A Short Treatise on Resistance
19 Lessons in Practical Philosophy
Imagine a practical companion guide to Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny – but meant for everyday life. In an age of noise, numbness, and creeping authoritarianism, what does it mean to resist—truly, deeply, and with integrity?
Renowned French philosopher and bestselling author Fabrice Midal offers a sharp yet soulful manifesto for ethical defiance in troubled times.
In A Short Treatise on Resistance, Midal presents 19 concise, thought-provoking lessons drawn from philosophy, literature, and lived experience—each one dismantling the subtle traps that numb, divide, and dehumanise us.
This is not a book of rage or easy answers. It is a guide to refusing hatred, resisting passivity, and reclaiming what makes life vivid and worth living. From transforming anger into purposeful action, to finding sanity in poetry over the 24-hour news cycle, Midal urges us to recognise beauty and meaning as acts of rebellion.
Whether it’s defending your private life in an age of surveillance, protecting language from manipulation, or simply going for a walk instead of succumbing to despair, each chapter reminds us: resistance begins in the everyday.
Accessible yet profound, this is a philosophical field guide for anyone who refuses to let cynicism, fear, or convenience dictate their humanity.
Reviews
“Fabrice Midal’s focus is resistance. Not the kind that clings to what has already gone, but the kind that envisions a future without succumbing to dehumanization. He brings new and invigorating ideas to our everyday.”—Madame Figaro
‘With tact, humor and compassion, Midal sheds light on the things that poison our daily lives… he will breathe new life into a genre that can often feel uninspired.’—Lire
‘Compassionate and pragmatic in equal measure… could completely change your life.’—Elle