On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy D. Snyder

On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy D. Snyder is an insightful and timely book that offers an important examination of the tyrant’s tactics throughout history and the lessons to be learned from them.

In the book, Snyder examines the rise of tyranny in the 20th century and the events that led to it to explain how it is possible for loved ones, neighbors, and society itself to be manipulated and coerced into an undemocratic future.

Snyder’s book is divided into three parts. The first part of the book focuses on the causes of the rise of tyranny in Europe, the United States, and Russia between World Wars I and II. Snyder examines how political, social, and economic conditions enabled dictators and tyrants to gain control of nations and their people.

In the second part of the book, Snyder examines the various strategies that tyrants use to maintain control, such as creating a false sense of equilibrium, fostering fear and paranoia, manipulating public opinion and discourse, and creating a system of distraction and suppression of information. Snyder also looks at how tyrants use surveillance, propaganda, and patriotism to further control their citizens, and how they exploit emergency powers to perpetuate their control.

Part three of the book looks at what citizens can do to resist tyranny. Snyder outlines 20 key lessons that citizens can take from the past to help them resist fascist and autocratic regimes, such as understanding rhetoric, standing together against injustice, not compromising on core principles, and valuing truth and facts. Snyder also emphasizes the importance of connecting to a shared history and culture, embracing a sense of community, and taking action to protect freedom and justice when necessary.

Throughout the book, Snyder provides examples of historic events to further explain his points, and he includes a section of quotations from influential figures from past and present times. His thoughtful exploration of tyrants and their strategies throughout the 20th century provides a powerful and evocative lesson for how citizens can oppose tyranny in the 21st century.

On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century is an insightful and inspiring book that both informs and entertains. By exploring the causes and effects of tyranny in the 20th century, Snyder provides vital lessons for how citizens can resist and protect against tyranny today.