Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism

by Stewart Reynolds

A GLOBE AND MAIL AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER

Like On Tyranny, but with cats, this is the ultimate guide to channeling feline wisdom in the face of authoritarian nonsense.
 
Cats, the original masters of stealth, sass, and strategic chaos, have been teaching us survival tactics for centuries—they just haven’t been this explicit about it. Until now.
 
Through humor, sharp insights, and unapologetic defiance, LESSONS FROM CATS FOR SURVIVING FASCISM lays out eleven essential cat-inspired strategies for resisting control and reclaiming power. From staying nimble and unpredictable to demanding what you need with the confidence of a hungry tabby, each chapter is packed with lessons that are as subversive as they are practical.
 
Whether you’re facing off against a system that thrives on control or just trying to make sense of a chaotic world, these lessons will arm you with the tools—and the attitude—you need to fight back. Cats don’t ask for permission, and neither should you.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Humor, Cats, Philosophy, Animals, Activism

59 pages, ebook

Published June 24, 2025

About the author

Brittlestar (Stewart Reynolds) has built a global following by combining sharp wit, family-friendly humour, and razor-clear observations about the absurdities of modern life. With more than 650 million views across platforms and hundreds of thousands tuning in weekly, his videos make people laugh, think… and occasionally wonder if he’s spying on their family group chat.

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like “On Tyranny” but with cats. Very important reading for the world we’re living in.

[Naomi Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short little mini book with a lighthearted approach to tackling timely threats of fascism with cat-like agility

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook and have a feeling my rating would be higher if I had the physical book in front of me, as I believe there are illustrations(?). 4/5 stars 🐈

[Dennis Fischman · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’re depressed about the state of the country and feeling helpless to do anything about it, this may be just the book for you. It will bring a smile to your face.

The author knows cats a lot better than either fascists or resistance, however. The image of fascism you see here is stuck in time: it’s Colonel Klink from Hogan’s Heroes. The acts of resistance are nearly all solitary swagger, not strategic, collective, or sustained.

One thing the author could have learned from cats but didn’t is this: when someone is aiming overpowering force at you, get out of the way. Skedaddle. Have hiding places that only you know about. Then, when it’s safe, appear out of nowhere again.

But it’s not cat behavior that’s going to create a place of safety. It’s humans uniting.

[Wanda Pedersen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very short audiobook, which was an excellent choice. This was a cute idea, which mostly worked, but was on the edge of overdoing itself. Cats resisting fascists makes a certain amount of sense. It's a very unusual cat who will acquiesce to your every whim. They are far more likely to do as the author claims: loudly and persistently demand what they want, wait until your back is turned to do exactly what they want, attack offenders of their dignity with sharp claws, or vanish so completely that they are unfindable. Humans may have opposable thumbs (the better to operate can openers) but cats know they can outmaneuver us. If you have ever been nagged by a cat that wants something, you know all about this.

If I didn't know better, I would suspect Prime Minister Carney of using this as a play book. Particularly with regards to the final chapter on community building.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you think Brittlestar is funny and you like cats you’ll like this book.

Unless you’re a fascist.

[Stephanie’s Libby Antics · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a person alive in the world, this essay is a small balm to my dried out husk of a soul.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basic but solid.

[Justine · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s like the Art of War but for cats. It’s short and entertaining… just don’t let your MAGA friend read it. 😅

[Rach · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short little guide on ways to fight back against the fascism we are currently seeing in our country and around the world, with tips taken from the clever, persistent, resilient cat. I really appreciated how short and to the point each tip was, drawing direct comparisons between the ways cats deal with humans and the ways we can deal with fascism. Some of these tips might seem less relevant considering how far down the road to fascism some of our leaders have gone in the last 6 months, but I still think there are some good little gems in there to encourage us and remind us of the importance and value of resistance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for a copy of this book for review purposes.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10. Down with fascists, up with cats.

[Mollified.Moments · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely a five star read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was exactly the kind of thing I didn’t know I needed between my regular reading. It’s short—you can get through it in one sitting—but manages to pack in a lot without ever feeling like it’s trying too hard.

It’s funny, yeah, but also weirdly sharp. The chapters are quick, and sure, some of the ideas repeat a little—but that kinda works when you’re talking about cats. They’re stubborn, unpredictable, and do whatever they want… which is exactly the point.

There’s one line that stuck with me—“Rest isn’t just self-care—it’s resistance. And nothing terrifies a fascist more than someone who’s wide awake, well-rested, and ready to strike.”

Honestly, yes.

I will 100% be buying a finished copy of this for myself and grabbing extras for my fellow childless cat ladies. It’s the kind of book you want to pass around. It’s snarky, thoughtful, and makes a good case for calculated chaos.

[Hache · Rating 1 out of 5]

El libro es un 0, le pongo una estrella porque no puedo ponerle menos. Es el peor libro que me he leído en mi vida.
Me he forzado a terminarlo porque fue un regalo (además de cortísimo), y aun así se me ha hecho eterno. No tengo pruebas pero tampoco dudas de que está escrito con IA y no ha pasado por las manos de ningún editor que pudiera haber salvado un poco los muebles a este desastre. Repetitivo, sin ideas, AIslop y políticamente estéril: siento que define perfectamente lo que es el partido demócrata estadounidense. Lo peor no es el libro en sí, si no la valoración media que tiene en goodreads y algunas de las reseñas. Meteorito mátame.

[Ashleah · Rating 5 out of 5]

(4.5/5 stars)

Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism is a short but sweet (and funny!) nonfiction book about dealing with oppressive regimes.

This was pretty fantastic! It's under 70 pages, but I lost count how many times I laughed out loud or made other audible noises of enjoyment or shook my head in agreement.

There are eleven short essays, each focusing on a type of behavior from our feline friends that might help us in our efforts to resist fascism. There are beautiful line art illustrations throughout the book, and I especially loved those. I kind of want to buy prints to hang up on my wall!

Overall I really enjoyed reading this. However, it does get a smidge repetitive at times, and since the book is so short that really stands out. I've been recommended the author's other book, Welcome to the Stupidpocalypse, which is longer and more-in depth--I've already ordered a copy for myself!

If you're looking for something witty and funny to help you resist oppressive regimes, I highly recommend this one!

I received a complimentary review copy from Grand Central Pub. All opinions contained herein are my own.

[Tom Palumbo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this book was written with ChatGPT. I can tell because, I hate to admit it, but I use AI heavily at work to write emails and memos and project descriptions, and I’ve tailored it to be a little more casual to avoid using corporate-speak. The tone and style of this book are identical to what I get there.

That being said, the premise is clever and the main ideas are very creative. Drawing inspiration from house cats to fight fascism is wonderful. At the end of the day, all you need are the chapter titles and maybe one paragraph for each.

[ash:) · Rating 4 out of 5]

trump slander but in the context of cats. genius.

[Liliana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Libro corto de lecciones que podemos aprender sobre los gatos para combatir el fascismo. Es divertida y relevante, habla de varias lecciones desde el lente actual del fascismo en Estados Unidos y se me hizo divertido ver como ciertas figuras políticas de la izquierda socialista reflejan algunas de las lecciones que habla el libro (ej. Zohran Mamdani, Bernie Sanders).

Corto, divertido y directo al grano. 🐈✨

[Eline Schoonhoven · Rating 3 out of 5]

geinig maar valt wel een beetje in herhaling

[Kristen Carannante · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great Election Day read. It was a birthday gift from my feline/democracy friendly book club.

[nancy! · Rating 4 out of 5]

FDT!!!!!!

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism by Stewart Reynolds AKA Brittlestar because I have enjoyed his humorous takes on politics on his Instagram feed. This book was short, sweet, light but to the point. Basically if you're fighting fascism, be more like a cat than a dog. But basically, he makes his point succinctly and clearly.

"Fascists survive on predictability because their entire system is built on the illusion of control." Be like the cat. Be unpredictable. Fascists can't handle unpredictability.

"Fascists, despite their chest-thumping bravado, are deeply insecure" They thrive on denigrating and making people feel small. They only win if you let them. Cats won't let them. You shouldn't either.

One more...

"Fascists, despite their swagger, are terrified of sharp resistance - both literal and metaphorical. They thrive on compliance..." So never let them think you are defenceless...

It's an interesting way of presenting this battle between democracy and fascism and it makes the point very clearly. Check it out and check out Brittlestar... (3.5 stars)

[Sue Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly full of real strategic suggestions when I was expecting just a lighthearted read. While definitely funny, it's full of gems. From "strategic chaos" to unrelenting assertiveness, the feline playbook really is applicable to creating resistance. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was so fun and silly.

[ThatBookish_deviant · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You’ve made terrible life choices, and cats know it.”

When the world seems fucked, it helps to laugh in the face of your corrupt political regime.
If you need to lighten the mood, this was a quick read which reminded me that not everyone is a hateful little wannabe dictator or his echo chamber of idiots.

“Fascists aren’t exactly the brightest bulb in the Mar-a-Lago chandelier.”

[Therese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basic and repetitive at times but witty and wholesome enough to make you ignore those little nitpicky things.

[Candies · Rating 4 out of 5]

N'allons-nous pas nous mentir, si les chats devaient réellement choisir un parti politique, ils seraient assurément fascistes, pour tout l'amour que je leur porte ; mais ce petit essai marque beaucoup de points très justes et très importants sous couvert d'un humour bien placé. Je recommande ! Vive les chats et au bûcher les fachos !

[Eliz S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illustrations were 5/5 tho

[Lina · Rating 3 out of 5]

My two favorite things: cats and anti-fascism 😺

[Aaron Bañuelos · Rating 3 out of 5]

A witty, short read that blends cat behavior with political commentary. Using playful metaphors to highlight resilience in a high-tension political climate.

The humorous comparisons to the current administration land more often than not, even if a few ideas repeat throughout the book. Fun, lighthearted, and still thought-provoking read.

[Noah Letner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it! Funny and applicable...