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Dictators

The Cult of Personality in the Twentieth Century
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( 2,378 ratings, 328 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Dictators by Frank Dikotter explores how notorious dictators, from Mussolini to Mao, rose to power and the tactics they used to maintain control over their nations. Through detailed historical analysis, the book examines the manipulation, propaganda, and coercion that defined their regimes, providing a compelling look at the dark mechanics of dictatorship.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you're fascinated by the personalities and politics of totalitarian regimes, exploring how dictators maintain their grip on power and the profound impact they have on nations and their people.

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Dictators

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
Dictators by Frank Dikötter is a compelling exploration into the lives and regimes of some of the world's most infamous totalitarian leaders. In this meticulously researched work, Dikötter delves into the intricate mechanics of how these dictators maintained their iron grip on power through a blend of fear, propaganda, and the creation of personality cults. The narrative uncovers the techniques used by these leaders to craft an illusion of popular support, a necessity for prolonged tyranny.

No dictator can rule through fear and violence alone. Raw power may be seized and held momentarily, but in the long run, it is insufficient. A tyrant must compel his own people to acclaim him to endure. The paradox of the modern dictator lies in the necessity of fabricating the illusion of enthusiastic support. Throughout the twentieth century, millions faced the grim reality of being forced to idolise their leaders even as they were driven towards oppression and servitude.

In Dictators, Frank Dikötter explores eight of the most sinister and effective personality cults of the twentieth century. The book provides detailed accounts of Mussolini, Hitler, Stalin, Mao Zedong, Kim Il-sung, Ceausescu, Mengistu of Ethiopia, and Duvalier of Haiti. These dictators employed a variety of strategies to maintain their public image, from orchestrated parades to enforcing strict censorship that shrouded their regimes in a carefully curated mystique. These leaders constantly manipulated their image and incited glorification from the masses to fortify their rule.

At a time when democracy seems to falter on the global stage, Dictators raises pertinent questions about the resurgence of these authoritarian techniques among today's leaders. This timely and riveting study not only narrates how a cult of personality is constructed and perpetuated but also situates it as a central pillar of tyranny.

Described as ‘Brilliant’ by the New Statesman, one of their Books of the Year, and praised as both ‘Enlightening and a good read’ by the Spectator and ‘Moving and perceptive’ by the New Statesman, this book is a profound analysis of authoritarian rule. Dikötter’s narrative skill and historical insight make Dictators an engaging read for anyone interested in understanding the underpinnings of dictatorial power and the enduring allure of despots.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Frank Dikötter's Dictators is described as essential reading, providing elegant and readable portraits of eight 20th-century dictators. Reviews highlight the riveting nature of these standalone portraits and Dikötter’s effective storytelling. The book is praised for its psychological insight, brilliant study, and eye-opening stories, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in political manipulation and history. The work is noted for its contemporary relevance, emphasizing the destructive nature of toxic insecurity and narcissism in authoritarianism.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781526626998

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 09 July 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 264g

Pages: 320

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About the Author

Frank Dikötter is Chair Professor of Humanities at the University of Hong Kong and Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution. His books have changed the way historians view China, from the classic The Discourse of Race in Modern China to his award-winning People's Trilogy documenting the lives of ordinary people under Mao. He is married and lives in Hong Kong.

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