In this riveting anatomy of the new face of authoritarianism, acclaimed journalist William Dobson takes us inside the battle between modern dictators and those who challenge their rule.

Intelligent and absorbing New York Times William Dobson is that rare thinker who combines a gift for storytelling with a farsighted understanding of how the world works. He is one of the best new voices writing about global politics today. -- Fareed Zakaria A brilliant and original analysis of the nature of modern authoritarianism -- Anne Applebaum, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Of Gulag It is hard to imagine a timelier book than this one... Anyone seeking to make sense of the extraordinary tide of revolutions and protests sweeping around the world will find [this] an indispensable read -- Anne-Marie Slaughter, Professor Of Politics And International Affairs, Princeton University, And Former Director Of Policy Planning, U.S. State Department

William J. Dobson is politics and foreign affairs editor for Slate. He has been an editor at Foreign Affairs and Newsweek International. Under his direction, Foreign Policy won the coveted National Magazine Award for General Excellence in 2007 and 2009. His articles and essays have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal. He lives in Washington, DC.