Synopses & Reviews
Earl Browder, the preeminent 20th-century Communist party leader in the United States, steered the CPUSA through the critical years of the Great Depression and World War II. A Kansas native and veteran of numerous radical movements, he was peculiarly fitted by circumstance and temperament to head the cause during its heyday.Serving as a bridge between American Communism’s secret and public worlds, Browder did more than anyone to attempt to explain the Soviet Union’s shifting policies to the American people in a way that would serve the interests of the CPUSA. A proud and loyal follower of Joseph Stalin, Browder nevertheless sought to move the party into the U.S. political mainstream. He used his knowledge of domestic politics to persuade the Communist International to modify Popular Front (1935-1939) tactics for the United States.Despite his rise in the hierarchy, he possessed an independent streak that ultimately proved his undoing. Imprisonment as he neared age 50 left permanent psychological damage. After being released with the approval of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Browder lost his perspective and began entertaining delusions of grandeur about his status in American politics and in the world Communist movement. Still, he could never quite bring legitimacy to the CPUSA because he lacked the vision and moral courage to separate himself totally from the Soviet Union. Ryan concludes that Browder was not so much insincere as deluded. His failure contributed to the demise of the popularity of the Communist party in the United States.In preparation for this book, the author consulted the Browder Papers at Syracuse University and U.S. Government documents, particularly the F.B.I. files. In addition, he traveled to Russia for research in the Soviet Archives when recently opened to Western scholars, including the records of the former Communist International and a collection of American Communist party files, 1919-1944, shipped secretly to Moscow long ago. Indeed, until 1992, the existence of the CPUSA collection was only rumored.
Review
Ryans study may well stand for many years as the definitive biography.”--
SocietyReview
The first comprehensive biography of the Communist leader . . . the body of the book centers on Browders years as the [Communist] partys national leader from the early 1930s to his removal as secretary general and subsequent expulsion from the CPUSA (American Communist Party) after 1945. The books most significant characteristic is the extensive use of recently opened files on the CPUSA housed in the Russian Center for the Preservation and Study of Documents of Recent History in Moscow.”--Journal of American History
Review
This meticulously researched study, which has made excellent use of both Soviet records and FBI files, shows how fatally flawed was Browders attempt to reconcile Stalinism, Americanism, and his own grandiose ambitions. A valuable contribution to the history of American radicalism, this book is highly recommended for all readers interested in the history of American politics and social movements.”--Choice
Synopsis
A Kansas farm boy corrupted by the perks of power.This meticulously researched study, which has made excellent use of both Soviet records and FBI files, shows how fatally flawed was Browders attempt to reconcile Stalinism, Americanism, and his own grandiose ambitions. A valuable contribution to the history of American radicalism, this book is highly recommended for all readers interested in the history of American politics and social movements.”--Choice
The first comprehensive biography of the Communist leader . . . the body of the book centers on Browders years as the [Communist] partys national leader from the early 1930s to his removal as secretary general and subsequent expulsion from the CPUSA (American Communist Party) after 1945. The books most significant characteristic is the extensive use of recently opened files on the CPUSA housed in the Russian Center for the Preservation and Study of Documents of Recent History in Moscow.”--Journal of American History
Ryans study may well stand for many years as the definitive biography.”--Society
James G. Ryan is Professor of History at Texas A&M University at Galveston and coeditor of The Historical Dictionary of the Gilded Age.
Synopsis
Examines the political history of a 20th-century Communist part leader in the US Earl Browder, the preeminent 20th-century Communist party leader in the United States, steered the CPUSA through the critical years of the Great Depression and World War II. A Kansas native and veteran of numerous radical movements, he was peculiarly fitted by circumstance and temperament to head the cause during its heyday.
Serving as a bridge between American Communism's secret and public worlds, Browder did more than anyone to attempt to explain the Soviet Union's shifting policies to the American people in a way that would serve the interests of the CPUSA. A proud and loyal follower of Joseph Stalin, Browder nevertheless sought to move the party into the U.S. political mainstream. He used his knowledge of domestic politics to persuade the Communist International to modify Popular Front (1935-1939) tactics for the United States.
Despite his rise in the hierarchy, he possessed an independent streak that ultimately proved his undoing. Imprisonment as he neared age 50 left permanent psychological damage. After being released with the approval of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Browder lost his perspective and began entertaining delusions of grandeur about his status in American politics and in the world Communist movement. Still, he could never quite bring legitimacy to the CPUSA because he lacked the vision and moral courage to separate himself totally from the Soviet Union. Ryan concludes that Browder was not so much insincere as deluded. His failure contributed to the demise of the popularity of the Communist party in the United States.
In preparation for this book, the author consulted the Browder Papers at Syracuse University and U.S. Government documents, particularly the F.B.I. files. In addition, he traveled to Russia for research in the Soviet Archives when recently opened to Western scholars, including the records of the former Communist International and a collection of American Communist party files, 1919-1944, shipped secretly to Moscow long ago. Indeed, until 1992, the existence of the CPUSA collection was only rumored.
About the Author
James G. Ryan is Professor of History at Texas A&M University at Galveston and coeditor of The Historical Dictionary of the Gilded Age.