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Philip Roth
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The Plot Against America Library Binding – 9 April 2009

by Philip Roth (Author)
4.1 out of 5 stars 5,572 ratings
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  1. Print length
    391 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    9 April 2009
  4. ISBN-10
    1439566518
  5. ISBN-13
    978-1439566510
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Product details

  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 9 April 2009
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ Reprint
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 391 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1439566518
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1439566510
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 320 g
  • Customer reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 5,572 ratings

About the author

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Philip Roth

Philip Roth

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PHILIP ROTH won the Pulitzer Prize for American Pastoral in 1997. In 1998 he received the National Medal of Arts at the White House and in 2002 the highest award of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the Gold Medal in Fiction. He twice won the National Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle Award. He won the PEN/Faulkner Award three times. In 2005 The Plot Against America received the Society of American Historians’ Prize for “the outstanding historical novel on an American theme for 2003–2004.” Roth received PEN’s two most prestigious awards: in 2006 the PEN/Nabokov Award and in 2007 the PEN/Bellow Award for achievement in American fiction. In 2011 he received the National Humanities Medal at the White House, and was later named the fourth recipient of the Man Booker International Prize. He died in 2018.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
5,572 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book thought-provoking and fascinating, with appealingly drawn characters and an absolutely gripping narrative. Moreover, the book receives positive feedback for its readability and pacing. However, the narrative length receives mixed reactions, with some finding it compelling while others find it boring.

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PacingReadabilityCharacter developmentGripNarrative length
42 customers mention ‘Pacing’36 positive6 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, finding it thought-provoking and interesting, with one customer noting its superb realism.

"...This gives us a fascinating insight once again (just as Harper Lee gives us through the eyes of Scout Finch) into how ordinary families, people and..." Read more

"...I really enjoyed the political aspect of the book and wished that more attention had been given to it...." Read more

"...Engaging memories and anecdotes abound of Holy High Days, different jobs and occupations, marriage and parenting, school and hobbies, rabbis good..." Read more

"...The novel offers an alternative history in which in 1940, having experienced the extremes of the huge success of his first solo flight across the..." Read more

26 customers mention ‘Readability’26 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and enjoyable to read, with one customer describing it as brilliantly handled.

"...This book is a wonderful, thought-provoking read and while it clearly has its disturbing scenes, it is not without moments that are touching and..." Read more

"A really good book. Will read more Roth after this." Read more

"...Overall though, really enjoyed reading this book." Read more

"...it's an otherwise good read in today's post-trumpian right wing fallout tho back when written, roth was likely having a go at dubya...." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Character development’4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding them appealingly drawn, with one customer noting how the author provides biographies of the main characters.

"...addendum references the real history of the time and pens biographies of the main characters." Read more

"...His characters are again beautifully drawn, especially Alvin, who returns from war with only one leg and rotting teeth...." Read more

"...The characters are appealingly drawn. The plot is a feasible one...." Read more

"...a rich culture , intense characterisation. because its autobiographical, the characters his mum and dad , friends and family ...." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Grip’4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book absolutely gripping, with one mentioning how it feels and imagines vividly.

"...A gripping read, however, and a terrific political novel in which American life is made totally nightmarish by mass hatred...." Read more

"...by his nine year old self , who emotionally intelligent , feels and imagines vividly. lputs me in another world." Read more

"I found this book absolutely gripping. It is a realistic description of what can happen in a civilised country when fear takes over...." Read more

"Brilliant, well crafted, gripping and chilling story." Read more

18 customers mention ‘Narrative length’8 positive10 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the narrative length of the book, with some finding the storyline compelling while others describe it as boring.

"...America is cut from entirely different cloth – an assured and imaginative novel from an established writer still completely in command of his powers...." Read more

"...Found it a bit hard to get into at first with the very long sentences, but found the detail and family story convincing and told with superb realism...." Read more

"...Roth's characterisation is strong, the story line compelling but some of the Lindbergh stuff gets tiresome - his character is insufficiently drawn...." Read more

"...My only criticism is that the narrative it is quite limited in scope, its New Jersey, Phillip Roth and a bit of Washington...." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Bottomless Hole
    5.0 out of 5 stars A classic American novel
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 October 2016
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    This is an astonishing book written by an author whose works I have been meaning to read for some time. For me, it is a classic, American novel which provides as much to think about as 'To Kill a Mockingbird' and 'The Grapes of Wrath'

    It is a counter-factual novel which conducts a thought-experiment looking at what would happen if the United States of America had elected the aviation expert / celebrity and renowned anti-Semitic, Charles Lindbergh in 1940. This aspect of fiction is set amongst all the factual events that led up to and followed this election. Lindbergh of course, was the famous aircraft pilot who flew the Spirit of St Louis from America to France and was the pioneer of modern aircraft travel. It discusses the story of the kidnapping of his son and his voluntary exile to Europe where he becomes aware and interested in the rise of National Socialism in Germany. Following his election, upon which theories as to why this happened are discussed towards the end of the novel, America sees a slow build up of anti-Semitism across the country starting with minor indignities which the protagonist family experience on a trip to Washington DC to full-blown pogroms and massacres.

    Roth's main characters are himself and his own family. He places them all at the centre of the story and we see the events through the seven-year old Roth himself. This gives us a fascinating insight once again (just as Harper Lee gives us through the eyes of Scout Finch) into how ordinary families, people and children can have their lives affected, influenced and turned upside-down by the decisions of those with power and authority. We are shown in great detail how this ordinary Jewish family, and most notably, the father, are turned from being people who embrace American life and culture and who fully feel American and celebrate being American, to feeling outsiders in their own country. We see how a totally unqualified man can become President on the strength of his celebrity and his method of appealing to the general public's xenophobic fears. Reading this in the build-up to the Trump / Clinton election provides an unnerving context that Roth could not have foreseen in 2004 when this book was written.

    This book is a wonderful, thought-provoking read and while it clearly has its disturbing scenes, it is not without moments that are touching and humorous. You sense that it will become more relevant as years go by as humanity continues to embark on its journey to self-destruct. It belongs on the list of those books that all should read at some point in their lives. Never has there been a better time to do so.
    31 people found this helpful
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  • Robert Nielsen
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very good and interesting but not quite great
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 March 2017
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this book, although there were one or two flaws that stopped it from being amazing. The author created a realistic setting and it really felt as if he was recounting his childhood. However, I think having such a young narrator was a mistake, kids at that age don't understand politics and are limited in their actions. In fact the narrator doesn't really do anything in the book, merely observe. What little he does do, doesn't really make sense (why did he follow people on a bus?) although that was probably deliberate (young children don't make much sense).

    I really enjoyed the political aspect of the book and wished that more attention had been given to it. (For example, what policies did Lindbergh implement?). I felt the depiction of his rise was very well done and very realistic. It's an accurate depiction of the rise of authoritarian leaders and very relevant for today. Lindbergh is at first greeted with shock, then confident assurances that he will be defeated. When he wins, the divide in reaction is interesting, some are terrified while others think this is paranoia.

    What prevented this book from getting 5/5 is the anti-climatic ending. There was a lot of buildup before an abrupt halt and almost an deus ex machina solution. Especially as we don't see the main characters or how they react to most of it. It's not so much an ending as a point where Roth stopped writing.
    One person found this helpful
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  • gerardpeter
    5.0 out of 5 stars Charles Lindbergh flies into White House November 1940 !!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 November 2016
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    This dramatic election year of 2016 made the scenario suggested in this novel timely for me. A fictional politics sees 1940 FDR lose the Presidency in 1940 to Charles Lindbergh, anti-Semitic, sympathetic to Hitler and opposed to US involvement in the Second World War. So, what if?

    This is not however a political thriller. In fact the author treads ground familiar from his many other novels. The main interest is in family, community and city [Newark, New Jersey]. The narrator is a child– himself – born in 1933. The ordinary life cares and hopes at this time of Jewish Americans are minutely rendered. Engaging memories and anecdotes abound of Holy High Days, different jobs and occupations, marriage and parenting, school and hobbies, rabbis good and bad, gangsters and racketeers.

    National and international events are referenced through their impact on these things. Philip’s parents try to protect him – so far as they can – from the worsening situation and from him knowing about it. Through their struggles he comes to understand them and their strengths. He also comes of age himself – guilt is never far away in Roth’s novels, of course.

    The counterfactual scenario is not elaborated in that much detail. Like the narrator we spend very little time in Washington - indeed a journey to the city limits is a reckless adventure for the story teller. This takes the heat off the author somewhat – alternative history is a genre to itself. Here we can suspend disbelief when a more politically driven thriller might have raised scepticism and “Yes, but that couldn’t have happened”.

    What he does suggest has enough inherent plausibility for the novel to work - just. An addendum references the real history of the time and pens biographies of the main characters.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Peter Anderson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Probably the best book I have ever read!
    Reviewed in Australia on 26 July 2017
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    I learnt about this book prom a recent article in the New York Review of Books. That article drew an uncanny resemblance between the plot line of this book and the antics of the newly elected Donald Trump. The NYRB article pricked my interest and so I purchased a Kindle copy.

    As an Australian much of the political detail of 1940's America was unknown to me. So even though this book is a work of fiction it is also an insightful "history" of those times.

    But the lasting impact this book will have on me is the feeling of how racism is so easily aroused in peoples who have lived previously in harmony. The way the Roth family are catapulted out of their quiet suburban lives into a life of fear and uncertainty. And why? Because they are Jewish!

    The "stars" of this book are clearly Herman and Bess Roth; the way each rises to handle the wave of anti-sematism bought me close to tears on several occasions.

    A truely great read and highly recommend.

    Regards,
    Peter
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  • Grady Harp
    5.0 out of 5 stars Intensely Interesting Question of 'What If'...
    Reviewed in the United States on 18 October 2004
    Verified Purchase
    Philip Roth continues to challenge us in his novels with pithy concepts (the classic 'Portnoy's Complaint', 'Goodbye Columbus', 'The Dying Animal', 'The Human Stain', 'American Pastoral' etc - about 25 in all) written with such acerbic verve, wit, and investigation that he keeps his readers questioning 'how much more can there be?'. In THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA, Roth appropriates facts from American history, and in doing so provides a new form of insight into the plight of the Jews at the time of World War II.

    To add credibility to his revised version of history he places his story in the household of the Roths - his own family, where he as Philip is the youngest member living in Newark, New Jersey, sensing the storms of being Jewish in America. Though his family is wholesome and thoroughly 'American', they are aware of the degrees of isolation: wealthy Jews appear miscegenated whereas middle class and lower class Jews are ghettoized.

    It is 1940 and FDR as President is deeply concerned about Hitler's encroaching activities in Europe and Japan's mirror image conquests in Asia and the pacific. Roosevelt is encouraging assisting Allied Forces to protect Russia, France, and England against the march of Nazis and Fascists. At the same time aviator hero Charles Lindbergh has captured the hearts of Americans not only with his flying feats but also with the famous tragedy of his son's kidnapping. Lindbergh (along with Henry Ford and others) has publicized connections with Hitler and is encouraging the United States, still shaken by the losses of WW I and the Great Depression, to stay our of Hitler's war in Europe - isolationism.

    It is at this point that Roth's postulate begins: by means of well-paced and documented incidents, Roth has Lindbergh defeat FDR and become the 33rd President of the US. Once in office Lindbergh develops alliances with Hitler, initiates means of anti-Semitic segregation with what appears to wiser Jews to be a means of eliminating American Jews much as Hitler is decimating European Jews. How the Roth family weathers this period of time and terror is the crux of this beautifully constructed, wholly credible novel.

    THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA is not solely about pogroms and 'What if it happened here': Roth uses this matrix to explore the bonds of family, of friendship, of ethnic individuality, of commitment, of tackling fear for survival at the personal level. Though we as the readers know how WW II ended, Roth convincingly introduces new variations to the equation and in doing so has created a suspenseful story that introduces characters whom we grow to love and others for whom we can acknowledge pity for paths inadvisedly taken. This is a story of history revisited from a different vantage, told through the lives of some of Roth's more unforgettable characters.

    Wisely at the end of the novel, Roth recapitulates sources, facts, the actual histories and outcomes of all the people he uses in THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA and in doing so provides a succinct and intelligent Coda that is refreshingly helpful in appreciating the 'novel' he has written. A worthy read!
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  • Lillyco
    5.0 out of 5 stars Not true, but true!
    Reviewed in Brazil on 4 June 2021
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    Through an imagined America, Roth depicts what really existed at that time under the surface of a republic, the so-called “land of freedom”. The anguish of the caracters is so devastating and profoundly exposed.
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  • Vicente Jiménez
    5.0 out of 5 stars Vicente
    Reviewed in Spain on 23 November 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Muy buen libro. Se puede leer en inglés con un nivel medio-alto del idioma. Por lo demás Roth es un valor seguro y el libro es muy entretenido
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  • Robert P. Brown
    5.0 out of 5 stars Roth Fortells The Future
    Reviewed in Canada on 12 October 2017
    Verified Purchase
    It is 1940 and Charles A Lindberg, a highly publicized figure with ties to Nazi Germany and no previous political experience, enters the race to become the Republican Presidential nominee in the upcoming election. To everyone`s surprise, he wins. Even more surprising he wins the election over the incumbent, Franklin Roosevelt on a platform of isolationism and the motto, America First.

    This impressive novel then goes on to imagine what Lindberg`s presidency would have been like. As a supporter of the Nazis, he invites the German Foreign Minister, Joachim Von Ribbentrop to the White House, he rails against negative press reviews, he attacks the Jews as being warmongers, he flies around the country to appear at rallies in his support.

    Fast forward to the present. Replace Lindberg with another highly publicized egomaniac with no political experience; replace Germany with Russia and Ribbentrop with the Russian ambassador; replace Jews with Muslims and warmonger with terrorist; replace Nazis with Neo-Nazis (some fine people); the results are disturbing. However, what is truly amazing is that Roth wrote this book in 2004! How could he foresee what would transpire twelve years later?

    Lindberg, of course, never ran for President although many encouraged him to do so. He was, however, anti-Semitic, a white supremist who greatly admired the Nazis. (He was awarded a gold medallion by Hitler, "Service Cross of the German Eagle"). His biographer writes that Lindberg believed Western (and therefore American) civilizations depended on a "united strength among ourselves, on a strength too great for foreign armies to challenge, on a Western Wall of race and arms which can hold back...an infiltration of inferior blood".

    Ring any bells?
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