John T. Flynn

John T. Flynn (1882-1964) was an American journalist and political commentator who gained prominence for his criticism of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's policies and his initial opposition to U.S. involvement in World War II. As a co-founder of the America First Committee in 1940, he championed non-interventionism until the Pearl Harbor attack. Flynn began his career as a financial journalist, working at publications like the New Haven Register and New York Globe, before becoming a contributing writer for prestigious magazines including The New Republic and Harper's Magazine. His 1931 book "Graft in Business" established him as a critic of corporate practices and influenced New Deal policies, particularly the National Industrial Recovery Act. Initially supportive of Roosevelt's presidential candidacy, Flynn later became one of FDR's strongest critics, particularly regarding the New Deal and military interventionism. His political views evolved from progressive-populist leanings to becoming a significant voice of the American Old Right, maintaining a consistent anti-militarist stance throughout his career. Flynn's later works focused on critiquing what he viewed as dangerous concentrations of political power, including his controversial advancement of Pearl Harbor advance-knowledge theories. His writings and political activism made him one of the most notable American political commentators of the mid-20th century.

Readers primarily engage with Flynn's political and economic analyses through "The Roosevelt Myth" and "As We Go Marching." Reviews focus on his detailed research and alternative perspectives on FDR's presidency. Readers appreciate: - Documentation of New Deal criticisms with specific examples and data - Analysis of corporate-government relationships in the 1930s-40s - Clear writing style that makes complex economic concepts accessible - Historical insights not commonly found in mainstream textbooks Common criticisms: - Strong political biases that some readers feel overshadow factual analysis - Dated writing style and references - Repetitive arguments in later chapters - Limited perspective on certain WWII events Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: "The Roosevelt Myth" - 4.0/5 (127 ratings) Amazon: "As We Go Marching" - 4.3/5 (56 reviews) "Men of Wealth" - 4.4/5 (12 reviews) One reader noted: "Flynn provides valuable counter-narratives to conventional New Deal history, though his anti-Roosevelt stance sometimes clouds his judgment." Another observed: "His economic analysis holds up better than his political commentary."

The Road Ahead: America's Creeping Revolution (1949) Examines what Flynn perceived as a gradual shift towards collectivism in American society and politics during the post-war period.

As We Go Marching (1944) Analyzes the characteristics of fascist states and draws parallels to developments in American governance during the 1930s and 1940s.

The Roosevelt Myth (1948) Presents a critical examination of Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency and New Deal policies.

Meet Your Congress (1944) Provides detailed analysis of congressional operations and the legislative process during World War II.

Country Squire in the White House (1940) Offers a critical portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt's leadership style and presidential decisions.

God's Gold: The Story of Rockefeller and His Times (1932) Chronicles John D. Rockefeller's life and the development of Standard Oil Company.

Security Speculation: Its Economic Effects (1934) Examines the impact of stock market speculation on the American economy.

Graft in Business (1931) Documents various forms of corporate corruption and questionable business practices in American industry.

Investment Trusts Gone Wrong! (1930) Analyzes the failures and corruption within investment trusts during the lead-up to the Great Depression.

While You Slept (1951) Discusses the spread of communist influence in Asia and critiques American foreign policy in the region.

Rose Wilder Lane A libertarian writer and political theorist who shared Flynn's evolution from progressive to anti-New Deal conservative. Her works focus on individual liberty and criticism of government expansion, particularly during the Roosevelt era.

Garet Garrett A journalist and author who wrote extensively about American economic policy and opposed Roosevelt's New Deal programs. His work "The People's Pottage" parallels Flynn's criticisms of centralized power and government intervention in the economy.

Albert Jay Nock An influential libertarian author who criticized state power and shared Flynn's skepticism of government solutions to social problems. His memoir "Memoirs of a Superfluous Man" reflects similar themes about individual liberty and limited government that appear in Flynn's work.

H.L. Mencken A journalist and cultural critic who wrote extensively about American politics and society during the same period as Flynn. His coverage of the New Deal era and criticism of government overreach align with Flynn's perspectives on American politics.

Isabel Paterson An author who wrote about individual rights and criticized government intervention in the economy during the New Deal era. Her book "The God of the Machine" explores themes of liberty and government power that complement Flynn's political commentary.