The Road to Unfreedom: Russia, Europe, America
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- Create Date：2021-03-27 14:17:14
- Update Date：2025-09-06
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- Author：Timothy Snyder
- ISBN：1784708577
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Summary
'Brilliant and disturbing' Yuval Noah Harari
The past is another country， the old saying goes。 The same might be said of the future。 But which country？ For Europeans and Americans today， the answer is Russia。
In this visionary work of contemporary history， Timothy Snyder shows how Russia works within the West to destroy the West; by supporting the far right in Europe， invading Ukraine in 2014， and waging a cyberwar during the 2016 presidential campaign and the EU referendum。 Nowhere is this more obvious than in the creation of Donald Trump， an American failure deployed as a Russian weapon。 But this threat presents an opportunity to better understand the pillars of our freedoms and face the choices that will determine the future: equality or oligarchy， individualism or totalitarianism， truth or lies。
The past is another country， the old saying goes。 The same might be said of the future。 But which country？ For Europeans and Americans today， the answer is Russia。
In this visionary work of contemporary history， Timothy Snyder shows how Russia works within the West to destroy the West; by supporting the far right in Europe， invading Ukraine in 2014， and waging a cyberwar during the 2016 presidential campaign and the EU referendum。 Nowhere is this more obvious than in the creation of Donald Trump， an American failure deployed as a Russian weapon。 But this threat presents an opportunity to better understand the pillars of our freedoms and face the choices that will determine the future: equality or oligarchy， individualism or totalitarianism， truth or lies。
Reviews
Gail
，
I think this analysis of the current dangers to American democracy is well researched， in depth and essential reading。 Without fearmongering， Timothy Snyder presents the assumptions that lead us to believe our country will always be democratic。 The sense that more capitalism means more democracy has blinded us to how the unresolved and increasing inequalities within our nation are weakening us。 As we have moved toward an oligarchy that resonates with other oligarchies around the world， Russia ha I think this analysis of the current dangers to American democracy is well researched， in depth and essential reading。 Without fearmongering， Timothy Snyder presents the assumptions that lead us to believe our country will always be democratic。 The sense that more capitalism means more democracy has blinded us to how the unresolved and increasing inequalities within our nation are weakening us。 As we have moved toward an oligarchy that resonates with other oligarchies around the world， Russia has spread fictions throughout our country that have become deeply rooted and threaten our ability to work together。 The greed that led to the opioid crisis， the decision that corporations are individuals and the fiction that Donald Trump is a successful businessman unconnected to Russia are some of the issues that he presents as significant contributors to growing inequality in the US。 Beyond a certain point， these trends lead to what he calls the politics of eternity where there is no hope of change。 "Authoritarianism begins when we can no longer tell the difference between the true and the appealing。" To make America great again requires that we see history as it is and take responsibility for ongoing renewal and growth。 The Road to Unfreedom is shining a light into the darkness。 。。。more
Ieva Slauzgalvyte
，
A brilliant timeline of events explaining the rise of Putin's regime and incomprehensible schizofascist ideology underneath it。 If you seek an explanation of recent critical events like Maidan， the Russia-Ukraine war， Russian cyberwar against EU and USA， Syrian bombing and flood of refugees to Europe， rise of Trump， Brexit and the political crisis of the world in general， this is the book。 A brilliant timeline of events explaining the rise of Putin's regime and incomprehensible schizofascist ideology underneath it。 If you seek an explanation of recent critical events like Maidan， the Russia-Ukraine war， Russian cyberwar against EU and USA， Syrian bombing and flood of refugees to Europe， rise of Trump， Brexit and the political crisis of the world in general， this is the book。 。。。more
Jón Einar Jónsson
，
The Road to Unfreedom gives insight into Russia's relationship with Europe and America。 Timothy Snyder writes about Russia's invasion into Ukraine and argues that the only one to benefit from that war was China。 Further， he argues that the aim of Russia is to create worldwide problems in order to harm Europe and America， since Russians will feel better about themselves if others are worse off。In the end he claims that the reason for Trump's victory in the presidential election in 2016 is all tha The Road to Unfreedom gives insight into Russia's relationship with Europe and America。 Timothy Snyder writes about Russia's invasion into Ukraine and argues that the only one to benefit from that war was China。 Further， he argues that the aim of Russia is to create worldwide problems in order to harm Europe and America， since Russians will feel better about themselves if others are worse off。In the end he claims that the reason for Trump's victory in the presidential election in 2016 is all thanks to Russia， due to their cyber war and financial support to Donald Trump。 This book is a good input for understanding contemporary international politics。 。。。more
Diane
，
Riveting This book should be required reading in classes that teAch politics or modern us history。 I learned so much about the interconnection between countries and major world events that explain how we got to the mess that was the election of 2016 and what transpired over the next four years。
Cathy
，
He wrote On Tyranny， a short book which I finally ordered。 He also did a very good CSPAN BookTV special with Jason Stanley （about their propaganda and fascism books）。It was ok。 I got more out of the historical parts （recent history） then the Trump/US parts。 His framing was confusing and didn’t seem that helpful to me。 And there were a lot of small errors in the recent history， which made me wonder about the stuff that was totally unfamiliar to me。
Peter Stricker
，
As other reviewer have given detailed descriptions providing a condensed version of the book， I would like to give a personal experience with the author's message。 I am a Hungarian refugee from 1956， but as I was very young when we escaped， my understanding of the "unfreedom" the book covers is from listening to my parents and their contemporaries stories during my formative years from the safety of our Canadian homes。 My stepfather， whom my mother married in Canada， also a Hungarian refugee， wa As other reviewer have given detailed descriptions providing a condensed version of the book， I would like to give a personal experience with the author's message。 I am a Hungarian refugee from 1956， but as I was very young when we escaped， my understanding of the "unfreedom" the book covers is from listening to my parents and their contemporaries stories during my formative years from the safety of our Canadian homes。 My stepfather， whom my mother married in Canada， also a Hungarian refugee， was a low level party member in post-war communist Hungary， not because he espoused communism （he hated it with a passion）， but because he felt he needed payback for the misery he had to endure during WW2 as a Jew hiding out during the Holocaust and being persecuted by his Hungarian neighbors。 And， as the author mentions， the party members， even low level ones like my father， led a much better life than the average citizen。 He and his friends hated the regime with a passion - from Stalin to post-war Khrushchev， Brezhnev and their ilk。 Listening to their stories about the murderous， lying gang who called themselves Communist was no different from the murderous， lying gang of kleptocrats and oligarchs who populate the ruling class of Russia today， for whom Putin is a redeemer， and whose rise to power is pretty much the subject of the book。 The author brilliantly exposes the path along which Russia traveled along the road to eternity by sowing dissonance around the world solely to preserve their crooked ruling class。 Since they couldn't do it by being better than the western democracies， they instead endeavor to undermine them。 The author has integrated a tremendous store of detailed factual information to support his argument， and presents them brilliantly。 The reason I did not give the book a 5 is that I found it very tedious to read and understand， but I'm just an old retired engineer， and this is work is somewhat out of my usual realm of expertise， my experience with my elders notwithstanding。 The detailed discussion of fascist philosopher Ivan Ilyin's blueprint in the early 20th century to how Putin manipulated the 2016 US election is especially sanguine， as most of that information came out in US Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report， and which was ignored by Putin's enthusiastic American protegé。 。。。more
Sebastian Hosu
，
A very important book for its time， but one that will remain relevant。I generally expected a book that concerns itself with the decay of liberal democratic principles in an age of resurgent populism。 The book did deliver on that front， but it is more than that。 It has a focused approach， chapter by chapter dissecting Russian foreign policy， the myth of independent and self-sufficient European nation-states， and Trump's America。After years of being over-exposed on the news to Trump's scandals， ea A very important book for its time， but one that will remain relevant。I generally expected a book that concerns itself with the decay of liberal democratic principles in an age of resurgent populism。 The book did deliver on that front， but it is more than that。 It has a focused approach， chapter by chapter dissecting Russian foreign policy， the myth of independent and self-sufficient European nation-states， and Trump's America。After years of being over-exposed on the news to Trump's scandals， each eclipsing the previous， the author convinced me to take Russia's influence on the 2016 US Presidential election seriously again。 The author lays out in detail how Putin has the means and the will to disrupt democracy abroad in order to consolidate power at home。 This is backed up by a dive into the political philosophy of one Ivan Ilyin， whose thought informs the values of Russia's political elite。 These revelations were particularly interesting， as understanding some of Ivan Ilyin sheds a different light on Russia's actions， which otherwise could be interpreted as almost nonideological realpolitik。 Another interesting endeavour the author embarks upon is to recontextualise the European nation-state， not as a construct that autonomously exists since the Peace of Westphalia or since the French Revolution， but either as a holder of or constituent of a larger empire。 While impossible to summarise his theory in a satisfactory manner， I will say a good argument is made that there cannot be great European states that exist independent of an empire or some sort of super-national structure。 This narrative contradicts the eurosceptics' imagined stable， autonomous nation-state independent from the EU。 As radical as this theory may seem， it ends up being surprisingly convincing。 Even if one were to take it as an overstatement， it is still worth reflecting on。Last but not least， the author coins two terms he uses throughout the book: "the politics of inevitability" and "the politics of eternity。" As flimsy as these terms may sound， they become sufficiently fleshed out by being subsequently applied to Russian politics， Ivan Ilyin， European history and reactionary Trumpian conservatism。 They represent two flawed ways of interpreting history and the world。 Where the politics of inevitability proposes that history moves in one direction in accordance with "set rules，" the politics of eternity act as if the future does not exist at all and what a state must do is replicate the present ad infinitum。 Where the former may be born out of naive optimism and instrumentalised out of convenience， the latter is generally manufactured and used to justify an undemocratic system。I would not blame you if this last paragraph confused you。 I just hope that possibly it got you interested enough in the book to pick it up and make up your own mind about the often ambitious ideas worked into this it。 At the very least， you will learn about Ivan Ilyin， a noteworthy thinker who should be taken as seriously as Schmitt or Evola， given the influence he has today。 。。。more
Amyhorne
，
Everyone concerned with democracy should read this book。
Maja
，
It's interesting to read a history book that analyzes present times。 As you remember the majority of the events described here， you add a your own perspective to author's ideas。Personally， I value the most the "Russia and Ukraine" part of the book。 The other parts， notably those focused on Europe and America， were of little use as those subjects are extensively covered in the media I'm consuming regularly。 Naturally， it is disappointing to see your reality being a protagonist in world's "Road to It's interesting to read a history book that analyzes present times。 As you remember the majority of the events described here， you add a your own perspective to author's ideas。Personally， I value the most the "Russia and Ukraine" part of the book。 The other parts， notably those focused on Europe and America， were of little use as those subjects are extensively covered in the media I'm consuming regularly。 Naturally， it is disappointing to see your reality being a protagonist in world's "Road to Unfreedom"， however it is beneficial to be aware of the reality。 Snyder provides an insightful look into Russian politics and gives a fair criticism on Putin's presidency。 He explains the mechanisms that drive government's decisions， states what its weaknesses are and ultimately， suggests what we can see in the future。 As the book was written in 2018， we can only nod our heads reading it， as the value of the book really shows when its ideas can be extrapolated。 I wish it was otherwise。 。。。more
Vitalii Makarets
，
Чудова книга！ Дає зрозуміти наскільки сильно Росія вплинула на Європу і США в 2010+。 Канали RT， численні кібератаки， маніпуляція ЗМІ， купівля чиновників та відмивання мільйонів доларів。 Атака на Україну була тільки початком війни проти демократії та верховенства права。。。
nadia
，
this book should be required reading for anyone on twitter dot hell。 anyways besides that this book is a really fantastic analysis of modern international relations and how they coincide with history， and snyder’s ideas of eternity and inevability are well-explained and constructed well。 some facts in this book are so ridiculous you probably won’t believe them at first （neo-fascist ukrainian bike shows， fot one）， but all of it is so beautifully chaotic and necessary to understanding IR today。 i this book should be required reading for anyone on twitter dot hell。 anyways besides that this book is a really fantastic analysis of modern international relations and how they coincide with history， and snyder’s ideas of eternity and inevability are well-explained and constructed well。 some facts in this book are so ridiculous you probably won’t believe them at first （neo-fascist ukrainian bike shows， fot one）， but all of it is so beautifully chaotic and necessary to understanding IR today。 i also adore the fact that snyder did not shy away from calling out inaction on part of american leaders and actually had ukrainian and polish readers edit his text， something that a lot of fantastical contemporary nonfiction american authors seem to not want to do。 the road to unfreedom is absolutely necessary and i encourage you， dear person reading this， to go and buy a copy right now！！！！ 。。。more
Maciej Bujalski
，
3。8 - wiedza przekazana świetna i istotna， jednak nie przekazana świetnie
David Risstrom
，
A solidly researched non-fiction book by the UK academic Timothy Snyder， with an overarching theme of the rise of fascism in the modern world。 As with his other books， Bloodlands and On Tyranny， he brings facts to arguments that are absorbing， though solid， reading。Focussing on Russia， Europe and the United States， Snyder argues that the increasing lack of faith in democracies can be linked to a concern that totalitarian traits are more easily stirred in modern societies than many of us assume。 A solidly researched non-fiction book by the UK academic Timothy Snyder， with an overarching theme of the rise of fascism in the modern world。 As with his other books， Bloodlands and On Tyranny， he brings facts to arguments that are absorbing， though solid， reading。Focussing on Russia， Europe and the United States， Snyder argues that the increasing lack of faith in democracies can be linked to a concern that totalitarian traits are more easily stirred in modern societies than many of us assume。 Published in 2018， The Road To Unfreedom provides an analytical examination of the many instances of potential Russian involvement in events that those implicated repeatedly deny， particularly Russian President Vladimir Putin。Much of Timothy Snyder’s argument rests on well documented inferences of totalitarian ideals undermining what has assumed by many to be solid progress towards democratisation。 The rise of President Donald Trump is examined to the point of publication， reminding readers that populism sits easily with a potential Russian aim to weaken democratic institutions in countries that were its former cold war rivals。I enjoyed the book。 It didn’t leave me feeling good， but probably better informed in a way that allows you to see connections and motivations among what is an increasingly confusing slide to populist movements who appear to have little regard for history than I wish they appear to have。 。。。more
Ahmed Hamza
，
One of the greatest books I've ever read！ One of the greatest books I've ever read！ 。。。more
Nicole
，
While many parts were interesting/informative， I found this book painfully one-sided。It can be summed up as:Russia is bad。Putin is an evil manipulator。EU is nice。Trump won the 2016 elections only because of Russia。Fascists are hiding in public。Shall we discuss what good did Putin to his country？ No no。 He’s evil， remember？ This book would’ve been much better if was a bit less subjective。 I’m very disappointed because while I agree with many things he said and found some new “enlightening” infor While many parts were interesting/informative， I found this book painfully one-sided。It can be summed up as:Russia is bad。Putin is an evil manipulator。EU is nice。Trump won the 2016 elections only because of Russia。Fascists are hiding in public。Shall we discuss what good did Putin to his country？ No no。 He’s evil， remember？ This book would’ve been much better if was a bit less subjective。 I’m very disappointed because while I agree with many things he said and found some new “enlightening” information， I also cannot trust a book that only paints the bad picture of someone， regardless of whether they have a few or many good deeds。Still， many things he discussed are worth looking into。 。。。more
Piet
，
De stijl is een barrière。 De terugkerende begrippen onvermijdelijkheidspolitiek en eeuwigheidspolitiekworden tot vervelens toe herhaald en vaak is er sprake van lange opsommingen om een punt te bewijzen。 De leugens van Poetin over de inval in de Oekraïne worden breed uitgemeten en grondig aangetoond met erg veel voorbeelden。 De toestand van Rusland dat kennelijk wordt bestuurd door een maffiose kliek stemt tot droefenis。 De Russische connecties van Trump en zijn trawanten krijgen ook veel aandac De stijl is een barrière。 De terugkerende begrippen onvermijdelijkheidspolitiek en eeuwigheidspolitiekworden tot vervelens toe herhaald en vaak is er sprake van lange opsommingen om een punt te bewijzen。 De leugens van Poetin over de inval in de Oekraïne worden breed uitgemeten en grondig aangetoond met erg veel voorbeelden。 De toestand van Rusland dat kennelijk wordt bestuurd door een maffiose kliek stemt tot droefenis。 De Russische connecties van Trump en zijn trawanten krijgen ook veel aandacht。 Wat mij het meest verbaast is dat de Trump Tower door de Russen is gefinancierd en ongestraft mag fungeren als een grote witwasmachine。 Milwaukee maakt dat allemaal mogelijk door 2000 lege vennootschappen te herbergen。 Erg veel mensen deugen niet - Russen en Amerikanen- en ook dat is geen verheffende boodschap。Ik heb het gevoel dat de schrijver zelf ook niet helemaal gespeend is van een zeker mate van complot denken als hij de invloed van Rusland op Amerika beschrijft en zeker bij de suggestie dat Amerikanen moedwillig gedrogeerd worden （ opioiden） om als makke schapen de onheilsprofeet Trump te volgen naar de afgrond。 。。。more
Fabian Del Rey
，
Well done， Timothy Snyder。 A holistic approach to understand the current threats in the European/Eurasian Region and the US。 Eye-opening the historic school of thoughts of the current Russian leaders and their impact on the political stability in the EU & US。 Nevertheless， as Snyder correctly points out， it‘s finally on us to distinguish fiction from facts， inevitability from possibility， with the help from a free press。
Christos
，
A vital book that explains the degeneration of democracy in Russia， Europe， and the USA。
Bahaa Hamoud
，
A really insightful look at the modern/post-soviet Russian politics and its influence on the world stage。A must read for everyone interested in modern politics。
Eschargot
，
In Sam Harris’s book ‘making sense’ （which is a collection of his favorite podcast interviews compiled into a book） there was an interview with Snyder。 That interview piqued my interest in pursuing his books。 ‘The road to unfreedom’ is an intriguing read。 The book covers Putin’s Ukrainian saga， the politics of inevitability and eternity and Russia’s meddling/destabilizing efforts in the US and EU。 A snippet about how the cyber war was lost by the US public。 “Authoritarianism begins when we can n In Sam Harris’s book ‘making sense’ （which is a collection of his favorite podcast interviews compiled into a book） there was an interview with Snyder。 That interview piqued my interest in pursuing his books。 ‘The road to unfreedom’ is an intriguing read。 The book covers Putin’s Ukrainian saga， the politics of inevitability and eternity and Russia’s meddling/destabilizing efforts in the US and EU。 A snippet about how the cyber war was lost by the US public。 “Authoritarianism begins when we can no longer tell the difference between the true and the appealing。 At the same time， the cynic who decides that there is no truth at all is the citizen who welcomes the tyrant。” 。。。more
Andrew Pratley
，
An important book for anyone worried about our collective present & future。 Recent events have illustrated to us all how democracy is so fragile even in places like the USA。 Even before Trump the USA was classified as a flawed democracy rather than a full one。 This book concentrates on what has been happening in Russia。 How it evolved from one form totalitarianism into another。 Politics is often described as a circle with those we term Communists & Fascists as having more in common than those wh An important book for anyone worried about our collective present & future。 Recent events have illustrated to us all how democracy is so fragile even in places like the USA。 Even before Trump the USA was classified as a flawed democracy rather than a full one。 This book concentrates on what has been happening in Russia。 How it evolved from one form totalitarianism into another。 Politics is often described as a circle with those we term Communists & Fascists as having more in common than those who describe who prefer representative democracies。 Russia after the collapse briefly toyed with idea of democracy but has under Putin rejected in favor of a form of Fascism。 It is now engaged in an effort to export this form of government abroad。 It is not a happy read but it is always better to see things as they are rather than what we would like them to be。 。。。more
Robin Mydlak
，
The canary in the coal mine of liberal democracy。 Only， instead of dropping dead， the canary is very much alive， sounding the alarm in measured writing and considerable insight。
Rick
，
I thought “On Tyranny” was terrific and important， and I’ve given copies away to friends and family。 I tune in whenever Timothy Snyder appears on TV or releases a YouTube video。 I attended one of lectures with my daughter in Philadelphia。 But I couldn’t get through this book and stopped about 1/3 of the way。 Somehow both too detailed and too theoretical for my palate。 Or maybe it was just the writing style that didn't gel。 Either way， I will eventually give "Bloodlands" a try。 And will still tun I thought “On Tyranny” was terrific and important， and I’ve given copies away to friends and family。 I tune in whenever Timothy Snyder appears on TV or releases a YouTube video。 I attended one of lectures with my daughter in Philadelphia。 But I couldn’t get through this book and stopped about 1/3 of the way。 Somehow both too detailed and too theoretical for my palate。 Or maybe it was just the writing style that didn't gel。 Either way， I will eventually give "Bloodlands" a try。 And will still tune in。 。。。more
J。Istsfor Manity
，
Snyder surveys how Europe， Russia， and lastly the US made hard right fascist turns in their own home cooked ways in the 20th and 21st centuries。 But the creation myth that Putin and his club o’ fascists cooked up around the time of his second installment as head of Russia is as batshit crazy as it gets — it seems like “too-far-out fiction，” but unfortunately it isn’t。 Supreb book。 / Ebook & Audiobook， 01/19/21
Jelger Groeneveld
，
The Road to Unfreedom is an excellent description of the transgression of American （and let's not forget European） democracy via politics of inevitability to politics of eternity， which Snyder calls the road to unfreedom。 Describing how Russia is taking on the West to destroy democracies as part of its own politics of eternity， and how intertwined stakeholders on both sides are crafting the road to unfreedom in the west。 How the already existing politics of inevitability in the neoliberal Wester The Road to Unfreedom is an excellent description of the transgression of American （and let's not forget European） democracy via politics of inevitability to politics of eternity， which Snyder calls the road to unfreedom。 Describing how Russia is taking on the West to destroy democracies as part of its own politics of eternity， and how intertwined stakeholders on both sides are crafting the road to unfreedom in the west。 How the already existing politics of inevitability in the neoliberal Western societies breed politics of eternity through the highly increasing inequality in our societies - and how Russia is tapping into this to propell the road to eternity politics。 How American politicians refused to buckle up against a Russia violating American sovereignty， as partisanship was deemed more important。"It was in the localities where the American Dream had died that Trump's politics of eternity worked"。When losers hail victory over others who suffer more。 When pain has become a measure。 That is when politics of eternity is reached。 The US is frightfully close to that。 This book should be a warning to us all in the democratic West， that we need to push back and moreover， should work towards more equality， justice and perspectives。 By offering a future to look forward to。 Not a futureless today。 Read this book， cherish the message and do something with it。 。。。more
Mike
，
I was really excited about the concept of this book and an analysis of how actors go about systematically dismantling democracy。 While some of that was in here， it was buried under language that lacks clarity and seems to strive more for quotability than cohesion; there are many grand statements that seem to be intended to stand on their own， rather than support the ideas and thoughts nearby in the text。 Further， the structure of the arguments is needlessly obtuse。 Rather than clearly stating an I was really excited about the concept of this book and an analysis of how actors go about systematically dismantling democracy。 While some of that was in here， it was buried under language that lacks clarity and seems to strive more for quotability than cohesion; there are many grand statements that seem to be intended to stand on their own， rather than support the ideas and thoughts nearby in the text。 Further， the structure of the arguments is needlessly obtuse。 Rather than clearly stating an assertion and then providing supporting examples or illustrations， examples and assertions are piled like jackstraws all across the page。 A very disappointing read。 。。。more
Lucie
，
Bright。 Brilliant。 Inspiring。 Enjoyable。 Scary。Timothy Snyder on Russia’s politics， influence and links to the US president Trump。
Vladyslav Bespalov
，
4，5
Cassandra
，
Very important read 。。。 How Democracy in USA can be easily usurped by foreign gov。 like Russia， already at work as we have seen in the Cyber Wars。 Cyber wars are the new cold war， and we have let ourselves be very vulnerable。Not an easy read， but important
Christa
，