Hello!
I’ll be doing as much as possible this August to enjoy the last few weeks of summer. As such, this week, I spent time by the lake.
Here’s my reading highlight:
On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder
5 stars
This was a powerful piece of work, and I learned a lot.
As a student of history, I learned history doesn’t repeat itself, but I was unable to explain the familiarity of historical moments eloquently. Timothy was able to articulate this well with the quotes:
- “History does not repeat, but it does instruct.”
- “History can familiarize, and it can warn.”
The essay examined the 2016 elections and the elements of tyranny in the winning U.S. president’s campaign and presidency. It was refreshing that this was done without naming the candidates, removing the name-picking aspect that many may have used to undermine the essay.
“History allows us to see patterns and make judgments. History permits us to be responsible: not for everything, but for something.” Here are the twenty lessons from the book:
- Do not obey in advance.
- Defend institutions.
- Beware the one-party state.
- Take responsibility for the face of the world.
- Be wary of paramilitaries.
- Be reflective if you must be armed.
- Stand out.
- Be kind to our language.
- Believe in truth.
- Investigate.
- Make eye contact and small talk.
- Practice corporeal politics.
- Establish a private life.
- Contribute to good causes.
- Learn from peers in other countries.
- Listen for dangerous words.
- Be calm when the unthinkable arrives.
- Be a patriot.
- Be as courageous as you can.
poetryandproze 