It Can't Happen Here: a cautionary tale where it certainly can!

It Can’t Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis is a cautionary tale of the fragility of democracy and an alarming look at how extreme politics can undo the foundation of America. It is 1936 and over the last seven years, the Great Depression has left little hope for the American people. With little hope, Americans are looking for a leader to help them out of the economic tragedy. Who could that be? Newspaperman Doremus Jessup thinks himself a smart man, an even keeled fellow and he doesn’t get swept up in the swinging extremes of politics. When the charismatic presidential candidate Windrip gains ground, people are hoping he can bring prosperity back to America while others are very weary at the further cost Americans will pay. As Jessup begins to question and warn people of the hidden agenda, will the people listen? What happens to those who dissent against Windrip? 

It Can’t Happen Here was written at a time when Americans were largely oblivious to Hitler’s aggressions in Europe. Lewis uses political satire to postulate a chilling tale of the rise of a President who becomes a dictator in the name of “saving the nation.” When it was published in 1935, it was called “a message to thinking Americans” and it is a message that is still needed today. The statements made in this story echo statements that are still being made today. One statement that gave me chills was “We’ll do a whole lot better when we get Communism!” Communism is communism regardless of the country. It Can’t Happen Here should be required reading along with Orwell’s 1984 and Animal Farm. It is a bit hard to read as the language structure is much different than ours today; however, it is as relevant today as ever. I highly recommend It Can’t Happen Here.

It Can’t Happen Here is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

A Prophet without Honor: a story which explores the what ifs in World War II history

A Prophet without Honor by Joseph Wurtenbaugh is a novel of alternative history. The story begins with the birth of Karl von Haydenreich and the tragic death of his mother, Charlotte, while his father, Captain Henrich Haydenreich, is fighting on the western front in World War I. Told through a series of letters, telegrams and memoirs, the reader hears how young Karl is raised by his stepmother, Rosamunde. Rosamunde was his mother’s best friend and a Jew. Despite both families’ objections, Henrich and Rosamunde marry and have a wonderful life until her death during the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918. Left in the care of his father, Karl is groomed to follow in the family’s footsteps and have a career in the military. When he comes of age, Hitler is coming to power in Germany and the road to World War II is set. In 1936, Hitler sets his army to occupy the Rhineland and bluffs the French and British thinking the German army would retreat at the first sight of opposition. The bluff works and Hitler’s military machine marches across Europe with utter destruction. In a world where history took a different path, it is a story of danger, spies, and romance. Would Hitler fully take over the world or would there still be a force to stop him? Who would have the courage to lead such a charge? Is Karl that man? 

A Prophet without Honor is an interesting retelling of history if one event had taken a different course. I have never read an alternative universe story before and I found the idea intriguing. The characters’ voices and actions have a tone of such accuracy you feel you could really be reading a book about our history. As Karl follows his orders, the thought is in the back of your mind that he was raised by a Jewish woman who he called “Mummi” Surely he couldn’t believe in such hatred against the Jewish people. I enjoyed the story as there is no clear hero or villain such as with life. I loved the realism that we often cannot and will never know the heroics of the men and women who fought against Hitler. If you enjoy reading a story about an alternative universe but reads with such realism, I recommend A Prophet without Honor.

A Prophet without Honor

is available on Amazon for the Kindle