The Plot Against America

By some accounts, Warren Harding was the worst American president ever: an attractive man with a solemn bearing, but with no sould to speak of - shallow, self-serving and dim-witted. In Roth's book, Lindbergh is such a man. He has a popular appeal as a lean aviator - a man of few words and decisive actions. The fictional Lindbergh appeals to the nation's desire to avoid war, and secretly sells...more

By some accounts, Warren Harding was the worst American president ever: an attractive man with a solemn bearing, but with no sould to speak of - shallow, self-serving and dim-witted. In Roth's book, Lindbergh is such a man. He has a popular appeal as a lean aviator - a man of few words and decisive actions. The fictional Lindbergh appeals to the nation's desire to avoid war, and secretly sells the farm to do it. He secretly becomes Hitler's patsy, but brushes away the footprints of his complicity with a brush of pacifism.Unlike Hitler, the fictional Lindbergh doesn't give hate speeches, although everyone knows he's an anti-semite (and his Vice President is Henry Ford, a successful entrepreneur but a nasty anti-semite in real life). As is the case for Lindbergh, FDR, Ford and other historical figtures, there's a fictional Philip Roth in this story as well, about 8 years of age in the account.   hide

Interesting counterfactual history positing Lindbergh winning the 1940 election and appeasing Hitler but the narrative is far richer having more to do with the perspective of the event and its effects over 2 years to a 9 year old Jewish boy and his family.

This was a stunningly captivating book. Alternative history is nothing new. Autobiography is nothing new. The political thrill is nothing new. But by combining the three Roth has created a totally fresh, compulsively readable work. Roth has a penchant for turning mundane neurosis and domestic drama into earth-shattering events for his characters, and this epic style is well suited for drama...more

This was a stunningly captivating book. Alternative history is nothing new. Autobiography is nothing new. The political thrill is nothing new. But by combining the three Roth has created a totally fresh, compulsively readable work. Roth has a penchant for turning mundane neurosis and domestic drama into earth-shattering events for his characters, and this epic style is well suited for drama *actually* is earth-shattering. The abrubt and incongruous ending keeps it from being truly classic, but it's still among the best political potboilers I've ever read. If nothing else, it will make a fantastic film in the hands of an able director.   hide

Absolutely amazing to see history re-written. Well amazing but frightening at the same time. It shows that the US is not immune to what happened in Nazi Germany. The book often kept me on the edge of my seat and I loved the historical aspects of it.

I found this premise thought-provoking. Are you paranoid to think that there are plots against you or your cultural group? Or are you reasoned to question authority? The child in this book struggles with what the adults in his life are revealing to him, knowingly and unknowingly. Does it seem unreasonable that a charming, middle-class, handsome hero could become president though his ideals seem...more

I found this premise thought-provoking. Are you paranoid to think that there are plots against you or your cultural group? Or are you reasoned to question authority? The child in this book struggles with what the adults in his life are revealing to him, knowingly and unknowingly. Does it seem unreasonable that a charming, middle-class, handsome hero could become president though his ideals seem skewed by today's perspective? I don't think so. Make it anti-Muslim and you could give this a contemporary setting.   hide

The idea behind the book is very thought provoking, the story line is good but then half way through I get the impression that the inspiration wore off and he needed an ending quick. It could have been brilliant.

What a tour de force!! In an astonishing demonstration of narrative invention, Roth creates an alternate version of American history. The superb premise is outstandingly delivered, making it really absorbing to read. Also it is magnificient how Roth is capable of mixing this fictional American history with a personal story, making simple something that is so complicated. Yes, I can count myself...more

What a tour de force!! In an astonishing demonstration of narrative invention, Roth creates an alternate version of American history. The superb premise is outstandingly delivered, making it really absorbing to read. Also it is magnificient how Roth is capable of mixing this fictional American history with a personal story, making simple something that is so complicated. Yes, I can count myself among the ones that think the ending is somewhat disappointing, but I'm also considering that is because the book is so fascinating. Excellent. Don't miss it.   hide

interesting plot but weighed down with personal narratives that lend nothing to the story. first two chapters are real slow, but the story picks up pretty quick.

A very post-modern autobiography. Phillip Roth shares his childhood experience but within a frame of alternate history. FDR loses to Rep. Charles Lindbergh in 1942. Lindbergh, a fascist sympathizer, keeps America out of the war and launches a campaign of genteel antisemitism.