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The Road to Unfreedom

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The Road to Unfreedom

By: Timothy Snyder
Narrated by: Timothy Snyder
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About this listen

Random House presents the audiobook edition of The Road to Unfreedom, written and read by Timothy Snyder.

The past is another country, the old saying goes. The same might be said of the future. But which country? For Europeans and Americans today, the answer is Russia.


Today's Russia is an oligarchy propped up by illusions and repression. But it also represents the fulfilment of tendencies already present in the West. And if Moscow's drive to dissolve Western states and values succeeds, this could become our reality too.

In this visionary work of contemporary history, Timothy Snyder shows how Russia works within the West to destroy the West; by supporting the far right in Europe, invading Ukraine in 2014, and waging a cyberwar during the 2016 presidential campaign and the EU referendum. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the creation of Donald Trump, an American failure deployed as a Russian weapon.

But this threat presents an opportunity to better understand the pillars of our freedoms, confront our own complacency and seek renewal. History never ends, and this new challenge forces us to face the choices that will determine the future: equality or oligarchy, individualism or totalitarianism, truth or lies.

The Road to Unfreedom helps us to see our world as if for the first time. It is necessary reading for any citizen of a democracy.

‘A brilliant and disturbing analysis, which should be read by anyone wishing to understand the political crisis currently engulfing the world.’ YUVAL NOAH HARARI, author of SAPIENS and HOMO DEUS

©2018 Timothy Snyder (P)2018 Random House Audiobooks
21st Century Modern Politics & Government World Russia Imperialism Socialism Soviet Union War Military Middle East Cyber Warfare Capitalism Iran Interwar Period

Critic Reviews

This story of how Russia dismantled democracy, and the man who set its template for fake news, is chilling and persuasive ... unignorable... a disturbing and persuasive insight... Snyder's forensic examination of, for example the news cycle that followed the shooting down of flight MH17 makes essential reading ... Meticulously researched and footnoted. (Tim Adams)
One of the best…brisk, conceptually convincing account of democracy’s retreat in the early years of 21st century (Luke Harding)
Snyder’s central thesis is a strong one… Vividly and insightfully told. (Edward Lucas)
All stars
Most relevant
Snyder discusses Eastern Europe's recent backslide into tyranny and the dire lessons for liberal democracy.

What a good time to learn about Russian politics

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This was really hard to understand for about half the book but it was all necessary to set up the information needed for when he started talking Trump. I have a Hungarian friend tell me how scary Putin is and I didn't realise how much of a psychopath he is until reading this. If this is all correct, social media is killing us more than we know. In this time it is making me question the madness behind the COVID19 media and government response. What is real and what is propaganda? Looks like there are some big elections around the world happening this year 2020, what's going to happen?

I would love to know a little bit more about the Putin connection to the rest of the world and not just Russia, Europe and America. What you got cooking Timothy?

Should be a horror book

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This is a genuine must-read. It defines this monent in internationl relations. I thought I knew what was going on but, really, I had no Idea. I'm so grateful to the author.

The most important book of the 21st century.

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I saw Timothy interviewed on MSNBC Rachel Maddow and was intrigued by his comments

Timothy has predicted Trumps moves - I was stunned that two years after he wrote this book - Trump “ the wanna be tyrant” is doing exactly what previous dictators have done eg. unmarked police on the street dragging people off the street ! Trump’s gaslighting - he’s not responsible and denial for the unbelievable chaos of the COVID-19 mess and deaths from inaction - breathtaking- the destruction of the USA

This is happening now!

People need to be aware of what is happening- Trump needs to be Stopped!

Be alarmed

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A stunning and incisive critique of the none-too-subtle yet strangely alluring politics of the new oppression.

Important

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Insightful, terrifying and inspirational. This book will contextualise some of what we see in the world today while offering guidance to navigate the political road ahead.

An essential perspective for the times we live in

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A must read for anyone who cares about the world we will leave for future generations.

Must read.

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Snyder has done a great job putting this work together. Very compelling and confronting. I would caution listeners to "hear him out" before reacting from the gut. I found myself rather disappointed at some of the people named in this work... but continued on none the less. I think this has to be one of the more relevant contemporary political science texts written in relatively Plain English; Timothy was certainly a student of Cicero.

Compelling

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