A Time of Fear: America in the Era of Red Scares and Cold War

by Albert Marrin

From National Book Award Finalist and Sibert Honor Author Albert Marrin, a timely examination of Red Scares in the United States, including the Rosenbergs, the Hollywood Ten and the McCarthy era.

In twentieth century America, no power--and no threat--loomed larger than the communist superpower of the Soviet Union. America saw in the dreams of the Soviet Union the overthrow of the US government, and the end of democracy and freedom. Meanwhile, the Communist Party of the United States attempted to use deep economic and racial disparities in American culture to win over members and sympathizers.

From the miscarriage of justice in the Scotsboro Boys case, to the tragedy of the Rosenbergs to the theatrics of the Hollywood Ten to the menace of the Joseph McCarthy and his war hearings, Albert Marrin examines a unique time in American history...and explores both how some Americans were lured by the ideals of communism without understanding its reality and how fear of communist infiltration at times caused us to undermine our most deeply held values. The questions he raises What is worth fighting for? And what are you willing to sacrifice to keep it?

Filled with black and white photographs throughout, this timely book from an award-author brings to life an important and dramatic era in American history with lessons that are deeply relevant today.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Middle Grade, Politics, Russia, War

320 pages, Hardcover

First published March 30, 2021

About the author

Albert Marrin is a historian and the author of more than twenty nonfiction books for young people. He has won various awards for his writing, including the 2005 James Madison Book Award and the 2008 National Endowment for Humanities Medal. In 2011, his book Flesh and Blood So Cheap was a National Book Award Finalist. Marrin is the Chairman of the History Department at New York's Yeshiva University.

Reviews

[Nanci · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this book on audio. The reader was easy to listen to and interesting. It took me a couple chapters to get into this but once I was in, I was all in. Most of the events spoken about took place before I was born. I had some vague ideas of some of it, gleaned from novels and movies, but this book was really eye opening. There is an old adage that history repeats itself. I saw that more clearly in reading the information the author presents in this book as out parallels some recent events in the US. I thought there was good information, written in a way that it was interesting. Although, listening to it might have helped in that regard. I find I do nonfiction better when I have a good reader reading it. ( I missed out on the pictures so I'm going to have to check out the book and look through it.) This is written for a young adult audience. In that regard I thought it was just right. I really liked this and it have me a great deal to think about. I'm still thinking about it.

[Kim Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frightening in so many ways. Worrisome in so many other as I feel you can see history repeating itself. A bit deep perhaps for the tended audience and though I really wanted to learn more I did find myself thinking enough already.
I listened to this and the narrator is great but I must admit this whole book made me anxious for our future. How easily we are lead astray by men who have no busy having any power.

[Janis Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a contender for my library consortium's Youth Services Mock Printz this year, so I was interested in learning more about a topic that I really wasn't taught in school (leave that bone to pick at a more opportune time). Sadly, this was not the thing.

I could not read through more than the intro. Slipping into "teen Janis" mode, I flipped/skimmed through the rest, landing on pictures, reading little passages here and there, but that's as far as my enrichment went. It's really textbook-like and I actually wasn't sure what "side" he was on...though, that actually might be a good thing because of how controversial this topic is. AND -from a historian's perspective- painting multiple sides as equal 'contenders' for "the truth" is an excellent way to inspire thought and spark debate. BUT you have to be able to digest what your reading and this is a lot. As someone who studied history/politics in college, this book is an excellent resource for term papers (and it's bibliography will lead you to countless other sources). I'd even say college students would appreciate it.

Sadly, this is too much for the intended audience: middle grade and up. The shape says otherwise, but just a peek tells you this book is loaded. It would've been better if it were broken up into parts, but then the narrative would've changed. This is the conundrum I have with Marrin: he's a great history teacher with a clear and medium-complex narrative that will keep you reading, but he will inundate you with (sometimes) so much that your head might start spinning. Also, it honestly depends on the topic he's covering and how much you're interested in it.

Final words: this is for those who really like learning about the Cold War era.

[Elmwoodblues · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a version of 'The Unholy Three' as published by an ignorant, anti-science, aging and change-fearing group; for each example, think of a current divisive topic:

1. The government poisoning its citizens, a vast conspiracy in plain view.
2. The promotion of an un-American ideology, disguised as 'healthy ways to think'.
3. The wholesale forced inoculation of the populace with a scary new medicine.

Did you come up with chem-trails, critical race theory, and Covid vaccinations? Or, 'The CIA introduced crack to the poor', cancel culture, and autism via pediatricians? There are plenty of other modern 'truths' that fit as well. However, this particular paranoia involved fluoridated water, 'Mental Hygiene', and Polio "Monkey Serum", circa the not-so-distant 1950's:

https://origins.osu.edu/sites/origins...

Fear is a tried and true method of control. Salesmen, politicians, religions and cults all employ it, some more subtly than others. It thrives on ignorance and division, now no less than during the Cold War. When we forget to ask ourselves who is spreading this fear, and what is in it for them, we let reason take a back seat. Marrin documents older fears that are being played again today, different subjects used for the same hijacking of reason and progress. Not an easy read.

[Kristel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reason Read: ROOT, alpha M, TIOLI #11
A book about espionage or Cold War. This book covers both espionage (section on Rosenberg) and the cold war from the time period of Red October to the current century. It is written for young adults.
I received it free from the summer program of AudioFile Sync. Subjects covered Lenin, the Communist Party of the United States, Communism and Black Comrades, Stalin, Atomic Bombs and Spies, Rosenberg Spy Ring, Joe McCarthy.

I think this was a good resource book that would be a good one to get the written book (I listened to the audiobook) as a resource. I am again taken by surprise that what we are experiencing now is not new but is more in our face because journalist who are seeking endorsement by advertisers (money), TV reports that seek viewers to obtain advertiser dollars, social media which is totally suspect as a source of information which is driven by ideology rather than critical thinking; progressive, liberal ideology.

National Book Award finalist

[Emma Eriksson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Brainwashed trash.

This book is a love letter to American Capitalism and so incredibly bias it is almost laughable. Within the first two pages this book essentially calls Lenin blood thirsty lunatic thug, equates the oppression of systemic racism with communism, and randomly draws on 9/11 out of context to prove that some people want to harm American exceptionalism. I could barely finish this book and any of its small handful of positives could never redeem this title for its negatives. 

I expected this book to have at least some focus on the horrors of anti-communism fervor that still sweeps through America today. Instead we have a book that claims fact when instead it is a bloated American capitalist fantasy with only a mere 30 pages limply dedicated to the “wild accusations and shaky platform” of McCarthyism. If you want to read an Ode to America can do no wrong and every move we make is justifiable then read this book - otherwise throw it in the trash.

[Mh Weyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

As this free audiobook came from a Uber liberal source and I knew nothing about the author, I read the whole thing quite skeptically. But I found the history fascinating. Again, trying to take it with a grain of salt because the history could have been a one-sided perspective. Still, if true, it was a fascinating look at the Cold War and the communist regime. How they used entire people groups to attempt to destroy the US and “evil capitalism.” He makes the claim the Lenin and Stalin made Hitler look quite tame. And in the second half of the book, how McCarthy and others played right into the communists hand. A lot of assumption is taken in the motive for actions, but it all makes sense and will have you looking around now for the current conspiracy to destroy the US. Does history repeat itself? I fear those who have forgotten are indeed doomed to repeat it.
The author’s grandfather was a Russian immigrant who himself escaped communist Russia.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a book I would have picked up on my own.
One of the reasons I love Audiofile Synce - a summer audio book program for teens.
I wasn't in the mood the first time I tuned in.
This is the history of Communism in a nutshell - starting with Stalin.
The past, for me, helped understand present day. My reading connection to Putin is startling.
The film industry's black lists. What was new to me was the 'damned if you do-damned if you don't' situation in Hollywood. You weren't hired if you weren't communist, then weren't hired if you wer.
Dalton Trumbo was noted, I'm going to have watch "Trumbo" again.

Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were executed for espionage. Reasons for people joining the CPUSA is kinda of understandable. It's interesting that the case is still studied. Also said how the theft by the ring contributed to death in Korea and Vietnam.

Then Joseph McCarthy - what a baffoon. The lies, lies, lies.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting look at thr cold war, but examines all the way back to Marx and then the start of the bolshevik revolution. It shows a great contrast between the ideal the reality and how that ideal was sold to so many across the globe. I found interesting thr German and Russian connections, especially how Stalin helped encourage Hitler to begin WWII, supplied the Nazis, and encouraged party faithful in France to help Germany, until Germany turned on Russia. It shed light on how the party line changed so often to suit its needs at the time.

[Patti Sabik · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cover really hooked me, but the text didn't. While the content of this book is quite fascinating it was a bit dry to read. Unfortunately, it didn't keep me connected with the material and I found myself straying to other books and leaving this book while I found interest in a fiction or even another nonfiction read. I solidly believe if the reader is really interested in this subject matter it would be a good read.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ultimately, this uses the Red Scare to warn of the danger of accepting without question any ideological framework, including communism and fanatical anti-communism. Marrin spends more time breaking down the Marx-Lenin-Stalin historical context and growth of communism than the Red Scare and Cold War. Interesting and well-framed for even relatively young readers or those without a lot of background in this area.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a bit out of date. But for those of us who grew up during this time, it's actually interesting to see some of the background of what was taking place. And some of it is historical before my time to see how we got to where The country was before Gorbachev. There are some very interesting things in here. Also interesting is some of the similarities to what we see happening around the world today, not just in Russia

[JoLee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really like this book. I found it difficult to read. The presentation of the subject could have been a lot more interesting. But my main complaint was that there there is a lack of nuance in this book. A greater exploration as to why many joined the Communist Party in the 1910s-1940s would have gone a long way.

[Myra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened through SYNC Audio for teens.

Very interesting book about the history of Communism in general and more specifically its impact in the US. I will say that I found the first half more interesting. Once it was talking about the Rosenbergs and the McCarthy era, my mind started to drift more. Still good, I just didn't find it as engaging overall.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Time of Fear is full of conspiracies and spies and political intrigue and I'm here for it. I could see this YA book being a jumping-off point for readers to go on to dig deeper on some of the cases mentioned. I did like it, but writing this review a few weeks after finishing it, I'm struggling to remember many details, so it wasn't terribly impressionable.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
A solid read about Red Scare and the Communist movement, starting with good context with Marx, Lenin, and Stalin. There were some interesting aspects, especially about how they marketed the movement, that I had no idea about and found fascinating.

[Mark Katerberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fine overview of a pretty wide range of years, but presents things without much nuance, with clear “good guys” and “bad guys” that reads like a tenth grade schoolbook.

Wouldn’t recommend, but if you need a crash course on 100 years of Soviet interactions with the US, it’s not terrible.

[Anne M. Wilkins · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to learn more about McCarthyism but instead this author loves describing methods of torture. I give up.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction that I'm glad I purchased for the library's collection, but a bit dry and basic for people who already have a strong background of knowledge on the topic.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't read but my 9th grader says it is excellent. He says some mature content. We discovered this author has written tons of history for middle and high school and are diving in.

[Alejandra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting, but I couldn't follow along. I had to switch the to audiobook because I kept losing concentration

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

fascinating history of the red scare, Lenin, Stalin and the communist movement in the U.S.A.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of Albert Marrin’s books are excellent and this one was no exception. It’s about communism and the Cold War. I love how Marrin draws in a lot of information to give a more complete picture.

[Rebecca Schuh · Rating 4 out of 5]

idk how I found myself listening to a book for teens about the red scare but no regrets!

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great history that tries to put you into the times of the events.

[Sierra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of good information but the timeline seemed to bounce around a lot for an audiobook (more difficult to visually connect?).

[Toni FGMAMTC · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is history book on the US and it really seems so relevant now. It explains why people felt how they felt and why they were susceptible to believing things that weren't true.

[Stephanie Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting dive into history! Definitely gives some more understanding in this land of America.

[Craig Donald · Rating 2 out of 5]

The parts which do "as said on the tin" are interesting but the vast tracts of anti-left wing bias and American exceptionalism make for a rather dull read.