I don’t recall how this book came to my attention. I normally write down what prompted me to add a book to my list. Unfortunately, I did not do that for this book. Still, I know exactly why I decided to read this book now. Due to the authoritarian bent of our incoming president, I was looking for some comfort and answers on how to respond.
On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century is a collection of twenty essays for what to do in the face of growing authoritarianism in a country. No current politician or political party is mentioned. The points made are all based on historical experiences of countries with despotism. A few of the points most relevant today are “Do not obey in advance” as this gives the regime power without even being challenged, “Make eye contact and small talk” because this builds community across political divides and humanizes the other, and “Be calm when the unthinkable happens” in order to respond in a rational way that can actually make a difference.
The writing here is short and pithy. The book packs a lot into its only 128 pages. I felt that the writing was a bit slow in the first few chapters, but by the latter half of the book the points and their historical support had me nodding along in full agreement. I highly recommend this book for our times. It just might lower levels of panic while encouraging the fortitude required to prevent a slide into a state that no one really wants.
My rating: 5/5
