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On Freedom

By: Timothy Snyder
Narrated by: Timothy Snyder
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Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A brilliant exploration of freedom—what it is, how it’s been misunderstood, and why it’s our only chance for survival—by the acclaimed Yale historian and author of the #1 New York Times bestseller On Tyranny

“Much like life itself, freedom needs to be defined and redefined. On Freedom offers fresh insight into essential aspects of human existence—the values and obligations inherent in every individual’s life.”—Ai Weiwei

Timothy Snyder has been called “the leading interpreter of our dark times.” As a historian, he has given us startling reinterpretations of political collapse and mass killing. As a public intellectual, he has turned that knowledge toward counsel and prediction, working against authoritarianism here and abroad. His book On Tyranny has inspired millions around the world to fight for freedom. Now, in this tour de force of political philosophy, he helps us see exactly what we’re fighting for.

Freedom is the great American commitment, but as Snyder argues, we have lost sight of what it means—and this is leading us into crisis. Too many of us look at freedom as the absence of state power: We think we're free if we can do and say as we please, and protect ourselves from government overreach. But true freedom isn’t so much freedom from as freedom to—the freedom to thrive, to take risks for futures we choose by working together. Freedom is the value that makes all other values possible.

On Freedom takes us on a thrilling intellectual journey. Drawing on the work of philosophers and political dissidents, conversations with contemporary thinkers, and his own experiences coming of age in a time of American exceptionalism, Snyder identifies the practices and attitudes—the habits of mind—that will allow us to design a government in which we and future generations can flourish. We come to appreciate the importance of traditions (championed by the right) but also the role of institutions (the purview of the left). Intimate yet ambitious, this book helps forge a new consensus rooted in a politics of abundance, generosity, and grace.

©2024 Timothy Snyder (P)2024 Random House Audio
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

Critic reviews

“Stimulating . . . With all his deep absorption in Eastern Europe, Snyder has no illusions about the dilemma of freedom in his own country. Apart from his work as a professor, he teaches prisoners, which gives him a keener appreciation of the unique horrors of American mass incarceration.”The New York Times

“[Snyder’s] deep political and philosophical examination of . . . how to create and sustain freedom provides a hopeful view for the future.”—Los Angeles Times

“A rigorous and visionary argument, and one deeply rooted in Snyder’s own biography—he begins with his memories of ringing the family Liberty Bell on his Ohio farm, as a ten-year-old on Independence Day. He has subsequently done nearly all of his thinking about these ideas not on a screen but in interactions with those who feel the presence and absence of freedom most keenly: from Ukrainian pensioners caught up in never-ending conflict to the inmates of a high-security prison, where he teaches a course on liberation. . . . Buy or borrow this book, read it, take it to heart.”—The Guardian

“Ambitious . . . An incisive, urgently relevant analysis of—and call to action on—America’s foundational ideal.”Kirkus Reviews

What listeners say about On Freedom

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Freedom to is a way to reinvent the paradigm

Very well thought out premise that made me rethink many prior ideas. Worth reading a few times to get all the nuance. Well worth the time to dedicate and feel like a great deal was learned. And so that you can follow a gameplay that values the many over the few or the one. Solidarity over loneliness. Values over apathy or nihilism. Human rights over free market pipedreams and inequity so deep it’ll take centuries to pull it out. Health care. Basic income. Voting for every citizen. I want to live with freedom to live my values, with government taking taxes from billionaires to lift us all up. And lastly an education system that’s quality and obsessed with truth. So we can all have the freedom to thrive.

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Challenging

Timothy Snyder is an excellent writer. There were many pithy one-liners that will make excellent quotes. I'll have to get the Kindle edition for the second listening. This book should be taken very seriously. Will people beg off saying that this level of freedom is too difficult to attain? The oligarch future is not something people will want, but will they do anything? Actually, they will be forced to do something. The books of the New Message from God will help.

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A rich and entrancing work of intelect and maturity.

This book required me to really think about the words we bandy about so casually. Words like freedom and liberty are so often misunderstood are defined and made real in this book. I only wish I had the pleasure of having a professor with the entrancing breath and intelligence of Dr. Snyder.

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History is now…

Dr.Snyder’s personal experiences in his youth, his education, his work and his travels are all presented in a transfixing manner which only could come out of his amazing grasp of history and deep love for humanity. Bravo!

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Freedom Is a Cooperative Effort

This book was good, heartfelt with thoughtful information. It definitely was written for upper middle class very well educated folk. The people who will benefit most from a book like this are people who are not going to understand the vocabulary in this book or the concepts. I am pretty well educated and some of the concepts went over my head. Of course with a reread I’d get what I missed. It’s better to aim for the middle when an important book like this is written.

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Freedom is more complex than I originally had thought.

Well written and intriguing. Freedom can be looked at in many ways. What gives some people more freedom may take way freedom from others. It is clear that money gives some people and families extra power in politics and more ability to get laws that favor themselves. And more laws that limit those with little money forces people to stay in poverty and limits their freedom. There is being free from and free to. Why various forms of government fail. I liked his statement that free will was character.

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Credible.

Credible. The author coveys the concept of freedom from multiple perspectives and his Fact-based yet subjective stories drive a deeper meaning than one would expect from basic academia. Grazing or skimming won’t sink this in. Listen - read - relisten - etc. Add to your library.

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A disappointment

I was looking for some clear thinking about what freedom really is. He basically makes a lists of everything he likes and calls it "freedom", to further his well intentioned visions about a welfare nanny state where we all magically will be wonderful human beings.
a strawman
misrepresentation of libertarian thinking. Don't waste your time, left wing overly emotional bs

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Big Tim Fan Here

While Syder has some interesting and useful ideas, they get lost in the avalanche of words. And virtue signaling. This would have been better and more useful as a 12 page essay.

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