I went to the scrap iron business yesterday, picked up some supplies, and stopped at the thrift store on the way back to the studio. It was there that I found this unread, used, thick paperback that only cost a dollar. I've already begun on it.
Anne Applebaum is an American writer, and a good one. I tend to prefer non-literature when it comes to women authors. They are very smart and expert researchers. Ms. Applebaum knows her stuff. I must say that her ideas mirror my own in several important areas. She understands the key differences between the Nazi and the Communist systems, in particular the way they both viewed punishment.
She notes the evil behind the phrase "enemy of the people." How such a vague blanket concept can wreak the greatest harm on innocent citizenry.
I've tried to ignore the current political scene here in the USA, and even abroad, but it lurks in the background, no matter what.