American Caesar is a well-researched look into the forces that are trying to turn American democracy into an autocracy.
The billionaires had one thing in common. They felt that democracy wasn’t working for them. So they set about changing it. They weren’t looking for a return to the 1950s, they believed only a single strong leader should rule the USA. Elections must be abolished because you can’t trust the masses. Virtue and order are more important than freedom (at least for everyone else). So they set about achieving their goal with a strange (in my mind at least) man as a figurehead, someone who they could manipulate behind the scenes using only their endless wealth. Enter President Trump.
The style of American Caesar is intense. It reads like a Cliff’s Notes version of recent history. If you are curious how we got here, this book provides answers. Some will not like the answers that are pointed clearly to radical religious beliefs within established religions. Catholicism and evangelical Christianity are both cited as instigators. Even if you don’t agree with many of the theories presented here, the details are fascinating. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s church believes woman should not be allowed to vote. Vice President Vance is part of the radical Catholic group, Opus Dei. The weird behind-the-scenes details are sprinkled freely throughout the text.
Overall, this book is enlightening though clearly one-sided. Some will really like it, others will hate it. But everyone should read it and judge it for themselves. 4 stars!
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Essentials for providing me with an advanced review copy.