Book SummaryPrequel, by Rachel Maddow

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Prequel

The emergence of groups within the United States that espouse ideologies akin to those of fascist and Nazi movements.

Early American Fascists and Their Inspiration

The story begins by tracing the paths of two central characters, setting the stage for a thorough analysis of how support for authoritarianism and Nazi beliefs took root in the United States prior to the outbreak of World War II. The writer highlights prominent figures who admired and sought to emulate Mussolini, showing that the foundations of fascism were already established in the United States.

Philip Johnson's endorsement of Hitler's ideology and his attempts to create a fascist group

Maddow recounts the story of Philip Johnson, a Harvard graduate, who found himself deeply enthralled with fascist beliefs. Johnson's considerable impact stemmed from his presence at a Nazi youth gathering in Potsdam, Germany, in 1932. Johnson was deeply captivated by the display and the harmonious chants, perceiving Hitler as embodying the Nietzschean idea of the "Übermensch," a persona destined to transform the political scene. Johnson came back to the United States, motivated by his observations, and sought to create a governance system that reflected the authoritarian model he had witnessed.

He formed a group of politically aligned individuals, which later came to be recognized by the moniker "Gray Shirts," evoking images of Hitler's auxiliary military supporters. Numerous individuals questioned Johnson's ability to govern effectively. Despite his considerable fortune and ties to influential figures, he was seen as a greenhorn without the requisite strategic acumen or the capacity to adeptly steer a campaign. Despite his unachieved ambitions, his story is a testament to the allure of authoritarian rule and its unsettling appeal to certain members of the elite in the United States, driven by a desire for control and a deep-seated disdain for democratic values.

Lawrence Dennis was a vocal proponent of a uniquely American form of fascism, influenced by the distinctive governing approach of Huey Long.

Rachel Maddow argues that Lawrence Dennis represented a more covert danger than Johnson, whose flirtation with fascism was more overt. He had finished his education at Harvard and had previously worked within the U.S. State Department, gaining direct exposure to the imperfections and irregularities of the American democratic system, especially as it operated in Latin America. Dennis, filled with skepticism and bitterness, started to pen his thoughts, conveying the notion that an American-style authoritarianism would surface, characterized by a powerful, centralized control exercised by a select few who exert influence over all aspects of the economic and political landscape.

Dennis found his muse in the renowned Senator of Louisiana, Huey Long. Dennis attributed more importance to the consolidation of power by Long within Louisiana than to his ostensibly progressive policies. Long demonstrated that a cunning tyrant could exploit widespread dissatisfaction, maneuver through democratic systems, and amass authority. Huey Long's blatant disregard for the tenets of democracy, along with his employment of intimidation and dishonesty, and his success in securing tangible advantages for the laboring citizens of Louisiana, vividly demonstrated how a fascist regime could take root in the United States.

The allure of Huey Long's authoritarian strategies

Maddow highlights the complex circumstances surrounding "the Kingfish" from Louisiana to illustrate the potential entanglement of fascist beliefs with America's political scene. Long's supporters and critics alike regarded him with a combination of admiration and apprehension, emotions that Maddow argues were entirely warranted. His actions, though unquestionably unethical, also led to the establishment of policies that significantly aided the state's poorest citizens at a time when they desperately required assistance.

The approach to policy-making employed by Huey Long, though effective, often strayed from democratic norms yet still managed to captivate many during the economic hardships of the Depression era.

The initiative that gained considerable public interest proposed a guaranteed annual income, retirement benefits for the elderly, free higher education, and a significant wealth redistribution through hefty taxes on the wealthy. Rachel Maddow observes that the agenda resonated broadly with people across the country who were dealing with the harsh consequences of the economic slump. The Share Our Wealth Society, an initiative led by Long to reallocate wealth, had a staggering eight million members across 25,000 local chapters by 1934, positioning Long as the foremost populist in the United States during that era.

Long's standing with the general public was significantly bolstered by the measures he put into action, unlike other populists who only made promises. He transformed the region's infrastructure by constructing roads, initiating the building of educational institutions and healthcare centers, and ensuring that essential services reached the most destitute inhabitants. However, the author stresses the fact that the execution of these policies depended on his strategic undermining of democratic principles in the state, enabling him to consolidate power, strategically position allies, quell opposition with forceful measures, and accumulate wealth by dubious methods.

Long's dictatorial style and blatant disregard for democratic values attracted the attention of individuals with fascist inclinations, including Dennis.

Maddow emphasizes that people with authoritarian inclinations, like Dennis and Johnson, were drawn not to Long's ostensibly forward-thinking policies but to his method and his profound erosion of American democratic values. Governor Long audaciously proclaimed himself to be the living representation of the Constitution. His...

Prequel Summary The government, media, and citizens came together to oppose entities that advocated for ideologies consistent with fascism and anti-Semitic views.

Maddow continues to document America's early efforts to uncover and confront these fascist organizations. She profiles three individuals whose pivotal contributions were instrumental in raising the alarm about authoritarian and anti-Jewish ideologies in the United States, which in turn ignited some public resistance and led to investigations by a federal government that frequently showed indifference and lack of concern.

Leon Lewis managed a covert surveillance operation in Los Angeles.

Leon Lewis, a veteran of World War I, is credited by Rachel Maddow with playing a crucial role in the fight against fascist and Nazi organizations domestically, as well as being instrumental in the initial endeavors of the Anti-Defamation League.

Leon Lewis founded a group that infiltrated factions holding radical fascist ideologies within the southern region of California.

Lewis, motivated by his commitment to the Jewish principle of bettering the world, recognized the danger posed by Hitler immediately upon the Nazi rise to power in Germany in 1933. Upon observing images in the Los Angeles press of American stormtroopers wearing uniforms featuring symbols associated with the Nazis...

Prequel Summary The links between domestic extremist factions and the disinformation efforts by the United States during the era associated with Nazi Germany are clear.

Maddow delves deeper into the investigation, revealing the most astonishing aspect of the narrative: the manner in which the Nazi regime, leveraging the positions of power held by individuals, even individuals within the legislative body of the United States, orchestrated an extensive disinformation operation targeting the citizens of the United States.

The German initiative stood out due to its intricate nature and extensive scope.

Rachel Maddow illuminates the intricate and expansive strategies employed by the Nazi administration to deepen divisions within American society and politics among different groups.

Sophisticated strategies, including the creation of proxy groups and targeted postal outreach, played a pivotal role in disseminating propaganda to influential individuals within the United States.

Drawing upon the meticulous research of a private citizen, Henry Hoke, Maddow lays out the sophistication and scale of this operation. Officials from Germany discreetly masterminded a widespread disinformation campaign, employing organizations with innocuous-sounding names to sway key individuals in the realms of academia, faith, and the press. These organizations...

Prequel Summary The official inquiry and subsequent court actions concentrated on groups that advocated for Nazi or Fascist beliefs and their dissemination of propaganda supporting these views.

Maddow examines the American judiciary's erratic and often unsuccessful efforts to confront these disturbing crimes.

The grand jury initiated the investigation and subsequently issued charges.

Maddow outlines the early 1941 events that prompted the Justice Department to take action, emphasizing the critical influence of Nazi propaganda revelations in Congress as covered by the Washington Post, the actions initiated by the Dies Committee, and the effects of the acclaimed movie Confessions of a Nazi Spy.

The Justice Department formed a specialized team to closely examine Nazi activities, serving primarily as a section dedicated to countering misinformation campaigns.

Attorney General Robert Jackson selected William Power Maloney, a young, ambitious, and media-savvy deputy prosecutor recognized for his energetic approach to intricate and substantial legal cases, to lead a freshly created section tasked with combating propaganda within the criminal division of the Department of Justice.

William Power Maloney conducted an in-depth probe that revealed the intricate web of connections established by Viereck with legislators.

Maloney, known for his meticulous and...