Will I love On Tyranny?

I read through this voraciously and then read through it again and again.

This year has been tough, and I have taken solace where I can find it. I found it in Timothy Snyder's book On Tyranny. It is terrifying and hopeful at the same time. Why read it? It is short, it goes straight to the point, and it tells it like it is. I don't usually read graphic books, but somehow this one worked for me. If you're like me and are weighed down by our current leaders, read this book. It will buck you up, and remind you what is important.

Timothy Snyder is the historian we need right now. As he says in the introduction to his book, "History doesn't repeat itself, but it does instruct." I read this late in 2024 knowing full well that this hyper-focused short read was full of lessons from history that we can all use right now: an instruction book for what lies ahead.

This book is a primer on democracy for all of us who value a free society. Written in the brief style of political pamphlets of old, this short book shares a succinct view of what it means to live in a democratic society and how we can preserve ours. I especially appreciated that the author compared our society to other democracies that have fallen into dictatorship, such as Hitler's Germany, to show us exactly how it can happen, and more importantly, how we can fight back. This book is not simply philosophical musing, it is a call to action with… show more.

On Tyranny is essential reading for 2024. As we see the rise of authoritarianism in the US and around the globe, Snyder's book prepares the reader in how to spot it and what to do to reject it. It's a very quick read and incredibly important. I bought to give to friends and family.

Given the current political climate, Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny is more relevant than ever.

This New York Times bestseller is a poignant reminder to readers of the reasons that led to the downfall of ancient democracies—models from which we draw inspiration. With so much talk recently of radicalism, Leftism, and fascism, placing the past and present in stark relief to learn from is crucial to creating a future in which democracy thrives.

Timothy Snyder’s prescient 20 lessons provide what to look out for and what to do to keep tyranny from over-taking our American dreams.

I was impressed by Tim Snyder’s ability to distill decades of academic knowledge of dictatorship and autocracy into very important but simple lessons that we need to pay attention to now and always.

An historian, Tim Snyder, is astute at identifying the legal ‘slides’ used by autocrats to gradually move democratic countries into non-democratic configurations. This is the kind of book I wish were in the required section of high school reading lists.

What can citizens do to resist against authoritarian populism? In this book Timothy Snyder offers twenty lessons drawn from the history of totalitarian regimes to guide citizens in resisting modern threats to democracy. Snyder underscores how populism can pave the way for tyranny by exploiting economic and social crises, fostering a culture of fear and division, and eroding truth and factuality.

He uses historical examples like the rise of Nazi Germany and Soviet totalitarianism to show how authoritarian leaders manipulate populist sentiments to gain power and dismantle democratic institutions. Snyder emphasizes the importance of defending democratic norms and institutions, active… show more.

This is a short, urgently written handbook for the heart-stopping moments when you hear the sounds of fascism downstairs and realize you forgot to lock the window. “To abandon facts is to abandon freedom. If nothing is true, then no one can criticize power, because there is no basis upon which to do so. If nothing is true, then all is spectacle. The biggest wallet pays for the most blazing light.” Fake news, Fox News, alternative facts, the Big Lie, QAnon, the replacement theory, the MAGA movement, evangelical theocracy, and fascism have made their way into our house and are… show more.