Our Malady by Timothy Snyder

Our Malady: Lessons in Liberty from a Hospital Diary by Timothy Snyder

A searing personal and political reflection on health, freedom, and the failures of American medicine. In Our Malady, historian Timothy Snyder draws from his near-death experience in late 2019 to deliver a powerful critique of the U.S. healthcare system and its broader implications for democracy and human rights.

About the Book

After a life-threatening medical emergency left him hospitalized and vulnerable, Snyder began to question how a nation that prides itself on liberty could allow such systemic neglect of its citizens’ health. His reflections—written just before and during the COVID-19 pandemic—highlight the deep connections between healthcare, civic freedom, and national resilience.

Through a blend of memoir and political analysis, Snyder argues that health must be recognized as a human right, and that the commodification of care undermines both individual dignity and collective liberty. He calls for a reimagining of American values—one that centers compassion, equity, and preparedness.

Key Themes

• The personal cost of systemic healthcare failures
• The erosion of liberty when health is treated as a commodity
• The role of government and misinformation during the pandemic
• Hopeful principles for rebuilding a more just and humane society

Perfect For

Readers of political nonfiction, healthcare reform, and memoir. This book is especially resonant for those seeking to understand the intersection of personal vulnerability and public policy.

Publisher

Penguin Random House | ISBN: 9780593238899 | 192 pages | Published: September 8, 2020