Edward Mandell House (1858–1938)

After finishing "Philip Dru: Administrator", the best thing I can say about it is that author Edward Mandell House might have created a semi-autobiographical character to explain the political boss system the dominated American politics for nearly half a century. The story of a former West Point graduate who leads a revolution against a corrupt government is not even believable and the 1 million man battle of Elma is laughable. To call the main characters, Dru and Gloria, flat would be an install to every flat character ever written. And the dialogue is for the most part preachy, but not even written well. The novel is just awful and it best to be avoid by anyone wanting to read for literary pleasure.

The edition of the book was printed by the Robert Welch Press, named after the founder of the John Birch Society. The foreword is written by William Norman Grigg and unfortunately reveals an individual who has conspiracies on the brain. Many individuals believe this book is a blueprint for the socialism taking over the American government based on the fact that Edward Mandell House was an adviser to President Woodrow Wilson and later President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Individuals like Mr. Grigg point to all the "socialist" things that happened during the Wilson and later FDR as evidence to this conspiracy, unfortunately they ignore the fact that all these supposedly "socialist" things had been in the political landscape for nearly 50-100 years previous to being enacted. While it was true that House was an adviser to Wilson, the two had a massive falling out during the Versailles Peace Conference, and House never advised really advised FDR and "Philip Dru: Administrator" was just read for possible ideas to help during the Great Depression.

To anyone who believes this book is a blueprint for a socialist conspiracy to topple the American way of life or capitalism, I'm sorry but no. This is just a awful novel written by a politically connected individual, but not a powerful one.… (más)

The ReadaClassic.com edition I have includes a synopsis, which includes the explanation it is "poorly written." Yes indeed it is, yet that is because, in my estimation, is the fact it is policy goals cloaked in fiction.

Many chapters are little more than party platform planks written as either character conversation or narrative. In true propagandist form, Philip Dru is a man of "supernormal intellect, tireless energy, and splendid constructive ability" (p. 127).

The Union's tactics to impose policies of Reconstruction upon the benevolent people's of the South leads to Edward Mandell House's justification for Administrator Dru's militaristic overthrow of America's Constitutional Republic. This negation of a corrupted American system allows Dru to impose one shaped in his more perfect version.

Typically, dystopian stories begin with little to no mention of their creation. This book details the evolution of one such world. Its main character is altruistic and steps down to self-appointed exile after his expertly designed equitable society is well-in-hand.

Philip Dru: Administrator is not a fun read. Although nearly a century after its publication and two presidents to whom its author advised, ideas found within are recognizable in hindsight.… (más)