This month we feature author David Perlstein, in conversation with Rabbi George Altshuler, discusses his new novel, Ride the Tyger, a chilling tale of the origins of today’s far right. This page-turning “oral biography” explores the roots of today’s far-right American politics from the Depression through McCarthyism. Lunch catered by Boichik Bagels. Sponsored by Monica Levin and Nancy Igdaloff. Members only. Free. Advanced reservations required.

About Ride the Tyger:

Madison Hadder’s smalltown childhood before and after the Great War torments him with an abusive father and numerous family traumas. In the 1930s, Madison becomes a union organizer and supporter of Franklin Roosevelt. Disillusioned, he tumbles down the rabbit hole of arch-conservativism. Becoming a local radio and newspaper personality, Madison advocates for the Louisiana populist Huey Long, the antisemitic radio commentator Father Charles Coughlin and the Nazi-sympathetic American hero Charles Lindbergh. A wealthy industrialist launches him into politics. After World War Two, Madison meets and champions Wisconsin’s Red-baiting senator, Joseph McCarthy. His personal life a shambles, Madison suffers a terrible fall, rises, then experiences a final, tragic descent.

David Perlstein has authored nine other novels. Slick! and Taking Stock are Kirkus Reviews starred selections. He has also written a volume of short stories and two non-fiction books. davidperlstein.com