Social Analysis

American sociologist Jack A. Goldstone examines the causes of revolutions and uprisings in the period between 1500 and 1800. Investigating cases in both Europe and Asia, the conclusions he reaches are surprising. Many thinkers had previously believed that Europe's distinctive history - and particularly the rise of capitalism - had created the specific revolutions and political changes that launched the continent on a path to global supremacy. Goldstone says this is wrong, and that European and Asian states were, in fact, all experiencing similar developments.

The title of Norwegian-born historian Odd Arne Westad's 2005 work - The Global Cold War: Third World Interventions and the Making of Our Times - offers a window into his thesis. Between the end of World War II and the early 1990s, both the Soviet Union and the United States "intervened" (or "offered aid and support to") developing nations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. In Westad's view, these interventions were more important than events in Europe, where most studies of the Cold War focus.

Though written around 1513, more than 500 years ago, Italian diplomat Niccolò Machiavelli's The Prince is still both widely listened to and very influential. Listeners turn to it for its direct advice on the question of how to attain - and retain - power. Machiavelli's answer, in brief: Use any means necessary to make sure the state survives.

Iranian American writer and scholar Hamid Dabashi wrote Iran: A People Interrupted amid the political fallout following the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York - his adopted city - in 2001. As US President George W. Bush declared a "war on terror" and named Iran as part of an "axis of evil" that supported terrorism, Dabashi offered an insider's insight into the Iranian psyche.

AudioLearn Philosophy Classics is proud to present The Politics by Aristotle. With its convenient format, AudioLearn fits your busy lifestyle, enabling you to study anywhere, anytime. Best of all, you'll significantly increase learning and retention with AudioLearn's proven study format.

Though written around 1513, more than 500 years ago, Italian diplomat Niccolò Machiavelli's The Prince is still very influential. Listeners turn to it for its direct advice on the question of how to attain - and retain - power. Machiavelli's answer, in brief: use any means necessary to make sure the state survives. Given the changeable nature of politics, the strong ruler that Machiavelli describes may need to lie or cheat, deceive and, if necessary, resort to acts of violence - all the while maintaining an "image" of goodness.

Profiles in Corruption is a heavily researched, heavily cited investigation, primarily into the Democratic presidential hopefuls in the 2020 election. The overarching theme of the book is both the daily hypocrisy we are faced with in politics and the fact that small corruptions often lead to larger ones once more power is concentrated in a single person and begins to flow to everyone in their orbit. Schweizer leaves no stone unturned as he pores through the financial records, backchannel deals, and blantant corruption.

In Winners Take All, Anand Giridharadas bursts the great myth that large corporations are the key drivers of social change and poverty reduction. He provides critical evidence that shows just how self-serving these large donations are, highlighting the behind-the-scenes machinations that keep the system skewed in favor of the wealthy. Giridharadas pulls no punches as he exposes the inner workings of what he calls MarketWorld, a reference to the philanthropic individuals and companies that make a killing off the misery of poor people.

Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women's Anger is a timely and thoughtful exploration into the history of women’s anger and oppression, the revolutions it has led to, as well as the current momentum all of those things in the wake of Donald Trump’s election...Rebecca Traister offers not only a guide for navigating your own anger in a system that was meant to suppress it, but also a guide to the history of feminism, oppression, and social justice movements from abolitions and women's suffrage to the tides of political change today.

This is an audio summary of Bob's Woodward's best-selling book that explores the detailed inner workings of Trump's highly unorthodox, and often toxic, White House. It is intended as a companion to, not a replacement for, the original book.

In 1963's The Feminine Mystique, she identified "the problem that has no name" afflicting women pressured to devote themselves to domestic life. After World War II, society fostered the idea that women wanted different things from men - namely, to run homes and live through the achievements of their husbands and children. In reality, rigid gender roles left housewives frustrated and depressed and caused tensions both in their marriages and in how couples raised their children.

Even as recently as the 1920s the historical lack of great female writers was often considered as evidence of women's inferiority. Virginia Woolf disagreed. In her 1929 essay A Room of One's Own, she argues that creativity is impossible without privacy and freedom from financial worries - and that throughout history women have had neither. As a result, no tradition of great female writing existed to inspire women. Woolf's focus on the everyday suppression of women was a turning point.

Peggy Orenstein’s Boys and Sex provides an open and incisive look into the sexual experiences of boys and the challenges that come with being a sexually active teen. She goes deep into the teenage psyche to uncover what they think about rape, consent, porn, homosexuality, hookups, and much more. A must-listen for every teen and their parents!

In Tightrope: Americans Reaching for Hope, Pulitzer Prize winning journalists Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn take a personal and harrowing look at the pervasive problems of poverty, drug abuse, and rising death rate in America through the stories of the people in America's forgotten towns. What they discover is a problem that goes far beyond unemployment or personal choice: they discover America's great social depression.

In Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are, Seth Stephens-Davidowitz cleverly manipulates Big Data to explore the dark underside of American consciousness. Using powerful new methodologies, the author analyzes anonymous Google searches across a wide range of subjects about which people tend to be secretive.

Welcome to the captivating world of nonverbal communication! In "How to Analyze Body Language: Demystifying Body Language Analysis for Effective Communication," you'll embark on an enlightening journey that will transform the way you perceive and understand human interactions.

The Man of Steel: Decoding Superman: An In-Depth Analysis of the Last Son of Krypton and His Character Symbolism, Psychology and Philosophy is an important contribution to the study of popular culture and philosophy.

The essential skill that helps you form more rewarding interpersonal relationships, boost professional relationships, improve your overall social life, and generally lead a happier life is the skill of speed-reading people accurately. The gift of being able to read people's feelings, thoughts, and behavior is probably what sets apart exceptional performers from average folks. Analyzing other humans isn't a skill we are all born with, but it can be acquired with training and practice.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report investigating Russian interference in the U.S. general elections was released to the public in April of 2019. At 448 pages long, eight percent of the report was redacted in the version seen by the public. Comprised of two volumes, this summary will help you understand the major findings of the Special Counsel.

Don't miss this summary of Thomas L. Friedman's eye-opening look at the current state of the world, Thank You for Being Late: An Optimist's Guide to Thriving in the Age of Accelerations. In his book, Friedman explores the accelerating changes affecting our world and offers concrete advice for how we need to adapt. This SUMOREADS summary provides key takeaways and analysis from the original book to help you quickly absorb his profound wisdom.