Max Blumenthal 2019
4.29
807 ratings
Bringing the State Back In
by Peter B. Evans • 1985
The state is an actor, not just an arena, with autonomous power to reshape society.
3.64
53
Bringing the State Back In Summary
Bringing the State Back In 89%
The state is an actor, not just an arena, with autonomous power to reshape society.
by Peter B. Evans 1985
3.64
53 ratings
Hunting the Caliphate
by Wes J. Bryant • 2019
A kill chain run from a Baghdad room, strapped by politics: hunting ISIS from the inside.
4.03
165
Hunting the Caliphate Summary
Hunting the Caliphate 89%
A kill chain run from a Baghdad room, strapped by politics: hunting ISIS from the inside.
by Wes J. Bryant 2019
4.03
165 ratings
The Accidental Admiral
by James G. Stavridis • 2014
What a Navy admiral learned commanding NATO through Afghanistan, Libya, and a balky Russia.
4.00
248
The Accidental Admiral Summary
The Accidental Admiral 89%
What a Navy admiral learned commanding NATO through Afghanistan, Libya, and a balky Russia.
by James G. Stavridis 2014
4.00
248 ratings
The Technological Republic
by Alexander C. Karp • 2025
The West won the digital revolution, then stopped building weapons. Now software is the battlefield.
3.54
4k+
The Technological Republic Summary
The Technological Republic 89%
The West won the digital revolution, then stopped building weapons. Now software is the battlefield.
by Alexander C. Karp 2025
3.54
4k+ ratings
The Afghanistan Papers
by Craig Whitlock • 2021
Washington’s own postmortem: the war was unwinnable, and they hid the truth for twenty years.
4.25
7k+
The Afghanistan Papers Summary
The Afghanistan Papers 89%
Washington’s own postmortem: the war was unwinnable, and they hid the truth for twenty years.
by Craig Whitlock 2021
4.25
7k+ ratings
Kill Chain
by Andrew Cockburn • 2015
Precision warfare is a lie. Drone strikes miss, breed enemies, and only the contractors profit.
3.82
804
Kill Chain Summary
Kill Chain 89%
Precision warfare is a lie. Drone strikes miss, breed enemies, and only the contractors profit.
by Andrew Cockburn 2015
3.82
804 ratings
War and State Formation in Ancient China and Early Modern Europe
by Victoria Tin-bor Hui • 2005
Ancient China unified; Europe stayed divided. The hinge: how states chose to fund their wars.
4.02
46
War and State Formation in Ancient China and Early Modern Europe Summary
War and State Formation in Ancient China and Early Modern Europe 89%
Ancient China unified; Europe stayed divided. The hinge: how states chose to fund their wars.
by Victoria Tin-bor Hui 2005
4.02
46 ratings
By Peter B. Evans - Bringing the State Back In
by Ted Rall • 2002
The War on Terror was never justice; it was a 50-billion-barrel pipeline through Afghanistan.
3.58
170
By Peter B. Evans - Bringing the State Back In Summary
By Peter B. Evans - Bringing the State Back In 89%
The War on Terror was never justice; it was a 50-billion-barrel pipeline through Afghanistan.
by Ted Rall 2002
3.58
170 ratings
The Way of the Knife
by Mark Mazzetti • 2013
After 9/11, the CIA started killing. The Pentagon started spying. The boundary never returned.
3.85
4k+
The Way of the Knife Summary
The Way of the Knife 89%
After 9/11, the CIA started killing. The Pentagon started spying. The boundary never returned.
by Mark Mazzetti 2013
3.85
4k+ ratings
Attack and Die
by Grady McWhiney • 1982
Honor culture demanded attack. Rifles made attack fatal. The Confederacy bled to death.
3.56
157
Attack and Die Summary
Attack and Die 89%
Honor culture demanded attack. Rifles made attack fatal. The Confederacy bled to death.
by Grady McWhiney 1982
3.56
157 ratings
To End All Wars
by Adam Hochschild • 2011
A general led Britain's army. His sister led its pacifists. The Great War as family feud.
4.14
9k+
To End All Wars Summary
To End All Wars 89%
A general led Britain's army. His sister led its pacifists. The Great War as family feud.
by Adam Hochschild 2011
4.14
9k+ ratings
The Great Delusion
by John J. Mearsheimer • 2018
Liberal dreams of peace ignore two immovable forces: the nation and the anarchy between states.
4.10
1k+
The Great Delusion Summary
The Great Delusion 89%
Liberal dreams of peace ignore two immovable forces: the nation and the anarchy between states.
by John J. Mearsheimer 2018
4.10
1k+ ratings
Blood and Treasure
by Duncan Weldon • 2026
The economic logic inside every war: why pirates ran democracies and silver bankrupted an empire.
4.08
262
Blood and Treasure Summary
Blood and Treasure 89%
The economic logic inside every war: why pirates ran democracies and silver bankrupted an empire.
by Duncan Weldon 2026
4.08
262 ratings
Wars and Capital (Semiotext
by Éric Alliez • 2016
Capitalism is a war system that uses markets, not an economic system that uses war.
3.93
29
Wars and Capital (Semiotext Summary
Wars and Capital (Semiotext 89%
Capitalism is a war system that uses markets, not an economic system that uses war.
by Éric Alliez 2016
3.93
29 ratings
The Art of War
by Niccolò Machiavelli • 1521
A republic that hires soldiers is already dead. The cure: citizen farmers trained like Romans.
4.05
9k+
The Art of War Summary
The Art of War 89%
A republic that hires soldiers is already dead. The cure: citizen farmers trained like Romans.
by Niccolò Machiavelli 1521
4.05
9k+ ratings
Fiasco
by Thomas E. Ricks • 2006
A year planning the invasion, zero for the peace: how ideology and hubris lost Iraq.
4.09
8k+
Fiasco Summary
Fiasco 89%
A year planning the invasion, zero for the peace: how ideology and hubris lost Iraq.
by Thomas E. Ricks 2006
4.09
8k+ 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 89%
The sacred dimension of war: what warriors from Rome to the Gita grasped, and modernity lost.
by Julius Evola 1996
4.03
876 ratings
Shadowplay
by Tim Marshall • 2003
Europe's last war wasn't decided by bombs but by spies, media spin, and a stolen election.
3.87
4k+
Shadowplay Summary
Shadowplay 89%
Europe's last war wasn't decided by bombs but by spies, media spin, and a stolen election.
by Tim Marshall 2003
3.87
4k+ 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 89%
The Confederacy's statist war machine, not the Constitution, built the modern American state.
by Richard Franklin Bensel 1991
3.69
49 ratings
The Melting Point
by Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. • 2024
The general who killed Soleimani tells the inside story of America's Middle East wars.
4.30
175
The Melting Point Summary
The Melting Point 89%
The general who killed Soleimani tells the inside story of America's Middle East wars.
by Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. 2024
4.30
175 ratings
The Least of All Possible Evils
by Eyal Weizman • 2012
When humanitarian law calculates acceptable civilian deaths, it also makes them thinkable.
4.19
224
The Least of All Possible Evils Summary
The Least of All Possible Evils 89%
When humanitarian law calculates acceptable civilian deaths, it also makes them thinkable.
by Eyal Weizman 2012
4.19
224 ratings
Age of Danger
by Andrew R. Hoehn • 2023
Built for 1947, retooled for terrorism: America's defense system is blind to the threats now coming.
3.81
70
Age of Danger Summary
Age of Danger 89%
Built for 1947, retooled for terrorism: America's defense system is blind to the threats now coming.
by Andrew R. Hoehn 2023
3.81
70 ratings
The Jakarta Method
by Vincent Bevins • 2020
Washington's greatest Cold War win killed a million Indonesians. Then the method went global.
4.61
18k+
The Jakarta Method Summary
The Jakarta Method 89%
Washington's greatest Cold War win killed a million Indonesians. Then the method went global.
by Vincent Bevins 2020
4.61
18k+ ratings
Iron Kingdom
by Christopher Clark • 2006
Prussia was no natural nation but a dynasty's gamble, forged by war and erased by it.
4.17
6k+
Iron Kingdom Summary
Iron Kingdom 89%
Prussia was no natural nation but a dynasty's gamble, forged by war and erased by it.
by Christopher Clark 2006
4.17
6k+ ratings
The Politics of Collective Violence
by Charles Tilly • 2003
Violence isn't chaos; it's politics, shaped by regimes and the relationships leaders exploit.
3.85
151
The Politics of Collective Violence Summary
The Politics of Collective Violence 89%
Violence isn't chaos; it's politics, shaped by regimes and the relationships leaders exploit.
by Charles Tilly 2003
3.85
151 ratings
The War for Ukraine
by Mick Ryan • 2024
Russia punishes failure. Ukraine learns from it. In a war of adaptation, culture beats mass.
3.91
94
The War for Ukraine Summary
The War for Ukraine 89%
Russia punishes failure. Ukraine learns from it. In a war of adaptation, culture beats mass.
by Mick Ryan 2024
3.91
94 ratings
The Tragedy of Great Power Politics
by John J. Mearsheimer • 2001
Why great powers cannot stop seeking dominance: anarchy rewards aggression and punishes restraint.
4.06
4k+
The Tragedy of Great Power Politics Summary
The Tragedy of Great Power Politics 89%
Why great powers cannot stop seeking dominance: anarchy rewards aggression and punishes restraint.
by John J. Mearsheimer 2001
4.06
4k+ ratings
National Security Cinema
by Matthew Alford • 2017
The Pentagon secretly approved or killed your favorite movies, one script at a time.
3.81
113
National Security Cinema Summary
National Security Cinema 89%
The Pentagon secretly approved or killed your favorite movies, one script at a time.
by Matthew Alford 2017
3.81
113 ratings
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