It Can't Happen Here

By: Sinclair Lewis

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 14 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

First published in 1935, when Americans were still largely oblivious to the rise of Hitler in Europe, this prescient novel tells a cautionary tale about the fragility of democracy and offers an alarming, eerily timeless look at how fascism could take hold in America.

Doremus Jessup, a newspaper editor, is dismayed to find that many of the people he knows support presidential candidate Berzelius Windrip. The suspiciously fascist Windrip is offering to save the nation from sex, crime, welfare cheats, and a liberal press. But after Windrip wins the election, dissent soon becomes dangerous for Jessup. Windrip 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.

©1935 Sinclair Lewis. © renewed 1963 by Michael Lewis (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Parts of it HAVE happened here

I really like this book but did have some difficulties with the combination of ridiculous satire and horrifying consequences... kind of like the Trump era! A few caveats: First, in the 1930’s the Democrats were the states’ rights party. Republicans were Federalists and believers in a strong central government. FDR was an anomaly. Second, don’t worry about all those names thrown out by Lewis (including his own several times), most don’t really matter. This is really a story about how a charismatic radio personality, manipulation of the press, a slow economy, and impressionable citizens can combine to turn the US into a fascist state. There are several parallels to current times that keep it interesting. Windrip is the personality who promises the moon to the common man (read “real America”) and grabs the nomination from FDR. Jessup, the regular guy hero at the center, feels believable, as well as his close family and friends - which is good because most other characters are caricatures. I warn that it starts out seeming funny and rather silly but it gets dark and horrifying. The end is a bit positive but not neatly wrapped.

Sadly, a very timely book, and well done

OK. I don't know how political book reviews are expected to be, but it is hard not to be political with a book like "It Can't Happen Here". I think there is a pretty obvious reason that Audible has been promoting this book, and it is because of their promotion of it that I selected it, so the topic did strike a nerve. The story takes place in the 1930s, with Mussolini and Hitler in the background in Europe, and the plot basically showing how it very well could happen in the US, how Americans can fall for a demagogue and elect him in a national democratic election, and he then proceeds to rule the country with all the trappings of a dictator - military police like the SS or Gestapo, concentration camps for political prisoners and other undesirables. Just as a certain Republican candidate for president today in the US, Windrip - the elected dictator - ran on a platform fomenting hatred (in his are towards Jews, African Americans, communists, intellectuals, liberals, etc.) was a misogynist, promised economic and social reform, a return to patriotism and traditional values, Yes, he was going to make American great again! While listening to the book, I found myself feeling troubled, not just because I am convinced that it could happen in the US, but because I considered what I would do if it did happen. Some people managed to escape to Canada. Some formed an underground. Most went along, thinking they could save their skin, or, too often, to get a position or job with this new government. I know I would not go along with it and I certainly wouldn't be duped by such a person (just as I am not now duped by such an obnoxious candidate that is running right now). But I'd probably bolt ASAP and not wait and give him a chance, as many people in the story do. The most troubling aspect is that just yesterday I saw this video on the NY Times website of uncensored vitriolic language and behavior from Trump supporters (oh, whoops, I named the candidate whom this book should make you wary of) at a Trump rally, and I said: those are the people that would become Trump's military police and have no compunction about beating Muslims, Mexican immigrants, or whoever is the scapegoat of choice, if they were just given the go-ahead (and even if not) by a new president. Listen to the book and then be sure to go vote. It's up to you not to let it happen.
I didn't give 5 stars because I did feel that there was not enough plot to make the book this long. The point was made, Lewis got his idea across, and it could have been more concise. The narrator was very good, but I generally save my 5* ratings for narrators who are so good that if they read me the phone book I'd still be enthralled. This narrator was not that.

perfect for this election year

enthralling foreshadowing of today's politics. what goes around,... also a great lesson in freedom's fragility.

Prescient

If you haven't read/listened to it, you should. Disturbing how it feels plucked from today's headlines. Chilling

chillingly pertinent 90 years later

the fascist takeover in chapter 15 seems all too real these days. a few comparisons:
• "make America a proud, rich land again" vs "make America great again'
• the demonization of anyone who disagrees as Bolseviks/socialists
• anti-intellectualism and disregard for science and the arts
• the firing of teachers for their political ideologies vs the Florida Governor requiring teachers reveal their party registration
• promises made and never fulfilled
• a conspiracy of "ritual murder" used to sow fear
• "tough on crime" preemptive policing

Ironic title, eerily prescient

I remember this from HS in the 70’s. It meant less in those days, seemed preposterous. But Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, IBLT, and Shiny People make this all too current. A must read.

Thought provoking in a rather different take

Captures one's attention about the "what if" in a haunting way pertaining to the upside down world that confronts each one of us.

Stand up for Democracy

This story tells us that the people of this country must stand together against the tyranny and oppression that could happen if we don’t fight back against it.
We must fight back with our votes

Remarkable.

The book is for folks who think the article collapse of democracy and rule of law can’t happen here, and those who believe it’s happening now. Lewis’ prescience in 1935 is remarkable. He creates an America lost after a legal election of the wrong leaders that prefigures the dystopia of Fahrenheit 451 and even The Handmaids Tale.

Written in 1935 but resonates today

In the years leading up to WWII the The author depicts a plausible senecio of how fascism could take hold in the US.