Top Book Summary in History & Society

A provocative exploration of America's history of magical thinking, from the Puritans to present-day conspiracy theories and political polarization.

A genre-bending memoir exploring queer family-making, gender fluidity, and the complexities of love through personal experience and critical theory.

A radical rethinking of corporate purpose, challenging profit maximization and proposing a new model for economic and social wellbeing.

An analytical exploration of how AGI narratives shape tech investment, policy decisions, and global power dynamics, contrasting industry claims with research consensus on the limitations of current AI architectures.

A sweeping narrative of human history

A poignant tale of two Afghan women's resilience and friendship amid war, oppression, and cultural upheaval in Kabul.

A chilling exploration of religious extremism, violence, and the dark side of faith in Mormon fundamentalism.

A thought-provoking exploration of pop culture's obsession with nostalgia and its impact on musical innovation and creativity.

From political margins to power: conservatism's untold intellectual journey.

A poignant graphic memoir exploring sexuality, family dynamics, and self-discovery through the lens of a lesbian daughter and her closeted father.

Historical account of the Texas oil industry and its influential figures.

Rethinking economics for a sustainable, equitable 21st century

Jackson and Eli unpack over 100 years of Israeli-Palestinian conflict, from Ottoman Palestine through modern peace attempts, exploring how two peoples' competing claims created one of history's most enduring struggles.

Explore the revolutionary 19th-century asylum where Vincent van Gogh created his masterpieces, revealing how mental health treatment evolved from spectacle to compassion and what his experience teaches us about creativity, recovery, and human dignity today.

A pianist's journey through China's Cultural Revolution, saved by music.

Exploring how the concept of absolute, supreme authority has evolved from an indivisible power to something more nuanced in today's interconnected world, challenging traditional notions of who truly has control.

Radical obedience in a world of compromise.

Victorian supernatural romance where being soulless becomes deliciously scandalous.