The Road to Unfreedom

Russia, Europe, America

By: Timothy Snyder

Narrated by: Timothy Snyder

Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

With the end of the Cold War, the victory of liberal democracy was thought to be absolute. Observers declared the end of history, confident in a peaceful, globalized future. But we now know this to be premature.

Authoritarianism first returned in Russia, as Putin developed a political system dedicated solely to the consolidation and exercise of power. In the last six years, it has creeped from east to west as nationalism inflames Europe, abetted by Russian propaganda and cyberwarfare. While countries like Poland and Hungary have made hard turns toward authoritarianism, the electoral upsets of 2016 revealed the citizens of the US and UK in revolt against their countries’ longstanding policies and values.

But this threat to the West also presents the opportunity to better understand the pillars of our own political order. In this forceful and unsparing work of contemporary history, Snyder goes beyond the headlines to expose the true nature of the threat to democracy. By showcasing the stark choices before us - between equality or oligarchy, individuality or totality, truth and falsehood - Snyder restores our understanding of the basis of our way of life, offering a way forward in a time of terrible uncertainty.

©2018 Timothy Snyder (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Combining topical reporting with delvings into the history of ideas and some political-philosophical musing in the author’s own voice, this relatively short book covers a vast canvas.... A roller-coaster world calls for a news editor's skill in processing facts and a philosopher's ability to dissect ideologies. Snyder has both." (The Economist)

"The Road to Unfreedom offers a brief, potent and carefully documented history of Vladimir Putin's consolidation of power in Russia, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election." (Chicago Tribune)

“We are living in dangerous times, Timothy Snyder argues forcefully and eloquently in his new book.... To understand Putin, Snyder argues persuasively, you must understand his ideas.... The Road to Unfreedom is a good wake-up call.” (Margaret MacMillan, The New York Times Book Review)

• A New York Times Editors' Choice
• Shortlisted for the 2019 Lionel Gelber Prize

Most Important and Gripping Book I Have Ever Read

If you think that America's future can only be as great as it's past then think again but only after you've read Snyder's book "The Road to Unfreedom". Because I read it, almost without stopping, I finally understand the real reason for this president's constant lying. He does not lie because he can't help himself instead he lies to help himself and his fellow oligarchs to our fortunes. Yet the more important reason to read the book is to understand what is happening to your freedom so that you will be equipped to choose the path away from unfreedom and toward the freedom our forefathers intended.

Everyone should read this book

Great straightforward analysis of the decline of our political system and the Russian (successful) attempt to influence that system to their benefit.

If you want to understand how it all went bonkers

Finally, it's making sense.

But the truth is terrifying -not hopeless- but terrifying.

Hey, Stephen Colbert, read this!

Shocking

You will have a well-rounded knowledge of what’s going on after reading this book. Why the assault on facts? Why does Russia care about subverting democracy?

Must Read/ Listen

Must read for anyone who values our democracy! Get beyond the collusion and find out how Russia is really undermining us

Remarkable work

This book is thorough, wide ranging, painstakingly researched and artfully describes what our nation has experienced and what the world is experiencing presently in Ukraine.

Excellent

An indebt historical look into Russian political theory, application, propaganda & execution. HIghly Recommended.

Essential Reading

Once again Prof. Snyder reveals a backstory to historical events, tying into current events, to give us clarity in our experience of the world. Context is everything and he brings it brilliantly. He is able to convey his vast knowledge in a compelling storyline. I would recommend all his books.

Utterly profound.

This is a work of diligence that will be used as a reference in the annals of history.

Clearly reasoned and important

I have listened to this book twice and appreciate it even more than I did the first time through. Some reviewers think he is biased and too political. I disagree. This is a history of changes in our society over the last 70 + years, during which our public life has become increasingly uncivil, dangerous and disappointing. Of course political events must be included and fully examined. I especially appreciate how the author made sense of the daily revelations and shocks associated with the 2016 election and the years of the Trump administration. I recognized every name he mentions, but now I understand how all those disrupting events and actors fit into a consistent pattern. Now I feel empowered to think about ways we can get our freedoms back. I strongly recommend this book.