Review by Choice Review
What role has the Left played in the political development of the US? Zaretsky (history, New School for Social Research) provides an incisive analysis in this historically grounded work. Zaretsky describes three significant crises in US history, and he powerfully illuminates the role of the Left in shaping American political discourse, defining philosophical principles, and critically interrogating the ideologies influencing contemporary politics. The role of the Left in defining freedom during the era of slavery, elevating the value of social equality during the Great Depression, and redefining equality in the context of a global economy are fundamental to understanding the importance of the Left in outlining the contours of core American values. This is an important work that highlights the Left as more than an intellectual movement; it was central to the fundamental changes in public policy during critical moments in US history. This is an essential work for scholars of American political thought. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readership levels. K. Anderson Eastern Illinois University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
