My red-state bookstore experience

[ethereal]

I was just at a national chain bookstore in the middle of my very red state. I saw a stack of brand new reprint paperbacks of Sinclair Lewis' "It Can't Happen Here." Grabbed a copy, took it to the counter.

The clerk looked at the book, then up at me.

"We just can't keep these in stock," he said. "We've had to re-order it 3 times since November 3rd." He looked me in the eye, raised one eyebrow, then nodded his head and winked at me. "Glad you're reading it, too."


I smiled all the way home.

[Minstrel Boy]

1. I was rereading some passages today. Here's one

near the end describing the coming revolution which I thought interesting, since we're thinking of America in blue and red:

"The revolting section was, roughly, bounded by Sault St Marie, Detroit, Cincinnati, Wichita, San Francisco and Seattle, though in that territory large patches remained loyal to President Halk, and outside of it, other large patches joined the rebels. It was the part of America which had always been the most "radical" - that indefinite word, which propably means "most critical of piracy." It was the land of the Populists, the Non-Partisan League, the Farmer-Labor Party, and the La Follettes - a family so vast as to form a considerable party in itself.

"Whatever might happen, exulted Doremus, the revolt proved that belief in America and hope for America were not dead."

[noamnety]

2. I was thinking of getting it today

maybe after work tomorrow I'll pick up a copy. Glad to hear people in a red state are reading it. (maybe they weren't really red?)

[ethereal]

3. here's a thought

for $6.99, if everyone who posts or even lurks here buys a new copy, wonder if this might send a message? if this book is massively reprinted, makes the headlines and even one red stater buys it as a result, this could be an easy way to make a point. and open some minds.

[Winamericaback]

4. Reprinted

I toddled off to Amazon.com after reading the first post. Since they contribute mostly to Dem. causes I figured I would pick it up there but the darn thing is OOP according to them. I guess I'll have to drive over to Barnes and Noble tomorrow (also another Major Dem contributor)


On Edit: Accoring to Amazon it is being reprinted but will not be available until March

[ethereal]

6. Barnes and Noble

is where i bought it, win. Glad to hear they are Dem contributors. They just got all my business, and it's considerable.

[lilsourgoose]

9. Amazon has it now

You can buy it used through them from $5.56. Works like a charm.

[Winamericaback]

11. Used

Buying a used copy does NOT buy directly from Amazon. That is from an independent seller. Persoanlly I always buy books used simply because that is what I do, I own a used book store.

But if we are trying to send a message then I would think buying it NEW would work much more effectively ;)

[dirtyduck]

19. amazon has used and new copies, just all from independent sellers

just ordered mine!

[yojon]

5. "It Cant Happen Here" on line

Well if anybody wants to read it now:

http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks03/0301001h.html



btw.... I think it has

[noamnety]

7. Thanks!

I bookmarked it for tomorrow. I was going to get it from the library anyway.

[Wabbajack]

8. Also here

http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/l/lewis/sinclair/happen/

[newyawker99]

12. Hi yojon!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Hamlette]

10. I went to Amazon to look it up and on the front page is a huge feature

of Unconstitutional: The War on our Civil Liberties about the patriot act by the guy who brought us Unprecidented and Uncovered.

Interesting.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/subst/home/home.html/103-3052324-7899060

[nostamj]

13. i am SO glad to hear this has been reprinted!

i saw a guy in the subway before the <ugh, can't say the word> reading a tattered OLD copy.

i guess a little stroll to the B&N is in order!

i wonder if it would make a good musical? i need a new project!

[MsTryska]

14. can y'all tell me a little bit about the book?

thnx.

[nostamj]

15. here ya go!

It Can't Happen Here

FROM THE PUBLISHER
The only one of Sinclair Lewis's later novels to match the power of Main Street, Babbitt, and Arrowsmith, It Can't Happen Here is an alarming, eerily timeless work. The Chicago Tribune descibed the book as "written at a white heat," for Lewis was outraged as he created it, tormented by Hitler's aggression, the murderous events in Franco's Spain, and nationalism rising in America. This book remains a warning about the fragility of democarcy, juxtaposing hilarious satires with a blow-by-blow description of a president saving the country from welfare cheaters, sex, crime, and a liberal press by becoming a dictator. Military spokeman General Edgeways and Republican Party activist Mrs. Adelaide Tarr Gimmiitch sound as fresh as a CNN broadcast, and the events - from Supreme Court nominations to blasts at the media - appear totally contemporary. A man ahead of his time, Sinclair Lewis profoundly understood the American character and ripped away smug platitudes to give readers truth. In 1935, the Springfield Republican called It Can't Happen Here "a message to thinking Americans." Thinking Americans still need to hear it.

send a DISTRESS message!

[MsTryska]

17. Thnak you!

I'm gonna see if i can check it out of my local red-state library.


(i'm sure i'm on their watchlist - you should have seen the looks i got when i checked out "stupid white men")

[MountainLaurel]

21. Thanks Nostamj

Gonna have to go see if we have this in the catalog here at my library.

[Snellius]

16. Why do I feel like we're living in Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Secret sign language? Coded gestures and disguised symbols? I see those "Support the Troops" ribbons decals on the back of people's SUV's and wonder if it's an accident that they are shaped just like those Evangelical "fish" medallions. It's like two separate worlds, with different languages and morals and truths, living side by side.

[MsTryska]

18. it's kinda making me feel like a paranoid schizophrenic too. nt

nt

[nostamj]

20. it's time to rent THEY LIVE again....

monsters walk among us.

send a DISTRESS message!