THE INFERNAL LIBRARY On Dictators, the Books They Wrote, and Other Catastrophes of Literacy

Could the current disintegration of society, seen in public shaming and hardening opinions, lead to totalitarianism? Author Daniel Kalder looks at dictators' writings and their effects. Narrator Chris Ciulla delivers Kalder's survey of dictator literature, delighting in the author's mocking tones. The discussion starts with Vladimir Lenin, whom he dubs an "armchair terrorist," noting that the Soviet revolutionary was himself inspired by a novel and remade himself in the hero's image. The work continues through Turkmenbashi, whose writings and regime first piqued Kalder's interest in this topic. Since he focuses the rulers' own writings, this is not a complete history of ideology or tyranny, but a fascinating discussion of the often dangerous power of words. J.A.S. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2018]