On Tyranny (Expanded Audio Edition)

Updated with Twenty New Lessons from Russia's War on Ukraine

By: Timothy Snyder

Narrated by: Timothy Snyder

The #1 New York Times bestseller, now in an expanded audiobook edition that includes detailed historical context for the democracy-threatening Ukrainian conflict and a call to action for modern times.

This edition includes the bestselling original essay collection On Tyranny, read by the author.

In this exclusive audiobook edition, which includes eight hours of new content, Snyder combines the original essays from On Tyranny with twenty new lessons that answer the questions everyone is asking about this war. With forays into history, he clarifies the causes of the Russian invasion and the meaning of Ukrainian resistance, and explains the war's connections to threats to democracy here in the United States and around the world. Linking past and present, speaking only from notes, he guides the listener into the larger moral universe of On Tyranny.

This edition also includes On Tyranny, the bestselling essay collection that illustrates how various countries and governments have managed to protect against totalitarianism throughout history despite ever-present threats from many factions. Snyder cautions that unless we learn from these disruptive and disturbing occurrences, they will continue. This important call to arms and roadmap for resistance provides invaluable ideas for how we can preserve our freedoms in the uncertain years to come.

“Timothy Snyder reasons with unparalleled clarity, throwing the past and future into sharp relief. He has written the rare kind of book that can be read in one sitting but will keep you coming back to help regain your bearings.”—Masha Gessen, about On Tyranny

©2022 Timothy Snyder (P)2022 Random House Audio

Something missing

I was taken back by the framing of the war in Ukraine as the greatest tragedy/ atrocity of the 21 st century?

Do not get me wrong that war us an atrocity and Mr. Snyder’s analysis is remarkable in its depth. However there was another conflict of the twenty-first century equal or perhaps greater by its duration and foundation in mythology and the politics of eternity.

Outstanding historical summary and analysis

Professor Snyder provides a framework for understanding how history can help clarify our values and shape our ability to put them into action. Along the way, he presents a compelling summary of European history and how it has shaped today’s world. A compelling read, and most enjoyable from the lips of Snyder himself. Highly recommended that you invest the time not only to read and understand the book but to hear Snyder’s illustrative commentary .

Interesting point of view

Dec 31, 2022 almost a year later the war from Russia to Ukraine and the history still holds … with such a dynamic war it is a very interesting way to come to term with what it is happening

Most Illuminating

Although I spend many hours watching cable news, Dr. Snyder provides the missing depth and nuance.

Changed my views of History

Timothy did an outstanding job of going back through time and relating how European countries have risen,died,became leaders, fell to others,only to return the to the glory days again,to the present time of conflicts with senseless killings. Ukraine deserves better,I am sure if they had oil resources, we would have been on the ground,and in the air defending their land. We can't afford to wait any longer.

IF YOU WANT TO UNDERSTAND READ THIS BOOK!

I had thought about buying this book since it originally came out a few years ago but always held off for some reason. It was, as author Snyder describes himself, as a pamphlet of sorts. But this edition, which begins with the “pamphlet”, includes a detailed analysis (in the form of 20 additional lessons) of the history and present situation involving Russia, Ukraine and the broader world. It’s quite amazing how someone (in this case Snyder) can take such an enormous amount of information and distill it in a way which is clear and (relatively) concise, arriving at a set of conclusions / perspectives which very simply, make a lot of sense. All the talking heads on TV (of which Snyder is at times one himself) have gone to great lengths to explain the past and present with regard to these matters, only to fall short in doing so. Of course, it's not really fair to compare a 9 hour book to a few minutes of air time here and there, but let’s keep this simple. If you want to understand all of this, read the book.

Edifying, encouraging, emboldening

If you want to understand the war in Ukraine, not just the events but their causes and not just events but the statements of Zelensky “I want weapons not a ride” and Putin “they [including the Jewish President] are Nazis” this book will not disappoint. With exacting vocabulary and measured tones, Prof Snyder paints a rivetingly broad and detailed brush of the history of eastern Europe as the context that creates meaning for what is happening in Ukraine. He then offers what Ukraine’s battle could mean for us as we move forward into our chosen futures. Required reading fr

interesting history lesson.

the initial part was interesting, but what was much more interesting was the history lesson he gave about the history of Ukraine and Russia. That explains why Putin claims what he does. I was very impressed by how quickly he came up with the material. I am guessing that us because he is a history professor for decades. He is used to speaking from bullet points he probably wrote out. This was interesting to see how Ukraine and Poland are intertwined and why Poland has so much affection for Ukraine. In the US we get caught up in western Europe's history, but leave out Easyern Europe. It was very interesting to learn about that.

Excellent book

As a Ukrainian, I enjoyed this audiobook immensely! Although of course I am aware of all the historical events related to my country, I was really interested in the analysis of Timothy Snider on the types of politics playing a role in these processes.

Being in Ukraine right now and continuing to do my part to bring closer the victory in the terrible unprovoked war, the time I spent listening to this book during lengthy power outages here was spent usefully!

Best Overview of Ukrainian History

Timothy Snyder offers the best historical overview of Ukraine as a paradigm for tyranny in co temporary times.