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How Tyrants Fall
by Marcel Dirsus • 2024
The trap of power: why most dictators meet exile, prison, or a violent end.
3.92
804
How Tyrants Fall Summary
How Tyrants Fall 90%
The trap of power: why most dictators meet exile, prison, or a violent end.
by Marcel Dirsus 2024
3.92
804 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 89%
Authoritarians from Mussolini to Trump run the same playbook. A century of evidence shows how.
by Ruth Ben-Ghiat 2020
4.27
5k+ ratings
Autocracy, Inc.
by Anne Applebaum • 2024
A global network of dictators runs autocracies like for-profit firms. Democracies bankroll them.
4.16
19k+
Autocracy, Inc. Summary
Autocracy, Inc. 88%
A global network of dictators runs autocracies like for-profit firms. Democracies bankroll them.
by Anne Applebaum 2024
4.16
19k+ ratings
Military Inc.
by Ayesha Siddiqa • 2007
Pakistan's military built a business empire off the books. Leaving power would bankrupt it.
3.77
562
Military Inc. Summary
Military Inc. 88%
Pakistan's military built a business empire off the books. Leaving power would bankrupt it.
by Ayesha Siddiqa 2007
3.77
562 ratings
Operation Hollywood
by David L. Robb • 2004
The military lent Hollywood its jets and ships, then demanded veto power over the script.
3.46
72
Operation Hollywood Summary
Operation Hollywood 88%
The military lent Hollywood its jets and ships, then demanded veto power over the script.
by David L. Robb 2004
3.46
72 ratings
Drift
by Rachel Maddow • 2012
No grand conspiracy drove America to endless war. A series of small, reversible decisions did.
4.07
21k+
Drift Summary
Drift 88%
No grand conspiracy drove America to endless war. A series of small, reversible decisions did.
by Rachel Maddow 2012
4.07
21k+ ratings
How Everything Became War and the Military Became Everything
by Rosa Brooks • 2016
War, law, and state fray together. A Pentagon insider on where the seams gave way.
3.93
2k+
How Everything Became War and the Military Became Everything Summary
How Everything Became War and the Military Became Everything 88%
War, law, and state fray together. A Pentagon insider on where the seams gave way.
by Rosa Brooks 2016
3.93
2k+ ratings
Escape from Saddam
by Lewis Alsamari • 2007
He escaped the army, the wolves, and Saddam's Iraq. Then his family was arrested for it.
4.05
270
Escape from Saddam Summary
Escape from Saddam 88%
He escaped the army, the wolves, and Saddam's Iraq. Then his family was arrested for it.
by Lewis Alsamari 2007
4.05
270 ratings
The Accidental Admiral
by James G. Stavridis • 2014
What a Navy admiral learned commanding NATO through Afghanistan, Libya, and a balky Russia.
4.00
248
The Accidental Admiral Summary
The Accidental Admiral 88%
What a Navy admiral learned commanding NATO through Afghanistan, Libya, and a balky Russia.
by James G. Stavridis 2014
4.00
248 ratings
The Profession
by Steven Pressfield • 2011
A mercenary loyal to his legendary commander faces the brutal new world order they created.
3.73
2k+
The Profession Summary
The Profession 88%
A mercenary loyal to his legendary commander faces the brutal new world order they created.
by Steven Pressfield 2011
3.73
2k+ ratings
The Technological Republic
by Alexander C. Karp • 2025
The West won the digital revolution, then stopped building weapons. Now software is the battlefield.
3.54
4k+
The Technological Republic Summary
The Technological Republic 88%
The West won the digital revolution, then stopped building weapons. Now software is the battlefield.
by Alexander C. Karp 2025
3.54
4k+ ratings
On Tyranny
by Timothy Snyder • 2017
What ordinary citizens did wrong last century, and what you can do right this one.
4.29
112k+
On Tyranny Summary
On Tyranny 88%
What ordinary citizens did wrong last century, and what you can do right this one.
by Timothy Snyder 2017
4.29
112k+ ratings
It Doesn't Take a Hero
by H. Norman Schwarzkopf • 1992
He never claimed to be a hero. His command of Desert Storm proved the point.
4.10
3k+
It Doesn't Take a Hero Summary
It Doesn't Take a Hero 88%
He never claimed to be a hero. His command of Desert Storm proved the point.
by H. Norman Schwarzkopf 1992
4.10
3k+ ratings
Fascism
by Madeleine K. Albright • 2018
Democracies are dismantled one law at a time. The 1930s playbook is back.
4.25
21k+
Fascism Summary
Fascism 88%
Democracies are dismantled one law at a time. The 1930s playbook is back.
by Madeleine K. Albright 2018
4.25
21k+ ratings
Iron Gold
by Pierce Brown • 2018
Darrow defies the Senate to strike the Ash Lord, fracturing the Republic and endangering his family.
4.21
196k+
Iron Gold Summary
Iron Gold 88%
Darrow defies the Senate to strike the Ash Lord, fracturing the Republic and endangering his family.
by Pierce Brown 2018
4.21
196k+ ratings
The Melting Point
by Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. • 2024
The general who killed Soleimani tells the inside story of America's Middle East wars.
4.30
175
The Melting Point Summary
The Melting Point 88%
The general who killed Soleimani tells the inside story of America's Middle East wars.
by Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. 2024
4.30
175 ratings
Iron Kingdom
by Christopher Clark • 2006
Prussia was no natural nation but a dynasty's gamble, forged by war and erased by it.
4.17
6k+
Iron Kingdom Summary
Iron Kingdom 88%
Prussia was no natural nation but a dynasty's gamble, forged by war and erased by it.
by Christopher Clark 2006
4.17
6k+ ratings
The Imagineers of War
by Sharon Weinberger • 2017
DARPA gave us the Internet and lost Vietnam. The same faith in technology drove both.
3.69
565
The Imagineers of War Summary
The Imagineers of War 88%
DARPA gave us the Internet and lost Vietnam. The same faith in technology drove both.
by Sharon Weinberger 2017
3.69
565 ratings
How to Rule the World
by André de Guillaume • 2002
Forget ethics: a satirical guide to seizing absolute power, from career choice to crushing dissent.
3.67
547
How to Rule the World Summary
How to Rule the World 88%
Forget ethics: a satirical guide to seizing absolute power, from career choice to crushing dissent.
by André de Guillaume 2002
3.67
547 ratings
National Security Cinema
by Matthew Alford • 2017
The Pentagon secretly approved or killed your favorite movies, one script at a time.
3.81
113
National Security Cinema Summary
National Security Cinema 88%
The Pentagon secretly approved or killed your favorite movies, one script at a time.
by Matthew Alford 2017
3.81
113 ratings
Bangladesh
by Anthony Mascarenhas • 1986
Bangladesh's founders each betrayed the nation. The nation devoured each in turn.
4.12
945
Bangladesh Summary
Bangladesh 88%
Bangladesh's founders each betrayed the nation. The nation devoured each in turn.
by Anthony Mascarenhas 1986
4.12
945 ratings
Becoming Kim Jong Un
by Jung H. Pak • 2020
Why Kim Jong Un won't denuclearize: a CIA officer on his ruthless survival strategy.
3.76
1k+
Becoming Kim Jong Un Summary
Becoming Kim Jong Un 88%
Why Kim Jong Un won't denuclearize: a CIA officer on his ruthless survival strategy.
by Jung H. Pak 2020
3.76
1k+ ratings
Popular Dictatorships
by Aleksandar Matovski • 2022
The ballot box is not a check on authoritarianism but its most powerful source of legitimacy.
3.56
16
Popular Dictatorships Summary
Popular Dictatorships 88%
The ballot box is not a check on authoritarianism but its most powerful source of legitimacy.
by Aleksandar Matovski 2022
3.56
16 ratings
Tom Clancy Defense Protocol
by Brian Andrews • 2024
China's false flag primes an invasion of Taiwan, and only Jack Ryan and his daughter can stop it.
4.56
7k+
Tom Clancy Defense Protocol Summary
Tom Clancy Defense Protocol 88%
China's false flag primes an invasion of Taiwan, and only Jack Ryan and his daughter can stop it.
by Brian Andrews 2024
4.56
7k+ ratings
The Perfect Police State
by Geoffrey Cain • 2021
China's Xinjiang AI state predicts crimes before they happen, and exports the blueprint globally.
4.23
1k+
The Perfect Police State Summary
The Perfect Police State 87%
China's Xinjiang AI state predicts crimes before they happen, and exports the blueprint globally.
by Geoffrey Cain 2021
4.23
1k+ ratings
Political Ponerology
by Andrew M. Lobaczewski • 2007
A small, conscienceless minority drives tyranny; your belief in fairness is their greatest weapon.
4.06
398
Political Ponerology Summary
Political Ponerology 87%
A small, conscienceless minority drives tyranny; your belief in fairness is their greatest weapon.
by Andrew M. Lobaczewski 2007
4.06
398 ratings
Letters from Burma
by Aung San Suu Kyi • 1995
Compassion beats brutality in politics: a Nobel laureate's letters from house arrest in Burma.
3.90
2k+
Letters from Burma Summary
Letters from Burma 87%
Compassion beats brutality in politics: a Nobel laureate's letters from house arrest in Burma.
by Aung San Suu Kyi 1995
3.90
2k+ ratings
Call Sign Chaos
by Jim Mattis • 2019
Lead from the squad to the strategy table: a doctrine forged in combat and wide reading.
4.29
14k+
Call Sign Chaos Summary
Call Sign Chaos 87%
Lead from the squad to the strategy table: a doctrine forged in combat and wide reading.
by Jim Mattis 2019
4.29
14k+ ratings
Nemesis
by Chalmers Johnson • 2007
Empire and democracy cannot coexist. America chose empire; the bill is coming due.
4.07
968
Nemesis Summary
Nemesis 87%
Empire and democracy cannot coexist. America chose empire; the bill is coming due.
by Chalmers Johnson 2007
4.07
968 ratings
The Habit of Excellence
by Langley Sharp • 2021
How the British Army builds trust and character under fire, and why it translates anywhere.
4.12
114
The Habit of Excellence Summary
The Habit of Excellence 87%
How the British Army builds trust and character under fire, and why it translates anywhere.
by Langley Sharp 2021
4.12
114 ratings
Counterinsurgency Warfare
by David Galula • 1964
The guerrilla blends into the population. This book showed armies how to separate the two.
4.02
1k+
Counterinsurgency Warfare Summary
Counterinsurgency Warfare 87%
The guerrilla blends into the population. This book showed armies how to separate the two.
by David Galula 1964
4.02
1k+ ratings
On Character
by Stanley McChrystal • 2025
Good beliefs aren't enough. A general on the discipline that turns them into character.
3.99
1k+
On Character Summary
On Character 87%
Good beliefs aren't enough. A general on the discipline that turns them into character.
by Stanley McChrystal 2025
3.99
1k+ 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 87%
Tyranny runs on the lies ordinary people perform each day. Refuse one, the structure trembles.
by Václav Havel 1978
4.22
4k+ ratings
The Art of War
by Niccolò Machiavelli • 1521
A republic that hires soldiers is already dead. The cure: citizen farmers trained like Romans.
4.05
9k+
The Art of War Summary
The Art of War 87%
A republic that hires soldiers is already dead. The cure: citizen farmers trained like Romans.
by Niccolò Machiavelli 1521
4.05
9k+ ratings
Red War
by Kyle Mills • 2018
A dying dictator's war plans force his CIA nemesis and former assassin into an uneasy alliance.
4.24
22k+
Red War Summary
Red War 87%
A dying dictator's war plans force his CIA nemesis and former assassin into an uneasy alliance.
by Kyle Mills 2018
4.24
22k+ ratings
How to Be a Dictator
by Frank Dikötter • 2019
Why every dictator is the architect of his godlike image, and why the statues fall.
3.69
3k+
How to Be a Dictator Summary
How to Be a Dictator 87%
Why every dictator is the architect of his godlike image, and why the statues fall.
by Frank Dikötter 2019
3.69
3k+ ratings
The Red Web
by Andrei Soldatov • 2015
The Soviet Union fell but its surveillance state survived, rewired for the internet age.
3.95
700
The Red Web Summary
The Red Web 87%
The Soviet Union fell but its surveillance state survived, rewired for the internet age.
by Andrei Soldatov 2015
3.95
700 ratings
The Mind of Napoleon
by Napoléon Bonaparte • 1955
Calculate everything, seize the decisive moment, rewrite history: Napoleon's own playbook for power.
4.18
109
The Mind of Napoleon Summary
The Mind of Napoleon 87%
Calculate everything, seize the decisive moment, rewrite history: Napoleon's own playbook for power.
by Napoléon Bonaparte 1955
4.18
109 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
The Dictator's Handbook
by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita • 2011
All politics comes down to one number: how many backers a leader must satisfy to survive.
4.25
11k+
The Dictator's Handbook Summary
The Dictator's Handbook 87%
All politics comes down to one number: how many backers a leader must satisfy to survive.
by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita 2011
4.25
11k+ ratings
On the Psychology of Military Incompetence
by Norman F. Dixon • 1976
Why do generals from Crimea to Vietnam repeat the same mistakes? Authoritarianism.
3.95
814
On the Psychology of Military Incompetence Summary
On the Psychology of Military Incompetence 87%
Why do generals from Crimea to Vietnam repeat the same mistakes? Authoritarianism.
by Norman F. Dixon 1976
3.95
814 ratings
The Deserter
by Nelson DeMille • 2019
Two Army investigators hunt a Delta Force deserter in Caracas, only to find themselves hunted.
4.09
20k+
The Deserter Summary
The Deserter 87%
Two Army investigators hunt a Delta Force deserter in Caracas, only to find themselves hunted.
by Nelson DeMille 2019
4.09
20k+ ratings
Why Civil Resistance Works
by Erica Chenoweth • 2011
The most effective weapon against a dictator is not a gun: 200,000 people refusing to cooperate.
3.98
729
Why Civil Resistance Works Summary
Why Civil Resistance Works 87%
The most effective weapon against a dictator is not a gun: 200,000 people refusing to cooperate.
by Erica Chenoweth 2011
3.98
729 ratings
The Hell of Good Intentions
by Stephen M. Walt • 2018
After the Cold War, America tried to lead the world. It overreached, failed, and learned nothing.
4.01
735
The Hell of Good Intentions Summary
The Hell of Good Intentions 87%
After the Cold War, America tried to lead the world. It overreached, failed, and learned nothing.
by Stephen M. Walt 2018
4.01
735 ratings
The War for Ukraine
by Mick Ryan • 2024
Russia punishes failure. Ukraine learns from it. In a war of adaptation, culture beats mass.
3.91
94
The War for Ukraine Summary
The War for Ukraine 87%
Russia punishes failure. Ukraine learns from it. In a war of adaptation, culture beats mass.
by Mick Ryan 2024
3.91
94 ratings
The New Rules of War
by Sean McFate • 2019
An ex-mercenary on why the West keeps losing: the game changed, and nobody noticed.
3.96
2k+
The New Rules of War Summary
The New Rules of War 87%
An ex-mercenary on why the West keeps losing: the game changed, and nobody noticed.
by Sean McFate 2019
3.96
2k+ ratings
Boyd
by Robert Coram • 2002
The F-16 and the Gulf War were born from a fighter pilot's study of thermodynamics.
4.19
8k+
Boyd Summary
Boyd 87%
The F-16 and the Gulf War were born from a fighter pilot's study of thermodynamics.
by Robert Coram 2002
4.19
8k+ 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 87%
Why socialism always ends in bread lines and body counts, from Venezuela to Mao's China.
by Rand Paul 2019
4.18
1k+ ratings
The Handbook of 5GW
by Daniel H. Abbott • 2010
War is no longer about bullets. It is a silent, invisible struggle for your perception.
4.09
23
The Handbook of 5GW Summary
The Handbook of 5GW 87%
War is no longer about bullets. It is a silent, invisible struggle for your perception.
by Daniel H. Abbott 2010
4.09
23 ratings
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 87%
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
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