Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. How did your understanding of American isolationism change after reading the book? Did Maddow challenge any preconceived notions you held about this era or its motivations?

2. Rachel Maddow details the actions of both prominent figures and lesser-known individuals. Did you find yourself relating to or empathizing with any of these individuals? If so, who and why?

3. Prequel highlights the allure of power and the willingness of some individuals to abandon democratic principles in pursuit of influence or ideology. What do you think makes power attractive? Are some people more susceptible to its allure than others?

4. Leon Lewis and his covert efforts to combat Nazi propaganda offer a model of quiet heroism in Prequel. What unsung personal or historical heroes do you admire, and why? Did Maddow’s work affect your view of the importance of behind-the-scenes activism?

5. Maddow connects historical figures such as Henry Ford and Charles Lindbergh to ideologies that threatened American democracy. How do you feel about how society should approach historical figures with complex moral legacies? Did reading this work change your opinion on the subject?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. How did the Treaty of Versailles and the economic devastation of the Great Depression contribute to the rise of extremist ideologies in both Europe and the United States? In what ways does Maddow draw connections between these historical factors and the events chronicled in Prequel? Are there parallels in the contemporary world, either in the US or elsewhere?

2. The New Deal introduced transformative policies aimed at addressing economic hardship in the US, but it also faced criticism from both far-right and far-left groups. How did the political and social climate created by the Great Depression influence the development and reception of these policies, and what lessons can be drawn from these debates today?

3. Maddow highlights how isolationism, antisemitism, and fascism became intertwined in pre-World War II America, often cloaked in anti-Roosevelt sentiment. What does this reveal about the relationship between societal discontent and extremist ideologies? Are there contemporary parallels that resonate with these historical events?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. How does Maddow’s use of dark humor and modern language (e.g., “cosplay,” “meh,” and “F-U to FDR”) impact the tone and accessibility of the book? What other techniques contribute to this effect?

2. Maddow juxtaposes individual stories of both influential figures, like Viereck, Ford, and Long, and lesser-known actors like Leon Lewis. How does this interplay between well-known and obscure figures influence your understanding of the broader themes of the book?

3. Maddow shifts between long, complex sentences and short, punchy statements to emphasize key points. How do these changes in cadence shape the pacing of the book? Do they serve any other purposes?

4. Maddow uses vivid imagery, such as describing Philip Johnson’s 40-foot-high podium as making him look like “an insect.” How does her descriptive language contribute to the characterization of individuals within the narrative?