French Literature Reviews - 2026

T. Snyder, On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century
History, Politics and Society

TIMOTHY SNYDER

On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century
[On Tyranny]

Translated from American English by Pierre-Emmanuel Dauzat

Hors série Connaissance, Gallimard
Published: 12-10-2017

112 p. — ISBN: 9782072742521

Begun in the wake of Donald Trump's election, this text serves as a guide to resistance, offering Americans—as well as Europeans—a concise compendium of ideas for safeguarding freedoms in the years ahead.
Across twenty instructional chapters, the historian draws parallels between the current situation in the United States and twentieth-century European history. Snyder outlines a series of fundamental precepts: do not obey in advance, defend institutions, beware of words and stand against the hijacked use of patriotic terms, seek out the facts, reject the one-party state, take personal responsibility for the world...

This invigorating handbook for troubled times is highly valuable for understanding the rise of Donald Trump and combating the surging tide of extremism in Europe.

Written in the wake of Donald Trump's election, the work draws directly upon historical parallels from the twentieth century to examine the fragility of democratic systems. Historian Timothy Snyder sets out twenty distinct instructional precepts designed to help citizens identify authoritarian tendencies and protect fundamental civic institutions. These principles urge individuals to maintain critical awareness, reject preemptive obedience, and carefully scrutinize the manipulation of patriotic language by those in power. Through this structured approach, the text addresses the mechanisms through which political freedoms are addressed in modern societies.

Readers interested in contemporary political history and democratic resistance may find this volume relevant. Within the broader tradition of political commentary and warning literature, the book emphasizes personal accountability and factual integrity as primary bulwarks against the rising tide of political extremism. By translating historical observations into accessible directives, it addresses the ongoing challenges facing civic engagement in both the United States and Europe without resorting to speculative analysis beyond its stated scope.