Anne Applebaum's "Twilight of Democracy: How Political Polarization Led to the Parting of Friends"

b: The dedicated, passionate followers of personalities and celebrities and ideology are vulnerable to being manipulated. Tolerance and objectivity and curiosity seem subordinate. Being part of a tribe is comforting.
That's why Applebaum's book was interesting to me.

United States on Jul 17, 2023

Philippe CONSTANT, auteur: Ce passionnant livre est un incontournable pour tout « honnête » homme d’aujourd’hui. Attention, le contenu de ce livre est le même que celui de « Twilight of democracy – The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism ».

Canada on Jan 30, 2023

Baron Bar: I could not put it down. I read the book through the night in one sitting. I was very tired the next day, but much enriched. It has triggered animated discussions in my home, and left us all with deeper insights into the processes that are eroding democratic institutions in Europe, and also in our country, The Netherlands.

United States on Jun 18, 2022

Fred D. Seth, Jr.: Ann Applebaum is a superb writer with a powerful message. Anyone who cares about what is going on should read this book. She approaches her topic wide-eyed trying to make sense of what is happening to the democracy of Jefferson and Madison. We are always one generation away from losing what our forefathers fought so hard to create and then maintain. If you care about the future of the United States, read this book.

United States on May 17, 2022

ISV: An easy read from someone who has spent years making the most accurate analyzes of today's global political conflicts, as well as providing historical and personal insight. Anne Applebaum is always a must, but this book in particular is suitable for almost anyone with an interest in today's world.

Spain on Mar 30, 2022

M. Caroll: You get a glimpse of Applebaum's personal memories, posh dinners, fancy feasts, castles and gardens - all seasoned with famous friends, affluent people, conspicuous celebrities - and so on. But just as you start wondering a bit about it all, you realize that - as always when reading some Applebaum's - you know more, you understand better, you see clearer about the notions under scrutiny: Truth, History, Politics, Debate - and the threat they are under. The title may sound gloomy but the message is refreshing, generous, passionate: let's keep caring for our Democracies. They are worth it.

United States on Mar 18, 2022

AkshayAkshay: Of all of the books the author has written, this one is the shortest in length but I am sure it is more personal to Mrs. Applebaum than any other written before.

The author talks about her experiences of the previous decades of friends & acquaintances turning far-right with the winds of change across Europe & North America. Simultaneously, she also discusses the reasons, impacts and the decline of democratic values in the current decade of effusive political changes. I belive this book gives us a good understanding as to why individuals opt for regressive ideologies in the wake of disruption in their personal lives and how it inadvertent affects modern societies.

While the book is worth its weight in gold, I have given one-star for the condition of the book I received it in. The pictures I have posted are actually those of a copy I ordered for a replacement and the condition is even terrible than the original one. Quite disappointed.

India on Nov 15, 2021

Bill Chalker: I’ve read most of Applebaum’s books and much of her journalism in recent years. This is a very brief and personal review of the decline of democracy mostly in Europe and the US. Her review of democracy’s decline in several countries in Europe is very informative, especially her description of Brexit. But as a US reader, her assessment of how we got here in a single short chapter called “Prairie Fire” is compelling, just brilliant. From the Weathermen to Pat Buchanan to Laura Ingraham to Donald Trump it is all laid out. A sad story if you’re a fan of democracy.

United States on Jul 23, 2021

Morgenthaler Jean-louis: A partir d'une analyse comparative détaillée, Anne Applebaum montre que les populistes utilisent une même stratégie avec des variantes et des adaptations en fonction des contextes nationaux. Elle esquisse un tableau qui n'est ni un cri d'alarme ni un rassurant "Dormez-tranquilles bonnes gens", mais un appel à une prise de conscience et à une vigilance de tous ceux qui pensent que la démocratie reste, de loin, le moins mauvais des systèmes. Les populistes croient tenir une stratégie gagnante. La partie est en cours.

France on Jul 07, 2021

The Midshipman: This is by any means a very personal book. Whatever is told here, it is the personal experience of someone who is a member of "the" elite. Married to a former polish secretary of state and a historian. Politically probably center-left, which already translated into "left" for some people.
Whatever you may think of it - if you are a fan of Brexit, the AfD, Orban and Trump, you will not like the book.
For everybody more open: have a read.
To me it was a good read, as she expressed and explained things I sensed as well: that certain friends and companions I had went into a political direction which is not mine.
In most cases this leaves you speechless - like the ones who argued furiously about Brexit or the Refugee Crisis in Germany.
I was in both cases puzzled by the emotions and the fury of the debates and what anger was underlying any debate.
If you see the world from the perspective of a liberal (and no, not in the US sense "liberal = left", but somebody who expects political debates to be civil, based on rationality and without anger and fury, you will probably sense what the author sensed:
Our world has changed.
15 years ago someone like Trump as...

Germany on Feb 23, 2021