The author is passionate in warning that democracies need to be protected as they can be converted into autocratic or authoritarian states. To demonstrate how this has happened he describes the ascent to power of 4 autocratic rulers and their regimes, Hitler, Mussolini, Franco, and Salazar. In his short overview, he draws generic parallels and makes this book accessible for readers with little or no background about these 4 dictators. The author ends by pointing out several weaknesses in the US constitution that need reform. This book serves as a warning that free states are not suddenly overturned but become unfree through constant undermining and eroding. In spite of the serious topic the book is easy to read and should be read by any citizen who lives in a free democracy and would like to protect it.