I've been enjoying this series. "Brave New World" has been on my reading list for years, but somehow I find reasons to read elsewhere. Maybe it's time.

I like your analysis of the rise of Mr. Trump. Probably one of the best I've seen. Is he clever? No! There was a collision of social and political forces that allowed him and his reptile style to find success in politics. But there's no mastermind here.

When I saw the photo-op of Mr. Trump holding a Bible in front of a church I thought this event is probably a turning point. Such an act is unlikely to find new votes, but it alienate a whole bunch of people who normally don't vote. A few hours later, military generals are publicly denouncing him. Before the Bible event, I thought he had 50% chance of winning the election. Now it is down to 10%. The D's have a reasonable candidate in place; the election is theirs to lose.

But what if the next populist leader is smart? Such a person could study both 1984 and BNW--and the Trump presidency--to turn a western democracy to an oligarchy.