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...
Federalism and the Making of America by David Brian Robertson
by David Robertson • 2011
America's biggest fights aren't over what government should do but which government gets to decide.
3.73
11
Federalism and the Making of America by David Brian Robertson Summary
Federalism and the Making of America by David Brian Robertson 89%
America's biggest fights aren't over what government should do but which government gets to decide.
by David Robertson 2011
3.73
11 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
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
Federalism
by Mark J. Rozell • 2019
The Constitution did not settle the fight between national and state power; it designed the arena.
3.67
63
Federalism Summary
Federalism 89%
The Constitution did not settle the fight between national and state power; it designed the arena.
by Mark J. Rozell 2019
3.67
63 ratings
We Have Not a Government
by George William Van Cleve • 2017
State free-riding broke the first U.S. government. A debt crisis and revolt forced a grand bargain.
3.99
76
We Have Not a Government Summary
We Have Not a Government 89%
State free-riding broke the first U.S. government. A debt crisis and revolt forced a grand bargain.
by George William Van Cleve 2017
3.99
76 ratings
The New Road to Serfdom
by Daniel Hannan • 2010
Europe's centralized model killed jobs, silenced voters, and shrank families. America is next.
4.03
657
The New Road to Serfdom Summary
The New Road to Serfdom 88%
Europe's centralized model killed jobs, silenced voters, and shrank families. America is next.
by Daniel Hannan 2010
4.03
657 ratings
A Necessary Evil
by Garry Wills • 1999
The Constitution was built for action, not gridlock. How Americans came to believe otherwise.
3.78
196
A Necessary Evil Summary
A Necessary Evil 88%
The Constitution was built for action, not gridlock. How Americans came to believe otherwise.
by Garry Wills 1999
3.78
196 ratings
The Ideological Origins of American Federalism
by Alison L. LaCroix • 2010
American federalism was born of protest, not design; courts enforce it since the convention refused.
3.52
31
The Ideological Origins of American Federalism Summary
The Ideological Origins of American Federalism 88%
American federalism was born of protest, not design; courts enforce it since the convention refused.
by Alison L. LaCroix 2010
3.52
31 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 88%
Government grew. Bureaucracy didn't. The case for hiring federal workers to make it smaller.
by John DiIulio 2014
3.22
32 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 88%
The anarchist's case: local know-how, small defiance, and messy disorder beat grand plans.
by James C. Scott 2012
3.96
2k+ ratings
Democracy
by Charles Tilly • 2007
Democracy isn't a finish line. Three processes build it; elites can tear them down much faster.
3.64
173
Democracy Summary
Democracy 88%
Democracy isn't a finish line. Three processes build it; elites can tear them down much faster.
by Charles Tilly 2007
3.64
173 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 88%
Startup companies become unicorns. What if startup communities become countries?
by Balaji S. Srinivasan 2022
3.92
1k+ 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 88%
Your zip code decides your Medicaid benefits. It also decides whether you bother with politics.
by Jamila Michener 2018
4.23
120 ratings
The Price of Federalism
by Paul E. Peterson • 1995
Washington redistributes; states compete for growth. The pattern leaves Rust Belt cities behind.
3.37
19
The Price of Federalism Summary
The Price of Federalism 88%
Washington redistributes; states compete for growth. The pattern leaves Rust Belt cities behind.
by Paul E. Peterson 1995
3.37
19 ratings
Demanding the Impossible
by Peter H. Marshall • 1992
Self-rule predates the state. Anarchist thought from ancient Taoism to the modern era.
4.12
1k+
Demanding the Impossible Summary
Demanding the Impossible 88%
Self-rule predates the state. Anarchist thought from ancient Taoism to the modern era.
by Peter H. Marshall 1992
4.12
1k+ ratings
Crafting State-Nations
by Alfred Stepan • 2010
For multinational democracies, the nation-state model is a trap. India shows a better path.
4.64
11
Crafting State-Nations Summary
Crafting State-Nations 88%
For multinational democracies, the nation-state model is a trap. India shows a better path.
by Alfred Stepan 2010
4.64
11 ratings
Nationalism
by Craig J. Calhoun • 1998
The nation you belong to was not discovered. It was built, mapped, and made to feel ancient.
3.86
58
Nationalism Summary
Nationalism 88%
The nation you belong to was not discovered. It was built, mapped, and made to feel ancient.
by Craig J. Calhoun 1998
3.86
58 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 88%
The state's monopoly on violence is ending. Networked technology handed individuals strategic power.
by Benjamin Wittes 2014
3.42
318 ratings
States and Power in Africa
by Jeffrey Herbst • 2000
Europe built states through war. Africa skipped that step, and its borders now protect failure.
3.99
269
States and Power in Africa Summary
States and Power in Africa 88%
Europe built states through war. Africa skipped that step, and its borders now protect failure.
by Jeffrey Herbst 2000
3.99
269 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 88%
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
Federalism
by William H. Riker • 1964
A federation is one bargain: ambitious politicians grant autonomy to neighbors who need protection.
4.17
12
Federalism Summary
Federalism 88%
A federation is one bargain: ambitious politicians grant autonomy to neighbors who need protection.
by William H. Riker 1964
4.17
12 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
Democracy
by Hans-Hermann Hoppe • 2001
A king owns the country and thinks in decades. Elected leaders just need four years.
4.13
3k+
Democracy Summary
Democracy 88%
A king owns the country and thinks in decades. Elected leaders just need four years.
by Hans-Hermann Hoppe 2001
4.13
3k+ ratings
Nation Building
by Andreas Wimmer • 2018
Ethnic diversity doesn't predict state failure. A missing centralized state centuries ago does.
4.08
36
Nation Building Summary
Nation Building 88%
Ethnic diversity doesn't predict state failure. A missing centralized state centuries ago does.
by Andreas Wimmer 2018
4.08
36 ratings
How Britain Ends
by Gavin Esler • 2021
Brexit did not crack the union; it exposed cracks English nationalism had been opening for decades.
4.09
581
How Britain Ends Summary
How Britain Ends 88%
Brexit did not crack the union; it exposed cracks English nationalism had been opening for decades.
by Gavin Esler 2021
4.09
581 ratings
Waves of War
by Andreas Wimmer • 2012
The nation-state rewired war: the fuse isn't diversity, it's who is locked out of power.
3.48
23
Waves of War Summary
Waves of War 88%
The nation-state rewired war: the fuse isn't diversity, it's who is locked out of power.
by Andreas Wimmer 2012
3.48
23 ratings
The Storm Before the Calm
by George Friedman • 2020
Every eighty years America's government breaks; every fifty, its economy. Now both arrive at once.
4.05
3k+
The Storm Before the Calm Summary
The Storm Before the Calm 88%
Every eighty years America's government breaks; every fifty, its economy. Now both arrive at once.
by George Friedman 2020
4.05
3k+ ratings
Bringing the State Back In
by Peter B. Evans • 1985
The state is an actor, not just an arena, with autonomous power to reshape society.
3.64
53
Bringing the State Back In Summary
Bringing the State Back In 88%
The state is an actor, not just an arena, with autonomous power to reshape society.
by Peter B. Evans 1985
3.64
53 ratings
Rights Talk
by Mary Ann Glendon • 1991
American law won't require you to rescue a drowning stranger. That gap explains our broken politics.
4.06
124
Rights Talk Summary
Rights Talk 88%
American law won't require you to rescue a drowning stranger. That gap explains our broken politics.
by Mary Ann Glendon 1991
4.06
124 ratings
Liberty and Coercion
by Gary Gerstle • 2015
Federal liberty, state coercion: the two-hundred-year paradox at the heart of American governance.
4.04
77
Liberty and Coercion Summary
Liberty and Coercion 88%
Federal liberty, state coercion: the two-hundred-year paradox at the heart of American governance.
by Gary Gerstle 2015
4.04
77 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 87%
A governor's playbook for cutting debt and restoring self-reliance, minus the Washington fantasies.
by Mitch Daniels 2011
4.02
252 ratings
The Sovereign State and Its Competitors
by Hendrik Spruyt • 1994
The sovereign state won not by conquest but by keeping promises and enforcing uniform rules.
4.03
124
The Sovereign State and Its Competitors Summary
The Sovereign State and Its Competitors 87%
The sovereign state won not by conquest but by keeping promises and enforcing uniform rules.
by Hendrik Spruyt 1994
4.03
124 ratings
A More Perfect Constitution
by Larry J. Sabato • 2007
Twenty-three fixes for a rusty Constitution: bigger Congress, term limits, a state convention.
3.66
335
A More Perfect Constitution Summary
A More Perfect Constitution 87%
Twenty-three fixes for a rusty Constitution: bigger Congress, term limits, a state convention.
by Larry J. Sabato 2007
3.66
335 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
Birth of the Leviathan
by Ertman • 1997
Dark Age local government set Europe's regimes. The timing of war shaped their institutions.
3.78
49
Birth of the Leviathan Summary
Birth of the Leviathan 87%
Dark Age local government set Europe's regimes. The timing of war shaped their institutions.
by Ertman 1997
3.78
49 ratings
The Making and Breaking of the American Constitution
by Mark Peterson • 2026
The U.S. Constitution was built to seize a continent. What happens when the land runs out?
4.09
22
The Making and Breaking of the American Constitution Summary
The Making and Breaking of the American Constitution 87%
The U.S. Constitution was built to seize a continent. What happens when the land runs out?
by Mark Peterson 2026
4.09
22 ratings
Justice on the Brink
by Linda Greenhouse • 2021
Ginsburg's death and Barrett's confirmation: the year the Supreme Court broke right.
4.01
725
Justice on the Brink Summary
Justice on the Brink 87%
Ginsburg's death and Barrett's confirmation: the year the Supreme Court broke right.
by Linda Greenhouse 2021
4.01
725 ratings
The End of Power
by Moisés Naím • 2013
Power is crumbling everywhere at once. The three hidden forces dismantling every hierarchy.
3.63
4k+
The End of Power Summary
The End of Power 87%
Power is crumbling everywhere at once. The three hidden forces dismantling every hierarchy.
by Moisés Naím 2013
3.63
4k+ 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 87%
Power must become authority to last, and every command carries both threat and attachment.
by Dennis Wrong 1996
4.00
18 ratings
India Way,The - Strategies for an uncertain world
by S. Jaishankar • 2020
India traded non-alignment for a strategy of engaging all sides at once. The architect explains why.
3.92
2k+
India Way,The - Strategies for an uncertain world Summary
India Way,The - Strategies for an uncertain world 87%
India traded non-alignment for a strategy of engaging all sides at once. The architect explains why.
by S. Jaishankar 2020
3.92
2k+ ratings
International Relations
by Paul Wilkinson • 2007
States remain the main event, but the stage is crowded. Why nukes, NGOs, and identity matter.
3.32
766
International Relations Summary
International Relations 87%
States remain the main event, but the stage is crowded. Why nukes, NGOs, and identity matter.
by Paul Wilkinson 2007
3.32
766 ratings
Political Order and Political Decay
by Francis Fukuyama • 2014
Build democracy before the state, and politics becomes clientelism, not good government.
4.34
5k+
Political Order and Political Decay Summary
Political Order and Political Decay 87%
Build democracy before the state, and politics becomes clientelism, not good government.
by Francis Fukuyama 2014
4.34
5k+ ratings
The Horn of Africa
by Christopher Clapham • 2017
Africa's only region never fully colonized produced border wars bloodier than any colonial map did.
3.89
54
The Horn of Africa Summary
The Horn of Africa 87%
Africa's only region never fully colonized produced border wars bloodier than any colonial map did.
by Christopher Clapham 2017
3.89
54 ratings
Yankee Leviathan
by Richard Franklin Bensel • 1991
The Confederacy's statist war machine, not the Constitution, built the modern American state.
3.69
49
Yankee Leviathan Summary
Yankee Leviathan 87%
The Confederacy's statist war machine, not the Constitution, built the modern American state.
by Richard Franklin Bensel 1991
3.69
49 ratings
The Case for Colonialism
by Bruce Gilley • 2023
Start new colonies from scratch. The controversial solution to a century of post-colonial disaster.
4.32
191
The Case for Colonialism Summary
The Case for Colonialism 87%
Start new colonies from scratch. The controversial solution to a century of post-colonial disaster.
by Bruce Gilley 2023
4.32
191 ratings
Giving Up Is Unforgivable
by Joyce Vance • 2025
Spotting the slow dismantling of democracy, and the citizen playbook for stopping it.
4.28
2k+
Giving Up Is Unforgivable Summary
Giving Up Is Unforgivable 87%
Spotting the slow dismantling of democracy, and the citizen playbook for stopping it.
by Joyce Vance 2025
4.28
2k+ ratings
The New Class War
by Michael Lind • 2017
A new class war is on: the college-educated managerial minority versus the working majority.
3.74
840
The New Class War Summary
The New Class War 87%
A new class war is on: the college-educated managerial minority versus the working majority.
by Michael Lind 2017
3.74
840 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 87%
Three inhuman agents run the world: states, corporations, and now AI. We have to pick one.
by David Runciman 2023
3.71
234 ratings
America's Three Regimes
by Morton Keller • 2007
Three political orders, not short eras, have governed America. Each endured a century or more.
3.29
45
America's Three Regimes Summary
America's Three Regimes 87%
Three political orders, not short eras, have governed America. Each endured a century or more.
by Morton Keller 2007
3.29
45 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 87%
Free isn't removed walls; it's a body, a fact, a road, and solidarity.
by Theodor W. Adorno 1970
4.14
3k+ 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