90.1FM WABE (NPR), “Closer Look” — During a conversation with “Closer Look” host Rose Scott, Maddow spoke candidly about the state of democracy and her research for the book. Rachel Maddow is expected to stop in Atlanta for her book tour on Friday, Oct. 20, at the Fox Theatre.

In her new book, “Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism,” Maddow explores the fight to preserve American democracy in the World War II era, when German agents, Nazi supporters, theocratic leaders, and others plotted to steer the United States toward an alliance with the Nazis and overthrow President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

She also explained why she doesn’t think a specific person, leader or personality can put democracy at risk. “The risk is the movement and fascist and authoritarian ideation—and that afflicts a lot of people,” said Maddow. “And it is driven by dynamics, and it is driven by structural things—and you need to think about it as a mass of people who want that. Not just a person who is mesmerizing a population and driving them toward something that they don’t want.”