This is a book perfectly suited to our time. It warns us that our fragile democracy can slip out of our grasp, almost over night, like a nightmare. Because we are busy, and easily distracted, the author boils down the warning signs into 20, with some helpful suggestions on what each of us can do when we recognize one of these 20 looming in our lives. For example, living in a "made up" digital world out of touch with reality in front of us, makes it easy for a would-be tyrant to fool us and declare what is "fake". What we can do is to firmly set aside our I-phones and other "devices" and read, talk to people of differing views, subscribe to newsprint, verify what sounds unlikely, etc. In other words, "pay attention." Another example: tyranny thrives on terror and crisis. Would-be tyrants use these situations as opportunities to remove our liberties. Our best defense is to remain calm and skeptical when we are told to give up our liberties for the sake of more security. This is an old trick - get wise to it .Snyder's chapter titled Stand Out particularly struck a chord. He begins with an excellent look-back to WWII, and how Churchill led the British to oppose Hitler, rather than following popular sentiment. In my own case, when Trump was elected, our neighbors formed a small group called Alameda4Impeachment. In the last 9 months, we have diligently "born witness" in our own town (and in 15 others) - getting resolutions passed urging impeachment of the president. In our own town of Alameda each of us had to stand up before the City Council, and for three minutes explain our concerns about Trump, argue that our country was in danger, and point out that council members take an oath to defend the Constitution. In Alameda and the other 15 cities so far, many people join us and speak up to urge impeachment, often people who have never done this before. Council members generally vote for the resolution, often unanimously, but many in the community think this effort is silly, a waste of time, or "completely useless." . Even some friends said this to us. Nevertheless we have persisted, and we know exactly what it feels like to "Stand Out". It takes courage, and a willingness to be laughed at. The threats and snarls from the "Trump base" come too, but they are to be expected. I was grateful to Snyder for reminding me that this is an essential part of fighting tyranny. Stand Out.In most cases, I found Snyder's book profound. I was grateful for his brevity - who needs more words than are required to get a point across? Every once in a while, he argued a point too briefly, or unconvincingly. For example, he argues that books are preferred to TV for news. I think this is too categorical. For example, the current Ken Burns PBS series on Vietnam is instructive in a way a book never could be. On MSNBC I watched Brian Williams interview with Snyder, resulting in my purchase of this book. Yes, one must watch with a discerning ear, but so too with reading, including the New York Times (which performed a terrible disservice to the Clinton campaign throughout the election, apparently even publishing data that originated in Breitbart news. SHAMEFUL).I DO believe we are on the brink of Tyranny, and that Trump behaves in the way intended to shock our sensibilities. Some among us are currently surviving by "normalizing" Trump, claiming he is just a particularly eccentric character among our many Presidents, and that "our institutions" will keep him in check. Others are psychologically numbed by Trump's repeated assaults on their sense of decency, and they retreat to travel plans, books, house and art projects, or devote themselves to all-consuming local causes - they are "waiting out the storm." I hope they get what they are waiting for - but I am dubious that waiting will work. Still others classify Trump as an annoying pest, best ignored. These friends watch a lot of sports, and declare themselves "a-political". Hannah Arendt talked of the "banality of evil." Tyranny happens while we are watching sports, working out at the gym, volunteering night and day at all kinds of good causes, hopping a plane to Paris - tuning out the NEWS.Obviously, life has to go on. Snyder is right that we must remain calm. But folks, I do believe there is a "fierce urgency of now." As the current saying goes, "stay woke!" Trump is NOT normal. Impeachment IS normal. It is the normal constitutional response to exactly what is going on right now. Some of you are bending over laughing when you see our impeachment signs. You are progressives, but you are "not there yet." Please read Timothy Snyder - it might wipe the laugh right off your face. And we need your help.