Prequel

As Hitler’s ascendancy began to make a Second World War inevitable, a clandestine network flooded the United States with disinformation aimed at sapping the strength of its war effort and persuading Americans that their natural alliance was with the Axis. It was a sophisticated and shockingly well-funded campaign to undermine democratic institutions, promote antisemitism, and destroy citizens’ confidence in their elected leaders, with the ultimate goal of overthrowing the US government and installing authoritarian rule. Some of the country’s most influential elected officials worked to disseminate Nazi talking points, while fascist paramilitaries stockpiled bombs and weapons in preparation for violent insurrection. This book unearths the forgotten story of these insurrectionists, as well as the heroic efforts of those who sought to expose their plot and bring them to justice.