Documentarian Ken Burns interviews Rachel Maddow about the last time millions of Americans were drawn into an angry authoritarian movement by an appeal to their lowest, most violent, Nazi, impulses.  The last time it was actual German Nazis who propagandized to and inspired America’s most right-wing haters. This time it’s something different, but also similar.

This is a great interview, and I’m looking forward to reading her book, Prequel.  Her excellent podcast on these same events is like a great film noir with a strong element of horror and deja vu.  A story so cinematic and consequential that Steven Spielberg immediately purchased the rights to tell the story on the screen. And speaking of stories, here’s a reminder from Ken Burns about the power of an emotionally compelling story.