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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
medium-paced
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Well structured, consolidated, and accurate dissection of modern autocratic regimes.
I didn’t realise before I started reading this book, as it was longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction, that she is a Zionist. Page 115 where I stopped reading she writes this
“for the brutal Hamas attack in Israel on October 7, 2023; for Hamas's use of hospitals as shelters in Gaza; and for Israeli strikes on hospitals and other civilian objects in Gaza too. When the United Nations Relief and Works Agency in Palestine was found to be harboring Hamas fighters, no one was surprised: the UN, unable to stop a member of the Security Council from violating its rules, was no longer capable of preventing employees of its own agencies from engaging in lawless violence either.”
I’m reading the digital version of the paperback edition so there was plenty of opportunity to rewrite the parts about Palestine and Gaza but she didn’t.
“for the brutal Hamas attack in Israel on October 7, 2023; for Hamas's use of hospitals as shelters in Gaza; and for Israeli strikes on hospitals and other civilian objects in Gaza too. When the United Nations Relief and Works Agency in Palestine was found to be harboring Hamas fighters, no one was surprised: the UN, unable to stop a member of the Security Council from violating its rules, was no longer capable of preventing employees of its own agencies from engaging in lawless violence either.”
I’m reading the digital version of the paperback edition so there was plenty of opportunity to rewrite the parts about Palestine and Gaza but she didn’t.
challenging
hopeful
fast-paced
Not a perfect 5 stars becuase she could have leaned into the hope part a lot more. Reading this book was like watching the trash compactor scene in Star Wars. Also: how to protect democray: seek truth and beware of disinformation and smear campaigns; instill transparency in all levels of government and finance; believe in the goodness of others. Apathy is truely the enemy of democracy
Not a very old book (2024!) yet already needs an update! But was enlightening (though depressing!) to apply the concepts Applebaum posits into the past few months. A healthy reminder for me that point of the political chaos of today is the feeling of confusion and apathy in those who disagree - not the most hopeful but slightly more empowered
challenging
fast-paced
challenging
fast-paced
informative
slow-paced
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
