The Plot Against AmericaThe Plot Against America
Score Modern
What it's about
In 1940, Charles Lindbergh, the aviator hero and outspoken isolationist, defeats Franklin Roosevelt and becomes president. He makes peace with Hitler. In Newark, New Jersey, seven-year-old Philip Roth and his Jewish family watch as antisemitism grows bolder and the government begins programs to 'resettle' Jewish families, and their own family starts to fracture.
Why it's worth reading
Both the New York Times and the Guardian named it one of the best books of the 21st century. It's a frightening 'what if' told through one family, and it became an HBO series.
You'll love it if you liked
American Pastoral
1984
It Can't Happen HereGood to know
The ending resolves quickly. There's violence and riots.
By the numbers
- Readers12 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics80 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller25 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #169 of the 313 science fiction books we rank
- #931 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #1723 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Dark, Thought-provoking, Adventurous
More by Philip Roth
American Pastoral
Portnoy's Complaint
Sabbath's Theater
The Human StainIf you like this, read next
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The Fifth Season
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Quick answers
Is The Plot Against America worth reading?
Yes. Both the New York Times and the Guardian named it one of the best books of the 21st century. It ranks #1,723 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 66.4 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Plot Against America about?
In 1940, Charles Lindbergh, the aviator hero and outspoken isolationist, defeats Franklin Roosevelt and becomes president. He makes peace with Hitler. In Newark, New Jersey, seven-year-old Philip Roth and his Jewish family watch as antisemitism grows bolder and the government begins programs to 'resettle' Jewish families, and their own family starts to fracture.
How long does it take to read The Plot Against America?
About 10 hours (400 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Plot Against America?
If you liked it, try American Pastoral by Philip Roth, 1984 by George Orwell or It Can't Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis.