Prequel An American Fight Against Fascism

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In this riveting work of narrative history, Rachel Maddow uncovers a chilling chapter of American history that echoes powerfully into our present moment—the story of how fascism nearly took root on American soil during World War II.

Inspired by her acclaimed podcast Ultra, Maddow traces a sophisticated plot to undermine American democracy from within. Before and during WWII, a well-funded clandestine network spread disinformation across the country, working to convince Americans that our natural alliance was with the Axis powers, not against them. This wasn’t the work of fringe players—it involved influential elected officials, a paramilitary movement stockpiling weapons, and a coordinated campaign to install authoritarian rule.

But this is also a story of resistance. Maddow brings to life the extraordinary activists, journalists, and prosecutors who worked tirelessly to expose the conspiracy, even as powerful forces tried to derail their efforts. When the Department of Justice finally mounted a frontal attack in 1941, what followed was a dark tale of political intimidation and the rule of law bending under pressure.

Written with Maddow’s signature clarity and punch, Prequel reads like a thriller while illuminating urgent truths about the fragility of democracy. The tentacles of that unslain beast, as Maddow calls it, have reached into our present—making this deeply researched history feel startlingly relevant. A must-read for anyone concerned about the preservation of American democracy.

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