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Silencing the Past
by Michel-Rolph Trouillot • 1995
Why the Haitian Revolution was erased from history while it was still happening.
4.35
3k+
Silencing the Past Summary
Silencing the Past 90%
Why the Haitian Revolution was erased from history while it was still happening.
by Michel-Rolph Trouillot 1995
4.35
3k+ ratings
Dangerous Games
by Margaret MacMillan • 2008
History is never neutral. Nations and leaders weaponize it daily, and the patterns are predictable.
3.64
2k+
Dangerous Games Summary
Dangerous Games 90%
History is never neutral. Nations and leaders weaponize it daily, and the patterns are predictable.
by Margaret MacMillan 2008
3.64
2k+ ratings
The Climate of History in a Planetary Age
by Dipesh Chakrabarty • 2021
All our political concepts assume a stable planet. The Anthropocene reveals it never was.
3.68
142
The Climate of History in a Planetary Age Summary
The Climate of History in a Planetary Age 90%
All our political concepts assume a stable planet. The Anthropocene reveals it never was.
by Dipesh Chakrabarty 2021
3.68
142 ratings
A History of Histories
by J.W. Burrow • 2007
From Greek inquiry to the modern archive: 2,500 years of historians bending the past to their age.
3.78
456
A History of Histories Summary
A History of Histories 90%
From Greek inquiry to the modern archive: 2,500 years of historians bending the past to their age.
by J.W. Burrow 2007
3.78
456 ratings
A Study of History, Abridgement of Vols 1-6
by Arnold Joseph Toynbee • 1987
History's pattern: empires die, and their true heirs are the churches they tried to crush.
4.11
543
A Study of History, Abridgement of Vols 1-6 Summary
A Study of History, Abridgement of Vols 1-6 90%
History's pattern: empires die, and their true heirs are the churches they tried to crush.
by Arnold Joseph Toynbee 1987
4.11
543 ratings
A Study of History, abridged
by Arnold Joseph Toynbee • 1957
History's real units are civilizations, not nations. Their collapses conceal a spiritual purpose.
4.10
224
A Study of History, abridged Summary
A Study of History, abridged 90%
History's real units are civilizations, not nations. Their collapses conceal a spiritual purpose.
by Arnold Joseph Toynbee 1957
4.10
224 ratings
The Lessons of History
by Will Durant • 1968
What forty centuries of history reveal: cycles, geography's grip, and the unchanging human drives.
4.05
21k+
The Lessons of History Summary
The Lessons of History 89%
What forty centuries of history reveal: cycles, geography's grip, and the unchanging human drives.
by Will Durant 1968
4.05
21k+ ratings
Predictable Results in Unpredictable Times
by Stephen R. Covey • 2009
The West built its politics on a mistake: that humans are naturally selfish animals.
3.72
186
Predictable Results in Unpredictable Times Summary
Predictable Results in Unpredictable Times 89%
The West built its politics on a mistake: that humans are naturally selfish animals.
by Stephen R. Covey 2009
3.72
186 ratings
The Order of Things
by Michel Foucault • 1966
Thought is governed by hidden rules that have collapsed twice. 'Man' was their latest product.
4.12
10k+
The Order of Things Summary
The Order of Things 89%
Thought is governed by hidden rules that have collapsed twice. 'Man' was their latest product.
by Michel Foucault 1966
4.12
10k+ ratings
Civilization on Trial
by Arnold Joseph Toynbee • 1948
Civilizations rise to fall, religions to climb. The rubble is the mechanism, not the failure.
3.83
152
Civilization on Trial Summary
Civilization on Trial 89%
Civilizations rise to fall, religions to climb. The rubble is the mechanism, not the failure.
by Arnold Joseph Toynbee 1948
3.83
152 ratings
The Dawn of Everything
by David Graeber • 2021
The story of human progress was built to bury indigenous challenges to European society.
4.19
27k+
The Dawn of Everything Summary
The Dawn of Everything 89%
The story of human progress was built to bury indigenous challenges to European society.
by David Graeber 2021
4.19
27k+ ratings
An Introduction to Ontology
by Nikk Effingham • 2013
What exists? That's the easy part. Deciding how to decide is where it gets wild.
3.58
59
An Introduction to Ontology Summary
An Introduction to Ontology 89%
What exists? That's the easy part. Deciding how to decide is where it gets wild.
by Nikk Effingham 2013
3.58
59 ratings
The Gutenberg Parenthesis
by Jeff Jarvis • 2023
Before print, knowledge was conversation. Then books fenced it in. The fences are coming down.
3.83
218
The Gutenberg Parenthesis Summary
The Gutenberg Parenthesis 89%
Before print, knowledge was conversation. Then books fenced it in. The fences are coming down.
by Jeff Jarvis 2023
3.83
218 ratings
Being And Event
by Alain Badiou • 1988
Set theory is the science of being itself, and the One is nowhere in it.
4.01
1k+
Being And Event Summary
Being And Event 89%
Set theory is the science of being itself, and the One is nowhere in it.
by Alain Badiou 1988
4.01
1k+ ratings
A History of the World Through Body Parts
by Kathryn Petras • 2022
Cleopatra's nose, the Habsburg jaw, Byron's foot: world history retold through the body.
3.99
228
A History of the World Through Body Parts Summary
A History of the World Through Body Parts 89%
Cleopatra's nose, the Habsburg jaw, Byron's foot: world history retold through the body.
by Kathryn Petras 2022
3.99
228 ratings
Cities
by Monica L. Smith • 2019
Cities were never about efficiency. They were about all the things you cannot get alone.
3.26
446
Cities Summary
Cities 89%
Cities were never about efficiency. They were about all the things you cannot get alone.
by Monica L. Smith 2019
3.26
446 ratings
Story of Civilization
by Will Durant • 1975
Civilization rests on four fragile foundations; remove one, and the whole structure collapses.
4.43
2k+
Story of Civilization Summary
Story of Civilization 89%
Civilization rests on four fragile foundations; remove one, and the whole structure collapses.
by Will Durant 1975
4.43
2k+ ratings
The Sources of Social Power
by Michael Mann • 1986
Why do empires rise and fall? The answer isn't one force but four overlapping power networks.
4.32
158
The Sources of Social Power Summary
The Sources of Social Power 89%
Why do empires rise and fall? The answer isn't one force but four overlapping power networks.
by Michael Mann 1986
4.32
158 ratings
End Times
by Peter Turchin • 2023
Ten millennia of data point to two conditions for state collapse. America now meets both.
4.06
3k+
End Times Summary
End Times 89%
Ten millennia of data point to two conditions for state collapse. America now meets both.
by Peter Turchin 2023
4.06
3k+ ratings
The Modern Mind
by Peter Watson • 1937
Unseen discoveries near 1900 set the course for modern art, mass politics, and the atomic age.
4.31
1k+
The Modern Mind Summary
The Modern Mind 89%
Unseen discoveries near 1900 set the course for modern art, mass politics, and the atomic age.
by Peter Watson 1937
4.31
1k+ ratings
Soul Machine
by George Makari • 2015
Science couldn't find the soul. So early modern Europe invented the mind to take its place.
3.82
157
Soul Machine Summary
Soul Machine 89%
Science couldn't find the soul. So early modern Europe invented the mind to take its place.
by George Makari 2015
3.82
157 ratings
Metaphysics
by Michael J. Loux • 1997
From universals to time: the central problems of metaphysics, mapped for the first-time student.
3.93
354
Metaphysics Summary
Metaphysics 89%
From universals to time: the central problems of metaphysics, mapped for the first-time student.
by Michael J. Loux 1997
3.93
354 ratings
The Frontiers of Knowledge
by A.C. Grayling • 2021
Physics, history, brain science: three frontiers where every answer opens a bigger question.
3.99
344
The Frontiers of Knowledge Summary
The Frontiers of Knowledge 89%
Physics, history, brain science: three frontiers where every answer opens a bigger question.
by A.C. Grayling 2021
3.99
344 ratings
Metaphysics
by Aristotle
What is being? Aristotle’s inquiry into the first causes and architecture of reality itself.
4.07
18k+
Metaphysics Summary
Metaphysics 89%
What is being? Aristotle’s inquiry into the first causes and architecture of reality itself.
by Aristotle
4.07
18k+ ratings
Forbidden Archeology
by Michael A. Cremo • 1993
Modern human fossils appear in Miocene strata. For over a century, science has looked away.
4.05
1k+
Forbidden Archeology Summary
Forbidden Archeology 89%
Modern human fossils appear in Miocene strata. For over a century, science has looked away.
by Michael A. Cremo 1993
4.05
1k+ ratings
Ancient Worlds
by Michael Scott • 2016
Democracy, republic, and Confucianism were born in the same century. None by design.
3.77
635
Ancient Worlds Summary
Ancient Worlds 89%
Democracy, republic, and Confucianism were born in the same century. None by design.
by Michael Scott 2016
3.77
635 ratings
The Man Without Content
by Giorgio Agamben • 1970
Plato banished poets for their power. Aesthetics made art safe, and the artist empty.
4.15
383
The Man Without Content Summary
The Man Without Content 89%
Plato banished poets for their power. Aesthetics made art safe, and the artist empty.
by Giorgio Agamben 1970
4.15
383 ratings
The Philosophy of History
by Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel • 1831
History's chaos is an illusion: a hidden reason channels our passions toward a single goal.
3.82
4k+
The Philosophy of History Summary
The Philosophy of History 89%
History's chaos is an illusion: a hidden reason channels our passions toward a single goal.
by Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel 1831
3.82
4k+ ratings
Four Lost Cities
by Annalee Newitz • 2021
Lost cities didn't vanish; their people walked away when rulers chose monuments over working sewers.
3.78
7k+
Four Lost Cities Summary
Four Lost Cities 89%
Lost cities didn't vanish; their people walked away when rulers chose monuments over working sewers.
by Annalee Newitz 2021
3.78
7k+ ratings
The Light Ages
by Seb Falk • 2020
Eclipse math, precision clocks, a six-foot computer: the medieval laboratory inside the monastery.
3.67
2k+
The Light Ages Summary
The Light Ages 89%
Eclipse math, precision clocks, a six-foot computer: the medieval laboratory inside the monastery.
by Seb Falk 2020
3.67
2k+ ratings
Supernatural
by Graham Hancock • 2005
Ice Age cave art, fairy faith, and alien abduction are one phenomenon. The visitors are identical.
4.22
3k+
Supernatural Summary
Supernatural 89%
Ice Age cave art, fairy faith, and alien abduction are one phenomenon. The visitors are identical.
by Graham Hancock 2005
4.22
3k+ ratings
The Stage of Time
by Matthew LaCroix • 2019
History was rewritten, your DNA was engineered, and a hidden planet resets civilization on cycle.
4.21
346
The Stage of Time Summary
The Stage of Time 89%
History was rewritten, your DNA was engineered, and a hidden planet resets civilization on cycle.
by Matthew LaCroix 2019
4.21
346 ratings
A History of the World in 100 Objects
by Neil MacGregor • 2010
The full sweep of human history, read not from texts but from 100 physical objects.
4.19
9k+
A History of the World in 100 Objects Summary
A History of the World in 100 Objects 89%
The full sweep of human history, read not from texts but from 100 physical objects.
by Neil MacGregor 2010
4.19
9k+ 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 Decline and Rise of Democracy
by David Stasavage • 2020
Democracy did not begin in Athens. It emerges where the state is too weak to rule alone.
3.86
223
The Decline and Rise of Democracy Summary
The Decline and Rise of Democracy 89%
Democracy did not begin in Athens. It emerges where the state is too weak to rule alone.
by David Stasavage 2020
3.86
223 ratings
Nationalism
by Liah Greenfeld • 1992
Nationalism was born from aristocratic vanity. One form built liberty; the other, tyranny.
3.77
66
Nationalism Summary
Nationalism 89%
Nationalism was born from aristocratic vanity. One form built liberty; the other, tyranny.
by Liah Greenfeld 1992
3.77
66 ratings
The Sociology of Anthony Giddens
by Steven Loyal • 2003
Giddens built his sociology around individual freedom. It was always politics dressed as theory.
4.31
16
The Sociology of Anthony Giddens Summary
The Sociology of Anthony Giddens 88%
Giddens built his sociology around individual freedom. It was always politics dressed as theory.
by Steven Loyal 2003
4.31
16 ratings
The Birth of the Clinic
by Michel Foucault • 1963
Modern medicine owes less to observation than to a new way of looking at the dead.
3.94
3k+
The Birth of the Clinic Summary
The Birth of the Clinic 88%
Modern medicine owes less to observation than to a new way of looking at the dead.
by Michel Foucault 1963
3.94
3k+ ratings
The Forum and the Tower
by Mary Ann Glendon • 2011
Lasting law is a two-person job: a thinker and a ruler, together despite themselves.
3.95
66
The Forum and the Tower Summary
The Forum and the Tower 88%
Lasting law is a two-person job: a thinker and a ruler, together despite themselves.
by Mary Ann Glendon 2011
3.95
66 ratings
History of Beauty
by Umberto Eco • 2004
Beauty was never absolute. Every era invents its own: from sacred light to industrial symmetry.
3.82
68k+
History of Beauty Summary
History of Beauty 88%
Beauty was never absolute. Every era invents its own: from sacred light to industrial symmetry.
by Umberto Eco 2004
3.82
68k+ ratings
The Fourth Turning Is Here
by Neil Howe • 2023
An 80-year cycle pushes America toward a 2030 crisis. The last two ended in total war.
3.93
3k+
The Fourth Turning Is Here Summary
The Fourth Turning Is Here 88%
An 80-year cycle pushes America toward a 2030 crisis. The last two ended in total war.
by Neil Howe 2023
3.93
3k+ ratings
The Invention of Tradition
by Eric J. Hobsbawm • 1983
Most timeless rituals were built recently, assembled when rapid change broke old social bonds.
3.95
2k+
The Invention of Tradition Summary
The Invention of Tradition 88%
Most timeless rituals were built recently, assembled when rapid change broke old social bonds.
by Eric J. Hobsbawm 1983
3.95
2k+ ratings
War and Peace and War
by Peter Turchin • 2005
Empires aren't conquered. They dissolve from within, on a schedule that mathematics can model.
4.17
928
War and Peace and War Summary
War and Peace and War 88%
Empires aren't conquered. They dissolve from within, on a schedule that mathematics can model.
by Peter Turchin 2005
4.17
928 ratings
Seeing Like a State
by James C. Scott • 1998
Why grand state plans fail: the same simplifications that make society governable make it fragile.
4.21
7k+
Seeing Like a State Summary
Seeing Like a State 88%
Why grand state plans fail: the same simplifications that make society governable make it fragile.
by James C. Scott 1998
4.21
7k+ ratings
America Before
by Graham Hancock • 2019
Mainstream archaeology says the Americas were settled 13,000 years ago. The evidence says 100,000.
4.13
4k+
America Before Summary
America Before 88%
Mainstream archaeology says the Americas were settled 13,000 years ago. The evidence says 100,000.
by Graham Hancock 2019
4.13
4k+ 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 88%
How the modern state, from feudalism to liberalism, created its own crisis of legitimacy.
by Gianfranco Poggi 1978
3.48
86 ratings
Civilization
by Niall Ferguson • 2011
Five hundred years of Western rule rested on six innovations. The rest have now caught up.
3.86
10k+
Civilization Summary
Civilization 88%
Five hundred years of Western rule rested on six innovations. The rest have now caught up.
by Niall Ferguson 2011
3.86
10k+ ratings
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 88%
Sovereignty's hidden purpose, revealed by a forgotten Roman law: the power to produce killable life.
by Giorgio Agamben 1994
4.06
5k+ ratings
The Heart of the Declaration
by Steve Pincus • 2016
The Declaration was not a small-government manifesto but a blueprint for a powerful, activist state.
3.64
36
The Heart of the Declaration Summary
The Heart of the Declaration 88%
The Declaration was not a small-government manifesto but a blueprint for a powerful, activist state.
by Steve Pincus 2016
3.64
36 ratings
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
by Thomas S. Kuhn • 1962
The textbook story of science is a myth: progress happens through upheavals that redefine reality.
4.03
30k+
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions Summary
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions 88%
The textbook story of science is a myth: progress happens through upheavals that redefine reality.
by Thomas S. Kuhn 1962
4.03
30k+ ratings
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