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Basics: For Peace, Democracy, and Social Progress

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The author Gus Hall was the Chairman of the Communist Party USA for many years. This is mainly a collection of his columns in the Daily World and Daily Worker during the 1970's. Chairman Hall writes about many issues that are still relevant today such as racism, U.S. imperialism, gender inequality, the decline of industry in the U.S., and the effect of U.S. foreign policy on the World and ordinary Americans. People reading this book will be reminded that many of Reagans policies such as higher military spending, cuts in aid to the poor, and deregulation were started under Carter. Hall heavily criticizes Carter for moving to the right and for using his rhretoric about Human rights to attack the Socialist bloc, especially the Soviet Union.

Hall provides solutions to several of America's major problems such as unemployment and racism, including shorter workweeks and affirmative action. Their are several interesting anecdotes about Halls life. He started working in a lumber mill at age 14 and interesting information about the history of the CPUSA and the people who belonged to it over the years.

This book gives a good alternate look at the 1970's and the personalities of that era such as Carter, Nixon, and Ford.