Free Audio Book : Prequel, By Rachel Maddow

Motivated by her investigations for the renowned podcast Ultra, Rachel Maddow traces the emergence of a distinct American brand of authoritarianism, which has lingered on the extreme right fringes of our political landscape for decades. Even as American soldiers were engaged in World War II battles overseas, a covert network was actively disseminating misleading narratives within the nation. Their objective was to weaken the U.S. war resolve and convince Americans that our true allegiance lay with the Axis powers. This intricate, alarmingly well-resourced endeavor aimed to erode democratic foundations, amplify antisemitic sentiments, and shatter the public's trust in their representatives, all with the ultimate ambition of toppling the U.S. government in favor of autocratic governance.

Simultaneously, an ultra-conservative paramilitary faction was amassing explosives and arms, preparing for large-scale violence and rebellion.

However, a select group of vigilant activists and reporters were on the trail of this conspiracy, unveiling its machinations in real-time. In 1941, the U.S. Department of Justice took decisive action, pinpointing the central conspirators, identifying their financiers, and initiating federal court proceedings against numerous individuals.

The outcomes were unexpected.

While historical accounts often dismiss this plot as the endeavors of peripheral actors, it, in fact, involved several of the nation's prominent political figures. Their meddling in the legal actions against the conspiracy paints a grim narrative of the rule of law succumbing to political pressures.

This legal system's shortcomings had lasting repercussions. The remnants of this unchecked threat have cast shadows over our history for years. Yet, the commendable endeavors of the activists, journalists, prosecutors, and everyday citizens who aimed to unmask the rebels also offer a poignant, highly relevant narrative in today's unsettling climate.