In the Shadow of Fear: America and the World in 1950

by Nick Bunker

An evocative portrait of a divided America at the dawn of the Cold War 
  
Halfway through the twentieth century, the United States towered over the world in industrial might. After winning the 1948 election, Harry Truman hoped to use this economic strength to build on FDR’s achievements with new liberal reforms. But then, in just ten months between September 1949 and June 1950, the president’s ambitions were overtaken by events that left the country gripped by rage and fear. The Soviets tested an atomic bomb, Mao’s army swept through China, and at home Truman faced labor unrest and a Republican Party desperate for power.  
  
In the Shadow of Fear is an innovative and gripping history of this pivotal moment. Recounting the launch of Senator Joe McCarthy’s anti-communist crusade, the defeat of Truman’s liberal program, and the start of the Korean War, prizewinning historian Nick Bunker shows us a polarized nation facing crises at home and abroad—a story with deep resonances today.  

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History, Politics

496 pages, Hardcover

First published October 3, 2023

Reviews

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book, providing a broad history of America in the 10 months between Labor Day 1949 and the start of the Korean War in 1950. The author, historian and journalist Nick Bunker, presents this chaotic time period as the final death knell of the New Deal coalition and the solidification of America’s Cold War “persona.” Bunker describes the many conflicting ideologies influencing American politics as the Democrat’s New Deal coalition ruptured and the Republican Party splintered between their old isolationism, a pragmatic centrism, and new conservatism. Bunker describes this disorganized situation both within a domestic environment of growing material plenty and an international atmosphere of increasingly hostile Cold War bifurcation. A major theme is the difference between leaders, across the spectrum of politics, business, and culture, who understood and adapted to this period of transition and those who struggled to acknowledge that their worldview was increasingly out of date. A great book for understanding the historical foundation of the post-WWII world. Highly recommended for those wanting to learn about the dynamics of transitional periods in the American political system.

[Monte Lamb · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author's thesis is that the period from September, 1949 until the start of the Korean War in June, 1950 was the major watershed in American politics after FDR was elected in 1932. He describes how the democratic party was unraveling over civil rights and how Truman could not get his programs through Congress during this time. He plants the see that this time was very similar to the early 2020's where Congress was dysfunctional and how it was split in domestic areas as well as foreign. It's very enlightening and shares a lot of good information that might not be well known to most Americans in the 21st Century.

[Gretchen Hohmeyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. This book has an interesting premise, and it slows down historical events to about a year so that we can see the world turning at this specific moment. I love to see this kind of stuff because so many books can't afford to take that time. However, the topic itself is pretty meh to me and, while well written, I wasn't particularly invested. Someone more interested in the topic of the Cold War and the transition from Truman to Eisenhower (and the resulting effect on the political parties) would probably enjoy it more.

[Robert Sparrenberger · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. The author was attempting to really dig in on the events of 1950 in America and the world. The funny thing is almost a third of the book takes place in 1949. It reminded me of David Halberstam’s book about the decade but this one wasn’t as good. It just didn’t seem to come together. Maybe it was the level of detail given to the book. Lots of senators and congresspeople that have been forgotten by history. Joseph McCarthy reminds me of Trump with his constant lying and making stuff up.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detailed study of the political environment in the late 5th decade, of the 20th century, as concerning the strategies and actions of the Truman Administration in response to international tensions, Congressional chaos, and labor unrest. The story ends abruptly with the start of the Korean War. Considering the amount of historical data presented in this book, the narrative flows effortlessly to its conclusion. Recommended for readers familiar with the numerous individual leaders during this time period.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extremely detailed, zoomed-in view of America from late 1949-1950. It was great to learn more about Truman, as I feel like he's often overlooked in the titanic shadow of FDR. I also liked the lead-up to the Korean War from all sides and the thought processes of the major powers. A fascinating moment in the emergence of America the superpower

[Mike Cross · Rating 4 out of 5]

400+ pages on 10 months of US history may seem a little overkill, but the author does an excellent job putting it in perspective and telling a comprehensive and engaging story. A book you wish didn't end. Highly recommended for those interested in politics and the cold war.

[Michael Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

How curious the similarities between what Truman faced and what is happening today. It's like nothing has changed in 74 years.

[Leanne Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think a prologue would have gone a long way to set the stage for this book, especially for readers not well-versed in history of the late 1940s. But I appreciated the contrast between the local politics of the cities with the national trends of the Truman White House. I didn't know how local corruption in NYC and Chicago had such national impact for the Democrats, nor how conflicted the government was about continued aid to Europe, disarray over foreign policy, and the idea for the nascent EU was actually American. History also skips over how it took awhile for the economy to recover after WW II, and how the big union battles helped win prosperity for millions until the mid-60s. Then, it all began to unravel.

The book really took off for me with the NYC chapter (biased, of course), and when McCarthy entered the scene because it became more of a narrative. The first half of the book is too episodic and overly detailed for those not well versed in the key figures of the time.

But it really revealed how conflicts over government spending and programs (national health care, civil rights, education) resulted in the disparate, hodge-podge ad-hoc policies of today (or lack thereof). Many Americans don't want to spend money on "those people," and that is still true. It's sad how common and similar the attacks are by labeling people and policies are "socialist" or "leftist" (now woke) to discredit them, and the tired criticism of the big cities being about crime and migrants instead of corruption and the mob.

In terms of foreign policy, this year's election will determine our commitment to NATO and South Korea. I didn't know we didn't pledge to defend Taiwan, and if China attacks, what will the response be? I also wonder what would have happened if Stalin lived another 10 years? Thank god he didn't!