📜 Book Review: 1900: Or; The Last President by Ingersoll Lockwood (Kindle Edition)
A provocative political satire from the 19th century that eerily echoes modern anxieties—Ingersoll Lockwood’s short novel is a fascinating blend of dystopian fiction, historical commentary, and speculative foresight.
🧠 Overview
Originally published in 1896, 1900: Or; The Last President is a 70-page novella by Ingersoll Lockwood, best known for his Baron Trump novels. This story imagines a near-future America thrown into chaos after the election of a populist president. Set primarily in New York City, the narrative opens with widespread panic and civil unrest as citizens react violently to the unexpected election results.
The newly elected president, unnamed but described as a man of the people, is seen by the elite as a harbinger of doom. The story unfolds through a series of journalistic-style entries and political commentary, painting a picture of a society on the brink of collapse.
🔍 Key Themes & Highlights
- ⚖️ Populism vs. Elitism: Lockwood critiques the rise of populist movements and their potential to destabilize democratic institutions
- 🧠 Prophetic tone: The book has gained renewed attention for its uncanny parallels to modern political events, including civil unrest and distrust in elections
- 🕰️ Historical context: Written during a time of economic disparity and political upheaval, it reflects late 19th-century fears about socialism and class warfare
- 📖 Narrative style: Presented in a pseudo-journalistic format, the story reads like a political dispatch from a crumbling republic
“This little booklet was penned at the end of the 19th century… chastises the rise of socialism and populism, inferring their fictional rise here as disastrous and leading to chaos.” — Goodreads summary
💬 Reader Reception
- ⭐ Goodreads rating: 3.06/5 from over 670 ratings
- 📖 Readers are divided—some find it eerily prescient and intellectually stimulating, while others view it as dated or overly dramatic
- 🧾 The book’s resurgence in popularity is largely due to its perceived relevance to contemporary political discourse
- 💬 “A curious read… not so much a novel as a political warning wrapped in fiction.” — Goodreads reviewer
⚠️ Considerations
- 📄 Short format: At 70 pages, it’s a brief read—more of a political pamphlet than a traditional novel
- 📚 Dense prose: The language reflects its era and may feel archaic or formal to modern readers
- 🧾 Not a thriller: Despite its dramatic premise, the story is more reflective and ideological than action-driven
🏁 Final Verdict
1900: Or; The Last President is a historically rich and politically charged novella that offers a glimpse into the fears and tensions of a bygone era—many of which still resonate today. Whether read as satire, prophecy, or curiosity, it’s a compelling piece for those interested in political fiction, dystopian themes, and the cyclical nature of history.
