Anne ApplebaumAutocracy, Inc.: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World

Excellent book, although the subject is frightening. As I write this review in February 2025, and watch Trump and Musk disassemble the Federal government with the full-throated support of their MAGA followers, it's like I can check off every tactic Ms. Applebaum lists for the creation of an American Autocracy.Convince followers to ignore and disparage a free press, check.Destroy credibility of the FBI, check.Appoint cronies to muzzle the military and intelligence agencies, check.'Wood Chipper' USAID that annoys other autocrats, check.Command Justice department to turn a blind eye to bribery and foreign influence investigations, check.I'm afraid what tomorrow will bring, but I'm sure it will be on this author's hit list. It was apparently written before the 2024 election, so expect another book soon that deals with living in an autocracy for Americans who thought this could never happen here.Sobering and a call to fight back if you want the US to ever be close to the democracy it once was.

A superb work by Anne Applebaum and revealing as to what is taking place at Washington DC's premier newspaper by way of example. Should be required reading for all as it is a good starting place to start thinking.

Informative and readable. Horrifyingly current.

Autocracy is on the upswing, especially here in the U.S. The perspective available in this well researched analysis of global realities and urgently needed. “It” can and is happening here. This is not a drill.

Great writer and book. Highly recommend

Concise, well written warning of America’s direction. Would recommend!

GOODI appreciate reading a book that's:1. short: not bogged down with supporting evidence and sources. Those last two items are better put into an appendix which makes following the central idea much easier.2. to the point: she made her points clearly and concisely by not burying them in fluff and filler.3. identifies problems and at least makes an attempt to offer some solutions.NOT SO GOODThe conclusion was not particularly insightful. Basically the "let's all hold hands and get along" recommendation.

It is a great summary of how autocratic governments work and how they learn from each other. While the so called western democracies look the other way when atrocities done are not in the centre of their interests. Shocking