The Red Decade: The Stalinist Penetration Of America

By Eugene Lyons

Book Overview

The Red Decade: The Stalinist Penetration Of America by Eugene Lyons is a non-fiction book that explores the infiltration of Stalinist ideology and influence into American society during the 1930s. The book delves into the rise of communism in America during the Great Depression, the growth of the Communist Party USA, and the tactics used by Stalinist agents to spread their message and gain power. Lyons, a former communist and journalist, provides an insider's perspective on the workings of the Communist Party and its impact on American politics, culture, and society. The book also examines the role of Soviet espionage in America during this period and its impact on national security. The Red Decade is a comprehensive and insightful account of a pivotal period in American history, shedding light on the ways in which foreign powers can influence and manipulate domestic affairs.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1258102544
• ISBN13: 9781258102548
• Release Date: January 1
• Publisher: Literary Licensing, LLC
• Length: 422 Pages
• Weight: 1.73 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Great insights for those who recognize we are reliving the 1930's

Lyons' insights into the liberal/leftist mindset, from the perspective of the 1930's, is simply astounding as it relates to today's events. Although writing in 1941, he aptly describes the prevalent attitude of the recurrent limousine/latte liberal set as "down with us" and proceeds to demonstrate how their naivete repeatedly led to them being manipulated by totalitarian thugs. The parallels with events in the 1960's and today are incredible. The book is also extremely well-written and balanced. It is thoroughly readable and names the names, exposing the hypocrisy of The Nation, the New Republic and so many others defenders of the indefensible, the men and women who let themselves be used so as to assuage their own guilt for living so absurdly well, as Lyons puts it.

Finally, the Term Classic Fits

Over sixty years ago, Eugene Lyons--Russian born, American bred--sought to explain just what happened among America's left-wing intellectuals in the previous decade. The thirties were unkind to them, as they started the decade damning such "social fascists" as FDR, voted for Foster and Ford, then, on orders from Moscow, hailed the liberals as allies in the fight against fascism. Ah, but then Stalin signed a pact with fascism--so back went Franklin to the vituperation pile. (Eleanor was OK.) The war brought about some changes: it was "imperialist," and so resistance to Hitler was out of fashion (a word Hellman would disengenuously use later). The Hollywood Anti-Nazi Committee changed its name to something less provocative; those who had whooped for the purge trials moved onto calling for strikes in defense industries. The yanks weren't coming, they said. Then Hitler broke the treaty. The change was immediate. Suddenly the yanks WERE coming, if the intellectualoids of the left had anything to say. Supporting all this, driving this, in fact, were those Hollywood Ten types the left love to tell us were just "activists," persecuted innocents. These innocents sided with Stalin and, for a time, Hitler. (Think about that the next time you laud such people.) This book is a true classic. It's erudite and witty style makes the subject anything but dry. This book is a must for conservatives--and liberals who wish to be truly iconoclastic.