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Twilight of Democracy

The Failure of Politics and the Parting of Friends

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Twilight of Democracy

By: Anne Applebaum
Narrated by: Anne Applebaum
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

In the years just before and after the fall of the Berlin Wall, conservative politicians and intellectuals across Europe and America celebrated a great achievement, felt a common purpose and, very often, forged personal friendships. The euphoria quickly evaporated, the common purpose and centre ground gradually disappeared and eventually - as this audiobook compellingly relates - the relationships soured too.

Anne Applebaum traces a familiar history in an unfamiliar way, looking at the trajectories of individuals caught up in the public events of the last three decades. When politics become polarised, which side do you back? If you are a journalist, an intellectual, a civic leader, how do you deal with the re-emergence of authoritarian or nationalist ideas in your country? When your leaders appropriate history, or peddle conspiracies, or eviscerate the media and the judiciary, do you go along with it?

Twilight of Democracy is a new kind of political writing, an essay that mixes the personal and the political and brings a fresh understanding to the dynamics of public life in Europe and America, both now and in the past.

©2020 Anne Applebaum (P)2020 Penguin Audio 20th Century Europe Modern Politics & Government World Socialism Imperialism Liberalism Middle East Capitalism Interwar Period
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An interesting listen for anyone worried (or just curious) about the current state of politics and extreme polarisation. Also for anyone interested in UK, American and European politics, as she covers all three with fairly equally. As an Aussie with ties to all three regions I appreciated the scope of the book and the fact that it wasn't just about the USA. The author is on the right (centre right) which she makes no secret of but as someone who considers themself on the left (although maybe centre left after listening to this) I did not find this book partisan or overly ideological. It is heavily critical of the current Republican Party (though quite pro-Regan) and fairly critical of the Toris (though again quite pro-Thatcher, which I am not). The best part and most interesting aspect of the book was the way the author interwove the political and the personal and used her own experiences as a touchstone for her more esoteric arguments. I thought that this made less "dry" than other similar books. Narrated by the author who does a good job.

interesting, but sensible essay on the alt right

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An amazing intersection of contemporary political analysis, history, and personal relationships. Perfect book for our global moment.

unparalleled

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The author is an excellent narrator of her own work. Very well written, the book makes for much thought and discussion

Thought provoking

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A cautionary note on where we are headed and how we are following in footsteps well trodden when civilisation stops questioning leadership and places fear before strength, resilience and the thirst for knowledge and counter argument.

Succinct and efficient enlightenment on the hazardous direction of the world as we know it.

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Anne Applebaum is one of those few people who see through the propaganda infested deluge of news, and are able to place events in a proper historical context.
So, I was keen to read this, especially as it is narrated by herself.
Anne takes us on a journey of almost nostalgia, back to recent times but ones that seem more distant than they are because of the political shifts towards polarisation seemingly experienced everywhere. This included, for me, some surprising stops, like Spain.
Sobering but not gloomy. Anne reminds us that democracy isn't a given. It always was, and should be, a struggle that is worth fighting for.

Sobering audit of our predicament

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He who uses the latest technology of the day will create the politics of tomorrow.

Scary!

Wow what an insight

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The author provides a reasonable analysis of some of the causes for the rise of authoritarianism. However, the substantial gap in her analysis arises from her failure to make any attempt to explore her own political views (Reagan right) and how their implementation might have been a significant contributor to the current circumstances.

Author has a huge blind spot

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There are some good bits of information and individual things to think about but the structure or point was lacking. It also contains a lot of what felt like personal attacks because some people were not her friends anymore. That detracts from what is trying to be said and while this may be the writer's personal style there is so much bias at point that it clouds clear understanding of the point and unfortunately falls into a lot of the things the writer is accusing others of.

It is still a good read and if you wade through you will be rewarded with some valuable thoughts.

Average

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A name dropping analysis of what is going on in the free world. A lot of name dropping and the author can't make up her mind whether she is American. Jewish, polish, European or what. A rich princess writing from a privelaged position. This book is not worth it.

Very shallow

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