The Anarchist

This is my seventh Smolens boook and his newest. I've reviewed all of them, except, I think, his collection of stories called My One and Only Bomb Shelter. I read that back before I began reviewing, I think, but it's equally good. I'm running out of superlatives for Smolens' work. This one is every bit as good as the others, and bears the Smolens stamp of superlative (there's that word again), plot, pacing, suspense and - especially - characters. The extra element here is an obvious attention to extensive and careful research about the era - 1901. One would think that an "historical" novel like this would be difficult to present as a "suspense" novel, since you kinda know what happened. But nope. Smolens pulls it off. I'm not sure exactly how he did this hat trick either. Probably a combination of things. One, he introduces a few fictional characters and subplots which all come stunningly together in a powerful conclusion. Two, probably not too many people actually know a whole lot anymore about the McKinley assassination now, over a hundred years later. It never got the attention of, say, Lincoln's murder. Since this is a book about the assassination of President McKinley in 1901, the historical figures are there too. McKinley, his wife, his personal physician and a few other minor political figures. But it's the assassin who takes center stage among these real-life figures, and I suspect because not a whole lot was ever known about Leon Czolgosz, there may be more literary license taken with him. And Smolens uses that license to drive much of the story. I might say the story appealed to me even more because of the Midwestern characters - McKinley from Ohio, and Czolgosz from Detroit and Cleveland. But that really didn't figure into my appreciation of the story, since most of it took place in and around Buffalo during the Exposition. Like all of Smolens' books, this is simply flat-out terrific writing. There is something very cinematic about Smolens' novels. As you read them, you can easily picture them playing out on a big screen. The descriptions of places, people and action are like script directions, and the dialogue is simply pitch-perfect. What a fantastic film The Anarchist would make. I don't go to many movies anymore, but I would gladly get off my old duff to go see this one. How about it, Hollywood? - Tim Bazzett, author of SOLDIER BOY: AT PLAY IN THE ASA

Smolens has created a clever mix of fact and fiction while telling the complex story of President McKinley's assassination. Unlike a TV re-run - one where you know the outcome ahead of time - the author has woven an engrossing story that allows you to follow the action and overlook what we all know ultimately happens. The portrait painted of Leon Czolgosz is one of someone convinced of his mission and and committed to his course of action. The author may disagree, but I see a parallel between anarchists like assassin Czolgosz and today's terrorists. Smolens has given a credible portrayal of the mind of an early 20th century anarchist - focused, single-minded and committed. He is so focused on killing the President, convinced that it will result in the overthrow of entire fabric of our society, that he never wavers from his goal. The ancillary characters, e.g., Norris, Hyde and the ladies of the evening, are three dimensional blessed with realistic dialogue and period correct speech patterns. He manages to convey the look and feel of the time by painting wonderful word pictures of upstate New York in early autumn - pelting rain, muddy streets, fatty foods, stuffy clothes and primative medical practices. This kind of novel - one that accurately gives the facts while mixing in fictional details - takes a careful writer. Too much fiction and it becomes a cartoon. Too much detail and it becomes your college History 101 class. Smolens expertly balances these two elements perfectly. For example, the action late in the novel at the farm was page-turningly exciting and let you think that it may have actually even happened that way. If you like American history, fully developed characters and an interesting story, Anarchist is for you.

I read this book as in the same genre of the Lehane's "The Given Day". I have to say it went smoothly together. The story which is relatively action oriented brings in all the historic events surrounding the assassination of President McKinley. All the major characters are speaking from official records so you get the full flavor of the motivations, class struggle, and the actual trial. It should be noted though the major story line is about an additional attempt. Blending fact and fictional characters this story gives the book its punch and pulls you along. There are interesting insights into the presidents life and relationships and old Teddy Rosevelt makes a brief visit. I would recommend this book if your interested in this time period. I did think it unfortunate that the author completely discards the socialist movement of the period and provides only a minimal basis for the Anarchists. Emma Goldman who is referenced many times rarely is quoted saying anything that would gain one a insight into the philosophy of the Anarchists. On the whole I recommend the book. Well written, entertaining.

Smolens perfectly captures the political unrest of the early 20th century in his novel, the city of Buffalo, New York, preparing for a visit by President William McKinley. When a Pinkerton detective, Jake Norris, arrives from Washington to discuss infiltrating local anarchists in an effort to prevent as assassination of the president, Capt. Lloyd Savin agrees to cooperate in locating an agent. Since the anarchists have been adept at removing Norris's former agent, a local prostitute, it is deemed more prudent to select a man familiar with the canals and the social environment that creates such political misfits. Moses Hyde, an orphan who has worked the canals and done every job available to the unskilled, seems the perfect candidate. And Hyde is acquainted with a young man, Leon Czolgosz, who has been making threats about assassinating McKinley. Unlike the socialists or communists who demand social justice for the poor and exploited, the anarchists have no mission save the destruction of a system that feeds on exploitation, espousing violence for its own sake. The anarchists have no difficulty attracting the disaffected to their cause. Unfortunately, Hyde is correct in his suspicion of young Leon, the fanatical anarchists all but trembling with the zeal of his mission. After waiting in a long line for an introduction, Czolgosz shoots President McKinley as he shakes his hand. Although Czolgosz is incarcerated, a few local anarchists develop a plan to incite more violence, capitalizing on the unrest in the city. Soon Savin is embroiled in another outbreak of violence. Wanting only to purchase his freedom from increasingly complicated circumstances, Hyde is drawn into more danger, his association with Leon tying him intricately to the assassin. Smolens captures the political landscape of the city in prose rich with historical detail and the almost suffocating reality of despair and poverty that feed the socialists' and communists' tirades against the government, a hotbed of anarchists thriving on chaos. The robber barons are supported by the government, the poor milked for profit, the industrial revolution creating both opportunity and social unrest. Unable to prevent the assassination, Capt. Savin performs his duty; Hyde struggles to escape his environment; and Norris finds the tables turned as he is kidnapped by those he pursued. With the assassination, the country treads a troubled path at the start of a new century. Luan Gaines/2009.