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The Plot to Seize the White House: The Shocking True Story of the Conspiracy to Overthrow FDR Paperback – March 1, 2007
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- Print length288 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherSkyhorse
- Publication dateMarch 1, 2007
- Dimensions5.5 x 5.6 x 8.25 inches
- ISBN-101602390363
- ISBN-13978-1602390362
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About the Author
Anne Cipriano Venzon is the author of General Smedley Darlington Butler.
Product details
- Publisher : Skyhorse; First Edition, 2nd Printing (March 1, 2007)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 288 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1602390363
- ISBN-13 : 978-1602390362
- Item Weight : 13 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.5 x 5.6 x 8.25 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #498,456 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #447 in Political Corruption & Misconduct
- #633 in United States Executive Government
- #15,269 in United States History (Books)
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Archer began this book with the attempt of plutocrats to get Butler to endorse a coup via using some memebers of the American Legion. The plutocrats claimed they wanted a coup against FDR to return to the gold standard. The names of some of the plotters included McGuire, Greyson, and other wealthy people. Butler "smelled a rat" when these plutocrats claimed that veterans' bonuses be paid in gold. Yet, these dame plutocrats worked against the promised bonuses for World War I vets. Butler was aware of the hypocrisy and eventually exposed the plot much to chagrin of the plotters and their surrogates.
Butler was angered by the fact that some of those who wanted a coup were avid supporters of Mussolini and Hitler. Butler was also angered at the hatred some of the plotters broadcasted against Jewish people. The plutocratic wealthy claimed that FDR's New Deal to help the destitute was a communist plot. While the very wealthy still got tax paid subsidies, their anger that poor souls who were ruined by the Great Deperssion disturbed Butler. Butler thought that combat veterans the poor should also get help in times of desparation, and Butler knew that those who tried to enlist his help were corrupt and power hungry.
One aspect of the plot was to arrange a coup using the ruse that FDR was seriously ill, and a military commander should be installed in power. As one of the culprits said, "the dumb public" would believe such a ruse. In other words, those who tried to enlist Butler's help picked the wrong man. These culprits later attached Butler, and, again they picked the wrong.
Archer then provided a solid account of Butler's heroic exploits as a Marine Corps commander. Butler had an affection for Marines under his command, and these men both admired and respected Butler. Butler commanded Marines in Cuba, Haiti, China, Mexico, and the Phillipines. He brought "law and order" where he was in command. However, Butler knew he was working more on behalf of wealthy investors than the local people. When Butler was accused of using his men to rig a Haitian election, Butler embarrassed critics by producing orders that what was he ordered to do. Butler followed orders, but he did not necessiarly like them. When Navy "brass" refused to provide food to Butler's Marines in Subic Bay, Butler used his Marines and row boats under darkness to get provisions. When the "brass" complained, Butler in effect told them to go to hell.
Archer reported on Butler's command during W.W. I. Butler took control of a military camp whose men were living squalid conditions. Again, Butler used his organizational genius and got the camp in good order. When World War I ended, Butler was angered that the combat troops went from "shattered heroes to bums." Butler wryly remarked that veterans had to pay $378 for long round trip railroad tickets while the wealthy paid only $14.00 for the same transportation.
Butler was awarded The Congressional of Honor twice, and he refused other awards for heroism claiming that the men under his command were the actual heroes. Archer gave "chapter and verse" descriptionos of Butler's rare courage which some may consider reckless abandon.
In the 1924, Butler entered another career as Public Safety Director in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He told the police officers to
"clean up or get out." Butler made the city safer, but he had to enforce the 18th. Amendment re Prohibition. When Butler and his police went after "small time" bootleggers, Butler was a hero. However, when Butler went after wealthy hotel owners and patrons, he was critisized. Butler then realized that 18th. Amendment was class legislation and so much hyprocrisy.
As Archer noted, Butler was never one to retreat from a fight. When Butler critisized Mussolini and his supporters in the US, Butler was arrested and ordered to be court martialed. This was a blunder. Butler was ready for a good legal fight, and the indignation at such a travesty was overwhelming. President Hoover and the "brass" immediately retreated, and Butler was easily exonerated. The plutocrats who thought they had Butler in trouble were chagrined at the results.
When Butler got involved in the coup mentioned above, he proved just how tough he was. He testified at a secret congressional committee meeting. McCormick and Dicstein were shocked, but Butler "had the goods" on the plotters, and invesitgative journalists proved the allegations. Such investgations exploded the plot, and the canards about communism and Jewish Bolshevism collapsed when the "fascist plot" was exposed.
Archer's book should be required reading for students. Archer gave a good description of problems in Latin America and Asia before and after World War I. Archer's insight re Butler's courage, honesty, and intelligence are reasons to pause and think. At a time when hate mongering and praise of stupidity are now in vogue, Archer's book serves as an antidote to such nonsense. As an aside, this reviewer's favorite Butler quote is, "There are only two things we should fight for. One is our homes and the other is The Bill of Rights."
James E. Egolf
March 22, 2014
In my opinion this is a true story. In fact the congressional investigaton of the case acknowledged its truth and so did the press, even though they ridiculed it up to the end. As I read this story, it occured to me that I had to acknowledge contradictions that I had to reconcile with knowledge I already attained. For example, I know that financiers pulled gold from the banks prior to FDR's abolishing of gold ownership. Were these wealthy individuals involved in the plot on the outside looking in? Or after the plot failed, were these individuals allowed to pull out their gold prior to the law? Also, I noted Douglas MacArthur praising Smedley Butler as a great military man, yet Butler helped lead the Bonus Army march on Washington. The same army that MacArthur labeled as communists. It makes me realize also that their is a fine line between a Democratic government and a fascist one. It absolutely requires vigilance and education in order that the line is not blurred between the two. While the U.S. may be labeled Democratic, it is indeed fascist. A country run by the corporations.
There are a few negatives about this book. The author seems to claim that FDR was looking out for the average American. While FDR may have been a good man with good intentions, he was the man who confiscated our gold, income taxes were instated, the ponzi-scheme of Social Security began, and huge national deficits were created. Thus was the beginning of the entitlement generation. Also, the author portrays some of the events in Butlers' military career, in a Clint Eastwood Dirty Harry fashion. I am not claiming the stories aren't true, but I wonder if over time it was glamorized.
Nevertheless, Smedley Butler is a hero who loved his country. A Marine who would have given his life in defense of this country, but yet hated the reality that almost all wars were and are fought for corporate rather than national interests.
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Engagé dans Les Marines , ayant participé à des compagnes en Chine, Haiti et divers pays en Amérique du Sud , Butler fut un général connu et respecté aux EU . A causé de son audace et sa personnalité bien trempée il fut contacté par des opposants à la politique de Roosevelt qui essayèrent de le convaincre de s'associer à eux et de se servir de son charisma pour persuader un groupe de militaires de les aider à executer leur complot . Butler fit semblant de jouer le jeu puis se désista et denonca les conspirateurs . Par ailleurs dégouté par les compagnes militaires dans les pays en voie développement , les massacres et le pillage des ressources naturelles , il finit par remettre en question l'engagement des Etats Unis et les multinationals dans le tiers monde . Par ailleurs il milita pour améliorer les conditions de vie des anciens combattants qui vivaient souvent dans la misère.











