How to be a Dissident

‘Invites us to learn from those more courageous than ourselves’ TIMOTHY SNYDER ‘Inspiring … insightful’ NEW YORK TIMES ‘This book reminded me how to be brave’ RENI EDDO-LODGE An invigorating guide to fighting back – part philosophy, part history and part how-to guide for living with integrity in an age of authoritarian drift. How do we push back in a world where political leaders wield fear and where social media misinforms? We need role models to show us how, and here, acclaimed writer Gal Beckerman goes looking for them. Drawing on the stories of dissidents from around the globe and across time, from Socrates to Ai Weiwei, and Hannah Arendt to Iris Murdoch, Beckerman reveals the defining characteristics these extraordinary figures share and how they might equip anyone navigating the pressures of modern tyranny. Structured around ten qualities – among them, Be Pessimistic, Be Funny, Be Reckless and Be Immortal – this illuminating book charts a dissident’s journey from the solitary moment of recognising the truth, through the risks of speaking it and on to the last impact they can have. Urgent and inspiring, Beckerman shows us that dissidence is a human capacity that we can all cultivate: a refusal to betray one’s inner voice, no matter how great the forces around us. How to Be a Dissident lights the way. ‘Profound … feels essential in these times’ SARAH BAKEWELL, author of How To Live ‘The book everyone needs NOW!’ DANIEL KEHLMANN, author of The Director ‘ Urgent, wise, and immensely compelling … Everyone should read this book’ CLAIRE MESSUD, author of The Emperor’s Children ‘ A sharp, cogent analysis of what dissidents really do to fight repressive regimes’ ANNE APPLEBAUM, author of Autocracy, Inc.

‘Invites us to learn from those more courageous than ourselves’ TIMOTHY SNYDER ‘Inspiring … insightful’ NEW YORK TIMES ‘This book reminded me how to be brave’ RENI EDDO-LODGE An invigorating guide to fighting back – part philosophy, part history and part how-to guide for living with integrity in an age of authoritarian drift. How do we push back in a world where political leaders wield fear and where social media misinforms? We need role models to show us how, and here, acclaimed writer Gal Beckerman goes looking for them. Drawing on the stories of dissidents from around the globe and across time, from Socrates to Ai Weiwei, and Hannah Arendt to Iris Murdoch, Beckerman reveals the defining characteristics these extraordinary figures share and how they might equip anyone navigating the pressures of modern tyranny. Structured around ten qualities – among them, Be Pessimistic, Be Funny, Be Reckless and Be Immortal – this illuminating book charts a dissident’s journey from the solitary moment of recognising the truth, through the risks of speaking it and on to the last impact they can have. Urgent and inspiring, Beckerman shows us that dissidence is a human capacity that we can all cultivate: a refusal to betray one’s inner voice, no matter how great the forces around us. How to Be a Dissident lights the way. ‘Profound … feels essential in these times’ SARAH BAKEWELL, author of How To Live ‘The book everyone needs NOW!’ DANIEL KEHLMANN, author of The Director ‘ Urgent, wise, and immensely compelling … Everyone should read this book’ CLAIRE MESSUD, author of The Emperor’s Children ‘ A sharp, cogent analysis of what dissidents really do to fight repressive regimes’ ANNE APPLEBAUM, author of Autocracy, Inc.

An invigorating guide to fighting back--part philosophy, part history, and part manual for living with integrity in an age of conformity and authoritarian drift How do we push back in a world where political leaders wield fear and intimidation? Where digital technology dehumanizes and flattens us? We need role models, and in this engaging book, acclaimed writer Gal Beckerman goes looking for them. Drawing on the stories of dissidents from around the globe and across time, from Socrates to Ai Weiwei, and thinkers like Hannah Arendt and Iris Murdoch, Beckerman reveals the defining characteristics these extraordinary figures share, a set of attributes and practices for anyone navigating the pressures of modern tyranny. Structured around ten qualities--among them, Be Pessimistic , Be Funny , Be Reckless , and Be Immortal --this illuminating, surprising book blends intellectual history, biography, and cultural criticism. It charts a dissident's journey from the solitary moment of recognizing the truth, through the risks of speaking it, to the legacy that can outlast a life. What makes dissidents tick? And how might we change when we encounter them? Urgent and inspiring, Beckerman's book shows that dissidence is a human capacity we can all cultivate, a refusal to betray one's inner voice, no matter the cost. In a polarized America and a world sliding toward authoritarianism, we need dissidents--not only the jailed and martyred, but also those of us who face small daily compromises of conscience. How to Be a Dissident lights the way.

An invigorating guide to fighting back--part philosophy, part history, and part manual for living with integrity in an age of conformity and authoritarian drift How do we push back in a world where political leaders wield fear and intimidation? Where digital technology dehumanizes and flattens us? We need role models, and in this engaging book, acclaimed writer Gal Beckerman goes looking for them. Drawing on the stories of dissidents from around the globe and across time, from Socrates to Ai Weiwei, and thinkers like Hannah Arendt and Iris Murdoch, Beckerman reveals the defining characteristics these extraordinary figures share, a set of attributes and practices for anyone navigating the pressures of modern tyranny. Structured around ten qualities--among them, Be Pessimistic , Be Funny , Be Reckless , and Be Immortal --this illuminating, surprising book blends intellectual history, biography, and cultural criticism. It charts a dissident's journey from the solitary moment of recognizing the truth, through the risks of speaking it, to the legacy that can outlast a life. What makes dissidents tick? And how might we change when we encounter them? Urgent and inspiring, Beckerman's book shows that dissidence is a human capacity we can all cultivate, a refusal to betray one's inner voice, no matter the cost. In a polarized America and a world sliding toward authoritarianism, we need dissidents--not only the jailed and martyred, but also those of us who face small daily compromises of conscience. How to Be a Dissident lights the way.