Explore key books and resources to understand and resist authoritarianism, and learn how local book clubs can empower you to go on offense for democracy.
Also adding, for the heavier subject books that feel very gloom and doom, I suggest not just meeting at fun places but also doing community work. Action diminishes fear and anxiety. Pick up trash in the neighborhood, feed people, garden. Something to help people. And talk and laugh while doing it.
Thank you so much for the information. I'm seriously looking into starting a local book club. I'd also like to create something that's solely focused on teaching others how to recognize current propaganda techniques.
Yes, Albright. Your interpretation of this does not negate the value of the book and its contents. Do you like Michael Jackson’s music, or refuse to appreciate its value because you didn’t like his personal choices?
I'm sorry, what? Albright oversaw the deaths of hundreds of thousands with her career. This isn't separating art from the artist. She's writing about something she directly had power over as Secretary of State. She is an embodiment of fascism. It's like reading a book from Assad on chemical warfare and saying "Oh he makes great points."
I've been wanting to start a bookclub, just been looking for a meeting location. If anyone has discussion pages for these books to bring to the book club I'd love to see them. That's where my struggle is.
I can volunteer my administrative executive skills if you can use that? I worked as an executive for decades in law and special ed. Please let me know if you can utilize my skills in any way pro bono.
Timothy Snyder refers often to Vaclav Havel and his work The Power of the Powerless. I finally found a copy on Amazon (please believe me when I say I looked EVERYWHERE and could only find it there.). It is also a must read.
If you’d like a satire on conspiracy theories and Nazis (in which many of the latter get punched), check out my novel, Ship of Fools, right here on Substack. (I’ll release it in paperback and ebook in the next several months). It should be a good break from the doom and gloom, a way to recharge the batteries for more activism!
I’ve been doing that on my own, and it’s something I already proposed to another Substacker, here. anyone who wants to go on with me to do something like that on, like, a quarter yearly basis, I’m in. That’s about all the time I can afford, at the moment.
Also adding, for the heavier subject books that feel very gloom and doom, I suggest not just meeting at fun places but also doing community work. Action diminishes fear and anxiety. Pick up trash in the neighborhood, feed people, garden. Something to help people. And talk and laugh while doing it.
This is great advice. Thank you!
Punk Rock's not Dead.
Started one. First meeting is Feb 15
Excellent! Please update us and let us know how it goes!
Thank you so much for the information. I'm seriously looking into starting a local book club. I'd also like to create something that's solely focused on teaching others how to recognize current propaganda techniques.
My book Antifascism and the Avant-garde (coming out next month) might be good here! :)
Would it be possible for me to get a copy ahead of release?
I can reach out to my publisher if you wouldn't mind sharing contact info!
Please add "Fascism" by Madelaine Albright and "The Cult of Trump" by Steven Hassan.
I just did an interview with Hassan yesterday, and he’s mailing me his books!
Careful with him.
Madelaine Albright? The same one that oversaw the death of hundreds of thousands in Iraq during the Clinton Admin?
Yes, Albright. Your interpretation of this does not negate the value of the book and its contents. Do you like Michael Jackson’s music, or refuse to appreciate its value because you didn’t like his personal choices?
I'm sorry, what? Albright oversaw the deaths of hundreds of thousands with her career. This isn't separating art from the artist. She's writing about something she directly had power over as Secretary of State. She is an embodiment of fascism. It's like reading a book from Assad on chemical warfare and saying "Oh he makes great points."
I've been wanting to start a bookclub, just been looking for a meeting location. If anyone has discussion pages for these books to bring to the book club I'd love to see them. That's where my struggle is.
Here for it especially since i bought some books you recommended.
I have that stack of books and more. I’ve been reading those authors and similar for decades. It is an honorable selection. Anne Applebaum?
Currently reading her now. She’ll be on the official list soon.
I can volunteer my administrative executive skills if you can use that? I worked as an executive for decades in law and special ed. Please let me know if you can utilize my skills in any way pro bono.
Timothy Snyder refers often to Vaclav Havel and his work The Power of the Powerless. I finally found a copy on Amazon (please believe me when I say I looked EVERYWHERE and could only find it there.). It is also a must read.
Umberto Eco and Jason Stanley are required reading here. Stanley’s How Fascism Works is a hand guide to Trump. Eco’s work is similar.
If you’d like a satire on conspiracy theories and Nazis (in which many of the latter get punched), check out my novel, Ship of Fools, right here on Substack. (I’ll release it in paperback and ebook in the next several months). It should be a good break from the doom and gloom, a way to recharge the batteries for more activism!
I’ve been doing that on my own, and it’s something I already proposed to another Substacker, here. anyone who wants to go on with me to do something like that on, like, a quarter yearly basis, I’m in. That’s about all the time I can afford, at the moment.
Oh! I'm going to pick the masha gessen one for a Miami antifascist book club. Not sure where I'm going to scoop up members! Anybody in Miami area?
Masha gesson has been warning about this for a decade since Trump 1.0 you could see it coming a mile away
Add Sarah Kendzior’s books!