So grateful for your educational material. I just bought On Freedom in Paris in French after reading in English. I have been talking to some French people about the book.
Of course I will share this. I also encourage folks to view and share the video of Professor Snyder's discussion with Alistair Campbell and Rory Stewart published on October 28. https://youtu.be/G99hLYPhysY?si=1Izw0b_uuSoITsHh
I finished "On Freedom" on 10/23 and Roger Moorhouse's "The Devils' Alliance: Hitler's Pact with Stalin, 1939-1941" on 10/28. I know the exact dates because I've been keeping a list of books and papers I've read since 2010 in a pocket-size book, something you encouraged us to do in "On Freedom" (not the pocket-size book part, though). Moorhouse's book filled in a lot of blanks for me about why Stalin continued to ignore his intelligence, especially from about Nov. 1940 right up to the invasion. Am now reading "The Reconstruction of Nations: Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, Belarus, 1569–1999." I'd already bought S.C. Rowell's "Lithuania Ascending: A Pagan Empire within East-Central Europe, 1295–1345," which you cite in endnote 1, ch. 1, last Aug., along with Daniel Stone's "The Polish-Lithuanian State, 1386-1795," which you cite in endnote 10, ch. 1. It was anticipatory book-buying, I guess! It was your course "The Making of Modern Ukraine" that drew me to Lithuania, and my enthusiasm has not only not waned, but has become much stronger. I want to thank you for that. I've grown to love Medieval Lithuanian history.
Many thanks for everything you do. I'm unable to do much of anything physically because of pain, but I'm still involved financially in local groups, my personal favorite being the Austin Diaper Bank, which provides diapers and period products to those who can't afford them. Girls from impoverished families used to miss school several days every month because they couldn't afford pads and tampons. About 2 years ago the group was able to get free period products into every school in Austin so girls can stay in school every day, a great accomplishment.
I began by listening, then struggled with some of the names and terminology. I purchased the book and now I listen to TS while reading along. The author's tone adds a lot of meaning while seeing (and marking up) the book allows me to digest the history and philosophy more readily. This is a book I want to thoroughly digest.
There is an old axiom in politics - "Keep it simple, stupid!" On Tyranny keeps it simple. I read that book in 2017 and bought more for the "usual suspects." A cadre was formed. I attended your book review in Dallas. The best thing about that meeting was the audience. The saddest thing about that meeting was the audience. Your message flies right by the people who most need to hear it. They are not at Yale, and they were not at that book signing. They are the multitude of "blue collar workers." 64% of our adult population CLAIM to read one book a year.
I'm sending out this audio to every Republican I know, many without a college education (oil patch). They would never read your books, already tried that, but they might listen to this audio.
I will not give up, ever, the prospect of living in freedom -- my wheelchair didn't stop me from going to the Soviet controlled Ukraine in the 1970s. There is much work to do here as in the rest of the world, to paraphrase Heather Cox Richardson and the Obamas, and many others who have worked hard to inform us about democracy and about what is around us. This is not a simple choice between who is dominating in a simple relationship. It's not about money or any other single issue, or even several issues. It's existential, it's the essence of why the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the flag, the Pledge of Allegiance exist with meaning. I can't do much, but I do what I can and I will continue. Thank you for helping to provide the strength.
Thank you - your succinct and direct explanations are powerful. Hearing these thoughts in your voice makes tolerable listening to these frightening facts and promotes action. Your books and these podcasts are indispensable.
Decency & competence vs Trump's Project 2025 authoritarianism, grievance, misogyny, racism, & hatred of the “other”. Fight for Freedom,, Democracy & the rule of law...#VoteBlue!
Thank you professor Snyder— I’m reading your book on tyranny over and over. As I did when Donald was in the White House. Never Again. I’ve given hundreds of copies as gifts. Sometimes to strangers.
Your historical knowledge and plain speaking needs a 📢 bullhorn. I’ll share this widely. Thank you for being the voice of democracy. You’re awesome.
Thank you for your continuing work and voice Professor Snyder.
So grateful for your educational material. I just bought On Freedom in Paris in French after reading in English. I have been talking to some French people about the book.
Yes! Yes! The ideas apply to all countries.
Tim: That is fabulously informative and so very frightening. Thank you for the honest information!
We must get thru these next days, facing what may happen but who knows? Very stressful times.
Have great faith that there are very good Americans who will see and do the right act in their voting.
We are facing what lies ahead, regardless.
Your thoughts and books are so awesome.
I wish more people would have access to this historical very important comments
Of course I will share this. I also encourage folks to view and share the video of Professor Snyder's discussion with Alistair Campbell and Rory Stewart published on October 28. https://youtu.be/G99hLYPhysY?si=1Izw0b_uuSoITsHh
Thanks for another link.
Excellent lecture professor Snyder!
Hans G Wesslau, Sweden
I finished "On Freedom" on 10/23 and Roger Moorhouse's "The Devils' Alliance: Hitler's Pact with Stalin, 1939-1941" on 10/28. I know the exact dates because I've been keeping a list of books and papers I've read since 2010 in a pocket-size book, something you encouraged us to do in "On Freedom" (not the pocket-size book part, though). Moorhouse's book filled in a lot of blanks for me about why Stalin continued to ignore his intelligence, especially from about Nov. 1940 right up to the invasion. Am now reading "The Reconstruction of Nations: Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, Belarus, 1569–1999." I'd already bought S.C. Rowell's "Lithuania Ascending: A Pagan Empire within East-Central Europe, 1295–1345," which you cite in endnote 1, ch. 1, last Aug., along with Daniel Stone's "The Polish-Lithuanian State, 1386-1795," which you cite in endnote 10, ch. 1. It was anticipatory book-buying, I guess! It was your course "The Making of Modern Ukraine" that drew me to Lithuania, and my enthusiasm has not only not waned, but has become much stronger. I want to thank you for that. I've grown to love Medieval Lithuanian history.
Many thanks for everything you do. I'm unable to do much of anything physically because of pain, but I'm still involved financially in local groups, my personal favorite being the Austin Diaper Bank, which provides diapers and period products to those who can't afford them. Girls from impoverished families used to miss school several days every month because they couldn't afford pads and tampons. About 2 years ago the group was able to get free period products into every school in Austin so girls can stay in school every day, a great accomplishment.
I still have 100 pages to go in “on Feeedom”. I’m not adept at grasping philosophy quickly, but it’s definitely worth the effort.
I began by listening, then struggled with some of the names and terminology. I purchased the book and now I listen to TS while reading along. The author's tone adds a lot of meaning while seeing (and marking up) the book allows me to digest the history and philosophy more readily. This is a book I want to thoroughly digest.
That’s a great idea. I may try that as well. Thank you.
There is an old axiom in politics - "Keep it simple, stupid!" On Tyranny keeps it simple. I read that book in 2017 and bought more for the "usual suspects." A cadre was formed. I attended your book review in Dallas. The best thing about that meeting was the audience. The saddest thing about that meeting was the audience. Your message flies right by the people who most need to hear it. They are not at Yale, and they were not at that book signing. They are the multitude of "blue collar workers." 64% of our adult population CLAIM to read one book a year.
I'm sending out this audio to every Republican I know, many without a college education (oil patch). They would never read your books, already tried that, but they might listen to this audio.
Thanks for trying.
I will not give up, ever, the prospect of living in freedom -- my wheelchair didn't stop me from going to the Soviet controlled Ukraine in the 1970s. There is much work to do here as in the rest of the world, to paraphrase Heather Cox Richardson and the Obamas, and many others who have worked hard to inform us about democracy and about what is around us. This is not a simple choice between who is dominating in a simple relationship. It's not about money or any other single issue, or even several issues. It's existential, it's the essence of why the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the flag, the Pledge of Allegiance exist with meaning. I can't do much, but I do what I can and I will continue. Thank you for helping to provide the strength.
Thank you - your succinct and direct explanations are powerful. Hearing these thoughts in your voice makes tolerable listening to these frightening facts and promotes action. Your books and these podcasts are indispensable.
History doesn't necessarily repeat,
but History most certainly rhymes. This is ancient knowledge. Wise men/women knew this, and yet, never gave up.
In the year of our lord (a phrase, don't get excited) 2024 - we shouldn't either. We've no excuse. :-)
Thank you Professor Snyder. Your books, interviews, this substack, all that you do, are invaluable. You're a precious gem.
Thank you for your voice and wisdom in this pivotal scary point. Very grateful.
Decency & competence vs Trump's Project 2025 authoritarianism, grievance, misogyny, racism, & hatred of the “other”. Fight for Freedom,, Democracy & the rule of law...#VoteBlue!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpYbnREJdVM
https://youtube.com/shorts/vY9yU2lFxlA?si=orbDltE8OMCZlroC
Thank you professor Snyder— I’m reading your book on tyranny over and over. As I did when Donald was in the White House. Never Again. I’ve given hundreds of copies as gifts. Sometimes to strangers.
Thanks again for reminding us where we are and what we can do.