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Book Synopsis: National Bestseller * a New York Times, Washington Post and New Yorker "Best Books of 2022" selection * New York Times Editor's Choice * a most anticipated book of Fall 2022: the New York Times, Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune
From legendary historian Adam Hochschild, a "masterly" (New York Times) reassessment of the overlooked but startlingly resonant period between World War I and the Roaring Twenties, when the foundations of American democracy were threatened by war, pandemic, and violence fueled by battles over race, immigration, and the rights of labor.
The nation was on the brink. Mobs burned Black churches to the ground. Courts threw thousands of people into prison for opinions they voiced—in one notable case, only in private. Self-appointed vigilantes executed tens of thousands of citizens' arrests. Some seventy-five newspapers and magazines were banned from the mail and forced to close. When the government stepped in, it was often to fan the flames. This was America during and after the Great War: a brief but appalling era blighted by lynchings, censorship, and the sadistic, sometimes fatal abuse of conscientious objectors in military prisons—a time whose toxic currents of racism, nativism, red-baiting, and contempt for the rule of law then flowed directly through the intervening decades to poison our own.
It was a tumultuous period defined by a diverse and colorful cast of characters, some of whom fueled the injustice while others fought against it: from the sphinxlike Woodrow Wilson, to the fiery antiwar advocates Kate Richards O'Hare and Emma Goldman, to labor champion Eugene Debs, to a little-known but ambitious bureaucrat named J. Edgar Hoover, and to an outspoken leftwing agitator—who was in fact Hoover's star undercover agent. It is a time that we have mostly forgotten about, until now. In American Midnight, award-winning historian Adam Hochschild brings alive the horrifying yet inspiring four years following the U.S. entry into the First World War, spotlighting forgotten repression while celebrating an unforgettable set of Americans who strove to fix their fractured country—and showing how their struggles still guide us today.
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American Midnight: The Great War, a Violent Peace, and Democracy's Forgotten Crisis
Are you ready to dive into a captivating journey through a forgotten chapter of American history? Look no further than American Midnight, a national bestseller and must-read selection of 2022! In this mesmerizing book, renowned historian Adam Hochschild offers a masterly reassessment of the period between World War I and the Roaring Twenties. Brace yourself for a vivid portrayal of a time when the very foundations of American democracy were under threat from war, pandemic, and racial and labor disputes. The riveting narrative sheds light on the dark corners of our nation's past, revealing the shocking events that shaped us.
In the aftermath of World War I, America teetered on the edge of chaos. Racial tensions ignited as mobs set Black churches ablaze, and courts silenced dissent by imprisoning individuals for expressing their opinions, even in private. Lawless vigilantes carried out tens of thousands of citizen's arrests, while government actions sometimes stoked the fires of unrest. This turbulent era witnessed the banning and closure of numerous newspapers and magazines, leaving voices suppressed and viewpoints ignored. Hochschild's compelling account reminds us how these toxic undercurrents of racism, nativism, and disdain for the rule of law continue to impact our society today.
Amongst the backdrop of this tumultuous time, a diverse and fascinating cast of characters emerges. From the enigmatic Woodrow Wilson and the fiery antiwar advocates Kate Richards O'Hare and Emma Goldman to the tireless labor champion Eugene Debs and the ambitious J. Edgar Hoover, Hochschild weaves together their stories to create a powerful narrative of courage and struggle. Notably, he introduces us to an undercover agent whose left-wing protestations belie his true allegiance. This forgotten era of history comes alive through Hochschild's meticulously researched account, drawing attention to the heroes who fought to heal their fractured country.
Prepare to be captivated as you embark on a remarkable journey through the pages of American Midnight. Hochschild's award-winning writing style and unwavering attention to detail will transport you to a time that has largely been forgotten. As you turn each page, you will be inspired by the resilience and determination of those who fought against injustice and sought to bring about positive change. Their struggles, though often overlooked, continue to shape our present and guide us towards a better future. Don't miss out on this extraordinary book that offers profound insights into the challenges faced by America and the lessons we can learn from history. Get your copy of American Midnight today!
Click here to order your copy of American Midnight: The Great War, a Violent Peace, and Democracy's Forgotten Crisis now and discover a forgotten era of American history that still resonates today.
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