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Twilight of Democracy

The Failure of Politics and the Parting of Friends

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Twilight of Democracy

By: Anne Applebaum
Narrated by: Anne Applebaum
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

In the years just before and after the fall of the Berlin Wall, conservative politicians and intellectuals across Europe and America celebrated a great achievement, felt a common purpose and, very often, forged personal friendships. The euphoria quickly evaporated, the common purpose and centre ground gradually disappeared and eventually - as this audiobook compellingly relates - the relationships soured too.

Anne Applebaum traces a familiar history in an unfamiliar way, looking at the trajectories of individuals caught up in the public events of the last three decades. When politics become polarised, which side do you back? If you are a journalist, an intellectual, a civic leader, how do you deal with the re-emergence of authoritarian or nationalist ideas in your country? When your leaders appropriate history, or peddle conspiracies, or eviscerate the media and the judiciary, do you go along with it?

Twilight of Democracy is a new kind of political writing, an essay that mixes the personal and the political and brings a fresh understanding to the dynamics of public life in Europe and America, both now and in the past.

©2020 Anne Applebaum (P)2020 Penguin Audio 20th Century Europe Modern Politics & Government World Socialism Thought-Provoking Imperialism Liberalism Middle East Capitalism Interwar Period

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All stars
Most relevant
An essential listen in uncertain times. Anne Applebaum's journey and observations gives us an impelling overview of decades of liberal gaines and losses. Great story and well read. A must read!

Essential listen in uncertain times

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I could have listened to more, but for a short book, it packs a lot in. if you want to make some sense of the political landscape across many western democracies playing out before us with the rise of nationalism, then this is one perspective that I suggest will help.

essential reading

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Very well written and read. It's pertinent, concise and personal, which is incredibly helpful. I've read quite a few books on this topic but this one resonated with me the most because it reads like a story. Anne has met and knows quite well most of the people she writes about . This gives her a unique perspective in mapping the changes many of them have undergone politically and personally.
I didn't find it too depressing, her dispassionate analysis and historical perspective actually comforted me.

Cannot recommend enough

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excelent read or listen if you get the audiobook. Anne Applebaum is brilliant as usual not only putting her own view across, but challenging the reader to form his/her own opinion.

A must read for keeping you grounded.

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A great book - a personal, well-written, up-close analysis of the shift to populism and the extreme right (throughout Europe and beyond). Well observed and full of interesting details that highlight political and personal transformations of formerly optimistic and politically balanced individuals. How many more will mirror these transformations in future, both in Europe and beyond? From rational progressives & centrists to the illiberal extremes (both left and right) - and what will that society will look like, it's a worrying question that will linger long after reading this book.

Clear, heart-felt and incisive observations

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