Topic: Sinclair Lewis

George Orwell's "1984" reached the top of the Amazon bestseller list following the inauguration of Donald Trump and the use of the phrase "alternative facts." Other titles seeing a resurgence include Sinclair Lewis's "It Can't Happen Here." The hosts mock CNN's Poppy Harlow for her analysis of the trend and question if Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged" is also climbing the charts.

The hosts reference Sinclair Lewis's "It Can't Happen Here" to discuss the erosion of liberties and the rise of centralized control. They report on EU plans to triple spending on border defense and create a new European Border and Coast Guard based in Strasbourg. This new agency will replace Frontex and aims to manage the migration crisis while maintaining the "territorial integrity" of member states.

The 1922 novel Babbit by Sinclair Lewis is examined as a study of the stereotypical American businessman living a life defined by social memes. The narrative follows a character who is perceived as a success by his peers but is viewed as a sympathetic loser by the reader.

The book Life and Death in Shanghai by Nien Cheng is recommended as a factual account of what happens when "creeps" gain power in a society. It is compared to Sinclair Lewis's fictional work It Can't Happen Here, illustrating the rise of authoritarianism and the suppression of dissent.

Author Azar Nafisi discusses her book The Republic of Imagination, arguing that Americans have become "indifferent" to literature. She criticizes the politicization of university English classes and the impact of Common Core on student outcomes. Nafisi uses Sinclair Lewis's 1922 novel Babbitt to illustrate the "standardization of thought" and the focus on utility over art in modern society.

The 1935 novel "It Can't Happen Here" by Sinclair Lewis was the original inspiration for the 1980s television miniseries "V." NBC executives reportedly found the original script about American fascism too cerebral, leading producers to replace the fascists with man-eating extraterrestrials.

The hosts discuss the 1933 novel It Can't Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis. Curry compares the book's themes of a totalitarian fascist state to Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, suggesting Rand may have been influenced by Lewis. Dvorak also recommends Life and Death in Shanghai, a book about the communist takeover of Shanghai.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak conclude the episode by reiterating their recommendation of Sinclair Lewis's It Can't Happen Here. They remind listeners of the live stream schedule and the "value for value" model before signing off from Austin and Silicon Valley.

The TSA has officially reclassified screeners as "Transportation Security Officers," a move the hosts argue is intended to give them the appearance of law enforcement authority. They recommend Sinclair Lewis's It Can't Happen Here and Nien Cheng's Life and Death in Shanghai as essential reading for understanding the rise of fascist and communist states.

Adam Curry shares an anecdote about a UK train conductor attempting to confiscate his daughter's ATM card over a minor ID dispute, illustrating the "petty authority" prevalent in modern society. The hosts recommend the books *It Can't Happen Here* by Sinclair Lewis and *Life and Death in Shanghai* as relevant reading. The show concludes with a reminder of the upcoming Sunday "Church of No Agenda" broadcast.

Literary recommendations include Sinclair Lewis's "It Can't Happen Here," which explores the rise of fascism in America. Another recommended title is "Life and Death in Shanghai" by Nien Cheng, a memoir detailing the harrowing experiences of the Chinese Cultural Revolution. The distinction between the Nobel Prize for Literature and the Nobel Peace Prize is also clarified.