The Plot Against America

I'm back. While I was in Boston, I managed to polish off four more books in my 50 book challenge.

Book #11 was Phillip Roth's The Plot Against America. The book is a work of a historical fiction that hypothesizes what it would be like if Charles Lindbergh had won the presidential election in 1940 over F.D.R. Before picking up the book, I only knew Lindbergh from his kidnapped baby and his escapades in the Spirit of St. Louis. I had no idea that Lindbergh was a staunch isolationist and was widely known to be anti-Semitic. In October of 1938, Lindbergh even accepted a gold medal, the Service Cross of the German Eagle, from the Nazis. As President, Lindbergh and his America First policy keeps the U.S. out of WWII after reaching a cordial 'understanding' with Hitler. The book follow Roth's own (Jewish) family as they deal with the struggles of being Jewish in America during Lindbergh's tenure. Is Lindbergh plotting something with Hitler? Will the Nazi's eliminate the Jews in the U.S. as well? You'll have to read the book to find out.

This was one of my favorite books, if not the favorite, so far in this year's challenge. It's definitely a great read that will keep you coming back for more until it's all gone. My only complaint is the ending, which felt a bit rushed and not as well written as the rest of the book (it does have some nice plot twists though).

You can find oodles more reviews for the book on MetaCritic.