Communist International And U.s. Communism, 1919-1929: Historical Materialism, Volume 82

(Paperback)

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Since the Cold War, most historians have set up an opposition between the 'American' and 'international' aspects of early American Communism. This book examines the development of the Communist Party in its first decade, from 1919 to 1929. Using the archives of the Communist International, this book, in contrast to previous studies, argues that the International played an important role in the early part of this decade in forcing the party to 'Americanise'. It is the most detailed account now available on this subject.

Reviews

"[...] this fine book stands as a major contribution to the history of Communism in the United States." Paul Le Blanc, Labour/Le Travail (2015) Jacob Zumoffs book is a major contribution to the history of the CPUSA and of the Communist International itself in its first decade. Based on meticulous scholarship and rigorous analysis, it will become the standard text on the partys first decade. But, more importantly, the book also serves as a vital tool for those who today view the history of the early Communist International and the successes and failures of the CPUSA not merely as a topic of historical enquiry but as a crucial programmatic component for todays struggles to build a party that can lead a successful workers revolution. Tony Colins, Marx and Philosophy Review of Books "The Communist International and US Communism, 1919-1929 is a detailed, nuanced book that analyses a very important period in U.S. communist history. It is a book worth reading. And reading again." Tony Pecinovsky, People's World Jacob A. Zumoff has written an impressive scholarly tome [that] belongs in all research libraries and in big city public libraries Dan La Botz, New Politics "This book deserves a much more detailed examination and review than we are able to bring in this last issue of NWF labor scholars will find it interesting." Gerry Henkel, New World Finn In many ways Jacob Zumoffs recent in-depth look at the earliest years of the Communist movement in the U.S. affirms Theodore Drapers earlier work, but it has much to offer on its own, especially in todays political climateUsing Soviet archives unavailable to Draper, Zumoff presents a nuanced story of change, both in the U.S. party and in the Comintern itself. Along the way he offers insight into the importance of tempering ideology with reality while avoiding factional pettiness. Beverly Tomek, WorkingUSA
"[...] this fine book stands as a major contribution to the history of Communism in the United States." Paul Le Blanc, Labour/Le Travail (2015) Jacob Zumoffs book is a major contribution to the history of the CPUSA and of the Communist International itself in its first decade. Based on meticulous scholarship and rigorous analysis, it will become the standard text on the partys first decade. But, more importantly, the book also serves as a vital tool for those who today view the history of the early Communist International and the successes and failures of the CPUSA not merely as a topic of historical enquiry but as a crucial programmatic component for todays struggles to build a party that can lead a successful workers revolution. Tony Colins, Marx and Philosophy Review of Books "The Communist International and US Communism, 1919-1929 is a detailed, nuanced book that analyses a very important period in U.S. communist history. It is a book worth reading. And reading again." Tony Pecinovsky, People's World Jacob A. Zumoff has written an impressive scholarly tome [that] belongs in all research libraries and in big city public libraries Dan La Botz, New Politics "This book deserves a much more detailed examination and review than we are able to bring in this last issue of NWF labor scholars will find it interesting." Gerry Henkel, New World Finn In many ways Jacob Zumoffs recent in-depth look at the earliest years of the Communist movement in the U.S. affirms Theodore Drapers earlier work, but it has much to offer on its own, especially in todays political climateUsing Soviet archives unavailable to Draper, Zumoff presents a nuanced story of change, both in the U.S. party and in the Comintern itself. Along the way he offers insight into the importance of tempering ideology with reality while avoiding factional pettiness. Beverly Tomek, WorkingUSA

Author Bio

Jacob A. Zumoff, PhD (2003) in history, University of London, has lectured at several universities, including as a visiting professor at the Instituto Tecnolgico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey and, most recently, New Jersey City University. He has published on the labour movement and racial oppression in the Americas.