Joseph McCarthy: The Misuse of Political Power [Library Binding]

Daniel cohen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1996

A biography of the Wisconsin Senator whose questionable methods as a "Communist witch-hunter" brought him fame in the decade after World War II and led to his eventual censure by the United States Senate.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up?In this concise biography of the American politician whose very name has come to mean bullying intimidation and smearing of the innocent, Cohen upholds his reputation as a colorful writer on frightening topics. He makes every effort to portray McCarthy fairly, quoting his supporters as well as detractors, but the facts he presents make it clear that far from exerting any real leadership, McCarthy was merely taking advantage of immediate political trends. In a clear, lively style, Cohen shows that many politicians were taking strong anti-Communist stands, but that McCarthy's zeal in pushing issues he thought would benefit him thoroughly intimidated his opposition?until he attacked the U.S. Army, when his bullying, lying tactics finally tripped him up. The author also shows why many politicians, though they clearly saw the dangers in McCarthy's conduct, were afraid to stand up to him. This inclusive analysis will make the book useful to students of American history and government. Burt Hirschfeld's Freedom in Jeopardy (Messner, 1969; o.p.) provides more background on McCarthy's influence on American society and more details of the senate hearings, but Cohen does a masterful job of presenting the same information in a much more interesting form. Black-and-white photographs appear throughout.?Jonathan Betz-Zall, Sno-Isle Regional Library System, Edmonds, WA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 7^-12. This easy-to-read biography will appeal even to YAs who don't have to read it for school work. It's organized much like a screen play: the opening four-page scenario relates the famous 1954 hearing when McCarthy was asked, "Have you no sense of decency, Sir?" Chapter 1 then sets the stage of the times (the Red Menace) that allowed McCarthy's power and influence to bloom; remaining chapters follow McCarthy's life from boyhood to death. Figures like Roy Cohn and Alger Hiss make McCarthy's story read like a political thriller, and Cohen makes the most of his material without exploitation or departure from historical fact. He does a particularly good job of explaining abstract concepts like "the political left." The text is well documented and includes a fine chronology and a very detailed index. Recommended for junior high, high school, and public library YA collections. Charles Harmon

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Library Binding: 128 pages
• Publisher: Millbrook Press (October 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1562949179
• ISBN-13: 978-1562949174
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,124,732 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.