When I saw the name Athens on the cover of this book I was surprised at first. Of course, I knew of Athens, Greece, but knew nothing about the city of the same name in Tennessee, a state I visited in October of last year. But such is the beauty and benefits of books. The story told within this book by Chris DeRose is of the “Battle of Athens” which took place between August 1 – 2, 1946. But what makes the story even more interesting is that the insurrection which took place was executed by American veterans of World War II who had become disillusioned and aghast at the corruption and voting suppression in Athens. This is a book of many stories which all culminated in that hot August night when Americans reclaimed the democracy they fought and died for across Europe and the Pacific.

At first, I could not believe that the insurrection occurred. The idea seemed surreal, and I had never heard of this event in school, nor had I seen anything about it online. However, not only did it occur, but it remains one of the rare times when Americans openly rebelled against a local government. In Athens, a political machine existed with a strong alliance between the powerful E.H. Crump (1854-1974) of Memphis, Senator Paul Cantrell (1895-1962), and local Sheriff Pat Mansfield. All the tricks known for voter suppression and grifting are on full display, and I found myself speechless at the brazen corruption. Political violence, intimidation, extortion, and outright fraud are rife early in the story. But what they did not know at the time was that their days were numbered. However, before we reach the climactic battle in August 1946, the author introduces the major players who lead the charge to retake Athens. And to do that, we go back in time to World War II. 

The back stories of the men who returned to Athens are equally as important as the fallout to come. I was glued to the pages as I read of their experiences in combat, as the Allied forces took on the Axis powers. The past comes alive as we learn of the deadly battles they survived, and the mental and physical scars they carried with them as they returned home to America. Putting the events in Athens aside, their stories could be a book of their own. They each return home changed men who had seen the horrors of war. We follow them as they adjust to society after the military, but it soon becomes apparent that in Athens, there is something very rotten taking place. The GIs have a plan of their own and form a non-partisan party to take on the machine. At the forefront is a veteran named Bill White who becomes the driving force to elect the veterans’ candidate and fellow veteran Knox Henry (d.1952). The powers in control pay little attention to the veterans at first but it soon becomes clear that a rigged election is not on the table. And when the machine pushes back against the GIs, the veterans realize that they may be home, but another war must be fought. The story picks up pace as the GIs turn the City of Athens upside down. 

White and his fellow veterans go to work dismantling the corrupt machine piece by piece. The collapse of Cantrell’s fiefdom is swift and ugly and leaves the corrupt politician with no choice but to exit quickly. However, White and the other veterans were far from done and left no stone unturned as they unseated and removed every politician and law enforcement official who had made their lives a living hell. As I read, it felt as if I were watching a feature film due to the author’s brilliant re-telling of the events. The narrative flows at the right pace with the right amount of suspense added in. Yet, I still could not wrap my head around the fact that this event happened in 1946. It is a story that should be told in classrooms across America. And the story should remove any doubt as to how precious and sacred democracy is. Following the downfall of the machine, the author provides a recap of events and an epilogue which should satisfy readers. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found inspiration in the veterans’ call to action to push back against a corrupt system which was nothing short of tyranny. If you are looking for a delightful book about Americans standing up for their rights and our democratic processes, this book is highly recommended. 

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B084M1Y65B
Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin’s Press, 2020