Search the Fresh Air Archive

Close Search

A Satire Taken Seriously Turns Into a Popular Conspiracy Theory.

Publisher of The Nation, Victor Navasky. He was one of a group of writers who in 1967 conceived of a literary hoax. The book "Report From Iron Mountain," was penned by Leonard Lewin and was a satire, supposedly written by a commission of eminent scholars about the problems that would arise in the United States if "permanent peace" should arrive. The book has been compared to Swift's "A Modest Proposal" and "Dr. Strangelove" for its social and political commentary. It wasn't until 1972 that Lewin admitted the hoax. Even so, extreme-right fringe groups have now taken the book to heart "as proof of a secret government plot to suppress personal liberties." The book has been reissued, (by The Free Press) with an introduction by Victor Navasky.

13:41
Queue

Guest

Host

Related Topics

Other segments from the episode on April 18, 1996

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, April 18, 1996: Interview with Victor Navasky; Commentary on keyboards and rock music; Interview with Jack Miles; Review of Guus Janssen's album "Lighter."
Queue
19:51

Jack Miles on "God."

Former Jesuit seminarian and literary critic Jack Miles. He's just won the Pulitzer prize for his book, "God: A Biography." (Vintage). In the book he examines God as a character -- the protagonist -- of the Old Testament. Miles is also a columnist and member of the editorial board of the Los Angeles Times.

Interview
Queue
05:46

A Subversive Musician.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Lighter" (Geestgronden label, dist. by BVHaast Records, Prinseneiland 99 1013 LN Amsterdam, Phone: 020 6239799, FAX 020 6243435) the new release by Dutch musician Guus Janssen (khoos YAHNsuh).

Review

Transcript

Transcript currently not available.

Transcripts are created on a rush deadline, and accuracy and availability may vary. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Please be aware that the authoritative record of Fresh Air interviews and reviews are the audio recordings of each segment.

You May Also like

Queue
57:33

Victor Navasky on "Naming Names"

The editor of The Nation has a new book about the blacklisting of Hollywood actors during the McCarthy era. He talks about how the issue of nuclear proliferation is affecting the political right and left, and the difficulties journalists face when navigating copyright issues.

Interview

Did you know you can create a shareable playlist?

Learn How
Advertisement

Recently on Fresh Air Available to Play on NPR

41:49

Private opulence, public squalor: How the U.S. helps the rich and hurts the poor

Pulitzer Prize winning author Matthew Desmond talks about the roots of American poverty and how he says so many affluent citizens benefit from government subsidies and exploitation of the poor. His new book is Poverty By America.

Related segments from the Fresh Air Archive:

09:41

Songs by Iris DeMent, Sunny War and Margo Price speak urgently to the current moment

Whether it's the folk-protest music of Iris DeMent, the cutting-edge blues of Sunny War or the hard-charging Americana of Margo Price, these three artists create music that stands out.

Related segments from the Fresh Air Archive:

52:30

From 'Almost Famous' to definitely famous, Billy Crudup is enjoying his new TV roles

Billy Crudup is an actor you've probably seen more than you realize. He won critical praise and an Emmy Award for his performance in the Apple TV series "The Morning Show" with Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon. His film credits include "Almost Famous," "Sleepers," "Jesus' Son," "20th Century Women" and "Watchmen," where he played a marvel comic superhero who's bald and blue.

Related segments from the Fresh Air Archive:

See All Recent Segments

There are more than 22,000 Fresh Air segments.

Let us help you find exactly what you want to hear.
Just play me something
Your Queue

Would you like to make a playlist based on your queue?

Generate & Share View/Edit Your Queue