This book was written in the 1970s, but is so relevant to today's political climate. I am going to reread this, as there was just so much interesting information.

I first read the Romance of American Communism in 1980 when I was 20 years old and just out of college. In the late 1970’s I found feminism and my world changed forever. How I saw, how I felt, and how I loved was impacted. New ways of being, seeing and loving reshaped my belief system but more importantly it reshaped my inner life and in some ways, my personality. I am now 60 and my relationship to feminism has shifted. There have been political battles and broken connections but I am still remember the falling in love and there is nothing like it. And I am still in awe.
When I read the Romance of American Communism it was the only book that best described my own political and emotional journey. I felt like I knew these people, understood their commitments, their dedication and how life was meaningful and deep. I gobbled it up and read it again. Although I did not know much about Communism or American Communism it was the affective experience of reading about people like me that made me cherish it so.

Of course, the lie was exposed and the dreams and hopes of American Communists died. Grief, fury, guilt, depression and a host of other reactions ricocheted throughout the movement. Ms. Gornick and especially her mother grieved it too.

It seems a perfect time to read The Romance of American Communism given the passion, dedication and determination of Blacks Lives Matter. Political change will sweep you in and change you forever.

Glad this is back in print at this important tumultuous time in our history.Thevauthor is always fascinating explains our country well.Perfect for book club discussions.#netgalley#versobooks

This is second book by this author that I read, and she is one of those authors that can write about any subject and make it interesting because of her intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm. I would definitely purchase a copy of this book and any of the authors other books.

Glad this is back in print. It offers real insight into a country at odds with itself. A rich treasury of knowledge.

A classic, obviously. Gornick’s own retrospective misgivings about the book (expressed in the preface) don’t really do justice to how complex and ambivalent it is.