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A Fever in the Heartland

The Ku Klux Klan's Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them

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A Fever in the Heartland

By: Timothy Egan
Narrated by: Timothy Egan
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 "With meticulous detective work, Timothy Egan shines a light on one of the most sinister chapters in American history—how a viciously racist movement, led by a murderous conman, rose to power in the early twentieth century. A Fever in the Heartland is compelling, powerful, and profoundly resonant today." -- David Grann, author of THE WAGER and KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON

A historical thriller by the Pulitzer and National Book Award-winning author that tells the riveting story of the Klan's rise to power in the 1920s, the cunning con man who drove that rise, and the woman who stopped them.

The Roaring Twenties--the Jazz Age--has been characterized as a time of Gatsby frivolity. But it was also the height of the uniquely American hate group, the Ku Klux Klan. Their domain was not the old Confederacy, but the Heartland and the West. They hated Blacks, Jews, Catholics and immigrants in equal measure, and took radical steps to keep these people from the American promise. And the man who set in motion their takeover of great swaths of America was a charismatic charlatan named D.C. Stephenson.

Stephenson was a magnetic presence whose life story changed with every telling. Within two years of his arrival in Indiana, he’d become the Grand Dragon of the state and the architect of the strategy that brought the group out of the shadows – their message endorsed from the pulpits of local churches, spread at family picnics and town celebrations. Judges, prosecutors, ministers, governors and senators across the country all proudly proclaimed their membership. But at the peak of his influence, it was a seemingly powerless woman – Madge Oberholtzer – who would reveal his secret cruelties, and whose deathbed testimony finally brought the Klan to their knees.

A FEVER IN THE HEARTLAND marries a propulsive drama to a powerful and page-turning reckoning with one of the darkest threads in American history.


Photo courtesy of The Indiana Album: Evan Finch Collection. Americas Racism & Discrimination Social Sciences United States American History Social justice Indiana
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A well narrated book. This book gave me an insight into some of Americas history regarding the Klan and how it came to be and how it was brought down. It covers the men who were at the top, their far reaches of corruption into state politics and government. It doesn't shy away from the telling of the Klans doings and treatment of people of race/religion and social class that didn't fit their narrative of how American should be. The story of how the death of young woman called Madge Oberholtzer brought one of the top Klansman David C Stephenson. The book is well structured from start to finish. My review is very loose as there is a lot the book covers which makes it an interesting read.

A detailed dark glimpse into America History

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As someone who is white, I believe every white person should read this - not just in America. It provides an incredible insight into a terrible movement that’s not only the background to American politics but also had a significant influence on European politics as well - feeding the rise of Nazi Germany. I’m amazed that anyone of colour can even begin to forgive their white neighbours after reading this

A fascinating read

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Really interesting insight into an area of the modern Klan that I knew nothing about, and links to the broader society of the time, particularly around Prohibition and the influence for years to come on Indiana. The writer should possibly have got someone else to read it - he was mostly fine but occasionally stumbled and his cadence was off at times, which was a little distracting. Overall, would recommend to anyone interested in US History, particularly around the KKK.

Fascinating insight

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Reads like a thriller, a sordid & fascinating tale that is unfortunately true. It shows the bravery of one woman & her supporter. A must read

So interesting, sad, informative & needs to be read by every American.

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A fascinating insight into the origins of the KKK in the US.
Very well told, easy to follow, descriptive & engaging.

Loved it

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