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...
Homo Sacer
by Giorgio Agamben • 1994
Sovereignty's hidden purpose, revealed by a forgotten Roman law: the power to produce killable life.
4.06
5k+
Homo Sacer Summary
Homo Sacer 91%
Sovereignty's hidden purpose, revealed by a forgotten Roman law: the power to produce killable life.
by Giorgio Agamben 1994
4.06
5k+ ratings
In the Long Run
by Jonathan White • 2024
The future made democracy possible. Calculated, secret, and algorithmic futures are dismantling it.
3.78
85
In the Long Run Summary
In the Long Run 91%
The future made democracy possible. Calculated, secret, and algorithmic futures are dismantling it.
by Jonathan White 2024
3.78
85 ratings
Bring Back the Bureaucrats
by John DiIulio • 2014
Government grew. Bureaucracy didn't. The case for hiring federal workers to make it smaller.
3.22
32
Bring Back the Bureaucrats Summary
Bring Back the Bureaucrats 91%
Government grew. Bureaucracy didn't. The case for hiring federal workers to make it smaller.
by John DiIulio 2014
3.22
32 ratings
Aesthetic Theory
by Theodor W. Adorno • 1970
Free isn't removed walls; it's a body, a fact, a road, and solidarity.
4.14
3k+
Aesthetic Theory Summary
Aesthetic Theory 90%
Free isn't removed walls; it's a body, a fact, a road, and solidarity.
by Theodor W. Adorno 1970
4.14
3k+ ratings
New Abnormal
by Aaron Kheriaty • 2022
The emergency never ended. It became a permanent way for the state to manage your body.
4.38
148
New Abnormal Summary
New Abnormal 90%
The emergency never ended. It became a permanent way for the state to manage your body.
by Aaron Kheriaty 2022
4.38
148 ratings
Shitbürgertum
by Ulf Poschardt • 2025
Moral posturing, language control, contempt for ambition: how a parasitic class captured Germany.
3.21
301
Shitbürgertum Summary
Shitbürgertum 90%
Moral posturing, language control, contempt for ambition: how a parasitic class captured Germany.
by Ulf Poschardt 2025
3.21
301 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 90%
Capitalism is a war system that uses markets, not an economic system that uses war.
by Éric Alliez 2016
3.93
29 ratings
Discipline and Punish
by Michel Foucault • 1975
The scaffold gave way to the file. Power stopped breaking bodies and started classifying souls.
4.24
37k+
Discipline and Punish Summary
Discipline and Punish 90%
The scaffold gave way to the file. Power stopped breaking bodies and started classifying souls.
by Michel Foucault 1975
4.24
37k+ ratings
Symbolic Misery, Volume 1
by Bernard Stiegler • 2014
Industry has seized control of our shared symbols, destroying desire, community, and the self.
3.77
81
Symbolic Misery, Volume 1 Summary
Symbolic Misery, Volume 1 90%
Industry has seized control of our shared symbols, destroying desire, community, and the self.
by Bernard Stiegler 2014
3.77
81 ratings
Policy Paradox
by Deborah Stone • 1988
Policy runs on stories and symbols more than spreadsheets. The winner defines the problem.
3.87
1k+
Policy Paradox Summary
Policy Paradox 90%
Policy runs on stories and symbols more than spreadsheets. The winner defines the problem.
by Deborah Stone 1988
3.87
1k+ 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 90%
The state's monopoly on violence is ending. Networked technology handed individuals strategic power.
by Benjamin Wittes 2014
3.42
318 ratings
Globalismo
by Agustín Laje • 2024
Social engineering survived the Terror and went global. Your sovereignty is its target.
4.46
145
Globalismo Summary
Globalismo 90%
Social engineering survived the Terror and went global. Your sovereignty is its target.
by Agustín Laje 2024
4.46
145 ratings
Two Cheers for Anarchism
by James C. Scott • 2012
The anarchist's case: local know-how, small defiance, and messy disorder beat grand plans.
3.96
2k+
Two Cheers for Anarchism Summary
Two Cheers for Anarchism 90%
The anarchist's case: local know-how, small defiance, and messy disorder beat grand plans.
by James C. Scott 2012
3.96
2k+ ratings
Recoding America
by Jennifer Pahlka • 2023
Government's tech catastrophes share one cause: it treats code as a purchase, never a practice.
4.37
3k+
Recoding America Summary
Recoding America 90%
Government's tech catastrophes share one cause: it treats code as a purchase, never a practice.
by Jennifer Pahlka 2023
4.37
3k+ ratings
Liberalism and Its Discontents
by Francis Fukuyama • 2022
Liberalism's enemies on left and right agree on one thing. Neither has a workable replacement.
3.90
3k+
Liberalism and Its Discontents Summary
Liberalism and Its Discontents 90%
Liberalism's enemies on left and right agree on one thing. Neither has a workable replacement.
by Francis Fukuyama 2022
3.90
3k+ ratings
Liquid Surveillance
by Zygmunt Bauman • 2012
Surveillance has gone from prison tower to loyalty card: fluid, seductive, and nearly invisible.
3.80
490
Liquid Surveillance Summary
Liquid Surveillance 90%
Surveillance has gone from prison tower to loyalty card: fluid, seductive, and nearly invisible.
by Zygmunt Bauman 2012
3.80
490 ratings
In the Ruins of Neoliberalism
by Wendy Brown • 2019
The right-wing populism unraveling democracy didn't defeat neoliberalism. It built it.
4.11
480
In the Ruins of Neoliberalism Summary
In the Ruins of Neoliberalism 90%
The right-wing populism unraveling democracy didn't defeat neoliberalism. It built it.
by Wendy Brown 2019
4.11
480 ratings
The Audit Society
by Michael Power • 1997
A critique of auditing: how it undermines the very trust and performance it seeks to secure.
3.92
36
The Audit Society Summary
The Audit Society 90%
A critique of auditing: how it undermines the very trust and performance it seeks to secure.
by Michael Power 1997
3.92
36 ratings
Fragmented Democracy
by Jamila Michener • 2018
Your zip code decides your Medicaid benefits. It also decides whether you bother with politics.
4.23
120
Fragmented Democracy Summary
Fragmented Democracy 90%
Your zip code decides your Medicaid benefits. It also decides whether you bother with politics.
by Jamila Michener 2018
4.23
120 ratings
The Right to Oblivion
by Lowry Pressly • 2024
Privacy isn't about controlling your data. It's about keeping whole regions of life unrecordable.
4.01
254
The Right to Oblivion Summary
The Right to Oblivion 90%
Privacy isn't about controlling your data. It's about keeping whole regions of life unrecordable.
by Lowry Pressly 2024
4.01
254 ratings
The Project
by David A. Graham • 2025
A manual for capturing the state: gut the civil service, politicize the DOJ, and nullify Congress.
4.02
2k+
The Project Summary
The Project 90%
A manual for capturing the state: gut the civil service, politicize the DOJ, and nullify Congress.
by David A. Graham 2025
4.02
2k+ ratings
The Handover
by David Runciman • 2023
Three inhuman agents run the world: states, corporations, and now AI. We have to pick one.
3.71
234
The Handover Summary
The Handover 90%
Three inhuman agents run the world: states, corporations, and now AI. We have to pick one.
by David Runciman 2023
3.71
234 ratings
Nothing to Hide
by Daniel J. Solove • 2011
Sacrificing privacy for security is a false bargain; the real cost is liberty itself.
3.85
182
Nothing to Hide Summary
Nothing to Hide 90%
Sacrificing privacy for security is a false bargain; the real cost is liberty itself.
by Daniel J. Solove 2011
3.85
182 ratings
The Case Against Socialism
by Rand Paul • 2019
Why socialism always ends in bread lines and body counts, from Venezuela to Mao's China.
4.18
1k+
The Case Against Socialism Summary
The Case Against Socialism 90%
Why socialism always ends in bread lines and body counts, from Venezuela to Mao's China.
by Rand Paul 2019
4.18
1k+ ratings
In Mistrust We Trust
by Ivan Krastev • 2013
More rights, more information, less collective power: the paradox at the heart of modern democracy.
3.96
73
In Mistrust We Trust Summary
In Mistrust We Trust 90%
More rights, more information, less collective power: the paradox at the heart of modern democracy.
by Ivan Krastev 2013
3.96
73 ratings
How to Run A Government
by Michael Barber • 2015
A small delivery team, relentless data, and boring routines: the real engine of government reform.
3.90
402
How to Run A Government Summary
How to Run A Government 90%
A small delivery team, relentless data, and boring routines: the real engine of government reform.
by Michael Barber 2015
3.90
402 ratings
On Leadership
by Tony Blair • 2024
A prime minister's playbook: plan, focus, deliver, and why efficacy beats populism.
3.86
808
On Leadership Summary
On Leadership 90%
A prime minister's playbook: plan, focus, deliver, and why efficacy beats populism.
by Tony Blair 2024
3.86
808 ratings
The Tech Coup
by Marietje Schaake • 2024
When tech companies became the state, democracy became a user agreement no one reads.
3.78
468
The Tech Coup Summary
The Tech Coup 90%
When tech companies became the state, democracy became a user agreement no one reads.
by Marietje Schaake 2024
3.78
468 ratings
The Myth of the State
by Ernst Cassirer • 1946
The Greeks fought myth with reason. The modern state perfected it as a weapon.
3.90
209
The Myth of the State Summary
The Myth of the State 90%
The Greeks fought myth with reason. The modern state perfected it as a weapon.
by Ernst Cassirer 1946
3.90
209 ratings
Power
by Dennis Wrong • 1996
Power must become authority to last, and every command carries both threat and attachment.
4.00
18
Power Summary
Power 90%
Power must become authority to last, and every command carries both threat and attachment.
by Dennis Wrong 1996
4.00
18 ratings
Michel Foucault
by Hubert L. Dreyfus • 1982
Power fabricates the modern individual. Foucault's method shows how, and his final word is refusal.
4.11
574
Michel Foucault Summary
Michel Foucault 90%
Power fabricates the modern individual. Foucault's method shows how, and his final word is refusal.
by Hubert L. Dreyfus 1982
4.11
574 ratings
"I Have Nothing to Hide"
by Heidi Boghosian • 2021
Mass surveillance survives on one belief: privacy is for wrongdoers. Twenty myths keep it expanding.
3.64
191
"I Have Nothing to Hide" Summary
"I Have Nothing to Hide" 90%
Mass surveillance survives on one belief: privacy is for wrongdoers. Twenty myths keep it expanding.
by Heidi Boghosian 2021
3.64
191 ratings
The Development of the Modern State
by Gianfranco Poggi • 1978
How the modern state, from feudalism to liberalism, created its own crisis of legitimacy.
3.48
86
The Development of the Modern State Summary
The Development of the Modern State 89%
How the modern state, from feudalism to liberalism, created its own crisis of legitimacy.
by Gianfranco Poggi 1978
3.48
86 ratings
Hatred of Democracy
by Jacques Rancière • 2005
Democracy is not about elections. It is the scandal that no one is born to rule.
3.72
970
Hatred of Democracy Summary
Hatred of Democracy 89%
Democracy is not about elections. It is the scandal that no one is born to rule.
by Jacques Rancière 2005
3.72
970 ratings
Against Democracy
by Jason Brennan • 2016
Voters are ignorant and participation corrupts them. The competent should rule instead.
3.68
1k+
Against Democracy Summary
Against Democracy 89%
Voters are ignorant and participation corrupts them. The competent should rule instead.
by Jason Brennan 2016
3.68
1k+ ratings
Rewiring Democracy
by Bruce Schneier • 2025
AI writes laws, targets voters, judges cases. Democracy is an information system; AI is the driver.
3.67
91
Rewiring Democracy Summary
Rewiring Democracy 89%
AI writes laws, targets voters, judges cases. Democracy is an information system; AI is the driver.
by Bruce Schneier 2025
3.67
91 ratings
Necropolitics
by Achille Mbembe • 2016
Democracy's secret foundation is the power to dictate who lives and dies, perfected in the colony.
4.24
2k+
Necropolitics Summary
Necropolitics 89%
Democracy's secret foundation is the power to dictate who lives and dies, perfected in the colony.
by Achille Mbembe 2016
4.24
2k+ ratings
Results
by Charlie Baker • 2022
A governor's playbook for fixing bureaucracy: capable people, honest data, relentless execution.
3.80
89
Results Summary
Results 89%
A governor's playbook for fixing bureaucracy: capable people, honest data, relentless execution.
by Charlie Baker 2022
3.80
89 ratings
Why AI Undermines Democracy and What To Do About It
by Mark Coeckelbergh • 2024
AI dismantles democracy not by malice but by logic. The philosophical fightback begins here.
3.26
54
Why AI Undermines Democracy and What To Do About It Summary
Why AI Undermines Democracy and What To Do About It 89%
AI dismantles democracy not by malice but by logic. The philosophical fightback begins here.
by Mark Coeckelbergh 2024
3.26
54 ratings
The Utopia of Rules
by David Graeber • 2013
Every market reform increases paperwork. The violence, stupidity, and secret appeal of bureaucracy.
4.02
7k+
The Utopia of Rules Summary
The Utopia of Rules 89%
Every market reform increases paperwork. The violence, stupidity, and secret appeal of bureaucracy.
by David Graeber 2013
4.02
7k+ ratings
On Freedom
by Timothy Snyder • 2025
America's definition of freedom is broken. Less government has produced not liberty but oligarchy.
4.28
5k+
On Freedom Summary
On Freedom 89%
America's definition of freedom is broken. Less government has produced not liberty but oligarchy.
by Timothy Snyder 2025
4.28
5k+ ratings
The Posthuman
by Rosi Braidotti • 2013
Humanism promised progress but delivered exclusion. A theory of what we become next.
3.82
949
The Posthuman Summary
The Posthuman 89%
Humanism promised progress but delivered exclusion. A theory of what we become next.
by Rosi Braidotti 2013
3.82
949 ratings
The Cost-Benefit Revolution
by Cass R. Sunstein • 2018
Government rules used to be about politics. Then Reagan made them about arithmetic.
3.62
116
The Cost-Benefit Revolution Summary
The Cost-Benefit Revolution 89%
Government rules used to be about politics. Then Reagan made them about arithmetic.
by Cass R. Sunstein 2018
3.62
116 ratings
Liberty in the Age of Terror
by A.C. Grayling • 2009
The West answered terrorism by curtailing the very liberties it claimed to protect.
3.57
143
Liberty in the Age of Terror Summary
Liberty in the Age of Terror 89%
The West answered terrorism by curtailing the very liberties it claimed to protect.
by A.C. Grayling 2009
3.57
143 ratings
Classics of Public Administration
by Jay M. Shafritz • 1978
From ancient duty to modern governance: the readings that built public administration.
3.65
287
Classics of Public Administration Summary
Classics of Public Administration 89%
From ancient duty to modern governance: the readings that built public administration.
by Jay M. Shafritz 1978
3.65
287 ratings
The Populist Delusion
by Neema Parvini • 2020
Organization inevitably creates oligarchy. Every union, party, and revolution proves it.
4.32
551
The Populist Delusion Summary
The Populist Delusion 89%
Organization inevitably creates oligarchy. Every union, party, and revolution proves it.
by Neema Parvini 2020
4.32
551 ratings
Keeping the Republic
by Mitch Daniels • 2011
A governor's playbook for cutting debt and restoring self-reliance, minus the Washington fantasies.
4.02
252
Keeping the Republic Summary
Keeping the Republic 89%
A governor's playbook for cutting debt and restoring self-reliance, minus the Washington fantasies.
by Mitch Daniels 2011
4.02
252 ratings
The Network State
by Balaji S. Srinivasan • 2022
Startup companies become unicorns. What if startup communities become countries?
3.92
1k+
The Network State Summary
The Network State 89%
Startup companies become unicorns. What if startup communities become countries?
by Balaji S. Srinivasan 2022
3.92
1k+ ratings
Ungoverning
by Nancy L. Rosenblum • 2024
Shrinking government is one thing. Breaking it on purpose is another.
3.79
90
Ungoverning Summary
Ungoverning 89%
Shrinking government is one thing. Breaking it on purpose is another.
by Nancy L. Rosenblum 2024
3.79
90 ratings
Power to the Public
by Tara Dawson McGuinness • 2021
Government services fail because they skip users. The fix: design with people, real data, iterate.
3.98
320
Power to the Public Summary
Power to the Public 89%
Government services fail because they skip users. The fix: design with people, real data, iterate.
by Tara Dawson McGuinness 2021
3.98
320 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