Radicals in America

Cambridge Essential Histories

by Howard Brick, Christopher Phelps

Radicals in America is a masterful history of controversial dissenters who pursued greater equality, freedom and democracy - and transformed the nation. Written with clarity and verve, Radicals in America shows how radical leftists, while often marginal or ostracized, could assume a catalytic role as effective organizers in mass movements, fostering the imagination of alternative futures. Beginning with the Second World War, Radicals in America extends all the way down to the present, making it the first comprehensive history of radicalism to reach beyond the sixties. From the Communist Party and the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense, its coverage extends to the Battle of Seattle and Occupy Wall Street. Each chapter begins with a particular life story, including a Harlem woman deported in the McCarthy era, a gay Japanese-American opponent of the Vietnam War, and a Native American environmentalist, vignettes that bring to life the personal within the political.

Genres: History, Politics, Nonfiction, American History

361 pages, Paperback

First published July 9, 2015

Reviews

[Socraticgadfly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good overview of the dance between various leftist movements and mainstream liberalism since 1945, with a "setup" from the prewar years to give an overview of things such as the Popular Front.

The authors note that much of the success of leftist action has been through pragmatic dancing with liberals. They also note that much of the arguable failures of liberalism have been through dances with centrism. Unionism of this period is a prime, but not the only, example of this.

This covered a fair amount of familiar ground, but I learned some new things, and the organizational work is very good in general.

[Jon Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise and comprehensive look at left and radical political movements and their impacts (or lack thereof) since WWII. Great starting point for anyone wanting more historical perspective and context on progressive politics in the US. Clearly lays out these movements’ place in Americn history, how they brought progressive ideas to the mainstream or how they failed.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book very concise, I highly recommend it for all students of American history, political science, or who just want to make the world a better place.

[Paul D'Amato · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative. Really comprehensive overview of the postwar US left