On Tyranny
By Timothy Snyder
- Release Date: 2017-02-28
- Genre: Political Science
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
The right book, at the right time!
5By GabyACI hope more people will read it and feel compelled to take a stand! It is happening here and we need to stop it!Probably the most important book you will read this year…
5By peggyb333You’ve probably heard about, read about, or learned about everything recounted in this book. But Snyder knits together the “then“ and “now“ into a narrative that takes on a whole different quality - a frightening quality - which shatters our closely held illusions about the security of our America and illuminates what we must confront today. Read it, and give a copy to all of your friends.On Tyranny
5By rrrrrrrrrekkkkkkkHighest possible recommendation. Accurate historical context for what is going on in the world todayThe 2025-29 Handbook
5By nalewis09This is an excellent comparison of current events in America against historical equivalents. Each chapter builds on the last to guide the reader from the primary building blocks of fascism, to the nuanced and insidious ways it infects democracy. I can’t say that reading this brought me any peace of mind, but it’s brought me a sense of understanding where things may go, and its sharpened my senses to these machinations of the second Trump administration.A critical message
5By miltdavisOn Tyranny is a fascinating and a well documented historical account of intentional efforts to establish authoritarian regimes. As the author states from the outset: history is instructive. I sent a copy to my granddaughter who is majoring in political science. Bravo, Dr. Snyder.A great read and important lessons for its readers
5By 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
5By southside indianGood advice for us all.A must read
5By Trent GBe prepared to use the highlighter, this is a must read.HillyBash
2By HillyBashStarted 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
4By Aod762Not badA MUST read!!
5By NewusermeThose that can’t remember the past are condemned to repeat. We can’t take democracy for granted.For now, we are out of danger…
5By FleuryarDangerous 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.
3By Rorschach_22222The 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
4By xchahooliexUseful 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
5By jackhuttonpowerful 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.Crap
1By MusiclovrrrrTrump derangement syndrome at its finest. Enjoy the next 4 years !!Lightweight
1By MountainLionI’m so sorry I purchased this in hopes of reading a thoughtful description of how tyranny evolves. Instead, this is a superficial recitation of anti-Trump whining. To equate American middle-class families revolting against the export of 15 million manufacturing jobs to China to Kristallnact is the epitome of political disinformation.Important and Timely
5By S. CoffmanAn important work designed to give every-day individuals tactics to combat the world we live in today.Oh, Tyranny
5By Carmel ParsThis is a promise to all that think Trump is anything other than a dictator in waiting, a sick individual that knows only that what he wants is what he cares about to think again and again and again. Follow the FACTS reflected in history that destroyed democratic rule. I, today move toward all the recommendations in this book, doing my part to turn an ugly tide in history back with human awareness, courage and strength. Democracy demands that I do just that. NOW.
