On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century

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On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Timothy Snyder (Author, Narrator), Random House Audio (Publisher)

4.7 29,500 ratings

Goodreads Choice Award nominee

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#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.

Listening Length

1 hour and 47 minutes
Author

Timothy Snyder
Narrator

Timothy Snyder
Audible release date

February 28, 2017
Language

English
Publisher

Random House Audio
ASIN

B06VX82JZH
Version

Unabridged
Program Type

Audiobook
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Product details

Listening Length	1 hour and 47 minutes
Author	Timothy Snyder
Narrator	Timothy Snyder
Audible.com Release Date	February 28, 2017
Publisher	Random House Audio
Program Type	Audiobook
Version	Unabridged
Language	English
ASIN	B06VX82JZH
Best Sellers Rank	#6,507 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals) #3 in Civics & Citizenship (Audible Books & Originals) #8 in Democracy (Audible Books & Originals) #12 in Civics & Citizenship (Books)

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Ann Parker

Must-read you can finish in an afternoon

Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2024

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From Yale professor & historian Dr. Timothy Snyder (who specializes in the history of central & Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union & the Holocaust), 20 key lessons for regular Americans to learn on tyranny from the 20th Century, digest, and hopefully remember when they matter most. Short, sweet, and to the point, On Tyranny is such for good reasons.
For one, my twitter-fried brain has difficulty sitting still long enough to read long books the way I once did. I believe Snyder understands that has happened to many of my generation— those who use social media 24/7 & otherwise can’t be still.
Second, accessibility. This is short enough to read during a long wait for a medical appointment, and any high school student should be able to understand it. No real background knowledge is necessary. Anyone could pick it up and go. And **busy, hardworking, everyday Americans need the opportunity to clearly see WHAT HAPPENED IN THE 20th CENTURY TO ALLOW TYRANNY so they can IDENTIFY RED FLAGS IN THE PRESENT DAY**—all without needing to keep up with the details of daily news or the ginned-up partisan bs of the cable entertainment news nighttime soap operas.
Last, in the age of 24-hr news cycles and short attention spans, Snyder has managed to succinctly write 20 vital historical lessons in such a way that they are easy to remember. He does not appear concerned for his own ego, about appearing to be some superior intellectual. I don’t believe he wrote this $9.99 book (I got it for $7) for clout or money. He wrote it for us, for Americans. If I had the money, I’d buy copies to put in waiting rooms and hotel dressers alongside the Gideon Bible.
So, yes. Timely and important… when it was published in 2017. You’ll read the occasional passage and think “well, that ship has sailed”—but this (larger) pocket-sized book is not about defeatism. There is still much to be learned. Still timely & highly relevant.

16 people found this helpful

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RHG

If you doubt history repeats itself, read this book

Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2024

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If you doubt that history repeats itself -- or at least rhymes as Mark Twain said -- read this book. As the author writes, the parallels between today and the rise of fascism a century ago are striking. In twenty short chapters, each readable in a few minutes, we learn how to recognize the growing signs of tyranny, and how to resist it.

In Chapter Six we learn "Armed groups first degrade a political order, and then transform it." That certainly happened in Germany when Nazi Brown Shirts cleared opponents from the halls of Hitler's political rallies. On January 6, we saw violent groups claiming to be patriots storm the Capitol.

In Chapter Ten, the author describes the four modes truth dies in a democracy: 1) presenting lies as if they were facts, 2) the use of "endless repetition" where anyone pointing to truth became the enemy. 3) the use of "magical thinking" in which truth is turned upside down e.g. the only way we can lose an election is if it's stolen, and 4) "misplaced faith" when followers believe, as did many Nazis believed, "understanding is useless, you have to have faith. I believe in the Fuhrer." Today, Donald Trump has convinced his followers that “I alone can fix it,” that “I am your retribution,” and after the lost 2020 election encouraged his followers to “Stop the Steal,” violently, if necessary.

Chapter Nineteen urges every American to be a true patriot, even when it's hard. A patriot doesn't avoid military service when required. A patriot pays their fair share of taxes. A patriot supports the government even when your party loses.

There are many more lessons in this short, easily readable book -- all worth considering, and acting upon, as patriotic citizens during a time when our democracy is under great stress.

9 people found this helpful

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Stephen N. Greenleaf

Vital Advice from One Who Knows

Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2017

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This is a short, quick book to read, perhaps 30-45 minutes of your time. And at only $2.99 (on Kindle) you can't afford not to buy it. For those who found his list of 20 points elsewhere on the web for free, don't let that suffice. The book adds commentary to his list, and it's worth the small cost.

For those of you not acquainted with Snyder, he's a historian of Eastern Europe and has written extensively on the turmoil--the killing fields--of Eastern Europe in the 20th century. He knows whereof he speaks.

I will offer you a couple of his thoughts from his concluding remarks. In addressing what he terms "the politics of inevitability," he notes

Until recently, we Americans had convinced ourselves that there was nothing in the future but more of the same. The seemingly distant traumas of fascism, Nazism, and communism seemed to be receding into irrelevance. We allowed ourselves to accept the politics of inevitability, the sense that history could move in only one direction: toward liberal democracy. After communism in eastern Europe came to an end in 1989–91, we imbibed the myth of an “end of history.” In doing so, we lowered our defenses, constrained our imagination, and opened the way for precisely the kinds of regimes we told ourselves could never return.
Snyder, Timothy. On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century (Kindle Locations 765-769). Crown/Archetype. Kindle Edition.

But he then addresses the converse attitude, what he calls "the politics of eternity." About this attitude, he states
In the politics of eternity, the seduction by a mythicized past prevents us from thinking about possible futures. The habit of dwelling on victimhood dulls the impulse of self-correction. Since the nation is defined by its inherent virtue rather than by its future potential, politics becomes a discussion of good and evil rather than a discussion of possible solutions to real problems. Since the crisis is permanent, the sense of emergency is always present; planning for the future seems impossible or even disloyal. How can we even think of reform when the enemy is always at the gate?
Id. at 810-815

In contrast to both of these attitudes, he places history (an encomium with which I could not agree more):
Both of these positions, inevitability and eternity, are antihistorical. The only thing that stands between them is history itself. History allows us to see patterns and make judgments. It sketches for us the structures within which we can seek freedom. It reveals moments, each one of them different, none entirely unique. To understand one moment is to see the possibility of being the cocreator of another. History permits us to be responsible: not for everything, but for something. The Polish poet Czesław Miłosz thought that such a notion of responsibility worked against loneliness and indifference. History gives us the company of those who have done and suffered more than we have.
Id. at 822-827

In his peroration, he exhorts young people especially (although it applies to all of us)

One thing is certain: If young people do not begin to make history, politicians of eternity and inevitability will destroy it. And to make history, young Americans will have to know some.

This is not the end, but a beginning. “The time is out of joint. O cursed spite,/That ever I was born to set it right!” Thus Hamlet. Yet he concludes: “Nay, come, let’s go together.”
Id. at 830-834

Buy this book and read it!

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Top reviews from other countries

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F Sherwood

A necessary read for our times.

Reviewed in Canada on May 25, 2024

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This book is a stark and essential look at what has happened in world history and what is happening right now under our watch.

Steven Wentworth

Prescient

Reviewed in Sweden on May 7, 2024

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We'll see in 6 months.

Santi Prasad Chatterjee

Great book

Reviewed in India on July 8, 2023

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It's very topical. The language is simple. Historical references are poignant. Should be read by everyone interested in the future of the country and the world. The signs of fascist attack on democracy is everywhere, and it's winning in most countries, whether advanced or developing. This book enables you to understand the causes of why things are happening as they are. A must read. The only thing-- I wish Timothy Snider could expand certain ideas a bit more; it's too brief on occasions.

One person found this helpful

Igor

Encouraging to think and to become a co-creator of the world future!

Reviewed in Italy on October 12, 2022

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Absolutely amazing deep analysis of the dramatic past of 20th century. Clear and promising mind-set for us to rethink our efforts, approach to education and bringing up children. Strongly recommended book for those who don’t want to be free and independent.

Jose Dantas Junior

Atual e extremamente relevante reflexão sobre o nosso tempo e seus perigos.

Reviewed in Brazil on August 25, 2020

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Um livro curto, que consegue condensar estratégias de manipulação de líderes inescrupulosos e racionais existentes nas populações que podem facilitar o sucesso de tais líderes. Um certo dia, tudo mudou, e mudou porque não estávamos atentos e caímos nas armadilhas que foram colocadas no caminho, com o nosso apoio. Armadilhas antigas, mas testadas e efetivas, sob as condições certas. Este livro pode ajudar-nos a reconhecê-las e evitá-las, não apenas nos EUA (a cujo público se destina) mas em qualquer lugar no qual autoritarismo e redução de liberdades esteja na agenda de grupos de poder.

3 people found this helpful

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