It Can't Happen Here
Sinclair Lewis
Review
There are some very salient parallel between the this book's tyrannical world and our own. In the book, the man who becomes President of the United States is known for opposing and distrusting the media and academia. In order to appeal to his supporters he scapegoats minority groups and will often misrepresent the truth. He consolidates his power by dismantling institutions meant to check his power and consolidates state and local governments so that he is able to hang on to power. All the while, he uses the tactic of "divide and conquer" to ensure his opposition is always too fractured to overthrow him. He even resorts to duping his supporters to do what he wants.
While all this isn't a perfect parallel to real life, it serves as a reminder that democracy is a fragile thing. Throughout the book, various people see a dictator rising and routinely think "It can't happen here!" and wait around for a magic occurrence for them to realize things have crossed the line. However, the government simply "moves" that figurative line so that no one cries out against it.
This book is a call to keep your eyes peeled. Don't wait for things to cross the line, because you won't notice it, and if you do it'll be too late.
Despite this book containing a great deal of dated language that can make it a bit dense to read at times, it remains an excellent book and recommendation.
Notable Quotes
"Doremus had never heard Windrip during his orgasms of oratory, but he had been told by reporters that under the spell you thought Windrip was Plato, but that on the way home, you could not remember anything he had said." (71)
"An old man, shabbily neat, stood blocking them and yelled, "To hell with Buzz! Three cheers for FDR!" The Minute Men burst into hoodlum wrath. The cornet in command... hit the old man on the jaw, and he sloped down, sickeningly." (94-95)
"Something in the intensity with which Windrip looked at his audience, looked at all of them, his glance slowly taking them in from the highest-perched seat to the nearest, convinced them that he was talking to each individual, directly and solely; that he wanted to take each of them into his heart; that he was telling them the truths, the imperious and dangerous facts, that had been hidden from them." (99)