I can clearly understand the reason why people draw a comparison between the ascent of Donald Trump and that of Buzz Windrip in It Can't Happen Here. The resemblances, particularly in the initial chapters, are almost laughable. However, what is not humorous is the highly persuasive manner in which Lewis demonstrates how fascism could effortlessly take root in a country like America. A demagogue could slip in and fan the embers of bigotry among a poverty-stricken populace seeking solutions to their woes.

Despite being far from it, Buzz Windrip presents himself as an ordinary person and garners favor by continuously preaching things that he doesn't actually practice. For instance, he secures votes from the Anti-Saloon League because, as it was known, although he consumed a significant amount of alcohol, Senator Windrip also lauded teetotalism extensively. In contrast, his rival, Walt Trowbridge, despite drinking very little, said nothing at all in support of the Messiahs of Prohibition.

I awarded it only three stars because, while I closely and incredulously observed his rise, I felt that the无休止的阐述 of Buzz's policies rapidly became tiresome. It delves into an idea but doesn't narrate a very engaging story. Moreover, Buzz himself is the sole memorable character in the book. Quite literally, I have already forgotten the names of everyone else.

Watching the rise of dictators across Europe, from Stalin's Russia to Hitler's Germany, Lewis presents a compelling argument. He contends that, despite our vehement denials, a similar scenario could unfold right here.

Told from the perspective of a small town newspaper editor, Lewis vividly portrays the election of a charismatic populist president. This individual swiftly discredits journalists, promoting falsehoods as if they were absolute truth. They also manage to circumvent the judicial and legislative branches of government, gradually consolidating their power.

Ultimately, a military dictatorship is established, where dissenters are brutally tortured, confined to concentration camps, and even executed. It is truly alarming to note the numerous parallels that can be drawn between this fictional novel and the current political landscape in the US. The similarities serve as a stark reminder of the potential dangers that lurk beneath the surface of our democratic society.

The original article seems to be rather brief. Let's expand it to 300 words. The picture shows a scene that might be related to the content. Perhaps it's a beautiful landscape or an interesting object. We can describe the details of the picture in more depth. For example, if it's a landscape, we can talk about the colors of the sky, the shape of the mountains, and the texture of the trees. If it's an object, we can describe its size, color, and any unique features it has.

We can also add some personal thoughts or feelings about the picture. Do we like it? Why or why not? Does it remind us of something in our own lives? By adding these elements, we can make the expanded article more engaging and interesting to read.

Yeah. It Can Happen Here.

In this world, strange and unexpected things can occur. It's a fact that events that seem unimaginable can indeed take place right before our eyes. But thankfully, one thing remains constant and legal - the ability to laugh at our oppressor.

Laughter has always been a powerful weapon. It can cut through the darkness and bring a glimmer of hope. When we are faced with oppression, being able to find humor in the situation can give us the strength to carry on. It allows us to see the absurdity of the oppressor's actions and to not take them too seriously.

So, let's continue to exercise our right to laugh. Let's use it as a tool to resist and to show that we will not be silenced or defeated. Because in the face of oppression, laughter can be the light that guides us towards a better future.

This is a fitting fictional follow-up to the weighty nonfiction book The Origins of Totalitarianism which I've recently read.

Written in 1935 during the Great Depression and the volatile political situation worldwide that led to the rise of demagogues like Hitler and Mussolini, Sinclair Lewis poses a crucial question: CAN IT HAPPEN HERE IN AMERICA? And his answer in this book is a resounding YES, IT CAN!

The story is set in Vermont starting in 1936. The main character, Doremus Jessup, born in 1876, is the owner/publisher of the local newspaper, The Informer. He watches warily as the presidential election unfolds. The popular candidate, Berzelius (Buzz) Windrip, a folksy senator and actor, travels with a group of men in old-fashioned, patriotic uniforms he calls his 'Minute Men'.

At the beginning of his campaign, Windrip issues a proclamation: The Fifteen Points of Victory for the Forgotten Men. This includes taking over banks and unions, restricting freedom to only Christian religions, declaring Communism and Socialism as high treason, capping annual income,剥夺黑人选举权和妇女工作权, and giving every family $5000 a year. The last point likely gets him elected as many have been out of work for years.

Upon winning, Windrip arms his Minute Men militia (similar to the Gestapo) and enlists more recruits to quickly take over the entire government, including Congress and the court system.

Jessup has two options - to stay quiet or speak out. When he publishes a scathing editorial, he is arrested and jailed. His son-in-law protests and is shot. Jessup is released on the condition that he allows his newspaper to be taken over by the government and publishes a friendly paper.

Jessup endures this humiliation for a while but then quits and joins an underground movement to help dissidents escape to Canada. He also secretly publishes a protest newspaper, Vermont Vigilance, with like-minded friends. If caught, he could face a concentration camp or worse.

Some 80 years later, this book remains a warning about the dangers to our democratic institutions if we're not vigilant. Although not great literature, it's full of satire and irony and provides perspective on our current political situation. Hopefully, it can inspire us as citizens to be more politically active and work for what's right. Read it and be warned!

"Every man is a king so long as he has someone to look down on." This profound statement holds a certain truth about human nature. Mr. Sinclair's 1935 published satire novel delves into a thought-provoking scenario. What if the people of America voted in a populist president whose views were in line with fascism, similar to that of 1930 - 40s Germany? It makes us wonder about the consequences and the potential impact on the nation. Such a situation could lead to a breakdown of democratic values and the rise of authoritarian rule. The novel serves as a警示,提醒 us to be vigilant and to safeguard the principles that our society is built upon. It also makes us reflect on the power of the people and the importance of making informed choices when it comes to electing our leaders.

Title: It Can't Happen Here

"It Can't Happen Here" by Sinclair Lewis is a remarkable work. It would have been uproariously funny if not for its eerily accurate portrayal of how a dictator can legally seize power in a democratic nation. Buzz Windrip, a caricature of Adolf Hitler, is an adventurer who offers everything to everyone in his political program. He promises money to the poor, capital increase to the rich, and scapegoats Jews and black Americans for all failures. Later in the story, another Hitler-like figure, cold-hearted Lee Sarason, stages a coup d'état with the help of his army, the Minute Men, and forces Windrip to leave the country. Then, the third dictator, Dewey Haik, kills Sarason.

The book is a satirical take on both fascism and communism. Both systems are marked by the suppression of free speech, an appeal to traditional values, and an overall atmosphere of fear. Through Carl Pascal's views, the author differentiates between the two. For dedicated communists, the Soviet Union seems like a promised land, a self-sufficient paradise created by God. Carl Pascal blindly believes without needing facts about Russia.
As in other Sinclair Lewis books, the characters are more symbols than fully developed, deep individuals. Windrip is absurd, Lorinda Pike is a progressive feminist and fighter, and Doremus Jessup represents the intelligentsia that, with its non-intervention policy, allows Windrip to come to power.
"It Can't Happen Here" has aged well, and its examples are still relevant in current politics. Sarason's weaknesses included an unbridled sexual appetite and homosexuality (not as widely accepted in 1935). Attributing sexual deviations to opponents has long been a way to mock political enemies. Compared to "Arrowsmith," which I read earlier, "It Can't Happen Here" grabbed my attention from the first pages. Although it wasn't difficult to predict the paths of Windrip or Doremus, the book managed to make me laugh and think at the same time.

Looks like we might be in for a live performance.

This exciting possibility has everyone on the edge of their seats. The anticipation is palpable as we wait to see what kind of show will unfold before our eyes. Live performances have a unique charm that cannot be replicated. The energy of the performers, the interaction with the audience, and the spontaneity of the moment all combine to create an unforgettable experience.

Whether it's a musical concert, a theater play, or a dance recital, a live performance has the power to transport us to another world. It allows us to escape from the mundane and immerse ourselves in the beauty and excitement of the art form. We can feel the emotions of the performers and be moved by their talent and dedication.

So, let's sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. Who knows what惊喜awaits us?

This was undoubtedly a memorable and thought-provoking book.

The author spends a significant amount of time描绘 the scene of what a fascist takeover of the United States would look and feel like. He also shows the vacuum of will that enables such a thing to occur.

However, he then does develop his characters into action to respond to this turn of events and to reveal their true nature.

The author's commentary on character and the resulting politics makes this an insightful and fictional read that is well worth it. It still has the potential to happen here.

SECOND READING: It was even better the second time around, whether confirmed by events or not.

Perhaps with each reading, one can gain a deeper understanding of the complex themes and ideas presented in the book.

It serves as a reminder that we should always be vigilant and not take our freedoms for granted.

The story forces us to think about the consequences of our actions and the importance of standing up for what is right.

Overall, it is a powerful and engaging work that leaves a lasting impression.

"...no, that couldn't happen in *America*! Why, where in all history has there ever been a people so ripe for a dictatorship as ours?"


The October 2021 selection for my in-person book club was IT CAN'T HAPPEN HERE by Sinclair Lewis, published in 1935.

We had a lively discussion last night at the library. As usual, I left the meeting with a plethora of thoughts to ponder and further lines of inquiry to explore.

The book presents an alternate history leading up to the 1936 US presidential election and the alarming rapid rise of totalitarianism, as seen through the eyes of an "everyman" character, the editor of a small Vermont newspaper, along with a central cast of diverse characters.

I won't go over the plot in detail here, but it has a cumulative effect that builds from a slow drip to a gushing, catastrophic flood that can truly terrify the reader.

The writing style is folksy yet substantial. It's not overly didactic, but the reader can easily discern Sinclair Lewis' stance. Only a few aspects, mainly related to gender roles, haven't aged as well in the approximately 90 years since its publication. Overall, I'm extremely glad I read it and had the opportunity to engage in a discussion.

What intrigued me the most was the remarkable prescience of this novel. Sinclair Lewis' frame of reference in 1935 included Mussolini, Franco, a budding Hitler, and the Depression. However, a modern reader can't help but see echoes of WWII, neocolonialism, and the growing authoritarianism that exists around the globe within the text.

The concept is quite astonishing. It serves as a reminder that history does indeed repeat itself in various forms, and the pendulum can swing with great force.

Here are some random inquiries and threads of thought that emerged after reading and discussing the book:

▪️ Sinclair Lewis was the first American to win the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1930. Why isn't he remembered in the same way as many of his contemporaries?

▪️ Lewis was married to Dorothy Thompson for many years. She was one of the pioneering women in American journalism. She interviewed Adolf Hitler in 1931 and was the first US journalist expelled from Nazi Germany. She also interviewed Huey Long, the Louisiana populist governor who was assassinated just as this book was going to press. Lewis used these two men, along with his wife's journalism, as a template for his imagined Berzelius Windrip.

Sadly, a tame thought-experiment...

Firstly, it almost did happen here: Lewis's 1935 book is oblivious to the 1933 Business Plot. In this plot, a group of US capitalists wanted to replace FDR with a fascist military coup. FDR had angered them by trying to save capitalism with a bit of welfare spending, known as the “New Deal”. Fortunately, they asked the wrong retired Major General to lead the coup. Smedley Bulter later became an anti-war, anti-capitalist, and anti-US empire activist.

Secondly, Lewis’s book actually tries to derail the left-populist Huey Long’s 1936 presidential bid. Long wanted to surpass FDR’s New Deal with more spending and redistribution in a “Share Our Wealth” program. After FDR won his second term, he indeed implemented much of Long’s proposals in the Second New Deal. It’s curious how much Lewis was actually bothered by Long’s political theatre antics or his economic redistribution proposals, not to mention his isolationist foreign policy that critiqued Standard Oil lobbying for dictators.

Thirdly, liberals seem particularly oblivious to fascism. Liberalism is in many ways a right-wing ideology, and its susceptibility to Fascism, especially during economic crisis, should not be a shock. Liberalism’s economic foundation proclaims that one individual can be billions-of-times more "valuable" as a human than another. This is because liberalism's driver is capitalism's endless wealth accumulation, including inheritance and passive income.

The markets promoted by liberalism, where everything is commodified, including "fictitious commodities" like labour, land, and money, are volatile. During crises, society is vulnerable to right-wing scapegoating of visible minorities rather than abstract structures. What we are left with is an abstract, volatile system where everything has a visible price tag and a few individuals have billions more in purchasing power than the rest.

As for the story, the scope of the ideological commentary is limited by national boundaries, whereas Western Liberalism has global economic and political reach. However, there are plenty of interesting thought-experiments throughout the plot. Vijay Prashad reiterated an insightful point regarding Fascism's connection with Imperialism. What connects the two ideologies is genocidal racism to expand "living space".

For further reading on fascism, liberalism, capitalism, and imperialism in the real world, consider the following books: Blackshirts and Reds: Rational Fascism and the Overthrow of Communism, American Exceptionalism and American Innocence: A People's History of Fake News―From the Revolutionary War to the War on Terror, Late Victorian Holocausts: El Niño Famines and the Making of the Third World, and Hitler's American Model: The United States and the Making of Nazi Race Law.

Schade. The highly praised and famous novel really didn't convince me. I mean this exclusively in a literary sense, also with my rating. The plot and characters are blatant and transparent, the language is cumbersome and with far too many explanations. It is a negative school example of the old wisdom "show, don't tell". To this comes the translation by Hans Meisel from 1936. It sounds as dusty as it is old. The first half was a torture and I thought about giving up. In the second half, it got slightly better.

Nevertheless, the book was and is important. Lewis wanted to prevent the then-current President Franklin D. Roosevelt from failing as a candidate in the 1935 Democratic primaries and his competitor, the populist Huey Long, from possibly becoming president and establishing a fascist regime like in Germany, Italy, and Japan. That Huey Long was shot before that, he couldn't know.

Lewis had a mission and a clear message. He wanted the book to be read by all Americans and he wrote the book in just under three months. These are the worst possible prerequisites for a high-quality novel. Maybe an essay would have been more suitable, but hardly anyone would have read that.

Lewis' message is timeless and that makes it important. It can happen anytime and anywhere. The current references are well known: Trump, Johnson, Orban, Erdogan, Salvini, Meloni …

In Germany in the 1930s, the liberal forces looked away for too long and practiced purpose optimism. It won't be that bad. Or they cooperated and made arrangements out of self-interest. The end is well known. All of this Lewis anticipates in his novel, in all brutality. His nightmare became reality not only in Germany but also in Russia and China. The second part of the message: Fascism and communism are not opposites, only complementary aspects of the same thing. Both replace the individual with an abstract greater, a body of the people, a state, an idea, and thus destroy the human.