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...
The Music of Life
by Denis Noble • 2006
The genome is a database, not a dictator. Life runs on systems, not commands.
3.85
388
The Music of Life Summary
The Music of Life 93%
The genome is a database, not a dictator. Life runs on systems, not commands.
by Denis Noble 2006
3.85
388 ratings
Deep Simplicity
by John Gribbin • 2004
Simple rules, run long enough, build a universe. A physicist shows the working.
3.98
2k+
Deep Simplicity Summary
Deep Simplicity 92%
Simple rules, run long enough, build a universe. A physicist shows the working.
by John Gribbin 2004
3.98
2k+ ratings
The Mathematics of Life
by Ian Stewart • 2011
Math cracked physics. Now it's unlocking biology, from protein origami to alien life.
3.62
565
The Mathematics of Life Summary
The Mathematics of Life 92%
Math cracked physics. Now it's unlocking biology, from protein origami to alien life.
by Ian Stewart 2011
3.62
565 ratings
Complexity
by Melanie Mitchell • 2009
Simple rules produce the complexity of ant colonies, brains, and economies. The science of how.
4.11
4k+
Complexity Summary
Complexity 92%
Simple rules produce the complexity of ant colonies, brains, and economies. The science of how.
by Melanie Mitchell 2009
4.11
4k+ ratings
Understanding Living Systems
by Raymond Noble • 2023
DNA is not your destiny: the cell rewrites its genome, and organisms direct evolution.
3.84
56
Understanding Living Systems Summary
Understanding Living Systems 92%
DNA is not your destiny: the cell rewrites its genome, and organisms direct evolution.
by Raymond Noble 2023
3.84
56 ratings
Arrival of the Fittest
by Andreas Wagner • 2014
10^130 possible proteins. Random search fails. Evolution's shortcut is hidden in the mathematics.
3.82
726
Arrival of the Fittest Summary
Arrival of the Fittest 92%
10^130 possible proteins. Random search fails. Evolution's shortcut is hidden in the mathematics.
by Andreas Wagner 2014
3.82
726 ratings
The Demon in the Machine
by Paul C.W. Davies • 2020
Life runs on information, not chemistry. Molecular demons manage it with near-perfect efficiency.
4.06
944
The Demon in the Machine Summary
The Demon in the Machine 92%
Life runs on information, not chemistry. Molecular demons manage it with near-perfect efficiency.
by Paul C.W. Davies 2020
4.06
944 ratings
The Web of Life
by Fritjof Capra • 1996
Life and mind are the same self-organizing process from the first cell to the living planet.
4.18
2k+
The Web of Life Summary
The Web of Life 92%
Life and mind are the same self-organizing process from the first cell to the living planet.
by Fritjof Capra 1996
4.18
2k+ ratings
At Home in the Universe
by Stuart A. Kauffman • 1995
Life begins as chemistry, not luck. The rules that organize molecules govern markets and innovation.
4.03
1k+
At Home in the Universe Summary
At Home in the Universe 91%
Life begins as chemistry, not luck. The rules that organize molecules govern markets and innovation.
by Stuart A. Kauffman 1995
4.03
1k+ ratings
Complexity
by M. Mitchell Waldrop • 1992
In a desert convent, a few rogue scientists discovered the universal grammar of complex systems.
4.05
3k+
Complexity Summary
Complexity 91%
In a desert convent, a few rogue scientists discovered the universal grammar of complex systems.
by M. Mitchell Waldrop 1992
4.05
3k+ ratings
The Machinery of Life
by David S. Goodsell • 1992
A molecular biologist's watercolors reveal the nanoscale machines running every cell in your body.
4.43
741
The Machinery of Life Summary
The Machinery of Life 91%
A molecular biologist's watercolors reveal the nanoscale machines running every cell in your body.
by David S. Goodsell 1992
4.43
741 ratings
Chaos
by James Gleick • 1987
A rounding error revealed that chaos hides order. The discovery reshaped what science can predict.
4.03
41k+
Chaos Summary
Chaos 91%
A rounding error revealed that chaos hides order. The discovery reshaped what science can predict.
by James Gleick 1987
4.03
41k+ ratings
How Life Works
by Philip Ball • 2023
Genes don't give orders; cells decide for themselves. Biology's central metaphor was wrong.
4.21
651
How Life Works Summary
How Life Works 91%
Genes don't give orders; cells decide for themselves. Biology's central metaphor was wrong.
by Philip Ball 2023
4.21
651 ratings
The Systems View of Life
by Fritjof Capra • 2014
Life is not a machine. The systems view that rewrites biology, mind, and economics.
4.30
788
The Systems View of Life Summary
The Systems View of Life 91%
Life is not a machine. The systems view that rewrites biology, mind, and economics.
by Fritjof Capra 2014
4.30
788 ratings
Sync
by Steven H. Strogatz • 2003
Fireflies flash in unison, heart cells beat as one. No leader. A single equation explains it.
4.07
3k+
Sync Summary
Sync 91%
Fireflies flash in unison, heart cells beat as one. No leader. A single equation explains it.
by Steven H. Strogatz 2003
4.07
3k+ ratings
Climbing Mount Improbable
by Richard Dawkins • 1996
Eyes evolved from scratch forty times. Each time the path was a staircase, not a leap.
4.11
10k+
Climbing Mount Improbable Summary
Climbing Mount Improbable 91%
Eyes evolved from scratch forty times. Each time the path was a staircase, not a leap.
by Richard Dawkins 1996
4.11
10k+ ratings
Diversity and Complexity
by Scott E. Page • 2010
Diversity isn't a slogan: it's a measurable property with predictable benefits and knowable limits.
4.12
207
Diversity and Complexity Summary
Diversity and Complexity 91%
Diversity isn't a slogan: it's a measurable property with predictable benefits and knowable limits.
by Scott E. Page 2010
4.12
207 ratings
Power, Sex, Suicide
by Nick Lane • 2005
Complex life required an improbable merger two billion years ago. Everything since follows.
4.25
4k+
Power, Sex, Suicide Summary
Power, Sex, Suicide 91%
Complex life required an improbable merger two billion years ago. Everything since follows.
by Nick Lane 2005
4.25
4k+ ratings
Harnessing Complexity
by Robert Axelrod • 2000
You can't control a complex system, but you can harness its evolutionary machinery to steer it.
3.73
147
Harnessing Complexity Summary
Harnessing Complexity 91%
You can't control a complex system, but you can harness its evolutionary machinery to steer it.
by Robert Axelrod 2000
3.73
147 ratings
Emergence
by Steven Johnson • 2001
Ant colonies, brains, cities, and the web all emerge from simple local rules repeated endlessly.
3.95
4k+
Emergence Summary
Emergence 91%
Ant colonies, brains, cities, and the web all emerge from simple local rules repeated endlessly.
by Steven Johnson 2001
3.95
4k+ ratings
What Is Life?
by Paul Nurse • 2020
All life runs on five core principles. A Nobel laureate shows what they are.
3.94
3k+
What Is Life? Summary
What Is Life? 90%
All life runs on five core principles. A Nobel laureate shows what they are.
by Paul Nurse 2020
3.94
3k+ ratings
The Vital Question
by Nick Lane • 2016
Complex life arose exactly once in 4 billion years. The reason: a hidden energy constraint.
4.18
6k+
The Vital Question Summary
The Vital Question 90%
Complex life arose exactly once in 4 billion years. The reason: a hidden energy constraint.
by Nick Lane 2016
4.18
6k+ ratings
Creation
by Adam Rutherford • 2013
Life emerged once from chemistry. Now we write new genetic code and build cells from scratch.
3.97
762
Creation Summary
Creation 90%
Life emerged once from chemistry. Now we write new genetic code and build cells from scratch.
by Adam Rutherford 2013
3.97
762 ratings
The Lives of a Cell
by Lewis Thomas • 1974
You are a mobile habitat, viruses are roaming genes, and Earth is a single cell.
4.14
10k+
The Lives of a Cell Summary
The Lives of a Cell 90%
You are a mobile habitat, viruses are roaming genes, and Earth is a single cell.
by Lewis Thomas 1974
4.14
10k+ ratings
In a Flight of Starlings
by Giorgio Parisi • 2021
Starlings, spin glasses, and science's messy path: why simple rules create complex systems.
3.41
2k+
In a Flight of Starlings Summary
In a Flight of Starlings 90%
Starlings, spin glasses, and science's messy path: why simple rules create complex systems.
by Giorgio Parisi 2021
3.41
2k+ ratings
A Crack in Creation
by Jennifer A. Doudna • 2017
The tool to rewrite the human genome came from bacteria. Our wisdom is still catching up.
4.13
7k+
A Crack in Creation Summary
A Crack in Creation 90%
The tool to rewrite the human genome came from bacteria. Our wisdom is still catching up.
by Jennifer A. Doudna 2017
4.13
7k+ ratings
Undeniable
by Douglas Axe • 2016
Natural selection fine-tunes, never invents. The math making life's origin by accident impossible.
4.05
673
Undeniable Summary
Undeniable 90%
Natural selection fine-tunes, never invents. The math making life's origin by accident impossible.
by Douglas Axe 2016
4.05
673 ratings
Life on the Edge
by Johnjoe McFadden • 2014
Enzymes tunnel through walls, leaves harvest light near perfectly, birds steer by subatomic compass.
4.11
4k+
Life on the Edge Summary
Life on the Edge 90%
Enzymes tunnel through walls, leaves harvest light near perfectly, birds steer by subatomic compass.
by Johnjoe McFadden 2014
4.11
4k+ ratings
The Ocean's Menagerie
by Drew Harvell • 2025
Ocean invertebrates spent eons perfecting adaptations that now inspire new drugs and materials.
3.87
254
The Ocean's Menagerie Summary
The Ocean's Menagerie 90%
Ocean invertebrates spent eons perfecting adaptations that now inspire new drugs and materials.
by Drew Harvell 2025
3.87
254 ratings
What Is Life? with Mind and Matter and Autobiographical Sketches
by Erwin Schrödinger • 1944
Genes should fall apart. Quantum mechanics explained their permanence and launched the hunt for DNA.
4.13
8k+
What Is Life? with Mind and Matter and Autobiographical Sketches Summary
What Is Life? with Mind and Matter and Autobiographical Sketches 90%
Genes should fall apart. Quantum mechanics explained their permanence and launched the hunt for DNA.
by Erwin Schrödinger 1944
4.13
8k+ ratings
Darwin's Black Box
by Michael J. Behe • 1996
A mousetrap stops working when one part is missing. So do the molecular machines inside every cell.
3.78
4k+
Darwin's Black Box Summary
Darwin's Black Box 90%
A mousetrap stops working when one part is missing. So do the molecular machines inside every cell.
by Michael J. Behe 1996
3.78
4k+ ratings
The Genesis Machine
by Amy Webb • 2022
Life is becoming programmable. The technology is here; the rules for using it are not.
3.94
745
The Genesis Machine Summary
The Genesis Machine 90%
Life is becoming programmable. The technology is here; the rules for using it are not.
by Amy Webb 2022
3.94
745 ratings
Buddhist Biology
by David Philip Barash • 2013
Buddhism saw it first, biology confirms: the self is a process, not a thing.
3.80
108
Buddhist Biology Summary
Buddhist Biology 90%
Buddhism saw it first, biology confirms: the self is a process, not a thing.
by David Philip Barash 2013
3.80
108 ratings
Introducción a la biología celular
by Bruce Alberts • 1997
How a four-letter code builds proteins, fuels cells, and sometimes causes cancer.
3.96
873
Introducción a la biología celular Summary
Introducción a la biología celular 90%
How a four-letter code builds proteins, fuels cells, and sometimes causes cancer.
by Bruce Alberts 1997
3.96
873 ratings
Mutants
by Armand Marie Leroi • 2003
The hidden genetic rules that build the human body, revealed by its most extreme errors.
4.05
4k+
Mutants Summary
Mutants 90%
The hidden genetic rules that build the human body, revealed by its most extreme errors.
by Armand Marie Leroi 2003
4.05
4k+ ratings
The Epigenetics Revolution
by Nessa Carey • 2011
A second code sits above your genes, translating hunger, stress, and touch into biology.
4.05
5k+
The Epigenetics Revolution Summary
The Epigenetics Revolution 90%
A second code sits above your genes, translating hunger, stress, and touch into biology.
by Nessa Carey 2011
4.05
5k+ ratings
DNA
by James D. Watson • 2002
DNA's co-discoverer on how the double helix became a tool to rewrite medicine, crime, and identity.
4.11
3k+
DNA Summary
DNA 90%
DNA's co-discoverer on how the double helix became a tool to rewrite medicine, crime, and identity.
by James D. Watson 2002
4.11
3k+ ratings
Life Ascending
by Nick Lane • 2009
Evolution's hardest problems, from life's origin to death itself, all have a chemical answer.
4.13
5k+
Life Ascending Summary
Life Ascending 90%
Evolution's hardest problems, from life's origin to death itself, all have a chemical answer.
by Nick Lane 2009
4.13
5k+ ratings
Molecular Biology of the Cell
by Bruce Alberts • 1983
Every cell in your body runs the same operating system. This is its complete manual.
4.36
3k+
Molecular Biology of the Cell Summary
Molecular Biology of the Cell 90%
Every cell in your body runs the same operating system. This is its complete manual.
by Bruce Alberts 1983
4.36
3k+ ratings
The Greatest Show on Earth
by Richard Dawkins • 2009
From radioactive rocks to lizards that grew new heads in 37 years: the evidence for evolution.
4.16
56k+
The Greatest Show on Earth Summary
The Greatest Show on Earth 90%
From radioactive rocks to lizards that grew new heads in 37 years: the evidence for evolution.
by Richard Dawkins 2009
4.16
56k+ ratings
Molecular Cell Biology
by Harvey F. Lodish • 1992
The molecular logic unifying water, ATP, genes, and signals into the machinery of life.
4.11
730
Molecular Cell Biology Summary
Molecular Cell Biology 90%
The molecular logic unifying water, ATP, genes, and signals into the machinery of life.
by Harvey F. Lodish 1992
4.11
730 ratings
The Animal Kingdom
by Peter Holland • 2011
DNA reveals the animal kingdom's true family tree: insects dominate, humans are a recent arrival.
3.99
240
The Animal Kingdom Summary
The Animal Kingdom 90%
DNA reveals the animal kingdom's true family tree: insects dominate, humans are a recent arrival.
by Peter Holland 2011
3.99
240 ratings
General System Theory
by Ludwig Von Bertalanffy • 1969
Cells, companies, and civilizations obey the same organizational laws: the biologist who proved it.
3.87
438
General System Theory Summary
General System Theory 90%
Cells, companies, and civilizations obey the same organizational laws: the biologist who proved it.
by Ludwig Von Bertalanffy 1969
3.87
438 ratings
This Idea Is Brilliant
by John Brockman • 2018
The overlooked scientific ideas top minds most urgently want you to know, from entropy to emergence.
3.83
662
This Idea Is Brilliant Summary
This Idea Is Brilliant 90%
The overlooked scientific ideas top minds most urgently want you to know, from entropy to emergence.
by John Brockman 2018
3.83
662 ratings
Hacking Darwin
by Jamie Metzl • 2019
Humans are taking control of evolution; the tools to design our children are already here.
3.97
4k+
Hacking Darwin Summary
Hacking Darwin 89%
Humans are taking control of evolution; the tools to design our children are already here.
by Jamie Metzl 2019
3.97
4k+ ratings
Beyond Genetics
by Glenn McGee • 2004
DNA testing, gene therapy, GMOs: what the headlines miss about how they'll actually affect you.
3.60
5
Beyond Genetics Summary
Beyond Genetics 89%
DNA testing, gene therapy, GMOs: what the headlines miss about how they'll actually affect you.
by Glenn McGee 2004
3.60
5 ratings
Learning From the Octopus
by Rafe Sagarin • 2012
Octopi mastered security without a memo. What they know that our defenses keep missing.
3.76
224
Learning From the Octopus Summary
Learning From the Octopus 89%
Octopi mastered security without a memo. What they know that our defenses keep missing.
by Rafe Sagarin 2012
3.76
224 ratings
The Body Electric
by Robert O. Becker • 1985
A hidden electrical current runs your body's healing and growth. Power lines may be shorting it out.
4.25
856
The Body Electric Summary
The Body Electric 89%
A hidden electrical current runs your body's healing and growth. Power lines may be shorting it out.
by Robert O. Becker 1985
4.25
856 ratings
Ubiquity
by Mark Buchanan • 2000
One grain of sand explains why markets crash, species vanish, and empires fall.
3.90
716
Ubiquity Summary
Ubiquity 89%
One grain of sand explains why markets crash, species vanish, and empires fall.
by Mark Buchanan 2000
3.90
716 ratings
Letters to a Young Scientist
by Edward O. Wilson • 2013
Think like an artist, then work like an accountant. The real path to scientific discovery.
3.90
5k+
Letters to a Young Scientist Summary
Letters to a Young Scientist 89%
Think like an artist, then work like an accountant. The real path to scientific discovery.
by Edward O. Wilson 2013
3.90
5k+ 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