Free and Open Access
SoBrief’s summaries are entirely free, and no user account is required. By offering open access at no cost, we aim to share knowledge rather than profit from the original works.

Paid Audio for Accessibility
Our optional audio feature is a convenience and accessibility service, not a charge for the content itself. We rely on paid subscriptions to offset production and hosting expenses, ensuring that the text version remains freely available to everyone.

Educational and Informational Purpose
Our platform is designed to help readers quickly grasp key concepts, reinforcing or expanding their understanding of a book’s ideas. This educational focus supports informed decision-making and aligns with Fair Use principles intended for public benefit.

Transformative Nature
Each summary reflects an original structure, style, and voice, drawn from a consistent methodology across our catalog of 70,000+ summaries. We distill a book into 7 to 12 distinct takeaways, transforming the original content into a concise, highly selective format that differs significantly in form and function.

Substantially Short
At roughly 2,000 words—about 2% of an average book’s length—our summaries serve as brief previews or reviews rather than replacements. This is akin to a two-minute trailer for a feature film, offering a snapshot instead of the entire experience.

Positive Market Impact
By providing affiliate links to Amazon, Kindle, and Audible, we actively encourage book purchases. Many users report that our summaries guide their buying decisions or help them revisit key points after reading the original, further reinforcing our goal to complement—not supplant—the original material.