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...
I Must Betray You
by Ruta Sepetys • 2022
Blackmailed by the secret police, a Romanian teen must spy on Americans or lose his family.
4.40
102k+
I Must Betray You Summary
I Must Betray You 92%
Blackmailed by the secret police, a Romanian teen must spy on Americans or lose his family.
by Ruta Sepetys 2022
4.40
102k+ ratings
Free
by Lea Ypi • 2021
Communism collapsed. Freedom arrived. The pyramid schemes began, and a nation tore itself apart.
4.31
26k+
Free Summary
Free 91%
Communism collapsed. Freedom arrived. The pyramid schemes began, and a nation tore itself apart.
by Lea Ypi 2021
4.31
26k+ ratings
In Europe's Shadow
by Robert D. Kaplan • 2016
A thirty-year journey through Romania uncovers the imperial ghosts that haunt Europe's new Cold War.
3.8
1k+
In Europe's Shadow Summary
In Europe's Shadow 91%
A thirty-year journey through Romania uncovers the imperial ghosts that haunt Europe's new Cold War.
by Robert D. Kaplan 2016
3.8
1k+ ratings
De ce este România altfel?
by Lucian Boia • 2012
A country formed centuries late, borrowed Europe’s surface, ruled by myth: a diagnosis of Romania.
3.84
3k+
De ce este România altfel? Summary
De ce este România altfel? 90%
A country formed centuries late, borrowed Europe’s surface, ruled by myth: a diagnosis of Romania.
by Lucian Boia 2012
3.84
3k+ ratings
The Land of Green Plums
by Herta Müller • 1994
In Ceaușescu's Romania, a student's suicide pulls four friends into a secret pact to remember her.
3.67
6k+
The Land of Green Plums Summary
The Land of Green Plums 90%
In Ceaușescu's Romania, a student's suicide pulls four friends into a secret pact to remember her.
by Herta Müller 1994
3.67
6k+ ratings
The Power of the Powerless
by Václav Havel • 1978
Tyranny runs on the lies ordinary people perform each day. Refuse one, the structure trembles.
4.22
4k+
The Power of the Powerless Summary
The Power of the Powerless 89%
Tyranny runs on the lies ordinary people perform each day. Refuse one, the structure trembles.
by Václav Havel 1978
4.22
4k+ ratings
The Picnic
by Matthew Longo • 2024
August 1989: a picnic on the Hungarian border. The gate opened, and hundreds ran.
4.22
608
The Picnic Summary
The Picnic 89%
August 1989: a picnic on the Hungarian border. The gate opened, and hundreds ran.
by Matthew Longo 2024
4.22
608 ratings
Socialism Betrayed
by Roger Keeran • 2004
The Soviet collapse wasn't inevitable: a pro-market faction inside the Party dismantled it.
4.37
545
Socialism Betrayed Summary
Socialism Betrayed 89%
The Soviet collapse wasn't inevitable: a pro-market faction inside the Party dismantled it.
by Roger Keeran 2004
4.37
545 ratings
Russia's Fate Through Russian Eyes
by Heyward Isham • 2019
Russians who dismantled communism discovered that building its replacement was the harder half.
Russia's Fate Through Russian Eyes Summary
Russia's Fate Through Russian Eyes 89%
Russians who dismantled communism discovered that building its replacement was the harder half.
by Heyward Isham 2019
Kremlin Rising
by Peter Baker • 2005
Putin didn't seize Russia. Russians handed it to him, desperate for order after a decade of chaos.
3.90
332
Kremlin Rising Summary
Kremlin Rising 88%
Putin didn't seize Russia. Russians handed it to him, desperate for order after a decade of chaos.
by Peter Baker 2005
3.90
332 ratings
Zoli
by Colum McCann • 2006
Symbol to the state, outcast to her people, a Roma poet walks into exile.
3.70
4k+
Zoli Summary
Zoli 88%
Symbol to the state, outcast to her people, a Roma poet walks into exile.
by Colum McCann 2006
3.70
4k+ ratings
Marx and Satan
by Richard Wurmbrand • 1986
Marxism isn't politics. It's devil worship wearing an atheist mask, and Marx's own play betrays him.
3.89
403
Marx and Satan Summary
Marx and Satan 88%
Marxism isn't politics. It's devil worship wearing an atheist mask, and Marx's own play betrays him.
by Richard Wurmbrand 1986
3.89
403 ratings
The Gulag Archipelago
by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn • 1973
A hidden continent of prison camps spanned the Soviet Union, reconstructed here by a survivor.
4.35
14k+
The Gulag Archipelago Summary
The Gulag Archipelago 88%
A hidden continent of prison camps spanned the Soviet Union, reconstructed here by a survivor.
by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn 1973
4.35
14k+ ratings
Zbig
by Edward Luce • 2025
A Polish immigrant who taught a president, outsmarted Kissinger, and foresaw the Soviet collapse.
4.58
544
Zbig Summary
Zbig 88%
A Polish immigrant who taught a president, outsmarted Kissinger, and foresaw the Soviet collapse.
by Edward Luce 2025
4.58
544 ratings
The Black Book of Communism
by Stéphane Courtois • 1997
Eighty-five to one hundred million dead, and the ideology that demanded every killing.
4.01
1k+
The Black Book of Communism Summary
The Black Book of Communism 88%
Eighty-five to one hundred million dead, and the ideology that demanded every killing.
by Stéphane Courtois 1997
4.01
1k+ ratings
Contesting Democracy
by Jan-Werner Müller • 2006
It wasn't democracy versus its enemies. It was a fight over what 'democracy' actually meant.
4.00
159
Contesting Democracy Summary
Contesting Democracy 88%
It wasn't democracy versus its enemies. It was a fight over what 'democracy' actually meant.
by Jan-Werner Müller 2006
4.00
159 ratings
Dressed Up for a Riot
by Michael Idov • 2018
a GQ editor's Moscow: protests fill squares, Pussy Riot faces trial, and cheese turns patriotic.
3.62
274
Dressed Up for a Riot Summary
Dressed Up for a Riot 88%
a GQ editor's Moscow: protests fill squares, Pussy Riot faces trial, and cheese turns patriotic.
by Michael Idov 2018
3.62
274 ratings
Mao's America
by Xi Van Fleet • 2023
Mao's Red Guards burned the books of her childhood. Now she watches America strike the match.
4.42
560
Mao's America Summary
Mao's America 88%
Mao's Red Guards burned the books of her childhood. Now she watches America strike the match.
by Xi Van Fleet 2023
4.42
560 ratings
Unhumans
by Jack Posobiec • 2024
The playbook that toppled societies from Robespierre to Mao is now targeting the West.
3.99
1k+
Unhumans Summary
Unhumans 88%
The playbook that toppled societies from Robespierre to Mao is now targeting the West.
by Jack Posobiec 2024
3.99
1k+ ratings
The Revolution Betrayed
by Leon Trotsky • 1937
Not socialism, not capitalism. Trotsky charts the third system the Russian Revolution produced.
4.09
2k+
The Revolution Betrayed Summary
The Revolution Betrayed 88%
Not socialism, not capitalism. Trotsky charts the third system the Russian Revolution produced.
by Leon Trotsky 1937
4.09
2k+ 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 88%
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
Bloodlands
by Timothy Snyder • 2010
14 million murdered between Hitler and Stalin, a zone where each regime's massacres fed the other's.
4.39
20k+
Bloodlands Summary
Bloodlands 88%
14 million murdered between Hitler and Stalin, a zone where each regime's massacres fed the other's.
by Timothy Snyder 2010
4.39
20k+ ratings
The Gulag Archipelago 1918–1956
by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn • 1973
A secret network of camps swallowed millions on quotas, using bodies until nothing remained.
4.33
35k+
The Gulag Archipelago 1918–1956 Summary
The Gulag Archipelago 1918–1956 88%
A secret network of camps swallowed millions on quotas, using bodies until nothing remained.
by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn 1973
4.33
35k+ ratings
The Return of the Russian Leviathan
by Sergei Medvedev • 2017
Governance traded for spectacle: how resentment and distorted history built Putin's Russia.
4.06
337
The Return of the Russian Leviathan Summary
The Return of the Russian Leviathan 88%
Governance traded for spectacle: how resentment and distorted history built Putin's Russia.
by Sergei Medvedev 2017
4.06
337 ratings
Main Currents Of Marxism
by Leszek Kołakowski • 2005
Marxism's own contradictions made authoritarianism inevitable, not an aberration.
4.25
455
Main Currents Of Marxism Summary
Main Currents Of Marxism 88%
Marxism's own contradictions made authoritarianism inevitable, not an aberration.
by Leszek Kołakowski 2005
4.25
455 ratings
Strongmen
by Ruth Ben-Ghiat • 2020
Authoritarians from Mussolini to Trump run the same playbook. A century of evidence shows how.
4.27
5k+
Strongmen Summary
Strongmen 88%
Authoritarians from Mussolini to Trump run the same playbook. A century of evidence shows how.
by Ruth Ben-Ghiat 2020
4.27
5k+ ratings
Secondhand Time
by Svetlana Alexievich • 2013
A civilization vanished with the USSR, leaving millions unprepared for the freedom they craved.
4.46
22k+
Secondhand Time Summary
Secondhand Time 88%
A civilization vanished with the USSR, leaving millions unprepared for the freedom they craved.
by Svetlana Alexievich 2013
4.46
22k+ ratings
Mastering the Art of Soviet Cooking
by Anya von Bremzen • 2013
Three generations, one collapsing empire, and the dishes that defined them: a Soviet family memoir.
4.03
5k+
Mastering the Art of Soviet Cooking Summary
Mastering the Art of Soviet Cooking 88%
Three generations, one collapsing empire, and the dishes that defined them: a Soviet family memoir.
by Anya von Bremzen 2013
4.03
5k+ ratings
Forty Autumns
by Nina Willner • 2016
One daughter flees East Germany, leaving her family to endure forty years behind the Berlin Wall.
4.37
14k+
Forty Autumns Summary
Forty Autumns 87%
One daughter flees East Germany, leaving her family to endure forty years behind the Berlin Wall.
by Nina Willner 2016
4.37
14k+ ratings
The Ministry of Truth
by Dorian Lynskey • 2019
How a book born from war and lies became the world's most enduring defense of truth.
4.12
1k+
The Ministry of Truth Summary
The Ministry of Truth 87%
How a book born from war and lies became the world's most enduring defense of truth.
by Dorian Lynskey 2019
4.12
1k+ ratings
The Long Walk
by Slavomir Rawicz • 1956
Seven prisoners escape a Soviet gulag. Four thousand miles later, four reach India.
4.24
22k+
The Long Walk Summary
The Long Walk 87%
Seven prisoners escape a Soviet gulag. Four thousand miles later, four reach India.
by Slavomir Rawicz 1956
4.24
22k+ ratings
Surrender or Starve
by Robert D. Kaplan • 1988
A Marxist regime weaponized famine in Ethiopia. The West's life-saving aid also financed the war.
3.67
474
Surrender or Starve Summary
Surrender or Starve 87%
A Marxist regime weaponized famine in Ethiopia. The West's life-saving aid also financed the war.
by Robert D. Kaplan 1988
3.67
474 ratings
The Practice and Theory of Bolshevism
by Bertrand Russell • 1920
Russell expected a workers' paradise. He found a religion enforced by secret police.
3.99
411
The Practice and Theory of Bolshevism Summary
The Practice and Theory of Bolshevism 87%
Russell expected a workers' paradise. He found a religion enforced by secret police.
by Bertrand Russell 1920
3.99
411 ratings
The First Circle
by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn • 1968
Inside Stalin's secret research prison, scientists trade their souls for a chance at freedom.
4.26
10k+
The First Circle Summary
The First Circle 87%
Inside Stalin's secret research prison, scientists trade their souls for a chance at freedom.
by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn 1968
4.26
10k+ ratings
The Berlin Wall
by Frederick Taylor • 2006
A midnight operation sealed a nation inside. The Wall bought the GDR time, not survival.
4.08
2k+
The Berlin Wall Summary
The Berlin Wall 87%
A midnight operation sealed a nation inside. The Wall bought the GDR time, not survival.
by Frederick Taylor 2006
4.08
2k+ ratings
Our Dear Friends in Moscow
by Irina Borogan • 2025
Six friends chased a free Russian press. Two decades later, some wrote propaganda, some were dead.
4.07
238
Our Dear Friends in Moscow Summary
Our Dear Friends in Moscow 87%
Six friends chased a free Russian press. Two decades later, some wrote propaganda, some were dead.
by Irina Borogan 2025
4.07
238 ratings
Life and Death in Shanghai
by Nien Cheng • 1986
When Red Guards destroyed her Shanghai home, she used Mao's own words to survive prison.
4.33
14k+
Life and Death in Shanghai Summary
Life and Death in Shanghai 87%
When Red Guards destroyed her Shanghai home, she used Mao's own words to survive prison.
by Nien Cheng 1986
4.33
14k+ ratings
Nothing to Envy
by Barbara Demick • 2009
Smuggled DVDs, a hidden famine, and six North Koreans who discovered their entire country was a lie.
4.46
101k+
Nothing to Envy Summary
Nothing to Envy 87%
Smuggled DVDs, a hidden famine, and six North Koreans who discovered their entire country was a lie.
by Barbara Demick 2009
4.46
101k+ ratings
Russia
by Antony Beevor • 2022
Revolution promised bread. It brought secret police, grain theft, and a famine that killed millions.
3.90
3k+
Russia Summary
Russia 87%
Revolution promised bread. It brought secret police, grain theft, and a famine that killed millions.
by Antony Beevor 2022
3.90
3k+ ratings
Alexander Solzhenitsyn
by Elisa Kriza • 2014
Solzhenitsyn became a Cold War saint. The nationalism and anti-Semitism in his work were never read.
4.5
2
Alexander Solzhenitsyn Summary
Alexander Solzhenitsyn 87%
Solzhenitsyn became a Cold War saint. The nationalism and anti-Semitism in his work were never read.
by Elisa Kriza 2014
4.5
2 ratings
Deep Undercover
by Jack Barsky • 2017
To escape the KGB, he told them he was dying of AIDS. He stayed for his American daughter.
4.08
3k+
Deep Undercover Summary
Deep Undercover 87%
To escape the KGB, he told them he was dying of AIDS. He stayed for his American daughter.
by Jack Barsky 2017
4.08
3k+ ratings
Satantango
by László Krasznahorkai • 1985
A crumbling Hungarian farm, endless rain, a dead con man the villagers need to believe.
4.06
17k+
Satantango Summary
Satantango 87%
A crumbling Hungarian farm, endless rain, a dead con man the villagers need to believe.
by László Krasznahorkai 1985
4.06
17k+ ratings
Madam Ambassador
by Eleni Kounalakis • 2015
Orbán's supermajority could rewrite Hungary. She was the American ambassador inside the room.
3.77
110
Madam Ambassador Summary
Madam Ambassador 87%
Orbán's supermajority could rewrite Hungary. She was the American ambassador inside the room.
by Eleni Kounalakis 2015
3.77
110 ratings
پاسخ به تاریخ
by Mohammed Reza Pahlavi • 1979
The Shah's final word: clerics, communists, and allies who abandoned him. Three millennia ended.
3.91
634
پاسخ به تاریخ Summary
پاسخ به تاریخ 87%
The Shah's final word: clerics, communists, and allies who abandoned him. Three millennia ended.
by Mohammed Reza Pahlavi 1979
3.91
634 ratings
Patriot
by Alexei Navalny • 2024
Poisoned by the state, arrested on return, dead at 47. His prison cell testament.
4.51
17k+
Patriot Summary
Patriot 87%
Poisoned by the state, arrested on return, dead at 47. His prison cell testament.
by Alexei Navalny 2024
4.51
17k+ ratings
The Political Thought of Xi Jinping
by Steve Tsang • 2024
Xi Jinping's political system runs on one logic: his survival is China's survival.
4.09
172
The Political Thought of Xi Jinping Summary
The Political Thought of Xi Jinping 87%
Xi Jinping's political system runs on one logic: his survival is China's survival.
by Steve Tsang 2024
4.09
172 ratings
Always With Honour
by Pyotr Nikolaevich Wrangel • 1963
The White Army's last commander: rebuilding in Crimea, one final campaign, and exodus by sea.
4.47
614
Always With Honour Summary
Always With Honour 87%
The White Army's last commander: rebuilding in Crimea, one final campaign, and exodus by sea.
by Pyotr Nikolaevich Wrangel 1963
4.47
614 ratings
Solenoid
by Mircea Cărtărescu • 2015
Between his failing body and his levitating house, a Bucharest teacher searches for a way out.
4.25
7k+
Solenoid Summary
Solenoid 87%
Between his failing body and his levitating house, a Bucharest teacher searches for a way out.
by Mircea Cărtărescu 2015
4.25
7k+ ratings
Sovietistan
by Erika Fatland • 2014
Why a country made gas and electricity free, and what happened when it all ran out.
4.27
9k+
Sovietistan Summary
Sovietistan 87%
Why a country made gas and electricity free, and what happened when it all ran out.
by Erika Fatland 2014
4.27
9k+ ratings
Finks
by Joel Whitney • 2017
How the CIA turned literary magazines, Nobel winners, and bestsellers into Cold War weapons.
3.96
166
Finks Summary
Finks 87%
How the CIA turned literary magazines, Nobel winners, and bestsellers into Cold War weapons.
by Joel Whitney 2017
3.96
166 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