Most people will be shocked to learn that in 1933 a cabal of wealthy industrialists — in league with groups like the KKK and the American Liberty League — planned to overthrow the US government in a fascist coup. Their plan was to turn discontented veterans into American “brown shirts,” depose FDR, and stop the New Deal. They clandestinely asked Medal of Honor recipient and Marine Major General … General Smedley Darlington Butler to become the first American Caesar. He, though, was a true patriot and revealed the plot to journalists and to Congress. In a time when a President has invoked national security to circumvent constitutional checks and balances, this episode puts the spotlight on attacks upon our democracy and the individual courage needed to repel them.
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REVEALED TO ME A TIME IN OUR HISTORY THAT I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT.
IT SEEMED TO TELL OF OUR CURRENT TIMES AND WOULD SERVE AS A FORWARNING FOR THE POSSIBILITIES WHEN WE ALLOW FOREIGN POWERS TO GET INVOLVED IN OUR POLITICS.
Very important history about standing up for and preserving the US democracy. Everyone should at least be aware of these events, if you care about our democracy and the constitution. Plus, the biography of Gen. Smedley D. Butler was and unexpected wonder.
An Incredible piece of American History with widespread implications then and now! This book should be required reading for American History Courses in high schools and beyond.
Truth can be more interesting than fiction. This little known incident in history definitely fits that bill!
Little known history of the FDR administration. Fascinating.
We hear about the things that happen; this gives us the inside look at something that didn’t happen and why. Who knew how close the U.S. came to becoming a dictatorship prior to World War 2? No, it might not have happened even without a patriot like Smedley Butler, but can we be sure. This is one of those behind-the-scenes stories that rarely …
Amazing story not covered in any of my 60’s American History courses. Marine Genetal Smedley Butler was a tribute to the honor code of the military Inspite of numerous temptations from powerful civilians.
This is the documented story that is not told in our history classes. It is about a plot to overthrow President Franklin Roosevelt and stop the “New Deal”. A very well planned plot backed by big business men and their money approached a decorated Marine to lead the charge. He played along until he had enough proof to stop the plot. It is …
This book is SO pertinent to today. I was awestruck at how America has had these latent Fascist roots for so long. So many things that have happened in the past three years are not making sense. The only difference is now there is a Fascist president. There dreams have come true. Positively frightening.
True story, that’s what makes it frightening. Not many were aware that this happened.
Reasonably well written, maybe 3 stars. Could have been really good. But it turns out that there are significant questions as to whether the whole story is true. So I feel the whole thing was a waste of my time.
Very informative on a subject I was not familiar with. It was a good read
fascinating account of how much one man can accomplish in a lifetime. this book shows how we can lose the freedom we have in this country unless we all stay vigilant. thank goodness Major General Butler took the plot seriously or we might be living a much different America today. Very thought provoking.
Workman-like account of a little-known conspiracy that failed in the 1930s.
This book covers a little known, seldom admitted conspiracy that, but for one man’s integrity, could have altered the course of this nation’s history. As a history-buff, I have read a great number of history books and many historical novels but I had never heard this story before. I found myself mentally reviewing events and incidents that I had …
The title is a little misleading. It is unclear from the book how serious the plot was. I knew nothing about this plot so it was interesting to learn about what the book had to offer.
It’s absolutely mind-bending that this story is not a part of basic US history education in this country. Everyone needs to know this happened, and this version tells it plainly and directly. There’s a slight bit of repetition when the author re-tells parts of the story he already outlined in the context of the congressional inquiry. But otherwise …
The subject is an interesting character, and the history seems sound, and the plot may have been real, but the suggestion that this was a plot to be taken seriously seems overblown.
While I thought the writing style was a little stodgy, I was grateful to learn about a shocking event in our nation’s history which powerfully informs current events. Anyone concerned about the state of affairs in DC should read this book.
History most folks don’t know about. Most people will be surprised by the events, and the reason certain individuals promote overseas action by America