On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century

by Timothy Snyder
On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century cover
Good Books rating 4.12
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  • ID: 9260
  • Added: 2025-12-23
  • Updated: 2026-02-21
  • Formats: 4
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
Reddit - TwoXPreppers · 2026-01-03
excellent 4.50

The book is praised for its scholarly approach and practical advice on surviving and fighting tyranny without losing humanity. It is recommended as a must-read for its insights and relevance.

This review highlights the book's scholarly approach and practical advice on surviving and fighting tyranny without losing humanity. The reviewer recommends it as a must-read, appreciating its insights and relevance. The book is seen as a valuable resource for understanding the historical contexts of tyranny and the importance of individual actions in defending democracy.

Quick quotes

    It's an excellent book and you should read it.

    It's about how to survive and fight tyranny, without losing your humanity.

    It's not radical- it's almost scholarly in how it explains the process a society.

OLLI Berkeley · Hugh Winig · 2020-08-13
practical 4.00

The book is praised for its practical advice and historical context. The reviewer appreciates its accessibility and relevance to contemporary issues.

Hugh Winig's review on OLLI Berkeley highlights the book's practicality and historical depth. The reviewer finds the lessons to be both accessible and relevant, making it a valuable read for understanding and resisting tyranny. They appreciate the book's ability to connect historical events to current political landscapes, offering readers a clear and actionable guide. Overall, the review is positive, emphasizing the book's importance in today's world.

Quick quotes

    The book is a very fast read, around several hours.

    Timothy Snyder is a well-known Yale historian who has written 12 previous books on European history.

    The lessons are practical ways to recognize tyranny and ways to fight it.

We Need to Talk About Books · 2019-03-19
valuable 4.00

The book is seen as a valuable tool for understanding and resisting tyranny, with a focus on the importance of due process.

The reviewer at We Need to Talk About Books appreciates Snyder's argument that even tyrannical regimes need the façade of due process. They find the book to be a valuable tool for understanding and resisting tyranny, particularly in the context of current political climates. The reviewer highlights the book's relevance and its ability to provide practical lessons for maintaining democracy. They also note the book's accessibility, making it suitable for a wide range of readers.

Quick quotes

    Snyder's response is to argue that even tyrannical regimes need at least the façade of due process in order to achieve its aims.

    It is hard to think of many books published in recent years as timely and necessary as this one.

    On Tyranny is a slim volume, but it packs a powerful punch.

The Berkshire Edge · 2017-09-24
practical 4.00

The book is described as an 'idiot's guide' to tyranny, offering practical advice on defending institutions and not obeying in advance. It is seen as a valuable resource for understanding the historical contexts of tyranny.

This review characterizes the book as an 'idiot's guide' to tyranny, emphasizing its practical advice on defending institutions and not obeying in advance. The reviewer appreciates the book's historical context and its relevance to contemporary issues. The book is seen as a valuable resource for understanding the mechanisms of tyranny and the importance of individual actions in preserving democracy.

Quick quotes

    Do not obey in advance.

    Defend institutions.

    The book offers a practical guide to understanding and fighting tyranny.

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