It Can't Happen Here . . . by Sinclair Lewis (1935)

is now available -- for free -- online . . . thanks, Aussies! . . . :)

http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/l/lewis/sinclair/happen/

BONUS: we now have the new name for George W. Bush . . . Berzelius Windrip!

from the Merriam-Webster Encyclopedia of Literature

Novel by Sinclair Lewis, published in 1935. It is a cautionary tale about the rise of fascism in the United States. During the presidential election of 1936, Doremus Jessup, a newspaper editor, observes with dismay that many of the people he knows support the candidacy of a fascist, Berzelius Windrip. When Windrip wins the election, he forcibly gains control of Congress and the Supreme Court, and, with the aid of his personal paramilitary storm troopers, turns the United States into a totalitarian state. Jessup opposes him, is captured, and escapes to Canada.

from MetaFilter . . .

It Can't Happen Here is a masterful satire in which a popular, dimwitted politician rises to dictatorial power on the backs of radio evangelists, opponents of urban, yacht-owning, college professor liberalism, common people, and the Rotary Club. America is pushed into a manufactured war by all-powerful corporate interests, liberties are restricted in the name of national emergency, and all is coordinated by a behind-the-scenes political maestro sometimes called "the brain." Sound familiar? It's nothing new: the book was written by Sinclair Lewis in 1935.

- haven't read it yet, but will soon . . . looks eerily familiar . . .

http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/l/lewis/sinclair/happen/

...case KKKarl Rove emulating the characters of the novel by Sinclair Lewis? Was this ever turned into a movie?

Was this ever turned into a movie?

I don't think so--I checked imdb and nothing turned up there. I also checked a film and politics book written by a colleague of mine and while he doesn't mention it by name, there may be an adaptation under another title. When the light is better tomorrow, I'll look a little closer and post back.

I'm always fascinated by authors who envision the future. The similarities are striking in this case. I'll have to get a copy of this book.

It was assumed at the time it was written, that it referred to Huey Long. Since then, popular sentiment was that the scenario was no longer "plausible", and the book ceased to have much popular appeal.

No longer --- the "reelection" of Bush should make this book popular again --- it's a near perfect match. Let's all hope that Jack London's "The Iron Heel" doesn't become similiarly relevant.

I downloaded that Sinclair Lewis book several days ago, and stuffed it in my PDA (Sony TH-55) (likewise with "The Iron Heel").

pnorman

Started to read the first chapter . . . decided, because of monitor glare, to check and see if the book is available at amazon.com. 'T is! So . . .

Thanks, again, for the link! In a few days, I'll be able to shut down this contraption to curl up in a more comfortable chair to read what promises to be a good book. :)

That should be a very interesting read.

for providing the link to the entire book. I doubt if this tome is available in my local library.

1. Economic distress.

2. Governor Hughie Long had a fascist plan to re-organize the government. He ran for president, promising a "chicken in every pot". In Louisiana, he ran the government by a combination of corrupt deals with businesses and an iron hand.

3. Business hated FDR. Planned to overthrow him with the military. They chose Major General Smedley D. Butler as the figurehead who would replace him. Butler instead ratted them out to J. Edgar Hoover and the coup was destroyed before it happened.

4. Father Coughlin was a radio minister who had access to a majority of American homes. He was big, very big and popular. He didn't preach about christian love. He used his program to attack FDR and his programs to alleviate poverty and to turn around the economy.

5. The masses were ready to listen to a demagogue because of the chaos caused by some many people out of work and living hand-to-mouth. Sort of like the Germans throwing out the Weimar republic and giving Hitler a chance to "save" them.