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On Tyranny

Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century

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On Tyranny

By: Timothy Snyder
Narrated by: Timothy Snyder
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About this listen

History does not repeat, but it does instruct.

In the 20th century, European democracies collapsed into fascism, Nazism and communism. These were movements in which a leader or a party claimed to give voice to the people, promised to protect them from global existential threats, and rejected reason in favour of myth. European history shows us that societies can break, democracies can fall, ethics can collapse, and ordinary people can find themselves in unimaginable circumstances. History can familiarise, and it can warn. Today we are no wiser than the Europeans who saw democracy yield to totalitarianism in the 20th century. But when the political order seems imperilled, our advantage is that we can learn from their experience to resist the advance of tyranny. Now is a good time to do so.

©2017 Timothy Snyder (P)2017 Random House 20th Century Modern Political Science Politics & Government Funny Imperialism Socialism Russia Capitalism Interwar Period
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I can't think of a single more beneficial activity to spend the same amount of time on than reading this book, and then reading it again. The challenge ahead for the struggle against tyranny has become crystal clear for this reader. The author's historical lens provides a compelling comparison to contemporary events. I'll be purchasing a hard copy and fresh highlighter pen.

Current, concise and powerful

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Please read/listen to this book. The slide into a world none of us want is happening before our eyes. More people need to wake up to what is really happening if we don't want history to repeat itself. This is a very clear account of what each of us can do if we want to live in a world worth living in.

Critical thinking in our troubled times

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I beg you to read this. A hugely important book that is short, easily digestible, with every sentence hitting a home run.

The most important book I've ever read.

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this essay-like commentary was incisive and clear, and provides great historical context to current events.

piercing, insightful and concise

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Well done Timothy Snyder (again) - this book is arguably the most important bit of literature in our current times. Nobody has so eloquently summarised the perils of the current world in a way that is simple and direct. The book provides practical and critical advice - to promote democracy and to be attuned to creeping perils of fascism and tyranny. To all the disenfranchised young people of the world - please listen to this book. I am going to buy hard copies to give away.

A must listen for under 30's

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