#2741

Mentioned in 13 episodes

Darkness at Noon

Book • 1940

Arthur Koestler

Published in 1940, 'Darkness at Noon' is a haunting portrait of life under totalitarian rule.

The novel revolves around Nicholas Rubashov, a former high-ranking official in a communist regime, who is arrested and subjected to intense interrogation and psychological manipulation.

The story explores the moral crises and existential dilemmas faced by Rubashov as he grapples with the consequences of his past actions and the ideologies he once fervently believed in.

The book is a powerful critique of Stalinist totalitarianism and the corrosive effects of political corruption, making it a seminal work of 20th-century literature.

Mentioned by

Mentioned in 13 episodes

Mentioned by

Francis Foster

as part of Hillsdale College's free online course called Totalitarian Novels.

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as one of his favorite books.

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Dorian Lynskey

when discussing books Margaret Thatcher read during her youth.

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Mentioned as one of the books that Charlie Kirk was a big fan of.

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Recommended as the classic novel based on the Bucherin trial.

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Mentioned by

Tod Worner

as a great work from dissidents in ruthless ideological regimes.

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Recommended by

Marci Shore

as a roman à clef about the Stalinist show trials.

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Mentioned by

Guy Raz

as a book that explores the dangers of pursuing political purity.

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Mentioned by

Jacob Howland

as a great novel about a man who can't distinguish between Nazi and Soviet jails.

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Mentioned by

Steven Pinker

as an example of the human temptation to pile on a designated victim, during Stalin's trials.

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Mentioned by

David Runciman

as one of the great political literature inspired by Nikolai Bukharin's trial.

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Mentioned by

Michael Wolff

when describing the announcements made by Trump.

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Mentioned by

Charlie Kirk

in a discussion about Hillsdale College's course on totalitarian novels.

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Mentioned in a Hillsdale College online course on totalitarian novels, highlighting their relevance to contemporary society.

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Mentioned by

Charlie Kirk

as part of a Hillsdale College course on totalitarian novels.

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Mentioned by

Charlie Kirk

as one of five authors that wrote about post-World War II totalitarianism.

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Mentioned by

Paul A. Taylor

as the author of "Darkness at Noon," a novel about imprisonment in a totalitarian regime.

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Mentioned by a speaker during a discussion on totalitarian novels.

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Michael Wolff

when describing Donald Trump's announcements and actions.

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