Book Review - Tyranny For You: Spot the Warning Signs, Decode the Lies, Stop Authoritarians Before It's Too Late

 "Democracy is fragile. It can die in a day."

Steven Lvitsky and Daniel Ziblatt

     These are disquieting times. Rightwing populism in its various guises is on the ascendancy throughout the world and, as has been the trend throughout history, particularly in the 20th and 21st centuries, people are easily beguiled by its seductive simplicity, its promise of earthly heaven under the benign guidance of one enlightened leader. 

Buyer's remorse comes later! 

     Poor Richard, that erstwhile enlightened thinker, has emerged to produce this truly excellent book, alerting us to the signs, trends, dangers and consequences of authoritarianism. For those who might not be familiar with Poor Richard, he was a character created by Benjamin Franklin, used to great advantage to reach the popular audience of the day.  No less a goal is the raison d'être of this book. In the interests of full disclosure let me state up front that I know the author of this work, a dedicated social democrat and a fierce defender of democracy and a free, pluralistic society.

     In North America, we have particular reason to pay close attention to the potential ascendancy of tyranny, for it is present on our doorstep. Fascism has a foothold in the United States and we have no reason for complacency in Canada. All the hallmarks of autocracy are as clear as the words you are reading on this page. Rewriting history to eliminate what doesn't align with your message is always a good start.

     There is no shortage of role models for the would-be dictator. History is replete with charismatic figures professing the salvation of their country and its people, morphing into ruthless tyrants bent on their own aggrandizement, and megalomaniacal control of every aspect of life. Think only of Stalin, Hitler, Franco, Mussolini, Saddam Hussein, Idi Amin Dada - add your own names to the list.

     The tyrant always has a scapegoat for everything that goes wrong. No blame for anything bad is ever acknowledged and there is never a shortage of groups to be targeted; if none are right at hand, create one.

     Of course, Jews and people of colour never go away, and can be blamed for anything and everything ad infinitum.

     Institutions that do not tow the line are to be savaged and dismantled if necessary.

     A free press, political satirists and comedians are especially reviled and should be dealt with harshly.

     Is this all starting to sound familiar?

     The means of repression are chilling and numerous. Your neighbours disappear in the night; Argentine wives and mothers are still seeking information on the desaparecidos of the brutal régime that terrorized that country. Barbarism becomes the norm.

     Expertise is not required for appointment to the highest levels of government. Slavish, sycophantic loyalty is the only requirement.

      Is it sounding even more familiar?

      Democracy is messy and disorganized by its very nature - but it works. Political opponents are not enemies and compromise is not a dirty word. Honest, open dialogue gets things done, not always quickly or cleanly, but always to the benefit of society and not for personal gain. A free press is recognized as a cornerstone of an open society, to be cherished, supported and vigorously defended, even if you don't like what they print sometimes.

      The lure of autocracy never goes away and a gullible public always seems ready to embrace the idea of one charismatic figure able to solve their problems. But it always turns sour and societal gain is erased for years to come.

      This book is written with the voter in mind. It is clear, concise and to the point. There is great merit to lengthy tomes, polemics and academic dissertations, but few are going to read them. Here, set out for you, is the blueprint for tyranny, the ways to spot the warning signs, the means to exit before the lights are flashing red and the sirens blaring. In the computer age, with artificial intelligence looming large on our knowledge base, with conspiracy theories at every turn, an authoritative, fact-based work is especially critical.

     It is very modestly priced (around $15.00) and I brook no accusation of hyperbole when I contend that every citizen should read this work thoroughly and critically before casting a vote in the next election. 

     The future is up to you.

Tyranny For You: Spot the Warning Signs, Decode the Lies, Stop Authoritarians Before It's Too Late 

Poor Richard

Independently published - ISBN: 979-8268357929

178 pages - 6 x 9 inches (15 x 22.5 cm)

Publishing date: 04 October, 2025

Mike Schout Wetlands Preserve, New Hamburg, ON

06 June, 2026 

     It's always a great pleasure to visit this location, a generous gift of both land and capital from a civic-minded donor.

     Philadelphia Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus), as is to be expected at this time of year, was prolific.

     The blooms were rich in pollen and nectar and attracted a variety of insect pollinators.

         Spittle Bugs (superfamily Cercopoidea) left evidence of their presence.

     A male Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) was singing joyfully from atop Common Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum).

     Teasel was originally introduced to North America to attach to spindles to card wool, but has become an important winter food source for finches.

     Buttercups (genus Ranunculus) were coming up everywhere.

     Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) was equallly ubiquitous.

Box Elder (Acer negundo)

     An Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) had discovered the perfect spot to catch insects, for it returned to the same perch after every capture.

     Riverbank Grape (Vitis riparia) has gained a tenuous hold.

     When the wetland was first created, a sandy/gravelly area was set aside as turtle nesting habitat. 

     It has been invaded by grasses and weedy plants and is in sore need of maintenance to continue to be suitable for egg-laying turtles.

     How wonderfully green are these Arrowheads (genus Sagittaria).

     I suspect that this American Robin (Turdus migratorius) is finding lots of invertebrate prey in the muck.

     A Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) no doubt finds the wetland a perfect home.

     Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) are devoted parents, but nevertheless lose many of their young to predators. 

     Two rapidly growing youngsters remain from this brood. The bigger they become the less they are subject  to attack.

     If my memory serves me well this was our first Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas) of the season.

     Guelder-Rose (Viburnum opulus) seems to be having a good year.

     Keen kayakers were happy to exploit a fine summer's day on the Nith River.

     Anyone who has been entranced by the surreal beauty of waterlilies has no need to ponder why Claude Monet was so drawn to them.

     These American White Waterlilies (Nymphaea odorata) filled us with wonder and delight.

      Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) have claimed this wetland as their own.

     We did not see as many dragonflies and damselflies as we thought we might, but this Eastern Forktail (Ischnura verticalis) posed nicely for us.

     Dame's Rocket (Hesperis matronalis) is invasive, yet beautiful.

     Actually, this plant challenges the very nature of what constitutes an invasive organism. It was brought here in the seventeenth century, so it seems a reasonable conclusion that after four centuries it has become part of the native flora.

     Here is another Eastern Kingbird.

     Blow Flies (family Calliphoridae) and Water Striders (subgenus Gerris) were feasting on this dead fish.

     There were many Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) overhead and I am sure that as the odours from the decaying carcass intensify they will make short work of what remains.

     A pair of Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) is a handsome sight.

     Try as I might, I have been unable to identify the insects in the next couple of pictures.

     Many nest boxes have been installed throughout the wetland, but they seem to have been expropriated exclusively by House Sparrows (Passer domesticus).

     We saw no evidence of Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) or House Wrens (Troglodytes aedon); the conquest of the sparrows seems complete.

     As we were leaving we saw a couple of boys fishing.

     We inquired whether they were getting many bites, and were told that they were not. However, one boy cheerfully remarked, "It's all about the fun, right?"

     Indeed it is!

Pinery Provincial Park, Lambton Shores, ON

 21 May, 2026

     Miriam had business to take care of in Zurich, ON so we decided to combine that with a visit to Pinery Provincial Park.

     On the way we spotted several White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virgianus) just off the highway.

     The picture gives the impression that they are in an enclosure, but the forested area was fenced off alongside the road to ensure that they could not venture out, endangering both themselves and the drivers of the vehicles whizzing by.

     They are lovely, elegant creatures.

     We started our visit at the Visitor Centre, as much as anything to use the facilities, but it was closed for a training session. We wandered round outside, however.

     We are always happy to see a Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus  crinitus).

     Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) is reasonably common in southern Ontario, but often difficult to spot due to its skulking habits. 

     Pinery Provincial Park is one location where it can be glimpsed more easily than elsewhere. We heard the musical strains of its song, often characterized as "drink your tea" and were delighted to spot it perched on a branch.

     Where there are bird feeders there are Common Raccoons (Protyon lotor).

     They are undeniably attractive animals but are destructive around bird feeders, and the amount of damage they can cause if they get into your attic is the stuff of nightmares.

     A couple of Chipping Sparrows (Spizella passerina) probed beneath the feeders.

     Blue Jays (Cyanocitta cristata) had to perch precariously on the feeders, but managed to get their share.

     The park is crisscrossed with trails.

     Hairy Puccoon (Lithospermum caroliniense) is quite abundant and very appealing.

     This plant is also commonly called Plains Puccoon or Carolina Gromwell - probably other names too - highlighting the value of the scientific name to avoid confusion.

     There is easy access to Lake Huron from many areas of the park.

     Star-flowered Lily-of-the-Valley (Maianthemum stellatum) is delicate and lovely, a great favourite of mine.

     Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) is widely distributed throughout the woodland landscape.

     It's probably a safe bet that Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth (Malacosoma americana) is not a favourite of many!

  

     Midland Painted Turtles (Chrysemis picta marginata) were taking advantage of the warm sunshine to bask together, crowded on a log.

     It seems to me that Canadian Lousewort (Pedicularis canadensis) is unfairly named.

     Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) was common.

     Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) appears to be undergoing a range expansion in Ontario, but a breeding population has been present at The Pinery for many years.

     American Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) is feisty and argumentative, but undeniably captivating.

     Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) attracts many pollinators.

     It was a good day for butterflies, some of which actually landed and permitted a picture! Here is a Sleepy Duskywing (Erynnis brizo).

     Large White Trilliums (Trillium grandiflorum) sometimes take on a distinct pinkish hue, rendering them perhaps even more beautiful than in their usual white.

     Two-spotted Bumble Bee (Bombus bimaculatus) is a familiar pollinator, foraging on a range of flowers and trees. They are reliant on spring ephemerals early in the season when they are one of the first bees to emerge.

     Several Juvenal's Duskywings (Erynnis juvenalis) were seen.

     They were joined by an occasional American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis).

     A female Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) was perched above the Ausable River, directly across from where we were standing.

     She plunged headlong into the stream and took off upriver. I was unable to determine whether her dive was successful.

     An Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) had claimed a spot where insects were abundant and was feeding well.

      With a degree of patience only herons seem to have, this Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) stalked its prey relentlessly, impaling a hapless fish or frog with a lightening strike.

     Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) are stately and elegant.

     Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) scanned from on high, sailing effortlessly on the wind, searching for their ready-to-eat menu.

     Other than a little tenderizing, no preparation required!

     An Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) was equally adept at flycatching as the Eastern Kingbird seen above.

     Mayapple (Podophylum peltatum) is familiar to all.

     The bond between a vine and its host is stronger than that of many humans!

Buttercups (genus Ranunculus)

  

     We spotted many fish in the river, including this impressive Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus).

     Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea) is blooming.

     A Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbulus) tantalized us with its song long before we set eyes on it.

     A Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) does not have the most versatile avian melody, but yields to no other species in determination and effort.

     It had been a hot day, and we had bushwhacked, sweated and swatted.

     An ice cream seemed well earned.

     I just read today that it is one of the twenty worst foods you can eat. Ah well, it's only a couple of times a year. It sure tasted great!