In 'On Cruelty,' Kanan Makiya, a distinguished Iraqi-American intellectual, offers a harrowing yet vital examination of the pervasive nature of cruelty in human history and contemporary politics. Drawing upon his profound insights into totalitarianism and the mechanics of power, Makiya meticulously dissects the psychological, social, and political underpinnings that enable acts of extreme brutality. This powerful work challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about human capacity for inflicting suffering, urging a deeper understanding of how systemic and individual cruelties emerge and perpetuate. It's an essential read for anyone seeking to grasp the complex dynamics of oppression and the enduring impact of violence on societies.