At last Tuesday’s general meeting on Nov 18th, our members were treated to a surprisingly delightful, upbeat and entertaining account of the history in Europe which led to World War 11. In his book “Shadows of Tyranny”, acclaimed author Ken McGoogan shows how the current resurgence of authoritarianism in the United States recalls Europe in the 1930s. I only wish my history teachers in high school had presented this topic using Ken’s entertaining approach.
Using black and white slogans, cartoons and photos, Ken described the rise of dictators in Europe, and their devastating impact on the lives of millions. He draws a parallel on how “the current resurgence of authoritarianism in the United States, recalls Europe in the 1930s,” and how Donald Trump gained yet another term of office by applying strategies used by Hilter.
Shadows of Tyranny, is described as an audacious work of nonfiction. Acclaimed author Ken McGoogan melds conventional history, political analysis, and literary observation into a genre-busting work of “cautionary nonfiction.”
A thank you to Wordsworth Books for displaying other publications by Ken McGoogan. As a result, I purchased a second book: “Lady Franklin’s Revenge”. Only two chapters in, the book is shaping up to be thoroughly readable. The book describes how Lady Franklin, the well-educated and resourceful wife of Sir John Franklin, orchestrated a 12-year search of his lost expedition. To quote: “Ken McGoogan tells the riveting story of a complex ambitious Victorian woman. who battling a society that denied her an active role, transformed a failed expedition into a triumphant legend.
Well worth reading…
