History's Best Selling Books of 1935

Make way for the hits of 1935! This remarkable era stood as a testament to the golden era of American industry and the march of first-rate books. Crowd-pleasers such as It Can't Happen Here shared the spotlight with mega-bestsellers Black Reconstruction in America and Come and Get It. Brought to you by top-notch makers from industry leaders like Sinclair Lewis and W.E.B. Du Bois, these trailblazing products swept main street from coast to coast as genuine top-flight hits and earned a permanent place in cultural lore. Check out the complete rank-ordered ledger below to relive the finest releases of the year.

1. It Can't Happen Here

   Released in 1935 by Sinclair Lewis, Doubleday, Doran & Company

   The 1935 publication of Sinclair Lewis's "It Can't Happen Here" struck the American public like a lightning bolt, instantly becoming a cultural sensation. Released amidst the Great Depression and the ominous rise of fascism in Europe, the novel served as a chillingly prescient warning, capturing the pervasive anxieties of a nation grappling with its own democratic ideals. Its title alone became a potent slogan, sparking widespread debate and introspection about the fragility of freedom. Lewis, already a Nobel laureate, leveraged his literary prowess to craft a narrative so vivid and unsettling that it catapulted the book onto bestseller lists, forcing Americans to confront the uncomfortable possibility that totalitarianism wasn't a distant foreign threat but a shadow lurking disturbingly close to home. It wasn't just a book; it was a societal mirror, reflecting fears that resonated deeply across the political spectrum.

2. Black Reconstruction in America

   Released in 1935 by W.E.B. Du Bois, Harcourt, Brace and Company

   W.E.B. Du Bois's "Black Reconstruction in America," published in 1935, stands as a pivotal text that profoundly reoriented the study of American history. Released amidst the Great Depression and pervasive Jim Crow segregation, the book directly confronted the dominant Dunning School of thought, which portrayed Reconstruction as a disastrous period of Black misrule. Du Bois meticulously argued for the crucial role of Black laborers as active participants in shaping post-Civil War society, rather than passive recipients or incompetent figures. This radical reinterpretation was historically significant for its courage to challenge a deeply entrenched racist consensus and its foresight in advocating for a labor-centric, bottom-up view of history decades before such approaches became mainstream, thereby laying foundational groundwork for future Civil Rights scholarship.

3. Come and Get It

   Released in 1935 by Edna Ferber, Doubleday, Doran & Company

   Edna Ferber's 'Come and Get It,' published in 1935, burst onto the American literary scene amidst the Great Depression, offering readers a captivating escape into the lavish, yet complex, world of Wisconsin’s timber barons. This sprawling family saga quickly cemented its place as a national bestseller, captivating a public hungry for stories of ambition, struggle, and the enduring human spirit. Its immediate popularity wasn't merely due to Ferber's established reputation as a master storyteller; the novel tapped into a collective fascination with American industrial dynasties and the dramatic lives shaped by immense wealth and relentless pursuit of power, making it a significant cultural touchstone of its era.

4. Of Time and the River

   Released in 1935 by Thomas Wolfe, Charles Scribner's Sons

   Of Time and the River" burst onto the literary scene in 1935, immediately cementing Thomas Wolfe’s status as a major American novelist. Following the critical success of "Look Homeward, Angel," this ambitious sequel was met with immense anticipation and quickly became a national sensation. In a decade grappling with the Great Depression, Wolfe's sprawling, lyrical narrative offered readers an immersive escape and a deeply personal exploration of the American experience. Its publication was a significant cultural event, captivating a broad audience with its raw emotional power and grand scope, solidifying its place as a definitive literary phenomenon of the era.

5. The Last Puritan

   Released in 1935 by George Santayana, Charles Scribner's Sons

   Published in 1935, George Santayana's 'The Last Puritan' was an unexpected literary sensation, catapulting a renowned philosopher into the ranks of bestselling novelists. This deeply reflective and exquisitely written book immediately captured the imagination of readers grappling with the disillusionment of the interwar period. Its unique blend of philosophical depth and rich narrative made it a cultural phenomenon, proving that serious literature could also achieve widespread popularity. Santayana's only novel, its launch was a major event, marking a significant moment in the literary landscape of the mid-1930s and sparking widespread discussion among both critics and the general public.