This thriller contains real historical characters and includes actual historical occurrences - like the Hindenburg disaster. However, it's a novel with author's discretion.
*****
It's 1937 and Germany is manufacturing weapons, rounding up Jews, coveting surrounding countries, and gearing up for war.
Germany in the 1930s
In America, William Dudley Pelley, a failed Hollywood screenwriter, is recruiting men to join the 'Silver Legion of America', an American fascist and pro-Nazi organization whose members are called 'Silver Shirts'.
William Dudley Pelley
Pelley is a rabid bigot who plans to use the Silver Shirts - as well as murder, propaganda, and manipulation - to make America a white Christian country. Pelley hates Jews, Blacks, Native Americans, immigrants, communists, etc. but he has a particular animus against Charlie Chaplin, who succeeded spectacularly in Hollywood while Pelley crashed and burned (so to speak).
William Dudley Pelley and a group of Silver Shirts
Southern California residents Albert Einstein and Charlie Chaplin are friends and neighbors who sense Nazi rumblings in Los Angeles.
Albert Einstein (left) and Charlie Chaplin
For one thing, Georg Gyssling - known as Hitler's man in Hollywood - is being permitted to censor and edit studio films. The industry allows this because movies must pass muster with the Nazi regime to be distributed in Europe, and filmmakers want to make money.
Georg Gyssling
For another thing, the German Consulate is having a reception to dedicate a new building, and Joseph Goebbels, his wife Magda, other Nazis, and jackbooted bully boys will be in attendance. As it happens Charlie Chaplin is invited and brings (a reluctant) Albert Einstein as his guest. The two men plan to spy on the Nazis and see what the fascists are up to in America.
Joseph Goebbels and his wife Magda
Pro-fascist Pelley, who'd love to ingratiate himself with Hitler, is formulating his own program as well. Pelley is planning 'Operation Hollywood' to kill the most influential Jews in Tinseltown, starting with Albert Einstein and Charlie Chaplin (Chaplin isn't Jewish but calls himself a son of Abraham). Pelley starts his anti-Jewish campaign by sending thugs to destroy a synagogue, then tries to have Chaplin and Einstein murdered on two different occasions.
William Dudley Pelley
When the assassination plan doesn't work, Pelley recruits a small army of Silver Shirts; obtains smuggled machine guns; and makes a hit-list of Jewish studio heads, performers, and other bigwigs to kill. Pelley also plans to destroy property; sow hatred; and convince pro-fascist Charles Lindbergh to run for president.
Charles Lindbergh
Pelley is assisted by corrupt Los Angeles Police Chief James Davis, known for encouraging brute force in the police department and taking money from criminals, traffickers, fascists, and other unscrupulous operators. Davis covers up Nazi crimes by planting evidence and blaming communists.
LAPD Police Chief James Davis
Chaplin and Einstein learn about Pelley's schemes with help from a Black journalist named Jimmy Mitchell, and they decide to take counter-measures. Along the way, the dynamic duo get assistance from LAPD's first Black female officer, Georgia Ann Robinson.
Chaplin and Einstein even get some inside information from German Georg Gyssling, who actually hates Hitler and fascism. Chaplin and Einstein get themselves into a very precarious situation, and are lucky to survive.
Albert Einstein (left) and Charlie Chaplin
Georg Gyssling
Though the book's subject matter is serious, there are plenty of light moments. Chaplin and Einstein joke around, make wry comments, go to a ball game, and have fun.
Charlie Chaplin
True to real life, Chaplin - who's married - is a compulsive womanizer and a capable athlete; and Einstein is a brilliant physicist and a fish-out-of-water in routine situations....like baseball games. To add to the merriment, Chaplin is in the midst of making his comedy 'The Great Dictator', which skewers Adolph Hitler and Benito Mussolini.
Poster for The Great Dictator
I wasn't aware of the strong fascist movement in pre-WWII America and was shocked that the Nazis made such extensive inroads. I also didn't know how deeply involved Charles Lindbergh was with the fascist agenda and the Nazis.
Charles Lindbergh hobnobbing with Nazis
I found parts of the novel disturbing, but it's well-written and exciting. Recommended to fans of historical thrillers.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Malcolm Hillgartner, who does a fine job.
Thanks to Netgalley, Paul Levine, and Brilliance Audio for a copy of the book.
Rating: 4 stars
No comments:
Post a Comment