The Romance of American Communism

Vivian Gornick's "The Romance of American Communism," now back in print with a new introduction, revisits the influential role of Left politics in shaping American identity during the 1940s and 1950s. Through insightful profiles of American Communist Party members, Gornick delves into their experiences of belonging, idealism, and eventual disillusionment as the realities of Stalin’s regime surfaced. This classic work of new journalism examines how these political movements provided ordinary individuals with a sense of purpose and connection to a larger social narrative.