num_pages: 400
description: In September 1740 New England experienced a social earthquake. It arrived not in the form of a great natural disaster or an act of violence but with the figure of a twenty-year-old preacher. People were abuzz with his stunning oratory his colorful theatrics and his almost ungodly sense of power and presence.When George Whitfield arrived in the small towns and hamlets that made up the American colonies he proved to be much more than anything the residents could have expected. His reputation and growing legend had been built on his brilliant speeches and frightening tirades and his fame now engulfed what would become America. He demanded his listeners repent their sins and follow the true word of Godhis. He had knowledge that only he could unlock for the American people.Whitefield's message shook the country to its core. Overwhelmed with passion his listeners cried screamed sang and danced. Despite their ecstasy though the converted also felt a great deal of fear growing. For Whitefield's message also carried a threat and he brooked no dissent. Whitefield's power over his listeners grew and New England was in the uproar of a social revolution never seen before in America.Years later they would call it a Great Awakening and it would reordered the colonies and wend its way into the very fabric of what American would eventually become. Soon after Whitefield and his followers reached their zenith things began to fall apart. And what once seemed so certaina puritanical utopiavanished like a dream leaving the Awakeners stripped of their earthly power.American Demagogue is the story of this rapid rise and equally steep fall which would be echoed by authoritarian populists in later centuries and American demagogues yet to come. As we enter a new era of populism and demagoguery on both sides of the spectrum we need to understand Americas paradoxical passion and disdain for demagogues throughout our history. Though centuries have passed the themes remain the sameanger grievance dissension self-promotion and even brute forceas this cycle of rise and fall continues.
language: English
title: American Demagogue: The Great Awakening and the Rise and Fall of Populism
publisher: Pegasus Books