If you loved
Strongmen
Ruth Ben-Ghiat · Book
What hooked you in Strongmen was the unsettling way personal ambition and unchecked ego dismantle the foundations of democratic society.
Films on the same thread
Oppenheimer
Film · 2023
Explores: Moral ambiguity, Scientific ethics, Cold War paranoia.
Like the profiles in Strongmen, this film examines how a single individual’s moral ambiguity and pursuit of power can alter the course of history and haunt the public conscience.
The Death of Stalin
Film · 2017
Explores: Power struggle, Authoritarianism, Bureaucratic incompetence.
This film highlights the chaotic power struggles and bureaucratic incompetence that follow a dictator, mirroring the structural analysis of authoritarian collapse explored throughout the pages of Strongmen.
The Great Dictator
Film · 1940
Explores: Anti-fascism, Humanism, Totalitarianism.
Strongmen provides a sobering look at the mechanics of propaganda, which this film satirizes by exposing the absurdity and inherent cruelty behind the cult of personality of a dictator.
Nuremberg
James Vanderbilt · Film · 2025
Explores: moral ambiguity, psychological warfare, post-war reconstruction.
This courtroom drama focuses on the psychological warfare and accountability of high-ranking officials, echoing the deep dive into the architects of tyranny detailed in the study of Strongmen.
Series on the same thread
How to Become a Tyrant
Series · 2021
Shares a thread with Strongmen: propaganda.
This documentary series serves as a practical guide to the rise of autocracy, expanding on the specific tactics of abuse and manipulation identified by the research in Strongmen.
Podcasts on the same thread
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
Dan Carlin · Podcast · 2025
Explores: civilizational collapse, human nature, moral ambiguity.
Dan Carlin’s long-form analysis mirrors the depth of Strongmen by questioning the consequences of power and human nature, inviting you to reconsider the legacy of history's most notorious figures.
Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra
Rachel Maddow, MS NOW · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Authoritarianism, Domestic Espionage, Threats to Democracy.
This investigative podcast tracks the domestic threats to democracy, providing a modern, immersive look at the same patterns of political corruption and authoritarianism examined in Strongmen.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the primary focus of Strongmen by Ruth Ben-Ghiat?
Strongmen provides detailed profiles of various authoritarian leaders throughout history. The book examines the specific political tactics these figures have utilized to gain power, maintain control, and influence their respective nations, offering a comprehensive look at the mechanisms of authoritarian rule.
Does Strongmen explain how authoritarian leaders maintain power?
Yes, Strongmen explores the methods used by authoritarian leaders to consolidate and sustain their authority. Ruth Ben-Ghiat analyzes the common strategies these figures employ to manipulate public opinion, suppress opposition, and reshape government structures to serve their own interests.
Is Strongmen a biographical collection of authoritarian figures?
Strongmen functions as a collection of profiles that analyze authoritarian leaders. Rather than simple biographies, the book focuses on the patterns of behavior and tactics used by these individuals to establish and preserve their regimes, providing insight into the nature of authoritarian leadership.
What can I learn about political tactics from Strongmen?
Strongmen details the specific tactics used by authoritarian leaders to exert influence and control. By profiling these figures, the book illustrates how they manipulate political systems and social environments to achieve their goals, helping readers understand the strategies behind the rise of authoritarianism.