"It Can't Happen Here", a novel by Sinclair Lewis. It was written in 1935 during the rise of totalitarian regimes in Italy and Germany, but before WW2. The pre

"It Can't Happen Here", a novel by Sinclair Lewis. It was written in 1935 during the rise of totalitarian regimes in Italy and Germany, but before WW2. The prevailing wisdom at the time was that the American democracy was immune to the disease of dictatorship. The novel speculates how a populist figure could manipulate people through fear, racism, corporatism, local militias and bald-faced lies. He wins the popular vote and turns the US into a totalitarian dystopia. It's fascinating to get a glimpse into people's understanding of the world before WW2 broke out. I pictured a series of catastrophes that were surprises to most people. But it's clear from this book that the horrors were anticipated in advance.