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Quick answer: If you read On Tyranny, continue with How Democracies Die, The Origins of Totalitarianism, 1984 and Fascism: A Warning. All examine how free societies slide toward authoritarian rule and how citizens can respond.
Timothy Snyder's short book offers twenty lessons from the twentieth century for defending democracy. The books below deepen that argument, from history to political science to fiction. Most are nonfiction, and all are real, in-print books. They come from different perspectives, so read them critically.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| How Democracies Die | Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt | Adult | the closest companion |
| The Origins of Totalitarianism | Hannah Arendt | Adult | classic analysis |
| Nineteen Eighty-Four | George Orwell | Adult | essential fiction |
| Bloodlands | Timothy Snyder | Adult | more Snyder |
| The Road to Unfreedom | Timothy Snyder | Adult | current politics |
| Fascism: A Warning | Madeleine Albright | Adult | accessible history |
| Twilight of Democracy | Anne Applebaum | Adult | political memoirs |
| Strongmen | Ruth Ben-Ghiat | Adult | authoritarian tactics |
| The Anatomy of Fascism | Robert O. Paxton | Adult | definitions |
| How Fascism Works | Jason Stanley | Adult | short and sharp |
| The Plot Against America | Philip Roth | Adult | alternate history |
| It Can't Happen Here | Sinclair Lewis | Adult | classic warnings |
| Brave New World | Aldous Huxley | Adult | soft control |
| Tyranny of the Minority | Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt | Adult | American systems |
| The Gulag Archipelago (abridged) | Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn | Adult | first-hand testimony |
1. How Democracies Die by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt
Two Harvard political scientists show how elected leaders can erode democracy. Clear and well researched.
Best for: the closest companion.
2. The Origins of Totalitarianism by Hannah Arendt
A landmark study of Nazism and Stalinism, their roots and methods. Dense, deep and still cited.
Best for: classic analysis.
3. Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell
A man tries to resist a state that controls truth and thought. The most famous novel of authoritarianism.
Best for: essential fiction.
4. Bloodlands by Timothy Snyder
A history of mass killing in Eastern Europe between Hitler and Stalin. Grim and carefully argued.
Best for: more Snyder.
5. The Road to Unfreedom by Timothy Snyder
Snyder studies modern Russia, Europe and America and the politics of lies. A sequel to On Tyranny in spirit.
Best for: current politics.
6. Fascism: A Warning by Madeleine Albright
A former Secretary of State shares lessons from fascism's rise. Accessible and personal.
Best for: accessible history.
7. Twilight of Democracy by Anne Applebaum
Examines why former friends embraced authoritarian politics. Personal, sharp and insightful.
Best for: political memoirs.
8. Strongmen by Ruth Ben-Ghiat
Traces the playbook of authoritarian leaders from Mussolini to today. Wide-ranging and readable.
Best for: authoritarian tactics.
9. The Anatomy of Fascism by Robert O. Paxton
A scholar defines fascism and explains how movements succeed. A major academic work.
Best for: definitions.
10. How Fascism Works by Jason Stanley
A philosopher describes ten tactics used by fascist movements. Short and direct.
Best for: short and sharp.
11. The Plot Against America by Philip Roth
An alternate history in which Charles Lindbergh becomes president. A family story with political menace.
Best for: alternate history.
12. It Can't Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis
A populist politician takes over America in 1930s fiction. A warning novel from its time.
Best for: classic warnings.
13. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
A society controls people through pleasure and conditioning. A different kind of dystopia.
Best for: soft control.
14. Tyranny of the Minority by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt
Argues that undemocratic features in the US system let minorities rule. Newer and more focused on America.
Best for: American systems.
15. The Gulag Archipelago (abridged) by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
A witness account of the Soviet prison camp system. Heavy but important.
Best for: first-hand testimony.
How to Choose
For a short follow-up, read How Fascism Works or Fascism: A Warning. For history, Bloodlands and The Origins of Totalitarianism. For fiction, 1984 and The Plot Against America. For modern politics, How Democracies Die and Twilight of Democracy. Read widely and across the political spectrum to understand how these arguments are used. Take your time with this list. Reading about authoritarianism can be heavy, so alternate nonfiction with fiction. Discuss the books with friends or in a local group, since these ideas are best tested in conversation. Pair them with primary sources, such as speeches and newspapers, to see the history yourself.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is On Tyranny about?
It offers twenty practical lessons drawn from history, such as defend institutions, believe in truth and be kind to our language.
Who is Timothy Snyder?
An American historian of Eastern Europe who taught at Yale.
How long is On Tyranny?
It is very short, about 120 pages, and can be read in an hour or two.
Is it partisan?
Snyder wrote it after the 2016 US election, so many readers see it as critical of Donald Trump, but its lessons are meant to apply to any time.
What should I read next?
How Democracies Die offers a more systematic political science approach.
Is On Tyranny a political book?
It is a history-based guide, though it is read as a response to current events.
What is the first lesson in On Tyranny?
Do not obey in advance, meaning do not give up freedoms before being asked.
Can teens read On Tyranny?
Yes. It is short and clear, and is sometimes used in high school classes.
Is there an illustrated edition?
Yes. A graphic edition of On Tyranny was published in 2021.
Where can I read more Snyder?
Black Earth and Our Malady are other books by Snyder that extend his arguments on history and health.