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A Fever in the Heartland

Timothy Egan

449 Pages
2024

A Fever in the Heartland

Penguin Group

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A Fever in the Heartland - Summary

Timothy Egan chronicles the rise and fall of the Ku Klux Klan in 1920s America through the story of D.C. Stephenson, Indiana's Grand Dragon, and Madge Oberholtzer, whose testimony led to the Klan's downfall. The book reveals how the organization gained mainstream influence over politicians, judges, and clergy while terrorizing minorities and opponents of their vision of 'pure' Americanism.

Key Themes

1

The Mechanics of Mass Manipulation

The book demonstrates how Stephenson and the Klan exploited post-WWI anxieties, wrapping their hatred in the veneer of patriotism and morality to successfully recruit millions of ordinary citizens.

2

Power's Corrupting Influence

Through Stephenson's meteoric rise and catastrophic fall, Egan illustrates how unchecked power leads to moral degradation, showing the dangerous combination of authority, immunity, and unbridled ambition.

3

Individual Courage Against Systemic Evil

Madge Oberholtzer's story shows how one person's bravery can topple seemingly invincible institutions, with her deathbed testimony exposing the Klan's hypocrisy and contributing to its decline.

FAQ's

The book is extensively researched, drawing from court records, newspaper archives, and personal testimonies. Egan's reputation as a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist ensures that the narrative, while dramatically told, remains firmly grounded in historical fact.

Yes, the book offers crucial lessons about how extremist movements can gain mainstream acceptance, the importance of institutional safeguards, and the power of individual resistance against organized hatred - themes that remain deeply relevant today.

Despite its serious subject matter, Egan's engaging narrative style makes the book highly accessible. He balances historical detail with compelling storytelling, creating a work that reads like a thriller while delivering profound historical insights.

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