On Tyranny

Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century

by Timothy Snyder

library binding, 196 pages

Published Aug. 11, 2021 by Thorndike Press Large Print.

ISBN:: 978-1-4328-8883-1

(78 reviews)

In previous books, Holocaust historian Timothy Snyder dissected the events and values that enabled the rise of Hitler and Stalin and the execution of their catastrophic policies. With Twenty Lessons, Snyder draws from the darkest hours of the twentieth century to provide hope for the twenty-first. As he writes, "Americans are no wiser than the Europeans who saw democracy yield to fascism, Nazism and communism. Our one advantage is that we might learn from their experience."

12 editions

Lavinia reviewed On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder

Review of 'On Tyranny' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Snyder finishes the book with a short epilogue contrasting two views of politics that he views as anti-historical, the politics of inevitability, the sense that history could move in only one direction: towards liberal democracy, and the politics of eternity, which is concerned with the past, but in a self-absorbed way, free of any real concern with facts.

At 126 pages. Timothy Snyder offers a guide to understanding and averting tyranny. by sharing stories from authoritarian regimes in twenty chapters. These 20 lessons from the twentieth century is a defense of democracy and freedom. They include, Don’t obey in advance, Take responsibility for the face of the world, Defend institutions, Remember Professional ethics, Believe in truth, Establish a private life, Be a patriot.

Snyder finishes the book with a short epilogue contrasting two views of politics that he views as anti-historical, the politics of inevitability, the sense that history could move in only one direction: towards liberal democracy, and the politics of eternity, which is concerned with the past, but in a self-absorbed way, free of any real concern with facts.

Taylor reviewed On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder

Review of 'On tyranny' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

A Yale history professor’s guide to emerging fascism. This is a short and important read.

The lessons are concise with historical parallels to the present. The advice throughout is non-partisan and bears repeating—stop spreading misinformation, meet with others in person, travel, read books, do your own research, etc.

The 10th lesson on how truth dies in four modes is worth the read alone.
- It begins with an open hostility to verifiable reality.
- The second mode is shamanistic incantation (everyone’s name gets an adjective, slogans, etc).
- The third is an open embrace of contradiction.
- The final mode is misplaced faith, where "once truth becomes oracular rather than factual, evidence is irrelevant.”

Dana Rail reviewed On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder

Review of 'On Tyranny' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Brief, but indispensible little guidebook through the minefield of today's politics. History may not repeat itself, but there are patterns.

arkadione reviewed On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder

Review of 'On tyranny' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Just finished reading. It only took my 90 minutes to read. It was a brilliant short read. It was a very succinct review of the history of tyranny in bite sized chunks, along with practical advice of how to resist the things it teaches you from history. Truly a must read for everybody who does not wish to live in a one party state in the future.

StarshipEngineer reviewed On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder

Review of 'On tyranny' on 'Storygraph'

5 stars

This book is compelling, concise, and hauntingly beautiful and elegant in its prose. It is an utterly essential book for our time, and I think, for all time. It distills Snyder's vast expertise and knowledge of the downfalls of past democracies into a set of key lessons for us to take into the present and future, in America and elsewhere. It establishes these lessons and cuts straight to them with brutal efficiency, using historical examples and straightforward logical reasoning.

This book will be with me for a long time, whether I'm carrying it or not. Everyone can learn from it, and everyone should read it. Were I a teacher, I'd require my students to read it.

Walter H. reviewed On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder

Review of 'On tyranny' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Read this book on the planeride home. This is a quick, but damned well essential book for anyone that considers themselves part of the resistance. If you believe in true democracy and fight Trump and his ilk at every turn, read this!

eriol reads books reviewed On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder

Review of 'On Tyranny' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Great short-ish read. delivers some key historical learnings on politics and connects them up to present day happenings. At times, a difficult or convoluted read but it's still very good.

Rodolfo reviewed On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder

Review of 'On tyranny' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Libro di indispensabile lettura civica! Dovrebbero metterlo come libro di testo nelle scuole.

protomattr reviewed On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder

Review of 'On tyranny' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

If these are the times that try men's souls, then the ideas presented in this little book may be essential for surviving the trial. Drawing from the turmoil of the twentieth century, Snyder provides examples of how authoritarians manipulate the people and how conscientious individuals can resist. Divided into easily digestible chapters, this book can be read straight through and/or referred to at random, as current events suggest.