The Authoritarian Playbook: Essential Reads on Fascism, Nationalism, and Resistance
What’s Happening, Why It Matters, and How to Fight Back
The rise of authoritarianism isn’t just a history lesson—it’s happening now, in real-time. Across the world, we’re seeing the resurgence of nationalism, political strongmen, and anti-democratic movements that echo the past in chilling ways. Understanding these forces is the first step in pushing back.
This reading list is a guide to authoritarianism's playbook—how it rises, operates, and, most importantly, can be resisted. These books explore the mechanics of fascism, the erosion of democracy, and the tools we can use to fight back. Whether you’re looking for historical context, modern analysis, or practical strategies for action, these titles will equip you with the knowledge to recognize and resist authoritarian creep.
These are the top 10 books on my radar, but more than anything, I want to hear about what you are reading and recommending. All links to titles will direct you to Bookshop.org because they support independent bookstores. If there are affiliate links, they are from the author’s website. I do not receive anything from recommending these titles.
Let’s read, learn, and stay vigilant.
On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century – Timothy Snyder
A concise, accessible guide to recognizing and resisting authoritarianism.
Do not obey in advance.
Most of the power of authoritarianism is freely given. In times like these, individuals think ahead about what a more repressive government will want, and then offer themselves without being asked. A citizen who adapts in this way is teaching power what it can do. - Timothy Snyder
How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them – Jason Stanley
A deep dive into the mechanisms of fascism and how it takes root in societies.
Also of note are his other books including Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future (2024).
Fascism: A Warning – Madeleine Albright
A historical and contemporary examination of fascist movements and their dangers.
“Albright outlines the warning signs of fascism and offers concrete actions for restoring America’s values and reputation. There is priceless wisdom on every page.” — Booklist
Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present – Ruth Ben-Ghiat
A study of authoritarian leaders, their tactics, and how they maintain power.
“For the reader inured by the drip-drip-drip of stories of brazen corruption over the course of years, it is bracing to see a half-decade's worth of reporting so carefully distilled....Ben-Ghiat does not shy away from revealing America's role in enabling dictatorships around the world....It's a chilling current through the book and one that pricks the conscience of a reader.”--Talia Lavin "Washington Post"
The Road to Unfreedom: Russia, Europe, America – Timothy Snyder
Examines modern authoritarianism, disinformation, and how democracy is undermined.
Americans and Europeans kept telling themselves their tales of inevitability for a quarter century after the end of communism, and so raised a millennial generation without history. - Timothy Snyder
The Anatomy of Fascism – Robert O. Paxton
A scholarly look at the history and development of fascism.
“[A] helpful contribution, thoughtfully mapping out the descent of a civilized people — first the Italians, then the Germans — into a primal state (and state of being) ruled by mythology, symbol and emotion. . . . Serves as a reminder of our power and responsibility.” –The Washington Post Book World
They Thought They Were Free: The Germans, 1933-45 – Milton Mayer
A chilling firsthand account of how ordinary people were drawn into fascism.
"Once again the German problem is at the center of our politics. No better, or more humane, or more literate discussion of its underlying nature could be had than in this book." -- August Heckscher ― New York Herald Tribune
Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook – Mark Bray
A history of anti-fascist movements and strategies for countering authoritarianism.
"Insurgent activist movements need spokesmen, intellectuals and apologists, and for the moment Mark Bray is filling in as all three... The book’s most enlightening contribution is on the history of anti-fascist efforts over the past century, but its most relevant for today is its justification for stifling speech and clobbering white supremacists."—Carlos Lozada, The Washington Post
Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism – Anne Applebaum
A look at how intellectuals and elites enable authoritarianism.
Given the right conditions, any society can turn against democracy. Indeed, if history is anything to go by, all of our societies eventually will. - Anne Applebaum
Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right’s Stealth Plan for America – Nancy MacLean
An investigation into how right-wing movements seek to dismantle democracy.
"Perhaps the best explanation to date of the roots of the political divide that threatens to irrevocably alter American government.” —Booklist
What titles did I miss? Let’s discuss!
This is AMAZING!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much for this!