The Un-Canadians: True stories of the Blacklist Era [Paperback]

Len Scher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1992

The first book to reveal the extent of the blacklisting in Canada during the cold war years. Thousands of Canadians-from film makers to writers to civil servants-were blacklisted and fired during the ant-communist witch hunts in Canada from 1945-1975. This book, a best seller in Canada, prompted rave reviews in a national magazine and three daily newspapers in Canada. Don't miss it if you are interested in the cold war and how the UNited States' cloest neighbour fared during the Mccarthy years.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A really fascinating oral history about blacklisting

If you think Canada is a boring place, try this book. This is a good read- a book which contains over 50 fascinating interviews with people who were blacklisted for political beliefs-in labour, the entertainment industry, teaching- during the cold war in Canada.Historians and children of the blacklisted also offer their take on the events. Even an interview with those who took part in the blacklisting. An eye-opener about McCarthyism in Canada. -- [e-mail]

Excellent! A lesson for all.

This book about the 1940s-70s in Canada surprised me.I had seen the documentary "The Un-Canadians" about the way the RCMP persecuted left-wingers but the book takes it much much further. A powerful look at how things went awry after people got scared of views contrary to their own. -- Seattle, WA. reader

About the Author

Len Scher is a writer-director. A film based on his book "The Un-Canadians" has been produced by the NFB (National Film Board of Canada) and was seen on network TV in Canada. Mr.Len Scher was also an award winning radio producer with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Product Details

• Paperback: 271 pages
• Publisher: Lester Pub; First Edition edition (March 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1895555183
• ISBN-13: 978-1895555189
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,660,434 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A really fascinating oral history about blacklisting, December 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Un-Canadians: True stories of the Blacklist Era (Paperback)

If you think Canada is a boring place, try this book. This is a good read- a book which contains over 50 fascinating interviews with people who were blacklisted for political beliefs-in labour, the entertainment industry, teaching- during the cold war in Canada.Historians and children of the blacklisted also offer their take on the events. Even an interview with those who took part in the blacklisting. An eye-opener about McCarthyism in Canada.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent piece on the blacklist in Canada., October 10, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Un-Canadians: True stories of the Blacklist Era (Paperback)

I loved this book. I was particularly touched by the stories of innocent Canadians whose lives were ruined by the Canadian version of the McCarthy era. Unbeknownst to many, the witchhunt was alive and well north of the 49th parallel.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent! A lesson for all., December 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Un-Canadians: True stories of the Blacklist Era (Paperback)

This book about the 1940s-70s in Canada surprised me.I had seen the documentary "The Un-Canadians" about the way the RCMP persecuted left-wingers but the book takes it much much further. A powerful look at how things went awry after people got scared of views contrary to their own.