Reds

A new history of the CPUSA reads like a Cold War throwback.

A new book tells the story of American communism as an integral part of 20th-century US history, with Communists “as social critics and social change agents.”

Maurice Isserman’s history of American communism documents both its achievements and its fatal obeisance to Soviet doctrines.

Plus: One historian’s about-face on the Communist record.

The history of American Communism shows that dogma and fervor are no substitute for popular support.