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...
Imagined Communities
by Benedict Anderson • 1983
Your nation is not ancient. Print markets, colonial maps, and selective forgetting built it.
4.11
17k+
Imagined Communities Summary
Imagined Communities 89%
Your nation is not ancient. Print markets, colonial maps, and selective forgetting built it.
by Benedict Anderson 1983
4.11
17k+ ratings
American Aloha
by Heather A. Diamond • 2008
A hula stage on the National Mall: how festivals manufacture tradition and erase a colonial past.
4.20
10
American Aloha Summary
American Aloha 88%
A hula stage on the National Mall: how festivals manufacture tradition and erase a colonial past.
by Heather A. Diamond 2008
4.20
10 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 88%
History is never neutral. Nations and leaders weaponize it daily, and the patterns are predictable.
by Margaret MacMillan 2008
3.64
2k+ 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
The Myth of Nations
by Patrick J. Geary • 2001
Europe's 'ancient peoples' were political fictions, invented by nineteenth-century nationalism.
3.83
409
The Myth of Nations Summary
The Myth of Nations 88%
Europe's 'ancient peoples' were political fictions, invented by nineteenth-century nationalism.
by Patrick J. Geary 2001
3.83
409 ratings
One Nation Under God
by Kevin M. Kruse • 2015
The 'Christian nation' was invented in the 1930s by corporations fighting the New Deal.
3.96
3k+
One Nation Under God Summary
One Nation Under God 88%
The 'Christian nation' was invented in the 1930s by corporations fighting the New Deal.
by Kevin M. Kruse 2015
3.96
3k+ ratings
Revolt Against the Modern World
by Julius Evola • 1934
Progress is backwards: history is the long descent from sacred kingship to the rule of the masses.
3.98
2k+
Revolt Against the Modern World Summary
Revolt Against the Modern World 87%
Progress is backwards: history is the long descent from sacred kingship to the rule of the masses.
by Julius Evola 1934
3.98
2k+ ratings
Nations and Nationalism since 1780
by Eric J. Hobsbawm • 1990
Nationalism invented nations, not the reverse, and the two-century project is already decaying.
3.91
2k+
Nations and Nationalism since 1780 Summary
Nations and Nationalism since 1780 87%
Nationalism invented nations, not the reverse, and the two-century project is already decaying.
by Eric J. Hobsbawm 1990
3.91
2k+ ratings
Dark Star Rising
by Gary Lachman • 2018
How the occult belief that mind shapes reality captured Trump, Putin, and the alt-right.
3.85
517
Dark Star Rising Summary
Dark Star Rising 87%
How the occult belief that mind shapes reality captured Trump, Putin, and the alt-right.
by Gary Lachman 2018
3.85
517 ratings
Made in America
by Claude S. Fischer • 2010
America never had a golden age. The core character of voluntary belonging held steady for centuries.
3.76
76
Made in America Summary
Made in America 87%
America never had a golden age. The core character of voluntary belonging held steady for centuries.
by Claude S. Fischer 2010
3.76
76 ratings
The Reform of the Roman Liturgy
by Klaus Gamber • 1979
The 1969 Mass altered core theology and broke with fourteen centuries of stability.
4.72
54
The Reform of the Roman Liturgy Summary
The Reform of the Roman Liturgy 86%
The 1969 Mass altered core theology and broke with fourteen centuries of stability.
by Klaus Gamber 1979
4.72
54 ratings
The World Until Yesterday
by Jared Diamond • 2012
What hunter-gatherers knew about raising children, avoiding danger, and ending feuds we forgot.
3.78
11k+
The World Until Yesterday Summary
The World Until Yesterday 86%
What hunter-gatherers knew about raising children, avoiding danger, and ending feuds we forgot.
by Jared Diamond 2012
3.78
11k+ ratings
Issues in Cultural Tourism Studies
by Melanie Smith • 2003
Tourism is a cultural battlefield: heritage, authenticity, and power in every destination.
3.47
15
Issues in Cultural Tourism Studies Summary
Issues in Cultural Tourism Studies 86%
Tourism is a cultural battlefield: heritage, authenticity, and power in every destination.
by Melanie Smith 2003
3.47
15 ratings
The Secret Destiny of America
by Manly P. Hall • 1944
A secret order spent millennia planning one nation. Its symbols are still on your money.
4.10
740
The Secret Destiny of America Summary
The Secret Destiny of America 86%
A secret order spent millennia planning one nation. Its symbols are still on your money.
by Manly P. Hall 1944
4.10
740 ratings
The Myth of Santa Fe
by Chris Wilson • 1997
Santa Fe's adobe charm is a twentieth-century invention, built to attract tourists and new money.
3.87
69
The Myth of Santa Fe Summary
The Myth of Santa Fe 86%
Santa Fe's adobe charm is a twentieth-century invention, built to attract tourists and new money.
by Chris Wilson 1997
3.87
69 ratings
Bunk
by Kevin Young • 2017
America's real tradition is the hoax, and its most reliable lever is race.
3.18
1k+
Bunk Summary
Bunk 86%
America's real tradition is the hoax, and its most reliable lever is race.
by Kevin Young 2017
3.18
1k+ ratings
Strange Rites
by Tara Isabella Burton • 2020
Americans didn't quit religion. They replaced church with SoulCycle, fandom, and social justice.
3.88
2k+
Strange Rites Summary
Strange Rites 86%
Americans didn't quit religion. They replaced church with SoulCycle, fandom, and social justice.
by Tara Isabella Burton 2020
3.88
2k+ ratings
The Things We Make
by Bill Hammack • 2023
Engineering isn't applied science: it's the art of solving problems before anyone understands them.
3.75
1k+
The Things We Make Summary
The Things We Make 86%
Engineering isn't applied science: it's the art of solving problems before anyone understands them.
by Bill Hammack 2023
3.75
1k+ ratings
The Image
by Daniel J. Boorstin • 1961
Most news is manufactured. We know it. And we still prefer the show over the real.
4.07
1k+
The Image Summary
The Image 86%
Most news is manufactured. We know it. And we still prefer the show over the real.
by Daniel J. Boorstin 1961
4.07
1k+ ratings
Gods and Robots
by Adrienne Mayor • 2018
Ancient Greeks imagined robots, AI, and the ethics we still wrestle with, long before the tech.
3.73
718
Gods and Robots Summary
Gods and Robots 86%
Ancient Greeks imagined robots, AI, and the ethics we still wrestle with, long before the tech.
by Adrienne Mayor 2018
3.73
718 ratings
Going to Church in Medieval England
by Nicholas Orme • 2021
9,500 buildings held medieval England together: the parish church, from birth to burial.
4.19
295
Going to Church in Medieval England Summary
Going to Church in Medieval England 86%
9,500 buildings held medieval England together: the parish church, from birth to burial.
by Nicholas Orme 2021
4.19
295 ratings
The True and Only Heaven
by Christopher Lasch • 1991
Progress is exhausted; the only usable past belongs to those who doubted it.
4.36
382
The True and Only Heaven Summary
The True and Only Heaven 86%
Progress is exhausted; the only usable past belongs to those who doubted it.
by Christopher Lasch 1991
4.36
382 ratings
Whatever Happened to the Metric System?
by John Bemelmans Marciano • 2013
A tale of revolutions, divine measures, and why a global standard stopped at America's shores.
3.62
321
Whatever Happened to the Metric System? Summary
Whatever Happened to the Metric System? 86%
A tale of revolutions, divine measures, and why a global standard stopped at America's shores.
by John Bemelmans Marciano 2013
3.62
321 ratings
Fake Heroes
by Otto English • 2023
Society manufactures heroes like studios build movie stars. Ten case studies expose the machinery.
3.92
896
Fake Heroes Summary
Fake Heroes 86%
Society manufactures heroes like studios build movie stars. Ten case studies expose the machinery.
by Otto English 2023
3.92
896 ratings
Passport to Magonia
by Jacques F. Vallée • 1969
UFOs are genuine but not alien. They are fairies and demons repackaged for the space age.
4.21
2k+
Passport to Magonia Summary
Passport to Magonia 86%
UFOs are genuine but not alien. They are fairies and demons repackaged for the space age.
by Jacques F. Vallée 1969
4.21
2k+ ratings
The Man in the High Castle
by Mike Avila • 2019
A decade-long battle to adapt a cult novel, and the designers who built its fascist America.
4.00
13
The Man in the High Castle Summary
The Man in the High Castle 86%
A decade-long battle to adapt a cult novel, and the designers who built its fascist America.
by Mike Avila 2019
4.00
13 ratings
Worth Dying For
by Tim Marshall • 2016
How a colored cloth acquired the power to start wars, unite strangers, and terrify millions.
3.65
6k+
Worth Dying For Summary
Worth Dying For 86%
How a colored cloth acquired the power to start wars, unite strangers, and terrify millions.
by Tim Marshall 2016
3.65
6k+ ratings
The History and the Future of the Roman Liturgy
by Denis Crouan • 2005
The Mass evolved for centuries. Trent froze it; Vatican II's hijackers shattered it.
4.00
16
The History and the Future of the Roman Liturgy Summary
The History and the Future of the Roman Liturgy 86%
The Mass evolved for centuries. Trent froze it; Vatican II's hijackers shattered it.
by Denis Crouan 2005
4.00
16 ratings
The Disappearance of Rituals
by Byung-Chul Han • 2019
Your exhaustion isn't overwork. It's a world that has stripped out every ritual.
3.98
3k+
The Disappearance of Rituals Summary
The Disappearance of Rituals 86%
Your exhaustion isn't overwork. It's a world that has stripped out every ritual.
by Byung-Chul Han 2019
3.98
3k+ ratings
The Closing of the American Mind
by Allan Bloom • 1988
A dogma that all truths are equal has hollowed the American mind, starting on campus.
3.76
6k+
The Closing of the American Mind Summary
The Closing of the American Mind 86%
A dogma that all truths are equal has hollowed the American mind, starting on campus.
by Allan Bloom 1988
3.76
6k+ ratings
The Secret Token
by Andrew Lawler • 2018
The Lost Colony assimilated. America built its first origin myth to hide that truth.
3.76
2k+
The Secret Token Summary
The Secret Token 86%
The Lost Colony assimilated. America built its first origin myth to hide that truth.
by Andrew Lawler 2018
3.76
2k+ ratings
How We Got to Now
by Steven Johnson • 2014
Six ordinary breakthroughs built the modern world; their biggest consequences were never planned.
4.12
16k+
How We Got to Now Summary
How We Got to Now 86%
Six ordinary breakthroughs built the modern world; their biggest consequences were never planned.
by Steven Johnson 2014
4.12
16k+ ratings
Custodians of Wonder
by Eliot Stein • 2024
Firsts get statues. Lasts get silence. A search for the final keepers of ancient traditions.
4.19
3k+
Custodians of Wonder Summary
Custodians of Wonder 86%
Firsts get statues. Lasts get silence. A search for the final keepers of ancient traditions.
by Eliot Stein 2024
4.19
3k+ ratings
Indiana Jones and Philosophy
by Dean Kowalski • 2023
Beneath the fedora: a philosophy seminar on heroism, faith, aging, and who really owns the past.
3.71
21
Indiana Jones and Philosophy Summary
Indiana Jones and Philosophy 86%
Beneath the fedora: a philosophy seminar on heroism, faith, aging, and who really owns the past.
by Dean Kowalski 2023
3.71
21 ratings
Scatterlings
by Martin Shaw • 2019
Myths were never metaphors. They are the earth's living speech, and they have not fallen silent.
4.63
106
Scatterlings Summary
Scatterlings 86%
Myths were never metaphors. They are the earth's living speech, and they have not fallen silent.
by Martin Shaw 2019
4.63
106 ratings
Bleu
by Michel Pastoureau • 2000
The Virgin Mary, a French king, and denim: how blue went from barbarian to beloved.
3.99
2k+
Bleu Summary
Bleu 86%
The Virgin Mary, a French king, and denim: how blue went from barbarian to beloved.
by Michel Pastoureau 2000
3.99
2k+ ratings
Metamodernism and the Return of Transcendence
by A. Severan • 2021
Postmodernism erased transcendence. Metamodernism rebuilds it, but only inside art's frame.
4.23
43
Metamodernism and the Return of Transcendence Summary
Metamodernism and the Return of Transcendence 86%
Postmodernism erased transcendence. Metamodernism rebuilds it, but only inside art's frame.
by A. Severan 2021
4.23
43 ratings
Iota Unum
by Romano Amerio • 1996
The post-Vatican II Church turned reform into a dismantling of authority, liturgy, and truth.
4.34
61
Iota Unum Summary
Iota Unum 86%
The post-Vatican II Church turned reform into a dismantling of authority, liturgy, and truth.
by Romano Amerio 1996
4.34
61 ratings
Watching the English
by Kate Fox • 2004
The English have a secret code for weather, queues, and pubs. An anthropologist cracks it.
3.91
11k+
Watching the English Summary
Watching the English 86%
The English have a secret code for weather, queues, and pubs. An anthropologist cracks it.
by Kate Fox 2004
3.91
11k+ ratings
The Great Façade
by Christopher A. Ferrara • 2002
Empty seminaries, liturgical chaos, missionary collapse: not despite Vatican II, but because of it.
4.30
77
The Great Façade Summary
The Great Façade 86%
Empty seminaries, liturgical chaos, missionary collapse: not despite Vatican II, but because of it.
by Christopher A. Ferrara 2002
4.30
77 ratings
1066 and all that
by W.C. Sellar • 1930
English history, misremembered: every event is a malapropism, every king is Good or Bad.
3.91
4k+
1066 and all that Summary
1066 and all that 86%
English history, misremembered: every event is a malapropism, every king is Good or Bad.
by W.C. Sellar 1930
3.91
4k+ ratings
Infiltration
by Taylor R. Marshall • 2019
Freemasons infiltrated the clergy. Communists followed. After 150 years, their man took the papacy.
4.36
2k+
Infiltration Summary
Infiltration 86%
Freemasons infiltrated the clergy. Communists followed. After 150 years, their man took the papacy.
by Taylor R. Marshall 2019
4.36
2k+ ratings
Metaphysics of War
by Julius Evola • 1996
The sacred dimension of war: what warriors from Rome to the Gita grasped, and modernity lost.
4.03
876
Metaphysics of War Summary
Metaphysics of War 86%
The sacred dimension of war: what warriors from Rome to the Gita grasped, and modernity lost.
by Julius Evola 1996
4.03
876 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 86%
Before print, knowledge was conversation. Then books fenced it in. The fences are coming down.
by Jeff Jarvis 2023
3.83
218 ratings
Conservatism
by Yoram Hazony • 2022
Nation, faith, and family: the pillars liberalism dismissed, and the only path out of its collapse.
4.29
304
Conservatism Summary
Conservatism 86%
Nation, faith, and family: the pillars liberalism dismissed, and the only path out of its collapse.
by Yoram Hazony 2022
4.29
304 ratings
Principia Discordia ● Or ● How I Found Goddess and What I Did to Her When I Found Her
by Malaclypse the Younger • 1965
A religion disguised as a joke, and the joke is that it works.
4.25
6k+
Principia Discordia ● Or ● How I Found Goddess and What I Did to Her When I Found Her Summary
Principia Discordia ● Or ● How I Found Goddess and What I Did to Her When I Found Her 86%
A religion disguised as a joke, and the joke is that it works.
by Malaclypse the Younger 1965
4.25
6k+ ratings
The World According to Cunk
by Philomena Cunk • 2024
A documentary presenter who missed every history lesson explains all world events, with pictures.
3.90
2k+
The World According to Cunk Summary
The World According to Cunk 86%
A documentary presenter who missed every history lesson explains all world events, with pictures.
by Philomena Cunk 2024
3.90
2k+ ratings
Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches
by Marvin Harris • 1974
Cow worship, pork bans, witch hunts: each solved a practical problem no one admitted existed.
3.92
5k+
Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches Summary
Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches 86%
Cow worship, pork bans, witch hunts: each solved a practical problem no one admitted existed.
by Marvin Harris 1974
3.92
5k+ ratings
X Saves the World
by Jeff Gordinier • 2008
The slacker generation you forgot about quietly built your digital world, one micro-fix at a time.
3.45
636
X Saves the World Summary
X Saves the World 86%
The slacker generation you forgot about quietly built your digital world, one micro-fix at a time.
by Jeff Gordinier 2008
3.45
636 ratings
You are Being Lied To
by Russ Kick • 2001
The institutions you trust most are filtering what you know. Here is how, and why.
3.87
1k+
You are Being Lied To Summary
You are Being Lied To 86%
The institutions you trust most are filtering what you know. Here is how, and why.
by Russ Kick 2001
3.87
1k+ 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