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The Plot Against America
The Plot Against America
Author: Philip Roth
In an astonishing feat of empathy and narrative invention, our most ambitious novelist imagines an alternate version of American history. In 1940 Charles A. Lindbergh, heroic aviator and rabid isolationist, is elected President. Shortly thereafter, he negotiates a cordial "understanding" with Adolf Hitler, while the new government emba...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9781400079490
ISBN-10: 1400079497
Publication Date: 9/27/2005
Pages: 416
Rating:
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 141

3.5 stars, based on 141 ratings
Publisher: Vintage
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

Ladyslott avatar reviewed The Plot Against America on + 113 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 14
This book has a brilliant premise. What if FDR was not elected to an unprecedented third term? What if the President elect was Charles Lindbergh, an overwhelmingly popular figure, who was also an isolationist and admirer of Hitler?
The book has an overwhelming feeling of oppression and doom, which is undoubtedly the authors intention. The story is not told from a broad prospective, but from the eyes of a nine year old Philip Roth, the authors potential other self. This device gives one a view of history not from a world wide story, but rather from the way history can impact a very small part of the world.
Many parallels can be drawn between this alternate history, and much of what has happened with the past 2 Presidential elections, with the division between Red & Blue states. Clearly using the divisions of pre WW II and the divisions going on today was one of the authors intentions. A provocative view of what if, that is an eye opening parable for people who shake many things off, saying it could never happen here.
The ending of the book at times felt rushed, and an absolution of certain of the power players in the story, however I recommend this book very highly.
reviewed The Plot Against America on + 37 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 11
Read this book for class, but am sooo glad I did. Until the ending, the writing was fast-paced, breathtaking, frightening, and entangling. Living in a very Jewish area, the premise was intensely horrifying, and although the end was an epic disappointment, the middle more than makes up for it.
jareylee avatar reviewed The Plot Against America on + 25 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 10
Appeals to a wider audience than the traditional Roth readers. Interesting what-if historical fiction. It led to stimulating and interesting discussions --- about Philip Roth, Lindbergh, Winchell, the era, anti-Semitism, and more --- in my book discussion group.
Patouie avatar reviewed The Plot Against America on + 131 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
The book drew me in right away. There was a point about 3/4 of the way through where it seemed a bit contrived, but I forgave Roth because I could not stop talking about the premise. The underlying facts were well-researched, and the alternate political reality was believable enough to be scarier than anything by Stephen King.
reviewed The Plot Against America on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
Philip Roth is one of America's most reknowned writers. This imaginative novel describes the US Philip Roth grew up in, within a Jewish household. There is one major twist, Charles Lindbergh defeats Roosevelt in the 1940 presidential election by a landslide. Hilter is tolerated, and anti-semitic views grow in this fictional, yet believable scenario.
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reviewed The Plot Against America on + 6 more book reviews
A good book until the last 75 pages, and then it will blow your flippin' mind
fullybooked avatar reviewed The Plot Against America on + 61 more book reviews
Intriguing alternative history concept but difficult to read - huge paragraphs of one sentence.
reviewed The Plot Against America on + 44 more book reviews
An update of Lewis' It can't happen here. It still can, and has, as Roth describes.
reviewed The Plot Against America on + 11 more book reviews
What would America be like if Charles Lindbergh had been elected president? Very interesting twist on history. Lots of detail pertaining to Lindbergh. I wasn't sure what was true and what was fiction but the postscript helped quite a bit. This was a slow read, particularly at the beginning but I was drawn into the story as it progressed.
fastreader avatar reviewed The Plot Against America on + 23 more book reviews
Very disturbing vision of an alternative America - What if the US had not entered WWII and Lindbergh elected president in place of FDR.
reviewed The Plot Against America on + 19 more book reviews
This book is based on some great ideas and the buildup is very good, but the denounement left me deflated.


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