Democracy Uncovered, or, Tyranny Stripped of the Garb of Patriotism

Sick of politics as usual? Tired of the same old corporate puppets and lobbyist-driven decisions? Wondering if the U.S. is really the shining beacon of democracy it claims to be? You’re in good company. First published in 1806, Thomas Green Fessenden’s Democracy Unveiled is a satirical masterpiece that could easily be mistaken for today’s commentary on corruption, hypocrisy, and media lies. Its biting critique of American politics will have you laughing-and cringing-at how little has changed. And here’s a twist: most of the book isn’t even the main text. The copious and epic footnotes take up more space than the verses, so you get satire and entire separate essays alongside. The snooty, condescending, and ironic tone only adds to their appeal. Conspiracy enthusiasts will be gratified to find extensive references to Augustin Barruel and John Robison, authors of Memoirs Illustrating the History of Jacobinism and Proofs of a Conspiracy respectively, which pinned the French Revolution on the the intrigues of the philosophes, the Freemasons, the Illuminati, and their secret societies. And if you’re not a fan of Thomas Paine, Fessenden castigates him too, along with his former admirer and subsequently hostile biographer, James Cheetham. Some things just never get old!