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(2024) This is a very scary account of how autocratic governments around the world work together to stifle dissent and promote antidemocratic movements worldwide. It was published only last year, and already things have gotten worse. This stuff keeps me up at night.

Applebaum shows how modern day autocracy differs from previous ones in that the autocratic nations today are working together, helping each other and learning from each other. It used to be that autocratic nations were isolated that is no longer the case as they are buying from each other. They have also created strategies for taking down anyone citizen criticising them or the country. This book scared me

Loved it ! Belongs next to these others that I have reread since Election Day. While some events outlined in this book have changed , it is still a relevant book as the playbook for dismantling democracy and running the grift never changes . Enlightening and depressing, so glad I read it

This little book packs a big punch, revealing the ways of autocracy in our modern world. And of course it‘s not just an exploration of current autocracies but a warning about the risk of other places (read: the US under Trump) descending that way, since man are we teetering on the edge. Terrifically topical. #WPNF25

Literally on page 2. In case anyone was unclear about Trump being an autocrat, here you go. I have the feeling I‘ll be able to quote the hell out of this book (we‘ll see if I end up doing that or not).

This is a dense 176 pages. Having been published in July of last year, it feels like really old news now. Autocracy is defined as ‘government by a single person having unlimited power; a country or state that is governed by a single person with unlimited power‘. Kleptocracy is defined as ‘a government characterized by rampant greed and corruption‘. The two work together for absolute control. In this book, the author explains how these are⬇️

A world in which autocracies work together to stay in power, work together to promote their system, and work together to damage democracies is not some distant dystopia. That world is the one we are living in right now.

It is difficult to read and review a book like this when, less than a year after its publication, it is already out of date. Applebaum lays out many of the ways autocracies work in the modern day to undermine democracy, truth, and morale. In that way it is important reading, and I found it quite accessible to listen to. Cont'd in comments

#wpbf25

Mood

Humm #WPNF25
I do not read many current affairs books. Mostly b/c by the time they are written & published the world has moved on. I find that still to be a sticking point for me. The couple of times she mentions Bashar al-Assad like he is a key player I see in my mind the sacking of his palace. As an American it u. Interesting to read this from her pov which was obviously before our last election. I have lots and lots of notes.
3/5 CH notes 👇

There has been a lot of talk in the states about why and What do you mean Google just changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico on the map? But we really need to understand that tech companies are not resistance machines.

This paragraph is how different tech companies helped with authoritarian censorship in China

Does anyone use, or know anyone who uses the term "cottoning on to"?

Never in my life have I heard this phrase. It appears to mean to begin to understand. I am finding many of the phrases and words Applebaum uses throughout this book to be ones I rarely if ever have heard before; which isn't making this dense book an easy one to read.
#WPNF25

#wpnf25

A very scary book, particularly in this current political climate. Ostensibly looking at how governments in countries such as Russia, Venezuela, Nigeria and North Korea enable each other in their pursuit of autocracy over democracy, it only serves to demonstrate how such policies and actions are now found in so-called democracies. (See quote above)

I would recommend reading this rather than listening to- I found it hard to follow on ⬇️

#WomensPrizeNonfiction25 longlist

I am so pleased the Women‘s Prize has included nonfiction in their awards. I may be more excited about this than the fiction 🤫 This second year is quite the list! I‘ve only read two:
Autocracy Inc
Why Fish Don‘t Exist

I already had By the Fire We Carry checked out so it‘ll be my first read of the others. Looking forward to several here! A few aren‘t published in the US yet.

If nothing else has gotten me to read that tag this is going to work. 🤐🤨🤢

Scary book. Even scarier thinking about Monday. #roll100 @PuddleJumper

Wow, it‘s scary out there! (And in here [US] now too.)
An examination and call-out of the way corrupt governments operate in Russia, China, North Korea. The way they suppress information to their benefit and spread disinformation about their enemies to their citizens. Money is laundered in the US and other parts of the world to support horrible crimes. Donald Trump admires these disturbing people. How far will we fall in his second term?

#SundayFunday

Looking forward to reading this one about how various countries crank out disinformation to undermine democratic nations. Loved her book Nuclear War, so I have high expectations for this one.

This is one scary book. The author clearly explains how autocrats run and hold onto power in their countries (Russia, Iran, Venezuela, China, etc.) and how they make and keep their money. While it it gives us some hope at fighting them, it requires both acknowledgement about their power and a lot of changes to our financial systems. It is not a surprise that Trump admires many of them, praising one (Viktor Orban) in the debate last night. 4/5!

This is one hell of a timely book. It defines the modern autocratic regimes, clearly giving examples of how autocratic governments rule these days, using money to support each other, corrupt democratic societies, while also raising disinformation online and in media to a whole new level. Clear and concise, it‘s a book that concisely reflects today‘s reality and offers pragmatic solutions for these issues. Great read!

If you want a quick primer about how money fuels autocracy and how autocratic regimes make their money, look no further. Applebaum drops lots of info concisely with great flow and organization. At under 5 hours on audio, it‘s definitely worth your time!!