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 Social Instinct
by Nichola Raihani • 2021
Cooperation built life from genes to nations. The bill always lands on someone else.
3.90
670
The Social Instinct Summary
The Social Instinct 91%
Cooperation built life from genes to nations. The bill always lands on someone else.
by Nichola Raihani 2021
3.90
670 ratings
The Selfish Gene
by Richard Dawkins • 1976
Natural selection works for genes, not for you. They built you to serve them.
4.16
194k+
The Selfish Gene Summary
The Selfish Gene 91%
Natural selection works for genes, not for you. They built you to serve them.
by Richard Dawkins 1976
4.16
194k+ ratings
The Origins of Virtue
by Matt Ridley • 1997
Society did not tame our selfish instincts. Selfish genes built our capacity for cooperation.
4.03
4k+
The Origins of Virtue Summary
The Origins of Virtue 91%
Society did not tame our selfish instincts. Selfish genes built our capacity for cooperation.
by Matt Ridley 1997
4.03
4k+ 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
The Extended Phenotype
by Richard Dawkins • 1982
Genes don't stop at skin: a beaver dam is a genetic tool, like the teeth.
4.12
10k+
The Extended Phenotype Summary
The Extended Phenotype 90%
Genes don't stop at skin: a beaver dam is a genetic tool, like the teeth.
by Richard Dawkins 1982
4.12
10k+ ratings
Genesis
by Edward O. Wilson • 2019
Why do creatures die for strangers? The real answer rewrites the origin of human society.
3.81
1k+
Genesis Summary
Genesis 90%
Why do creatures die for strangers? The real answer rewrites the origin of human society.
by Edward O. Wilson 2019
3.81
1k+ 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
Mutual Aid
by Pyotr Kropotkin • 1891
Evolution's secret engine is cooperation, not competition. Evidence from animals to medieval cities.
4.23
4k+
Mutual Aid Summary
Mutual Aid 89%
Evolution's secret engine is cooperation, not competition. Evidence from animals to medieval cities.
by Pyotr Kropotkin 1891
4.23
4k+ ratings
This View of Life
by David Sloan Wilson • 2019
Social Darwinism got Darwin wrong. His real theory: cooperation, not competition, built humanity.
3.96
372
This View of Life Summary
This View of Life 89%
Social Darwinism got Darwin wrong. His real theory: cooperation, not competition, built humanity.
by David Sloan Wilson 2019
3.96
372 ratings
The Evolution of Cooperation
by Robert Axelrod • 1984
Egoists cooperate when tomorrow matters. The simplest strategy in a computer tournament proved it.
4.25
2k+
The Evolution of Cooperation Summary
The Evolution of Cooperation 89%
Egoists cooperate when tomorrow matters. The simplest strategy in a computer tournament proved it.
by Robert Axelrod 1984
4.25
2k+ ratings
The Social Conquest of Earth
by Edward O. Wilson • 2012
Human virtue and human genocide come from the same evolutionary force, and it's not kin selection.
4.02
4k+
The Social Conquest of Earth Summary
The Social Conquest of Earth 89%
Human virtue and human genocide come from the same evolutionary force, and it's not kin selection.
by Edward O. Wilson 2012
4.02
4k+ ratings
On Human Nature
by Edward O. Wilson • 1978
Evolution is our best mythology. The argument for anchoring ethics, art, and religion in biology.
4.14
4k+
On Human Nature Summary
On Human Nature 89%
Evolution is our best mythology. The argument for anchoring ethics, art, and religion in biology.
by Edward O. Wilson 1978
4.14
4k+ 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 89%
10^130 possible proteins. Random search fails. Evolution's shortcut is hidden in the mathematics.
by Andreas Wagner 2014
3.82
726 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 89%
DNA is not your destiny: the cell rewrites its genome, and organisms direct evolution.
by Raymond Noble 2023
3.84
56 ratings
The Evolution of Everything
by Matt Ridley • 2015
The same undirected process that built the eye also built language, money, and the internet.
3.92
3k+
The Evolution of Everything Summary
The Evolution of Everything 89%
The same undirected process that built the eye also built language, money, and the internet.
by Matt Ridley 2015
3.92
3k+ ratings
The Meme Machine
by Susan Blackmore • 1999
Our brains did not make culture. Culture, evolving like a virus, made our brains.
3.86
4k+
The Meme Machine Summary
The Meme Machine 89%
Our brains did not make culture. Culture, evolving like a virus, made our brains.
by Susan Blackmore 1999
3.86
4k+ 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 89%
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
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 89%
Life is not a machine. The systems view that rewrites biology, mind, and economics.
by Fritjof Capra 2014
4.30
788 ratings
Sociobiology
by Edward O. Wilson • 1975
Every society, from ant to human, is a gene-spreading machine; the logic is identical.
4.23
2k+
Sociobiology Summary
Sociobiology 89%
Every society, from ant to human, is a gene-spreading machine; the logic is identical.
by Edward O. Wilson 1975
4.23
2k+ 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 89%
From radioactive rocks to lizards that grew new heads in 37 years: the evidence for evolution.
by Richard Dawkins 2009
4.16
56k+ ratings
Richard Dawkins
by Mark Ridley • 2006
Evolution from the gene up: two dozen intellectuals on the revolution Dawkins began.
3.77
485
Richard Dawkins Summary
Richard Dawkins 89%
Evolution from the gene up: two dozen intellectuals on the revolution Dawkins began.
by Mark Ridley 2006
3.77
485 ratings
Sapiens
by David Vandermeulen • 2020
One species of ape conquered the planet, not with claws or tools, but with shared stories.
4.31
22k+
Sapiens Summary
Sapiens 89%
One species of ape conquered the planet, not with claws or tools, but with shared stories.
by David Vandermeulen 2020
4.31
22k+ ratings
The Blind Watchmaker
by Richard Dawkins • 1986
A blind, unthinking algorithm built every wing, eye, and brain on Earth; no designer required.
4.09
42k+
The Blind Watchmaker Summary
The Blind Watchmaker 89%
A blind, unthinking algorithm built every wing, eye, and brain on Earth; no designer required.
by Richard Dawkins 1986
4.09
42k+ ratings
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 89%
The genome is a database, not a dictator. Life runs on systems, not commands.
by Denis Noble 2006
3.85
388 ratings
The Ancestor's Tale
by Richard Dawkins • 2004
Evolution traced backward, from human to the first cell: a pilgrimage through shared ancestry.
4.15
29k+
The Ancestor's Tale Summary
The Ancestor's Tale 89%
Evolution traced backward, from human to the first cell: a pilgrimage through shared ancestry.
by Richard Dawkins 2004
4.15
29k+ 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 89%
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
Wired for Culture
by Mark Pagel • 2012
Culture isn't a byproduct of big brains. It's the reason we have them.
3.86
296
Wired for Culture Summary
Wired for Culture 89%
Culture isn't a byproduct of big brains. It's the reason we have them.
by Mark Pagel 2012
3.86
296 ratings
Nonzero
by Robert Wright
History bends toward cooperation, not because we're good, but because interdependence pays.
3.97
3k+
Nonzero Summary
Nonzero 89%
History bends toward cooperation, not because we're good, but because interdependence pays.
by Robert Wright
3.97
3k+ ratings
Evolution Controversy, The
by Thomas B. Fowler • 2007
Four schools, three definitions, one unspoken fight: the evolution controversy, surveyed.
4.04
26
Evolution Controversy, The Summary
Evolution Controversy, The 89%
Four schools, three definitions, one unspoken fight: the evolution controversy, surveyed.
by Thomas B. Fowler 2007
4.04
26 ratings
At the Water's Edge
by Carl Zimmer • 1998
Getting onto land was a 390-million-year project. Going back took whales just 15 million.
4.09
2k+
At the Water's Edge Summary
At the Water's Edge 89%
Getting onto land was a 390-million-year project. Going back took whales just 15 million.
by Carl Zimmer 1998
4.09
2k+ ratings
From Darwin to Derrida
by David Haig • 2020
Meaning and purpose seem beyond physics. This biologist argues they are products of it.
3.69
80
From Darwin to Derrida Summary
From Darwin to Derrida 89%
Meaning and purpose seem beyond physics. This biologist argues they are products of it.
by David Haig 2020
3.69
80 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 88%
Complex life arose exactly once in 4 billion years. The reason: a hidden energy constraint.
by Nick Lane 2016
4.18
6k+ ratings
The Ape that Understood the Universe
by Steve Stewart-Williams • 2018
You don't own your desires. They belong to your genes and the ideas colonizing your mind.
4.23
2k+
The Ape that Understood the Universe Summary
The Ape that Understood the Universe 88%
You don't own your desires. They belong to your genes and the ideas colonizing your mind.
by Steve Stewart-Williams 2018
4.23
2k+ ratings
The Secret of Our Success
by Joseph Henrich • 2015
Cumulative culture, not brainpower, explains why we rule the planet and lost explorers starve.
4.39
2k+
The Secret of Our Success Summary
The Secret of Our Success 88%
Cumulative culture, not brainpower, explains why we rule the planet and lost explorers starve.
by Joseph Henrich 2015
4.39
2k+ ratings
Minds Make Societies
by Pascal Boyer • 2018
Nations clash, gods multiply, and families splinter for reasons your conscious mind never sees.
3.90
397
Minds Make Societies Summary
Minds Make Societies 88%
Nations clash, gods multiply, and families splinter for reasons your conscious mind never sees.
by Pascal Boyer 2018
3.90
397 ratings
What Evolution Is
by Ernst W. Mayr • 2001
An architect of modern evolutionary theory shows his work: fossils, genes, and islands all converge.
4.02
4k+
What Evolution Is Summary
What Evolution Is 88%
An architect of modern evolutionary theory shows his work: fossils, genes, and islands all converge.
by Ernst W. Mayr 2001
4.02
4k+ ratings
Purpose
by Samuel T. Wilkinson • 2024
Evolution is not blind chance. Deeper laws shape it, and those laws reveal your purpose.
3.71
82
Purpose Summary
Purpose 88%
Evolution is not blind chance. Deeper laws shape it, and those laws reveal your purpose.
by Samuel T. Wilkinson 2024
3.71
82 ratings
The Survival Game
by David Philip Barash • 2003
The logic behind why animals cooperate, nations arm, and rational people sabotage themselves.
3.84
44
The Survival Game Summary
The Survival Game 88%
The logic behind why animals cooperate, nations arm, and rational people sabotage themselves.
by David Philip Barash 2003
3.84
44 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 88%
Simple rules, run long enough, build a universe. A physicist shows the working.
by John Gribbin 2004
3.98
2k+ 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 88%
DNA reveals the animal kingdom's true family tree: insects dominate, humans are a recent arrival.
by Peter Holland 2011
3.99
240 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 88%
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 Origin of Species
by Charles Darwin • 1859
How one blind, patient mechanism produced every species on Earth, from orchids to humans.
4.01
123k+
The Origin of Species Summary
The Origin of Species 88%
How one blind, patient mechanism produced every species on Earth, from orchids to humans.
by Charles Darwin 1859
4.01
123k+ ratings
Domesticated
by Richard C. Francis • 2015
Selecting for tameness remakes body, brain, and behavior. The same force may have shaped us.
3.98
594
Domesticated Summary
Domesticated 88%
Selecting for tameness remakes body, brain, and behavior. The same force may have shaped us.
by Richard C. Francis 2015
3.98
594 ratings
Age of Empathy
by Frans de Waal • 2009
Empathy isn't a human invention. It's an animal legacy, and a primatologist has the evidence.
4.00
3k+
Age of Empathy Summary
Age of Empathy 88%
Empathy isn't a human invention. It's an animal legacy, and a primatologist has the evidence.
by Frans de Waal 2009
4.00
3k+ ratings
The Next Species
by Michael Tennesen • 2015
Five mass extinctions cleared the board. The sixth is us, and evolution is picking the survivors.
3.71
310
The Next Species Summary
The Next Species 88%
Five mass extinctions cleared the board. The sixth is us, and evolution is picking the survivors.
by Michael Tennesen 2015
3.71
310 ratings
The Bonobo and the Atheist
by Frans de Waal • 2013
Chimps console, capuchins reject unfair pay; morality was ancient before religion claimed it.
4.15
6k+
The Bonobo and the Atheist Summary
The Bonobo and the Atheist 88%
Chimps console, capuchins reject unfair pay; morality was ancient before religion claimed it.
by Frans de Waal 2013
4.15
6k+ ratings
The Web of Meaning
by Jeremy Lent • 2021
Separation is a myth. Science is catching up to what ancient traditions have always taught.
4.26
568
The Web of Meaning Summary
The Web of Meaning 88%
Separation is a myth. Science is catching up to what ancient traditions have always taught.
by Jeremy Lent 2021
4.26
568 ratings
Origins of Human Communication
by Michael Tomasello • 1999
Language didn't start with a code. It started with pointing, pantomime, and the urge to help.
4.14
299
Origins of Human Communication Summary
Origins of Human Communication 88%
Language didn't start with a code. It started with pointing, pantomime, and the urge to help.
by Michael Tomasello 1999
4.14
299 ratings
The Rescue Effect
by Michael Mehta Webster • 2022
Species have hidden backup systems that kick in under stress. The best conservation helps them work.
3.94
52
The Rescue Effect Summary
The Rescue Effect 88%
Species have hidden backup systems that kick in under stress. The best conservation helps them work.
by Michael Mehta Webster 2022
3.94
52 ratings
Your Inner Fish
by Neil Shubin • 2008
Your wrist is a fish fin, your hiccup a gill. The body's 3.5-billion-year fossil record, decoded.
4.04
29k+
Your Inner Fish Summary
Your Inner Fish 88%
Your wrist is a fish fin, your hiccup a gill. The body's 3.5-billion-year fossil record, decoded.
by Neil Shubin 2008
4.04
29k+ 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