Philip Dru: Administrator

by Edward Mandell House

Philip Administrator is a political novel written by Edward Mandell House. The story revolves around the character of Philip Dru, who is a young army officer. He is disillusioned with the political system of the United States and decides to take matters into his own hands. Dru stages a coup d'etat and takes over the government, becoming the administrator of the country. As the administrator, Dru sets out to implement his vision for the country, which involves radical changes to the political and economic systems. He establishes a new constitution, creates a nationalized banking system, and implements a progressive income tax. Dru also works to improve the lives of ordinary citizens by providing them with access to education, healthcare, and housing.However, Dru's reforms are met with resistance from powerful interests, including big business and the military-industrial complex. He is forced to navigate a complex political landscape and make difficult decisions in order to maintain his grip on power.Philip Administrator is a thought-provoking novel that explores themes of political power, corruption, and the role of government in society. It offers a unique perspective on American politics and provides insight into the challenges faced by those who seek to effect real change.First published (anonymously) in 1912, this novel describes for the overthrow of the U.S. government in favor of a socialist regime. House was an advisor to Presdient Wilson.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Genres: Fiction, Politics, Literature, Classics, American History, Economics, Dystopia

116 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 1911

Reviews

[Zinger · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think the best way to sum up this book is to call it the prequel to Orwell's nightmare world of 1984. If you have read 1984 and wondered how could it get so bad, then just read Philip Dru and you will see how to create a nightmare world controlled by government dictators, I mean "Administrators".

Mr. House is a horrible writer, and getting through this book is a chore. But worse than his writing is his ideas! The novel brings about numerous Marxist ideas to destroy the U.S. Constitution and individual rights, and he tries to make it sound pleasant and "progressive" as in a positive direction for mankind.

Anyone who takes this book or the ideas in this book seriously really needs some time reading Henry Hazlett's Economics in One Lesson, or any basic book on Austrian economics.

I am even more amazed after reading this book that Mr. House was able to be the "controller" of President Wilson. I thought House was just a brilliant communist, but now I think he was a total idiot, and so are the American people for tolerating him in the White House for even a minute.

The only purpose in reading this book is to understand the tactics for those wanting a messed up big brother type nightmare world.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Look, dude: it's okay to write a political manifesto. It's not actually necessary to try and force it into the shape of some vague utopian novel; especially if the very concept of plot and characterization escape you. The titular character spends the entire novel breathlessly describing everything from tax reforms to railroad regulation to the superiority of cremation over burial to anyone who will listen. That's everyone, by the way--everyone listens. That's because every single other person on the planet seems to be bursting with a bizarre and disturbing affection for this man. Even when he recognizes that he is steamrolling every conversation with his political rantings, his friends urge him to continue because everything he says is recognized as a shining pearl of wisdom. Eventually, he is celebrated by all as he becomes a benevolent dictator who "fixes" the world by completely rewriting the American Constitution and reordering government to suit his liking (he promises to step down once he has properly set up everything to be Good And Right). Even his former enemies, such as the corrupt Senator Selwyn, end up viewing him with an admiration that borders on veneration. The narrator, too, often extols with a nauseating repetitiousness Dru's ingenuity and spotless moral character. To be fair, the man does personally start and win two wars straight out of West Point and then go on to design a new government from scratch and basically rule the world--which I suppose is pretty impressive. Impressive, though, in the same way that Harry Potter's half-Veela American sister was in the fanfic you wrote in seventh grade. You know, the one with the special destiny and curves in all the right places. It is incredibly obvious that the author fantasized about being Philip Dru in much the same way that a small child imagines himself to be Batman. I know Glenn Beck finds this book "terrifying" because of its overtly leftist agenda, but even if you agreed with every single point on the Administrator's platform I'd venture to guess that you'd still find it more embarrassing than anything else. May be worth reading if you are interested in the history around it; but if you want an actual story look elsewhere.

Oh, and Gloria--you can do better.

[Loren · Rating 1 out of 5]

The worst book I've ever red in my life; at best its a shoddy preachy novel, at worst its propaganda on how a dictatorship in America would actually be good for the people. A bland hero, powerful yet moronic bankers & corrupt politicians and the hero overthrows the republic while giving himself the title of "Administrator of the Republic". After which he runs a perfect country where he provides for the needy and strikes down the wicked, maintaining himself as Administrator until such time as the people are "educated" and "ready" to be given their democracy back. It sounds like it was written by a Leninist without even attempting to craft a story or characters.

Avoid except if you want to be disturbed. This book was apparently the favorite of numerous early 20th century liberals and progressives including President Woodrow Wilson who thought of it not only as his favorite book but an inspiration.........if anyone else finds that creepy your not alone. If I could I'd give it -5 stars.

[Stephanie Petersen · Rating 1 out of 5]

“Masterful and arrogant wealth, created largely by Government protection of its profits, not content with its domination and influence within a single party, had sought to corrupt them both, and to that end had insinuated itself into the primaries, in order that no candidates might be nominated whose views were not in accord with theirs.”

There's a lot to agree with in this quote from Philip Dru: Administrator, published anonymously in 1912. It describes and indicts a system of political corruption that the story's hero, Philip Dru, promises to vanquish. It's a story of hope for a brighter future for the common man, the little guy, the oppressed, the forgotten. The entire book is a framework of early progressive political theory and the above quote doesn't seem at all odd until you realize who the anonymous author actually was.

Colonel Edward Mandell House was an early progressive “kingmaker” who used his wealth and influence behind the scenes to elect and advise state governors and U.S. presidents. He was, literally, the “master and arrogant wealth” he was describing above, who consistently “insinuated” himself into primaries and campaigns in order that no candidates (or elected officials) held views differing from his.

The author's father, T. W. House, was the third wealthiest man in Texas and the mayor of Houston. The author's grandfather, Charles Shearn, was the chief justice of Harris County, of which Houston was the county seat. The House fortune was primarily obtained through the cotton and sugar industries, but T. W. House was also involved in several commercial shipping ventures. He helped organize the Board of Trade and Cotton Exchange and was the director of the Houston & Texas Central Railway Company. The capstone of all his business ventures was his private banking firm, the T. W. House Bank.

When young Edward Mandell House came of age, he served on the Houston City Council. Knowing this, his descriptions in Philip Dru of corrupt city government “bosses” and their mafia-like behavior are even more chilling. After his wealthy father died, House became the director of the T. W. House Bank, which collapsed in 1907. Prescient was his almost schizophrenic admission in Philip Dru: “'Look among those whose parents have wealth and have given of it lavishly to their children,' he said, 'and count how few are valuable members of society or hold the respect of their fellows.'”

House knew that most Americans were unlikely to take his progressive views to heart, which is why his grand treatise here wasn't written out as a policy paper. Instead, he could better mold support for these early progressive ideas through a patriotic and emotional story of fiction, a novel with an oppressed nation, a villainous and traitorous senator in league with an equally nefarious financier, and an innocent love interest named Gloria. He wasn't the first to use the novel as a form of propaganda, but it was clearly a formula he valued. In fact, he mentioned this formula in the book itself, when Philip Dru is encouraging a wealthy senator to use his money to further the cause of women: “And all the time protect them, and preferably in a way they are not conscious of. By careful attention to the reading matter, interesting stories should be selected each of which would bear its own moral.”

The moral of Philip Dru: Administrator is that world order (and the word order is key, as House speaks of creating order from chaos) can be achieved by reorganizing a large and powerful country like the United States under a centralized system of progressive controls.

I'll admit up front that this review is likely going to end up a TLDR, so I'll give you a brief synopsis that will be supported in the longer review on my blog if you're curious to read my substantiation and commentary on the list below.

Philip Dru: Administrator lays out a progressive utopia, as its proponents viewed it back in 1912. So what was this book actually saying?

- a dictatorship, though distasteful, is sometimes necessary (p. 83)
- those who disagree with sound policy should be put to death (p. 83)
- the U.S. government was unable to prevent internal abuses / corruption (p. 85)
- all property and lives should be in the “keeping” of one man (p. 85)
- government can work if you just elect / appoint good people (throughout)
- it's also acceptable to utilize a corrupt politician's talents for administration (p. 91)
- the government should encourage land improvements via taxation (p. 96)
- the government should confiscate land not productively improved (p. 96)
- the apathetic populace deserves a corrupt government (p. 105)
- corruption is the fault of citizens who fail to fight it (p. 106)
- destroying goods to keep prices high is wrong (p. 114)
- an income tax equates to allowing people to conduct their own affairs (p. 117)
- the U.S. should graduate fewer doctors (directly taken from the Flexner Report) (p. 119)
- a progressive government would reduce the number of government officials (p. 129)
- price fixing should not be done privately but may be done by the government (p. 134)
- grief over the death of a loved one should be expressed differently (p. 135)
- the underclasses will likely fail, even with help (p. 145)
- war and foreign occupation is still sometimes necessary (p. 146)
- an income tax would lessen governmental corruption (p. 149)
- the U.S. should control and keep the peace of the entire western hemisphere (p. 150)

Please check my blog (https://geke.us) in the coming days for a more in-depth look at House's expression of the progressive vision in Philip Dru: Administrator.

[Ted Gambles · Rating 1 out of 5]

Several months ago, I heard Glenn Beck refer to this book. He said it was Woodrow Wilson's favorite book. First, a little bit of the plot line from the book.

The story is about a man, Philip Dru, who leads a revolt against the United States government because it had become too corrupt. After the revolution, he scraps the Constitution and makes himself "Administrator." He then changes every concept of national and state governments to reflect his view of governance.

I had a hard time believing the premise of this book. When Philip Dru set himself up as dictator, the author made it seem the American people would welcome such a thing. All I could think was "If any such thing took place here, I would be either fighting in an underground organization or in a government prison as a subversive."

The book goes into great detail of how the federal and state governments would be set up under this new government. It is a complete socialistic government ruling every aspect of each individual's life. No mention of pursuit of happiness or individual responsibility. As Glenn Beck says, this is a blueprint for socialism.

[Helen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was written by an advisor of President Woodrow Wilson and presents socio political ideas in the form of an allegorical narrative centering on the heroic life of Philip Dru. The country is going downhill because a cabal of industrial monopolists, headed up by Senator Selwyn, has rigged the political process in their favor by pushing safe candidates who will do the bidding of the industrialists. The system is accidentally exposed, leading to an armed movement to overthrow the corrupt government of the United States which is headed up by a hand-picked protege of Selwyn, President Rockland. A second Civil War ensues - but unlike the first, the conflict is settled in one battle that the corrupt government loses in a rout. Dru has led the popular armies and becomes de facto head of state, taking on the title of Administrator. Under his direction, numerous commissions are appointed and the Constitution is redrafted. Safeguards are put into place to ensure the web of corruption by the industrial interests does not recur. A war is fought with Mexico, with Dru prevailing similarly to the Civil War, in a rout of the Mexican forces, the result of which is the reform of Mexican governance and the unification of the Northern half of the Western Hemisphere under the new Republic, i.e., Mexico, Canada, the Central American and Caribbean states all exchange their flags for the US flag although otherwise they would remain autonomous. Once the new American constitution is ratified and elections are held, Dru decides to retire - possibly to Russia. The narrative includes a theme about Dru´s girlfriend Gloria, who helped Dru all along, helping him especially when he was severely stricken by sunstroke while lost in a desert, and later on the fundraising front by proselytizing the rich, trying to get them to see things from the standpoint of the poor and act philanthropically. Years later, Dru and Gloria marry eventually and together sail away from San Francisco to parts unknown as thousands watch them depart. Appended to the book is a section on Co-Partnership, which discusses a form of profit-sharing, or a cooperative system of dividing the profits of industrial production between the workers, employer/owner, and even customers. This book is of interest from a historical standpoint, as an artifact from a much earlier age. House presents many liberal ideas in the narrative, which was evidently widely read at the time it was written. Modern readers may find it rather wooden, and parable-like in its simplicity. But it does give some insight into an era in which progressivism was trying to tackle the grip of the industrialists -- Robber Barons and so forth -- on the economy. To the extent that it represents an artifact from that era of citizenry struggling to assert themselves vs. the Rockefellers, Morgans, Carnegies, economic giants of the Gilded Age, it is worth reading.

Here are the quotes:

¨[Philip Dru] ... saw many of the civil institutions of his country debased by the power of wealth under the thin guise of the constitutional protection of property.¨

¨[Dru to Gloria:] Gloria, we are entering a new era. The past is no longer to be a guide to the future. A century and a half ago there arose in France a giant that had slumbered for untold centuries. He knew he had suffered grievous wrongs, but he did not know how to right them. He therefore struck out blindly and cruelly, and the innocent went down with the guilty. ... So, when he awoke he could only destroy. Unfortunately for him, there was not one of the governing class who was big enough and humane enough to led a guiding and a friendly hand, so he was led by weak, and selfish men who could only incite him to further wanton murder and demolition.¨

¨[Dru to Gloria:] The strong will help the weak, the rich will share with the poor, and it will not be called charity, but it will be known as justice."

¨[Mr. Strawn to Dru:] I know that things are not as they should be, but how can there be a more even distribution of wealth without lessening the efficiency of the strong, able and energetic men and without making mendicants of the indolent and improvident? If we had pure socialism, we could never get the highest endeavor out of anyone, for it would seem not worthwhile to do more than the average. The race would then go backward instead of lifting itself higher by the insistent desire to excel and to reap the rich reward that comes with success.¨

¨Masterful and arrogant wealth, created largely by Government protection of its profits, not content with its domination and influence thin a single party, had sought to corrupt them both, and to that end had insinuated itself into the primaries, in order that no candidates might be nominated whose views were not in accord with theirs.¨

¨When [Selwyn´s Senators] ... came from agricultural States, where the sentiment was known as ¨progressive,¨ they could cover their intentions in many ways. One method was by urging an amendment so radical that no honest progressive would consent to it, and then refusing to support the more moderate measure because it did not go far enough. Another was to inject some clause that was clearly unconstitutional, and insist upon its adoption, and refusing to vote for the bill without its insertion.¨

¨[Dru] ... told them that the conscience of the people was now aroused, and that there would be no halting until the Government was again within their hands to be administered for the good of the many instead of for the good of a rapacious few.¨

¨[Dru to Gloria:] Do not be too sure [of success proselytizing among the rich], Gloria. We have the right and a majority of the American people with us; yet, on the other hand, we have opposed to us not only resourceful men but the machinery of a great Government buttressed by unlimited wealth and credit.¨

¨The great conflict covering the years from 1860 to 1865 was still more than a memory, though but few living had taken part in it. The victors in that mighty struggle thought they had been magnanimous to the defeated but the well-informed Southerner knew that they had been made to pay the most stupendous penalty ever exacted in modern times. At one stroke of the pen, two thousand millions of their property was taken from them. A pension system was then inaugurated that taxed the resources of the Nation to pay. By the year 1927 more than five thousand millions had gone to those who were of the winning side. Of this the South were taxed her part, receiving nothing in return. Cynical Europe said that the North would have it appear that a war had been fought for human freedom, whereas it seemed that it was fought for money. It forgot that many brave and patriotic men who enlisted because they held the Union to be one and indissoluble, and were willing to sacrifice their lives to make it so, and around whom a willing and grateful government threw its protecting arms. And it confused those deserving citizens with the unworthy many, whom pension agents and office seekers had debauched at the expense of the Nation. Then, too, the South remembered that one of the immediate results of emancipation was that millions of ignorant and indigent people were thrown upon the charity and protection of the Southern people, to care for and to educate. In some states sixty per cent, of the population were negroes, and they were as helpless as children and proved a heavy burden upon the forty percent, of whites. In rural populations more schoolhouses had to be maintained, and more teachers employed for the number taught, and the percentage of children per capita was larger than in cities. Then, of necessity, separate schools had to be maintained. So, altogether, the load was a heavy one for an impoverished people to carry. The humane, the wise, the patriotic thing to have done, was for the Nation to have assumed the responsibility of the education of the negroes for at least one generation. What a contrast we see in England's treatment of the Boers. After a long and bloody war, which drew heavily upon the lives and treasures of the Nation, England's first act was to make an enormous grant to the conquered Boers, that they might have every facility to regain their shattered fortunes, and bring order and prosperity to their distracted land. We see the contrast again in that for nearly a half century after the Civil War was over, no Southerner was considered eligible for the Presidency. On the other hand, within a few years after the African Revolution ended, a Boer General, who had fought throughout the war with vigor and distinction, was proposed and elected Premier of the United Colonies. Consequently, while sympathizing with the effort to overthrow Selwyn´s government, the South moved slowly and with circumspection.¨

¨[Dru] ... had a large and devoted army to do his bidding, and the future seemed to lie wholly in his hands.¨

¨[Dru to Gloria:] But, to return to the immediate work in hand, let us simplify our habits and customs to as great a degree as is possible under existing circumstances.¨

¨[Dru] ... had incorporated in the Franchise Law the right of Labor to have one representative upon the boards of corporations and to share a certain percentage of the earning above their wages, after a reasonable percent, upon the capital had been earned. [Footnote: See WHAT CO-PARTNERSHIP CAN DO below.] In turn, it was to be obligatory upon them not to strike, but to submit all grievances to arbitration. The law was to stipulate that if the business prospered, wages should be high; if times were dull, they should be reduced.¨

¨Certain of the public service corporations, Dru insisted, should be taken over bodily by the National government and accordingly the Postmaster General was instructed to negotiate with the telegraph and telephone companies for their properties at a fair valuation. They were to be under the absolute control of the Post Office Department, and the people were to have the transmission of all messages at cost, just as they had their written ones. A parcel post was also inaugurated, so that as much as twelve pounds could be sent at cost.¨

¨Gloria then gave more fully the conditions governing female labor. The unsanitary surroundings, the long hours and the inadequate wage, the statistics of refuge societies showed, drove an appalling number of women and girls to the streets. -- No matter how hard they worked they could not earn sufficient to clothe and feed themselves property. After a deadly day´s work, many of them found stimulants of various kinds the cheapest means of bringing comfort their weary bodies and hope--lost souls, and then the next step was the beginning of the end.¨

¨The delegates go to the conventions,¨ said [now Dru friend] Selwyn, ¨and think they have something to do with the naming of the nominees, and the making of the platforms. But the astute boss has planned all that far in advance, the candidates are selected and the platform written and both are ´forced´ upon the unsuspecting delegate, much as the card shark forced his cards upon his victim. It is all seemingly in the open and above the boards, but as a matter of fact quite the reverse is true.¨

¨...meantime, Dru negotiated with [the new English Ministry] ... to the end that England and America were to join hands in a world wide policy of peace and commercial freedom. According to Dru´s plan, disarmaments were to be made to an appreciable degree, custom barriers were to be torn down, zones of influence clearly defined, and an era of friendly commercial rivalry established.¨

¨[Currently,] The capitalist is inclined to give the minimum that is necessary to secure the labor which he requires, and the worker in return considers that all that should be required from him is the minimum of labor which will save him from dismissal.¨

¨Ideal co-partnership is a system under which worker and consumer shall share with the capitalists in the profits of industry.¨

¨Under our present system the whole of the surplus profits go to capital, and it is the object of capital to give the worker the least wage for which he will consent to work, and to charge the consumer the highest price which he can be persuaded to give; conversely it is the object of labor to give as little as possible for the wage received.¨

[Bliss Tew · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was written in 1911 by Col. Edward Mandell House who later became the closest advisor to President Woodrow Wilson. While the book itself is tedious reading, it is important reading for those who would like to understand American history. Even though the book is a work of fiction it reveals the mind, the ethics, and the political "faith" of the man who wrote it who was himself a secretive individual, a secretive Marxist, working behind the scene to bring about big changes in America in political and economic realms.

Col. Edward M. House pretended to work against the Federal Reserve System (Central bank system) even as he actually sought to see it approved by the U.S. Congress so that the 5th plank of the COMMUNIST MANIFESTO could become a reality in America.

In House's book, his hero is Philip Dru who wants Marxism for America. I believe that the book had a greater impact on American government than the COMMUNIST MANIFESTO. The author, Col. E. M. House and his secretive establishment associates eventually formed the Council on Foreign Affairs (CFR) in 1921. Reading this book sheds an important light upon the CFR and its decades of influence upon American domestic and foreign policies. House and Wilson sought to create the League of Nations, something even pushed for in DRU. That League of nations was a first attempt at integration of nations into what could become a global government, a new world order.

The version of Philip Dru that I read was actually published by RWU Press, an affiliate of The John Birch Society.

[Davy Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doesn’t it scare you what happened as soon as Woodrow Wilson was in office? Teddy Roosevelt split the Republican vote with his Bull Moose run and the Democrats cleaned up


In 1913, we got the Federal Reserve (created in secret at Jekyll Island Georgia) and the income tax, and then WW1 in 1914. The Allies knew they had access to our fiat money later in the Great War.

That Wilson had a stroke, and clowns like Colonel House helped run the show.

You can hear this in an audio book reading by some "progressively regressive" group. You Tube.

Basically, his dreams of overthrowing this country and running it on socialist principals. This was written anonymously but he got found out ... and was lauded in many circles for this hogwash. Write it up to naivete, I guess.

[Nick · Rating 1 out of 5]

An immature attempt at socializing the socialist political agenda through the media of a novel to include incitement of rebellion, or in the words of the author "revolution". Philip Dru is nothing but a naïvely written propaganda hit piece. The writing bounces between somewhat of a story and pure political narrative. Not only is no thought given to the abounding problems of socialism, the 'novel' can only sing its praises in the most sugar coated of terms. The writing is so blinded by is own ideology it can't see it has become exactly what it fought against. Just hairbrained garbage through and through.

[Lefeb · Rating 3 out of 5]

The edition which I read not only included the story related in the book of how a short military campaign is conducted to overthrow and replace the USA government and replace it with a socialistic form of democracy, it also commented on how the author actual worked in the government of the USA to accomplis these objectives. This was paramount in the administration of Woodrow Wilson but continued into FDR's also.

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written book that gives you the mindset of a progressive. Quick question though...If the "new" America was so perfect then why on earth would Phillip Dru decide to leave it?

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Philip Dru: Administrator, Edward M. House, B.W. Huebsch, 1912

A novel of the near future, this is the story of one man’s dictatorship of America, and the taking back of the US from the moneyed special interests.

Philip Dru is your average, smarter than normal, West Point graduate. Stationed in the desert Southwest, Gloria, his girlfriend, and sister of Jack, his best friend, comes for an extended visit. Philip nearly destroys his eyesight when he and Gloria get lost in the hills, and almost die. Forced to retire from the military, Philip dedicates his life to social causes, and Gloria is happy to follow. In New York City, they get an up close and personal look at life in a tenement. Philip stays in New York to work for the poor and downtrodden, while Gloria (who comes from a rich family) goes to places like Newport and Palm Beach to convince the rich that, for instance, giving to some charity yearly isn’t enough.

Every five years, the military holds a contest, open to all. Whoever submits the best solution to an intractable military problem will win a medal, and become a national celebrity. Philip wins, and uses his celebrity to write a series of newspaper columns on the subject of poverty. Later, it is revealed that a puppet government has been installed in Washington. It is actually controlled by Senator Selwyn and industrialist John Thor, and its intention is to keep the trusts and moneyed interests in power. The country quickly chooses sides, and over a million soldiers mass near Buffalo, NY for what will be a one-battle civil war. Philip is leading the anti-government forces, and the previous winner of the national military medal, a real general, is leading the other side. After winning the battle, Philip, along with tens of thousands of troops, heads for Washington.

The illegitimate government panics and flees the capital, leaving Senator Selwyn in the White House to do the actual surrendering. Philip declares himself Administrator, and proceeds to totally reform the American government. For instance, he takes the entire judicial system, throws it in the trash, and appoints a high-level commission to start over from the beginning, and make things a lot simpler. He does the same with the railroads, medicine, the tax system, and even the funeral business. There is a new Constitution, dealing with the composition of Congress and the state legislatures. Philip says from the beginning that he does not want to stay in the job permanently, just long enough to fix what is broken, and then give the government back to the people.

Read this book for what it says about America, present and future (as of 1912); don’t read it for the quality of the writing.

[Matt · Rating 1 out of 5]

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.

[T. Perry · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ignoring the ideological issues of the book, the simple fact of the matter is that it was poorly written and lacked any kind of character whatsoever. I've read electronics manuals with more depth of feeling, and the character development was completely absent. Why? Because the entire piece of (fiction) nothing more than propagandist conjecture regarding the implementation of a Socialist/Progressive Society by a "Benevolent Dictator" who overthrew the US Government (by Civil War, I might add) and then magnanimously fixes the entire system by Executive Order. (As a Conservative, the truly frightening aspect of this book is that there really are people today who believe that this is the Panacea to our Nation's Ills.) Is it worth reading? Maybe, if only to make the comparison to what is being proposed today as to what was desired by Progressives a Century ago. Would I recommend it? Not to anyone 1) who is interested in a GOOD READ or 2) thinks that this type of Government would be a good idea. The good news, if there is any, is that it can be obtained absolutely for free on the Kindle through Amazon, so you're only wasting your time, not your money, if you choose to read it.

[Brett · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a ridiculous book written by a hypocritical sociopath. Self proclaimed "Colonel" House (not to be confused with someone with actual military experience) romanticizes the violent overthrow of Washington and Jefferson's Republic and the imposition of a benevolent hero "Administrator" (read Dictator).
It is interesting, however, to read the enemy's own blueprint on how they are working to dismantle the Republic and install a global government system. It is no surprise that after publishing this book anonymously, (I guess he didn't want people knowing his true desires) House went on to form the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). This nefarious organization has implemented many of House's perverted ideas and is tirelessly working to complete the plan.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I were teaching a class on early 20th century history, I would definitely assign this as a book to read. It's a fascinating portrait of an ideology from the era: the author, "Colonel" House, was a close friend and advisor to President Wilson.

It reminds me a bit of "Atlas Shrugged" in its unfettered defense of an ideology.

[Dave]

On the "To Read" list but the novella, Col. House's rant on "ideal fascist America" is not the critical part of this edition. The Forward by essayist & blogger William Norman Grigg is worth the price of admission.

[Curtis · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book should be subtitled: How to Become a Socialist Dictator in 12 Easy Steps

[Zoran · Rating 5 out of 5]

an excellent work of fiction... strongly recommend as a follow up reading after Atlas Shrugged....

[Marcelo Bejar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Escrito con el estilo de un secretario de gobierno (lo cual lo fue el autor) nos da una obra que hace como su manifiesto a un sistema político perfecto.
Una maravilla de libro

[Cathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is fairly obscure (and badly written) novel written at the turn of the century that explores the idea of rewriting the "outdated" U.S. Constitution and changing American government. In the story, Dru rises to prominence and leads an armed revolution against the current corrupt government, replacing it with his own ideas of a perfect benevolent government. He acts as the "Administrator" (read dictator), changing the federal and state constitutions to reflect his collectivist policies. He eventually establishes a new government structure and willingly rides off into the sunset to live a quiet life.

In this fairytale, all private business is inherently bad unless tempered by the oversight of government, and all government officials are beneficent and good hearted making policies that have only the best interests of the people at heart. In the end, everything the new improved government did prospered and all the world was happy.

Of course, the entire premise is a fantasy. But the ideas promoted in House's "novel" provided the framework for the collectivist policies of both Presidents Wilson and F.D. Roosevelt.

In reality, most of us understand that human nature tends toward corruption. There will never be a dictator or a government that cares more for the interests of the people than it does for its own. Every attempt to achieve it will end in failure.

I would not recommend this read for entertainment. But those interested in politics, especially the politics of our current administration will find it surpisingly relevant.

[Dave Maddock · Rating 1 out of 5]

The wet dream of an influential Progressive of the early 1900s in which Dru becomes a benevolent dictator of the US. It'd be a bit laughable if the author wasn't a foreign policy advisor to Woodrow Wilson and the mentality of a necessary nanny state wasn't all too prevalent.

[Scott Bodien · Rating 3 out of 5]

Researching the origins and meanings behind this book, not to mention the lengths I had to go to in order to read it, were much more exciting than the actual book

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very profound view of how it might have gone had the will of man been slightly stronger.

[Kim Gillham · Rating 3 out of 5]

You first have to realise that this is non-fiction in the guise of fiction. Once this is realised, you look around and you can see we are in a One World Government thank you UN (previously League of Nations), we are all slaves to said government, daily our lives are being more and more controlled via laws secretly passed, puppet leaders and corruption.

As the US never actually rescinded martial law after the civil war (fake: problem, reaction, solution psyop) you really have to ask who is in control? Their remit? Their goal?

[Susie Ventresca · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn’t realize this was a fantasy story

This book was claptrap. Not only was the story plot a dictators fantasy but the writing was highly superficial. Everyone should read it though, it was Woodrow Wilson’s favorite novel and I bet it is the favorite of some of our “leaders” today!

[Hooper Bring]

KB said of this: “Foundation? Dune? Three Body Problem? Culture? Hyperion? Forget about it, kid’s stuff. Wake me up when Jeff Bezos adapts a *real* sci-fi novel. Give me the Amazon Prime Philip Dru: Administrator miniseries.”

[Félix Tremblay · Rating 1 out of 5]

A very childish book, but scary at the same time. One of the main leftist figures of the beginning of the XXe century wrote a book about a superhero lefty who wants a one-world government that imposes its dictatorship. And the whole thing is depicted as a good thing too. Surprise surprise...

[Eddie Taylor]

Ok, so I read this after hearing Glenn Beck talk about it. Honestly, I do not see the big deal? This book was bad. Yes, the subject is bad, but the writing is horrible.

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A guy overthrows the US gov't and becomes a benevolent dictator (but don't all dictators claim to be benevolent?). He sets about writing a new constitution with limited representation within the judicial and legislative bodies, and, abolishes the current supreme court in favor of a series of courts through out the country. He then professes his love for the lady that helped to sway the elites of society, marries her and then just sails off into the sunset out of the San Fransisco bay. Again, the subject is bad, but the writing is much worse.

Plain and simple, this book is beyond bad. The book was just terrible! Poorly written, weak plot, thin story line containing a lot of articles based upon the writing of the new constitution which was just watered down communism.

The scariest part is that the author, Edward Mandell House, was a diplomat, politician and foreign policy adviser to President Woodrow Wilson. Was it not for the fact that he held considerable influence to President Wilson we would have never heard of this guy - at least not as an author. Terrible read - no stars.

[Robbie]

This trite bit of self-indulgence was written by a failed presidential advisor kicked out of the the Woodrow Wilson administration for political and personality differences. What do you do if you are Edward house and your hopes and dreams for the future come crashing down? You write a "fictional" story in which you live them out. Philip Dru, a "humble" man of seemingly unending intellect somehow finds himself vaulted to the top of the American political structure where he is "forced" by circumstances to stage a war and conquer America for its "own good" - setting himself up as benevolent dictator, of course. Seriously?