Pete Reads 'Coup D'état' by Edward N. Luttwak with Guests - Complete Part 1 of 2

There Will Be War is a military science fiction anthology series edited by Jerry Pournelle, exploring future warfare scenarios and technologies.

To Move a Nation is a memoir by Roger Hilsman about his experiences in the Kennedy administration and the Vietnam War.

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In *Coup d'État: A Practical Handbook*, Edward Luttwak provides a comprehensive analysis of how coups are planned and executed, focusing on the rapid takeover of governmental mechanisms without destroying them. The book outlines specific conditions necessary for a successful coup, such as economic instability and concentrated power, and emphasizes the importance of flexibility and minimal violence. First published in 1968, it has been widely acclaimed and translated into numerous languages.

In this seminal work, Hannah Arendt explores the historical and philosophical roots of totalitarianism. The book is structured into three essays: 'Antisemitism', 'Imperialism', and 'Totalitarianism'. Arendt examines the rise of anti-Semitism in 19th-century Europe, the role of European colonial imperialism, and the emergence of totalitarian movements in Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia. She argues that totalitarianism is a novel form of government that differs from other forms of political oppression by its use of terror to subjugate mass populations and its aim for global domination. The book also delves into the mechanics of totalitarian movements, including the transformation of classes into masses, the role of propaganda, and the use of terror to maintain control.

Imperium is a narrative that spans several decades, beginning with Kapuściński's childhood memories of the Soviet occupation of Poland in the late 1930s. The book follows his journeys across the Soviet Union, including his travels on the Trans-Siberian Railway and through the Central Asian and Caucasus republics. Kapuściński describes the brutal measures used by the Soviet regime, the psychological effects on the people, and the eventual collapse of the empire. He reflects on the post-colonial sociology of the regions, the rise of nationalist sentiment, and the complexities of decolonization. The book is a poignant and evocative account of life within the Soviet Union, highlighting both the horrors and the resilience of its people.