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Naming Names Paperback – April 30, 2003

4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 123 ratings

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Winner of the National Book Award

"An astonishing work concerning personal honor and dishonor, shame and shamelessness. A book of stunning insights and suspense." ―Studs Terkel

Half a century later, the investigation of Hollywood radicals by the House Committee on Un-American Activities still haunts the public conscience.
Naming Names, reissued here with a new afterword by the author, is the definitive account of the hearings, a National Book Award winner widely hailed as a classic.

Victor S. Navasky adroitly dissects the motivations for the investigation and offers a poignant analysis of its consequences. Focusing on the movie-studio workers who avoided blacklists only by naming names at the hearings, he explores the terrifying dilemmas of those who informed and the tragedies of those who were informed on. Drawing on interviews with more than 150 people called to testify―among them Elia Kazan, Ring Lardner Jr., and Arthur Miller―
Naming Names presents a compelling portrait of how the blacklists operated with such chilling efficiency.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“The moral issues raised by the Hollywood blacklist remain fearfully complex, and Victor Navasky confronts them with almost exquisite precision.” ―The New York Times

“Navasky has done a splendid job bringing this enormous mass of facts to coherence and meaning, judging its ethical import so rigorously and fairly.
Naming Names is must reading.” ―Los Angeles Times Book Review

From the Inside Flap

Winner of the National Book Award

"The moral issues raised by the Hollywood blacklist remain fearfully complex, and Victor Navasky confronts them with almost exquisite precision."
The New York Times

"Navasky has done a splendid job bringing this enormous mass of facts to coherence and meaning, judging its ethical import so rigorously and fairly. Naming Names is must reading."
Los Angeles Times Book Review

"His achievement is unarguable . . . [Navasky] establishes himself as that rare historian who can, like a novelist, illuminate the boundaries where power and conscience meet."
Time

"The sort of book that ought to be required reading in the journalism classrooms of the nation as an example of how a writer can simultaneously convey a tough-minded point of view and be scrupulously fair."
New York Daily News

"Navasky has written an important book about the McCarthy era . . . What makes [his] book striking is its fairness."
The New York Times Book Review

"Remarkable . . . Navasky appears in these pages as a compassionate, if uncompromising, man . . . Thoughtful, instructive, and courageous."
Newsweek

"One of the indispensable books not only for understanding a critical era in Hollywood and in American political life, but for coming to grips with the whole subject of American films and the role they have played in twentieth-century American culture."
American Film

"Navasky has managed to function brilliantly as lawyer, historian, and psychologist all at once. Naming Names is a miracle of vividly responsible scholarship. At last I have a solid understanding of why so many important people behaved the way they did."
Kurt Vonnegut

"I had anticipated the astoundingly comprehensive research; and need make only passing reference to the real voices anguished, courageous, bitter, self-serving, defiant, pitiful, or burned that sing through these pages. To me the greatness of this book has to do with the scrupulously patient, compassionate, but unerring moral analysis undertaken by the author like some sort of Virgil picking his way through a modern Hell. This isn t a work of gossip, nor merely a cultural history, although it will be read as such: to me it is a text in moral instruction, a lesson in the enormous social consequences of private failures of spirit . . . Everyone will have to read Naming Names and take a position on it."
E. L. Doctorow

"The first treatment of the subject I have seen which understands both the ambiguities and the political and ideological history that made that time such an ugly one in Hollywood."
Frank Mankiewicz

"A great investigative reporter recreates one of the saddest eras of American life in all its complexities and drama. Naming Names is not so much a story of symbols or causes as of tormented human beings."
Tom Wicker

"I read Naming Names with fascinated stupefaction. It is a unique, valuable, and dramatic description of a society without defenses against the destruction of its own best values. I hope everyone with even half a care for justice, civil rights, or simple individual eccentricity reading Naming Names."
Nicholas von Hoffman

"The most intense moral argument that I, at least, have seen brought to bear in a very long time . . . Despite being addressed to the issues of the 1950s, it is current today . . . Navasky has given us a portrait of human beings under pressure which, in its fullness, is as lifelike as any Hollywood has ever given us. Anyone who thinks political choices are necessarily simple should read Naming Names."
Mother Jones

"A landmark book . . . A stunning essay on the nature of understanding betrayal and the problem of forgiveness . . . Naming Names is both a wrenching book and one that counts."
Village Voice

"Absolutely first-rate reporting, unsettling human drama, and shrewd meditation on political morality."
Newsday

"Offers a timely opportunity to examine how the domestic cold war determined the way we live now . . . The issues that Navasky raises in this meticulously researched, scrupulously fair, brilliantly argued book are part of America s unfinished business."
Soho News

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hill and Wang; Revised edition (April 30, 2003)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 528 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0809001837
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0809001835
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.18 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 123 ratings

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Victor S. Navasky
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Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
123 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book well-researched and interesting. They appreciate the balanced account of the era and the movie industry connection. However, some readers find the writing style ponderous and slow to read.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

18 customers mention "Research quality"18 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's research quality. They find the topic interesting and well-researched, with excellent analysis and fair conclusions. The author explores both sides of the issues and provides more information than most people need about the subject. Overall, it's a forthright narrative of one of the most shameful episodes in our country's history.

"...unpleasant to read, but it's worth getting through that to his excellent analysis and fair-minded conclusions...." Read more

"This book provides probably more information than most people would ever need about the effects of the McCarthy hearings on Hollywood, especially on..." Read more

"This book was well researched but moves like a dinosaur in tar.The people were not three dimensional. It was difficult to continue reading...." Read more

"...Good book for research...." Read more

4 customers mention "History"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book an excellent resource for film history. It covers all the details of the era and what really happened. They appreciate the balanced account and the thorough look at the McCarthy years and their effect on the entertainment industry. The movie industry connection and the "whys" of their attraction to that particular industry are also mentioned.

"...Tells all about the movie industry connection and the "whys" of their attraction to that particular aspect of politics during that era...." Read more

"A fairly balanced account of this era. It clearly outlines the ethical and moral dilemma facing former friends and colleagues...." Read more

"A very lengthy look at the McCarthy years and their effect on the entertainment industry. Who talked and named names and who didn't...." Read more

"Excellent Film History Resource..." Read more

6 customers mention "Writing style"3 positive3 negative

Customers have different views on the writing style. Some find it readable and engaging, while others find it slow and ponderous.

"Well written...covers all the details of the era and what really happened. Gives a clear view of socialism verses Communism as well...." Read more

"...be read thoroughly--especially in the beginning, Navasky's writing is unpleasant to read, but it's worth getting through that to his excellent..." Read more

"...However, it is actually written very well and flows well enough to entice the reader to continue...." Read more

"...While the author obviously has done extensive research, his writing style is ponderous and it is extremely slow reading; in fact I did not finish..." Read more

3 customers mention "Readability"0 positive3 negative

Customers find the book hard to read. They say the style is ponderous and it's slow.

"...The people were not three dimensional. It was difficult to continue reading...." Read more

"...extensive research, his writing style is ponderous and it is extremely slow reading; in fact I did not finish this book, which is very rare for me...." Read more

"...Who talked and named names and who didn't. The book slows down in parts, but overall is a good look at the beginning of today's nasty politics." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2010
    I was looking for an account of the Hollywood Blacklist. This is the best one I found. It has to be read thoroughly--especially in the beginning, Navasky's writing is unpleasant to read, but it's worth getting through that to his excellent analysis and fair-minded conclusions. There is much here that I didn't get elsewhere, including the account of the therapist, Phil Cohen, who urged his patients to name names. There's also an interview with a survivor of the period who admits that there were economic reasons for talking: the movies were collapsing, and work was getting scarce.

    While this will probably remain the standard work for years to come, it's not the only book which should be considered. Neil Gabler's "An Empire of their Own: How the Jews Invented Hollywood" gives the perspective of Hollywood management, which differed radically from that of blacklisted labor. Also, the Elia Kazan story isn't over. A recent account of Kazan's work with Shulberg revises the notion that "On the Waterfront" was Kazan's "excuse me" for naming names. Instead, it could have been about the frustration of the reformer priest who tried to expose mob control of the New York waterfront, only to be silenced by higher-ups in the church. It's called "On the Irish Waterfront" and is recommended.
    16 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2014
    This book provides probably more information than most people would ever need about the effects of the McCarthy hearings on Hollywood, especially on the people caught up in the whole mess: actors, scriptwriters, directors, producers, even spouses of these individuals. Navasky does a great job of integrating these people's stories into the exploration of the purposes and intents of the hearings, but more importantly he relates these stories into the effects on the personal lives: lost friendships, lost careers, lost trust, betrayal, regrets, self justifications. He thoroughly explores both sides of the issues: those who chose to name names, those who resisted, and the reasons behind the personal decisions individuals took in responding to the issue. The only problem I had was that you come away thinking only Hollywood personnel were asked to name names, and perhaps the bulk of the hearings were directed at the Hollywood community, but a little more information on others (scientists, union officials, academic figures) would have been nice to help put the Hollywood experience more in perspective in relation to the effects of McCarthyism. This edition also contains several interesting "Afterwords" going up into the Reagan years.
    17 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2015
    This book was well researched but moves like a dinosaur in tar.The people were not three dimensional. It was difficult to continue reading. The story would have been better served by having a linear discussion rather then trying to cover every person in a "shotgun" manner. The topic was interesting but the author does not take advantage of the interest. I cannot recommend this book.
    16 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2015
    Well written...covers all the details of the era and what really happened. Gives a clear view of socialism verses Communism as well. Tells all about the movie industry connection and the "whys" of their attraction to that particular aspect of politics during that era. Good book for research. Scary in the way people are so gullible and easily convinced of ideas that are truly destructive, thinking they're popular or artsy.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2015
    A forthright narrative of one of the most shameful episodes in our country's history - and there have been a few of them. Mr Navasky doesn't spare anyone; the guilty and innocent are described with equal aplomb. The US HUAC used informers and manipulated innocent bystanders much better than the USSR's government ever did. The shoddy investigation techniques, innuendoes and smear tactics used then gave way to the same sort being used today in our "hallowed halls (hah!) of governemtn." This book should be required reading for all Americans, especially those who can't or don't see or understand how politics and the venal people who wield its power for selfish interests can truly destroy lives.
    18 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2014
    A fairly balanced account of this era. It clearly outlines the ethical and moral dilemma facing former friends and colleagues. Whether artists or journeymen, many were forced into informers (or as some preferred, informants) which meant ironically to reveal those who were active in politics that retroactively were deemed to be subversive. The paranoia that terrorized people in fear for their careers, families, their chosen profession ultimately destroyed lives and did irrevocable harm to our country by disqualifying from the government those who were in fact the leading experts in the communist countries we needed to understand.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2014
    This book has been in my library for many years and I just recently read it again. Mr. Navasky gives an even handed and non-judgmental account of the people who named names in the HUAC hearings. That is not an easy task considering the stigma of being a "snitch" the friendly witnesses bore. While the author doesn't excuse or justify their actions he gives some insight into why they testified as they did
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2018
    Very disappointed in this book. While the author obviously has done extensive research, his writing style is ponderous and it is extremely slow reading; in fact I did not finish this book, which is very rare for me. He also assumes a significant amount of knowledge about this era and many of the people mentioned which perhaps was present in the general population at the time of these events, but no longer true a half a century later.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • GD
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great value
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 28, 2019
    Great value and fast delivery