{"title":"Anne Applebaum","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnne Applebaum\u003c\/strong\u003e offers incisive explorations into the forces shaping modern history and politics. Her works delve into the rise of authoritarian regimes, the legacy of totalitarianism, and the intricate dynamics of power and ideology in the 20th and 21st centuries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCombining rigorous historical research with compelling narrative, Applebaum’s books illuminate dark chapters such as the Soviet Gulag system, the chilling spread of autocracy, and the shifting landscapes of democracy worldwide. Her writing challenges readers to understand the past and its impact on contemporary political affairs.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"autocracy-inc","title":"Autocracy, Inc","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll of us often think of autocratic states through a cartoonish lens, imagining a singular villainous figure at the helm. However, in \u003cem\u003eAutocracy, Inc\u003c\/em\u003e, the celebrated historian and journalist Anne Applebaum reveals a far more intricate and menacing reality that defines modern-day autocracies. In the 21st century, autocracies are no longer the domains of solitary despots but are managed by sophisticated networks comprising kleptocratic financial entities, security apparatuses, and professional propagandists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThese elaborate networks transcend national borders, forming alliances that are both highly transactional and alarmingly effective. Corrupt, state-controlled enterprises from one dictatorship seamlessly conduct business with those in another. Police forces are trained and equipped by their counterparts from similarly oppressive states. Propaganda machines share both resources and narratives—troll farms that champion one dictator's rhetoric can just as easily bolster another's, all the while disseminating uniform messages that aim to depict democracy as feeble and America as malevolent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis collaborative entity, which Applebaum aptly calls \u003cem\u003eAutocracy, Inc\u003c\/em\u003e, does not function like traditional military or political alliances bound by common values. Instead, its relationships are purely transactional, allowing these autocratic regimes to navigate and converge across diverse ideological, geographical, and cultural landscapes. Their unity stems from a mutual disdain for the democratic world and a collective ambition to subvert our political systems and values.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAutocracy, Inc\u003c\/em\u003e delves into the origins and persistence of this autocratic network. Applebaum meticulously illustrates how these regimes have been inadvertently bolstered by the democratic world and offers keen insights into strategies for dismantling their influence. This compelling exploration is not merely a call to awareness but a blueprint for action, as it navigates the complexities of how democracies can counteract and ultimately diminish the power of autocratic regimes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA versatile and vital read, \u003cem\u003eAutocracy, Inc\u003c\/em\u003e stands as a rigorous examination of contemporary global politics, shedding light on an insidious force that threatens to undermine democratic values worldwide. Anne Applebaum’s incisive analysis urges readers to understand the true nature of modern autocracies and empowers them to envision a path towards a more robust and resilient democratic future.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45695243616492,"sku":"9780241627891","price":45.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780241627891.jpg?v=1725622512"},{"product_id":"gulag","title":"Gulag","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGulag\u003c\/em\u003e by Anne Applebaum provides an exhaustive and comprehensive history of one of the most notorious horrors of the twentieth century: the Soviet Union's forced labour camp system. With chilling precision, Applebaum unveils the vast, intricate network that detained millions and claimed countless lives. This meticulously researched account spans from the incipient stages of the labour camps under the tsars, to their brutal expansion during Stalin's regime, their peak in the late 1940s, and their eventual decline with the advent of glasnost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eApplebaum's narrative is the first major work in any language to synthesise an abundance of memoirs and writings from both Russian and Western sources, alongside her original research from NKVD archives and poignant interviews with survivors. She paints a vivid picture of the 'state within a state'—a microcosm of Soviet society with its own unique laws, customs, literature, folklore, slang, and morality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThrough Applebaum's profound investigation, we come to understand the harrowing day-to-day existence within these camps. She details how the prisoners, in their quest for survival, sometimes resorted to mutilating or infecting themselves to avoid the strenuous labour. She exposes the inhumane conditions that dictated their lives: the sparse and inadequate food, the overcrowded and makeshift sleeping arrangements, and the ruthless deaths. Additionally, the book studies the guards and gaolers, the agonising transportation in cattle cars, the bleak Soviet trials, and the psychological and physical impact of the Second World War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eApplebaum also illuminates the extraordinary stories of defiance and rebellion that punctuated the history of the camps, particularly in the 1940s and 1950s. She compellingly explains why the Gulag system has often been relegated to the periphery of historical consciousness in both the former Soviet Union and the West. The author argues that only by coming to terms with the full extent of the Gulag can we truly understand the complexities of twentieth-century history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGulag\u003c\/em\u003e is an extraordinary feat of historical investigation, synthesis, and moral reckoning. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a crucial work for anyone seeking to grasp the grim realities of totalitarian regimes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45695361581292,"sku":"9780140283105","price":35.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780140283105.jpg?v=1725626718"},{"product_id":"iron-curtain","title":"Iron Curtain","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIron Curtain\u003c\/em\u003e by Anne Applebaum offers an in-depth exploration of one of the most harrowing periods in modern history - the establishment of Communist regimes in Eastern Europe after the Second World War. Meticulously researched and vividly written, this book provides a comprehensive account of how the Soviet Union enforced its ideology on a region traumatised by years of war and occupation. Through an intricate weaving of personal accounts, government records, and historical analysis, Applebaum chronicles the brutal processes of political oppression, societal transformation, and resistance met by millions of ordinary people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAt the end of the Second World War, the Soviet Union found itself in control of an extensive territory stretching across Eastern Europe. Joseph Stalin and his secret police embarked on a radical campaign to implement Communism across a dozen diverse nations. Anne Applebaum's landmark history captures these moments of dramatic change, demonstrating how societies were systemically dismantled and restructured under a new political regime. The book delves into the tactics used to stifle opposition, the strategies to manipulate and dominate public and private life, and the horrific realities faced by individuals living under such an oppressive system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis work is a haunting reminder of the fragility of freedom and the ease with which it can be eroded. Anne Applebaum’s exceptional narrative portrays not only the high-stakes political manoeuvres but also the intimate, personal stories of those who chose either to resist, collaborate, or simply survive. Through her detailed and compassionate portrayal, Applebaum gives a voice to the silenced and an unflinching look at the consequences of tyranny.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAnne Applebaum, a historian and journalist, is a regular columnist for the \u003cem\u003eWashington Post\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eSlate\u003c\/em\u003e. She has authored several influential books, including \u003cem\u003eGulag: A History\u003c\/em\u003e, which won the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for Non-Fiction. She serves as the Director of Political Studies at the Legatum Institute in London and divides her time between Britain and Poland, where her husband, Radek Sikorski, is the Foreign Minister.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eChosen sixteen times as a 'Book of the Year', \u003cem\u003eIron Curtain\u003c\/em\u003e has garnered immense praise from critics and readers alike:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\"The best work of modern history I have ever read\" - A. N. Wilson, \u003cem\u003eFinancial Times\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\"The outstanding book of the year ... a masterpiece\" - Oliver Kamm, \u003cem\u003eThe Times\u003c\/em\u003e, Books of the Year\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\"Exceptionally important, wise, perceptive, remarkably objective\" - Antony Beevor\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\"Explains in a manner worthy of Arthur Koestler what totalitarianism really means ... it is a window into a world of lies and evil that we can hardly imagine\" - Edward Lucas, \u003cem\u003eStandpoint\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\"At last the story can be told ... a magisterial history\" - Orlando Figes, \u003cem\u003eMail on Sunday\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIron Curtain\u003c\/em\u003e stands as a seminal work in understanding the profound impact of Communist totalitarianism on the fabric of Europe and offers readers a poignant, detailed narrative that brings this crucial historical period to life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House Distribution","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45695430590700,"sku":"9780141021874","price":30.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780141021874.jpg?v=1725629544"},{"product_id":"red-famine","title":"Red Famine","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRed Famine\u003c\/em\u003e by Anne Applebaum is a masterful and haunting account of one of the most devastating and tragic episodes of the 20th century - the Holodomor, the man-made famine that struck Ukraine in 1932-33. This meticulously researched book delves into the dire consequences of policies driven by ideology, where nearly four million Ukrainians succumbed to starvation, not by natural causes, but as a result of a deliberate campaign orchestrated by the Soviet government.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAnne Applebaum, a historian lauded for her profound knowledge of Soviet atrocities, spares no detail in documenting the tragic events. Drawing on an extensive array of archival material, personal recollections, and first-hand testimonies, \u003cem\u003eRed Famine\u003c\/em\u003e paints a vivid picture of the horrors experienced by those who lived through the famine. The author includes heart-wrenching accounts from survivors, portraying the extreme measures to which people resorted when driven to the brink of madness by hunger.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe narrative delves deep into the mechanisms of Soviet propaganda, detailing how it turned neighbours against each other to root out supposed 'anti-revolutionary' elements. Applebaum also brings to light the courageous acts of individuals who risked their lives to alleviate the suffering of their fellow countrymen, showcasing the resilience of the human spirit against overwhelming odds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRed Famine\u003c\/em\u003e also explores the subsequent Soviet assault on Ukrainian cultural and political identity, followed by a concerted effort to deny the famine's very occurrence. The intent was not only to quash Ukraine's national ambitions but to erase the true history of the nation along with the memories of its millions of victims. Through her compelling narrative, Applebaum restores these suppressed memories and reinforces the importance of historical truth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is more than just a historical recount; it is a triumph of scholarship and human empathy, bringing to the forefront the untold stories of the Holodomor. \u003cem\u003eRed Famine\u003c\/em\u003e stands as a crucial work in the recovery and recognition of a catastrophic event that shaped the course of Ukrainian history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45695616483564,"sku":"9780141978284","price":30.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780141978284.jpg?v=1725635539"},{"product_id":"twilight-of-democracy","title":"Twilight of Democracy","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eTwilight of Democracy\u003c\/em\u003e by Anne Applebaum is a compelling examination of the gradual decline of democratic ideals and the rise of authoritarianism in Europe and America. Through a series of deeply personal yet politically resonant narratives, Applebaum chronicles the trajectory of individuals who once celebrated the fall of the Berlin Wall and the dawn of a new democratic era but have since become disillusioned. The book delves into their lives, revealing how ideological shifts and political polarisation have transformed friendships, alliances, and ethical viewpoints over the past three decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and journalist anatomises both the personal and ideological dimensions of contemporary political landscapes. As the euphoria of newfound democracy faded, extremism began to rise once more, leading to the erosion of the centre ground and the deepening of polarisation. Applebaum asks critical questions about the choices people make in such turbulent times: \"Which side do you back when politics becomes polarised? What happens when leaders peddle conspiracies, appropriate history, and undermine institutions like the media and judiciary?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThrough intimate portraits and thorough analysis, \u003cem\u003eTwilight of Democracy\u003c\/em\u003e presents a sobering look at how and why democracies fail, offering insights into the psychological and social factors at play. Applebaum's narrative is both a personal memoir and a political essay, making it accessible and engaging for a wide range of readers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRecognised as a significant work, this book was named a Book of the Year 2020 by prominent publications such as the \u003cem\u003eFinancial Times\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eThe Economist\u003c\/em\u003e, and the \u003cem\u003eNew Statesman\u003c\/em\u003e. It has been praised for its urgent, intelligent, and understanding approach to the question, “How did our democracy go wrong?” as noted by historian Timothy Snyder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eApplebaum's keen analysis provides fresh understanding of the dynamics shaping public life in recent history and today's world. \u003cem\u003eTwilight of Democracy\u003c\/em\u003e stands out as an essential read for anyone seeking to comprehend the forces altering our political landscapes and the fragile nature of democratic ideals in the modern era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45748079362284,"sku":"9780141991672","price":26.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780141991672.jpg?v=1726708997"},{"product_id":"autocracy-inc-by-anne-applebaum-9781802062120","title":"Autocracy, Inc","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe celebrated historian and journalist uncovers the networks trying to destroy the democratic world in this \u003cem\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/em\u003e bestseller.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAll of us have in our minds a cartoon image of what an autocratic state looks like, with a bad man at the top. But in the 21st century, that cartoon bears little resemblance to reality. Nowadays, autocracies are run not by one bad guy, but by sophisticated networks composed of kleptocratic financial structures, security services, and professional propagandists. The members of these networks are connected not only within a given country, but among many countries. The corrupt, state-controlled companies in one dictatorship do business with corrupt, state-controlled companies in another. The police in one country can arm, equip, and train the police in another. The propagandists share resources—the troll farms that promote one dictator's propaganda can also be used to promote the propaganda of another—and themes, pounding home the same messages about the weakness of democracy and the evil of America.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike military or political alliances from other times and places, this group doesn't operate like a bloc, but rather like an agglomeration of companies—\u003cem\u003eAutocracy, Inc\u003c\/em\u003e. Their relations are not based on values, but are rather transactional, which is why they operate so easily across ideological, geographical, and cultural lines. In truth, they are in full agreement about only one thing: their dislike of us, the inhabitants of the democratic world, and their desire to see both our political systems and our values undermined.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThat shared understanding of the world—where it comes from, why it lasts, how it works, how the democratic world has unwittingly helped to consolidate it, and how we can help bring it down—is the subject of this book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46834253365484,"sku":"9781802062120","price":24.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/16721293482829.jpg?v=1758503106"},{"product_id":"twilight-of-democracy-by-anne-applebaum-9781984899507","title":"Twilight of Democracy","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNATIONAL BESTSELLER •\u003c\/strong\u003e \"How did our democracy go wrong? This extraordinary document ... is Applebaum's answer.\" \u003cstrong\u003e—Timothy Snyder, author of \u003cem\u003eOn Tyranny\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Pulitzer Prize–winning historian explains, with electrifying clarity, why elites in democracies around the world are turning toward nationalism and authoritarianism.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the United States and Britain to continental Europe and beyond, liberal democracy is under siege, while authoritarianism is on the rise. In \u003cem\u003eTwilight of Democracy\u003c\/em\u003e, Anne Applebaum, an award-winning historian of Soviet atrocities who was one of the first American journalists to raise an alarm about antidemocratic trends in the West, explains the lure of nationalism and autocracy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn this captivating essay, she contends that political systems with radically simple beliefs are inherently appealing, especially when they benefit the loyal to the exclusion of everyone else. Elegantly written and urgently argued, \u003cem\u003eTwilight of Democracy\u003c\/em\u003e is a brilliant dissection of a world-shaking shift and a stirring glimpse of the road back to democratic values.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47398076678380,"sku":"9781984899507","price":48.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/19518813482894.jpg?v=1773740859"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/anne-applebaum.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}