On Tyranny - Timothy Snyder

On Tyranny

By Timothy Snyder

  • Release Date: 2017-02-28
  • Genre: Political Science
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 766 Ratings

Description

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A “bracing” (Vox) guide for surviving and resisting America’s turn towards authoritarianism, from “a rising public intellectual unafraid to make bold connections between past and present” (The New York Times)

“Timothy Snyder reasons with unparalleled clarity, throwing the past and future into sharp relief. He has written the rare kind of book that can be read in one sitting but will keep you coming back to help regain your bearings.”—Masha Gessen

The Founding Fathers tried to protect us from the threat they knew, the tyranny that overcame ancient democracy. Today, our political order faces new threats, not unlike the totalitarianism of the twentieth century. We are no wiser than the Europeans who saw democracy yield to fascism, Nazism, or communism. Our one advantage is that we might learn from their experience.

On Tyranny is a call to arms and a guide to resistance, with invaluable ideas for how we can preserve our freedoms in the uncertain years to come.

Reviews

  • A great read and important lessons for its readers

    5
    By ZeroNote is the rating.
    It’s an articulate analysis for the US and other democracies around the world to wake up to all of the danger signals which are eerily reminiscent of the worst chapters in history. If more of us recognize the underlying methodology between language and actions of during autocrats perhaps those who enable either by action or inaction will wake up to the reality of what’s at stake in the current geopolitical environment. The author pulls no punches. Perhaps if more people learn of the true origins of make america great again, america first, enemies of the people, fake news, and systematically repeated lies, and inanely insidious name calling, we might have some honest reflections on the precipice we face with the upcoming presidential election.
  • Galvanizing

    5
    By southside indian
    Good advice for us all.
  • A must read

    5
    By Trent G
    Be prepared to use the highlighter, this is a must read.
  • HillyBash

    2
    By HillyBash
    Started off decent, but quickly lost interest once I kept noticing the incessant and quite apparent anti-trump rhetoric and “parallels” between Trump and Nazism and Hitler. It was a little much…and I truly went into this book from a completely neutral stance. Interestingly you could draw all of the same parallels in regards to President Biden now circa 2022.
  • Good

    4
    By Aod762
    Not bad
  • A MUST read!!

    5
    By Newuserme
    Those that can’t remember the past are condemned to repeat. We can’t take democracy for granted.
  • For now, we are out of danger…

    5
    By Fleuryar
    Dangerous times of Trump resembling beginning of nazi regime. Those that consider this an exaggeration are playing with fire. 73 million Americans voted with Trump and only 5% of population more, voted against Trump. The other factor that prevented destruction of democracy was refuse to bent the rules by judges and local politicians of the same political affiliation . Finally the absence of resolved leadership between occupants of Capitol assured failure of Trump movement. But new leaders from rows of Republicans senators looked extremely interested to continue the work of Trump. And this guys are much more clever and more energetic than the old ogre. I’m not sure we are out of the woods and only the future will show.
  • Brilliant Obsercations, Meh opinions.

    3
    By an open fist
    The author made some brilliant observations about tyranny, and provides practical tools to fight it. There are points where some of the author’s political opinions are sprinkled in. Given the rest of the nature of the content, I felt some of the opinions ultimately hurt the integrity. I wish the tone was more unbiased and feel it would have been more valuable to people who decide to read this. Enjoyed it though and found it interesting.
  • Powerful

    4
    By xchahooliex
    Useful information compacted into a short/relatively easy read. Recommended by Jane Elliott and now recommended (by me) to anyone who doesn’t think America is treading a thin line to fascism muddled with untruth, misinformation, and the rejection of education.
  • Essential reading for these times. Quick & powerful

    5
    By jackhutton
    powerful small book packed with important messages for these times —a guide for navigating this dangerous era in America —Cautioning against the rise of fascism in the U.S. and Europe. We must learn from history and not be complacent. Quick read. Very worthwhile.