This book was purchased by me for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
A Fever in the Heartland by Timothy EganPublisher: Viking / Penguin Random House
Pages: 432
Source: Personal Copy
Genre: Non-Fiction / History / United States / 20th Century
Rating: ★★★
Synopsis:
"With meticulous detective work, Timothy Egan shines a light on one of the most sinister chapters in American history—how a viciously racist movement, led by a murderous conman, rose to power in the early twentieth century. A Fever in the Heartland is compelling, powerful, and profoundly resonant today." -- David Grann, author of THE WAGER and KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON
A historical thriller by the Pulitzer and National Book Award-winning author that tells the riveting story of the Klan's rise to power in the 1920s, the cunning con man who drove that rise, and the woman who stopped them.
The Roaring Twenties--the Jazz Age--has been characterized as a time of Gatsby frivolity. But it was also the height of the uniquely American hate group, the Ku Klux Klan. Their domain was not the old Confederacy, but the Heartland and the West. They hated Blacks, Jews, Catholics and immigrants in equal measure, and took radical steps to keep these people from the American promise. And the man who set in motion their takeover of great swaths of America was a charismatic charlatan named D.C. Stephenson.
Stephenson was a magnetic presence whose life story changed with every telling. Within two years of his arrival in Indiana, he’d become the Grand Dragon of the state and the architect of the strategy that brought the group out of the shadows – their message endorsed from the pulpits of local churches, spread at family picnics and town celebrations. Judges, prosecutors, ministers, governors and senators across the country all proudly proclaimed their membership. But at the peak of his influence, it was a seemingly powerless woman – Madge Oberholtzer – who would reveal his secret cruelties, and whose deathbed testimony finally brought the Klan to their knees.
A FEVER IN THE HEARTLAND marries a propulsive drama to a powerful and page-turning reckoning with one of the darkest threads in American history.
REVIEW
Overall, my impression of A Fever in the Heartland is positive; it was certainly a good read and managed to pique my interest throughout, even though it lacked the level of depth I had initially hoped for. I was introduced to some new concepts and ideas which were fascinating, but I must admit, a significant portion of the book covered familiar territory.
What struck me as particularly shocking was the immense influence and control that the KKK had on society at the time. However, upon further reflection and considering the historical context, it’s not entirely surprising. I didn’t quite anticipate that the reckless actions of one particular individual would inevitably lead to the downfall of the KKK.
I found it quite intriguing that people would join such an organization for what seemed like the most trivial reasons, and it came as no surprise when they seized the first opportunity they had to abandon the organization.
Interestingly, the book is narrated by the author himself in the audiobook version. While his performance is generally commendable, his reading style is a bit unusual. He employs an almost rhythmic pattern of speech that, while not necessarily a deal-breaker, does take some time to adjust to. All in all, it’s not something that would prevent me from recommending the audiobook, but potential listeners should be aware of this distinctive stylistic choice. The book is available now, and it can be purchased on Amazon and Indigo.
