Reviews
"With his portrait of the man himself--as well as supporters, for whom almost no evidence was convincing--Mr. White has written the best book ever about Alger Hiss." -- Michael J. Ybarra, The Wall Street Journal"An extraordinary book, packed with information and fresh insights. Part detective story, part cultural history, part psychodrama--I couldn't put it down."--Cass Sunstein, author of Republic.Com"What White accomplishes in this innovative and brilliant new book is not yet another attempt to show Hiss's guilt, but rather an examination of how Hiss was both a gifted Soviet agent and 'a successful publicizer of his innocence,' able to convince so many people.... It is the achievement of G. Edward White to have provided the final unmasking of Alger Hiss, and, one hopes, put an end once and for all to the campaign waged on the traitor's behalf."--Ronald Radosh, National Review"If you accept Hiss's guilt, as most historians now do, you will profit from G. Edward White's supplementary speculations about why, after prison, that serene and charming man sacrificed his marriage, exploited a son's love and abused the trust of fervent supporters to wage a 42-year struggle for a vindication that could never be honestly gained."--Max Frankel, The New York Times Book Review"In this inclusive, impressive, deeply pondered and finely spun study, G. Edward White has provided a definitive analysis of the Hiss case. Alger Hiss's Looking-Glass Wars should provide a welcome close to the controversy over this historic imbroglio."--Washington Times"An intriguing portrait of an enigmatic man who stood center stage during the most electrifying moments of the Cold War."--Library Journal"A significant contribution to a subject that continues to fascinate Americans.... White presents an Alger Hiss with some depth and significance, a consummate spy who was able to maintain the facade of innocence for nearly half of his life."--New York Sun"With its incisive analysis and readability, this is a worthwhile addition to the vast Hiss literature."--Publishers Weekly"Should be the final and definitive history of the famous case. Brilliantly written and massively researched, White's deeply understanding analysis of Hiss's obsessive, life-long and at times almost successful efforts to repudiate the charge of treason should convince all but those to whom his innocence has become a matter of dogma."--Louis Auchincloss"An extremely valuable and much needed contribution to the history of the Hiss-Chambers Case. G. Edward White provides a nuanced biographical study of how Hiss dealt with various challenges in his life and how his steadfast insistence on his innocence despite all of the damning evidence fits into that pattern. White combines this psychological study with a discerning analysis of the evidence available at the time of the trial as well as that coming to light subsequently along with an insightful review of the literature on the case. White's Alger Hiss's Looking Glass Wars bids to join Weinstein's Perjury and Tanenhaus's Whittaker Chambers as one of the indispensable books on the Hiss-Chambers Case." --John Earl Haynes, co-author of In Denial: Historians, Communism, and Espionage and Venona: Decoding Soviet Espionage in America"A great read, a real page-turner. This is the first of the books about Alger Hiss fully to accept that he was a Soviet spy. White moves on to ask the fascinating question--if Hiss was guilty of everything he was charged with (and more), why did he spend his post-prison decades steadfastly proclaiming his innocence? The answer seems to be that this was how Hiss had dealt with all the major crises of his earlier life. And this book explains what they were in lucid and compelling prose." --Stanley N. Katz, Director, Center for Arts and Cultural Policy Studies, Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University, "If you accept Hiss's guilt, as most historians now do, you will profit from G. Edward White's supplementary speculations about why, after prison, that serene and charming man sacrificed his marriage, exploited a son's love and abused the trust of fervent supporters to wage a 42-year strugglefor a vindication that could never be honestly gained."--Max Frankel, The New York Times Book Review, "With his portrait of the man himself--as well as supporters, for whomalmost no evidence was convincing--Mr. White has written the best book everabout Alger Hiss." -- Michael J. Ybarra, The Wall Street Journal, "If you accept Hiss's guilt, as most historians now do, you will profitfrom G. Edward White's supplementary speculations about why, after prison, thatserene and charming man sacrificed his marriage, exploited a son's love andabused the trust of fervent supporters to wage a 42-year struggle for avindication that could never be honestly gained."--Max Frankel, The New YorkTimes Book Review, "With his portrait of the man himself--as well as supporters, for whom almost no evidence was convincing--Mr. White has written the best book ever about Alger Hiss." -- Michael J. Ybarra, The Wall Street Journal "An extraordinary book, packed with information and fresh insights. Part detective story, part cultural history, part psychodrama--I couldn't put it down."--Cass Sunstein, author of Republic.Com "What White accomplishes in this innovative and brilliant new book is not yet another attempt to show Hiss's guilt, but rather an examination of how Hiss was both a gifted Soviet agent and 'a successful publicizer of his innocence,' able to convince so many people.... It is the achievement of G. Edward White to have provided the final unmasking of Alger Hiss, and, one hopes, put an end once and for all to the campaign waged on the traitor's behalf."--Ronald Radosh, National Review "If you accept Hiss's guilt, as most historians now do, you will profit from G. Edward White's supplementary speculations about why, after prison, that serene and charming man sacrificed his marriage, exploited a son's love and abused the trust of fervent supporters to wage a 42-year struggle for a vindication that could never be honestly gained."--Max Frankel, The New York Times Book Review "In this inclusive, impressive, deeply pondered and finely spun study, G. Edward White has provided a definitive analysis of the Hiss case. Alger Hiss's Looking-Glass Wars should provide a welcome close to the controversy over this historic imbroglio."--Washington Times "An intriguing portrait of an enigmatic man who stood center stage during the most electrifying moments of the Cold War."--Library Journal "A significant contribution to a subject that continues to fascinate Americans.... White presents an Alger Hiss with some depth and significance, a consummate spy who was able to maintain the facade of innocence for nearly half of his life."--New York Sun "With its incisive analysis and readability, this is a worthwhile addition to the vast Hiss literature."--Publishers Weekly "Should be the final and definitive history of the famous case. Brilliantly written and massively researched, White's deeply understanding analysis of Hiss's obsessive, life-long and at times almost successful efforts to repudiate the charge of treason should convince all but those to whom his innocence has become a matter of dogma."--Louis Auchincloss "An extremely valuable and much needed contribution to the history of the Hiss-Chambers Case. G. Edward White provides a nuanced biographical study of how Hiss dealt with various challenges in his life and how his steadfast insistence on his innocence despite all of the damning evidence fits into that pattern. White combines this psychological study with a discerning analysis of the evidence available at the time of the trial as well as that coming to light subsequently along with an insightful review of the literature on the case. White's Alger Hiss's Looking Glass Wars bids to join Weinstein's Perjury and Tanenhaus's Whittaker Chambers as one of the indispensable books on the Hiss-Chambers Case." --John Earl Haynes, co-author of In Denial: Historians, Communism, and Espionage and Venona: Decoding Soviet Espionage in America "A great read, a real page-turner. This is the first of the books about Alger Hiss fully to accept that he was a Soviet spy. White moves on to ask the fascinating question--if Hiss was guilty of everything he was charged with (and more), why did he spend his post-prison decades steadfastly proclaiming his innocence? The answer seems to be that this was how Hiss had dealt with all the major crises of his earlier life. And this book explains what they were in lucid and compelling prose." --Stanley N. Katz, Director, Center for Arts and Cultural Policy Studies, Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University, "Should be the final and definitive history of the famous case.Brilliantly written and massively researched, White's deeply understandinganalysis of Hiss's obsessive, life-long and at times almost successful effortsto repudiate the charge of treason should convince all but those to whom hisinnocence has become a matter of dogma."--Louis Auchincloss, "An intriguing portrait of an enigmatic man who stood center stage duringthe most electrifying moments of the Cold War."--Library Journal, "In this inclusive, impressive, deeply pondered and finely spun study, G.Edward White has provided a definitive analysis of the Hiss case. Alger Hiss'sLooking-Glass Wars should provide a welcome close to the controversy over thishistoric imbroglio."--Washington Times, "White's painstakingly careful demolition of Hiss is not a casual read, but it will inveigle, and probably convince, most who are conversant with the case and its decades-long afterlife."--Booklist, "An extraordinary book, packed with information and fresh insights. Part detective story, part cultural history, part psychodrama--I couldn't put it down."--Cass Sunstein, author of Republic.Com, "White's painstakingly careful demolition of Hiss is not a casual read,but it will inveigle, and probably convince, most who are conversant with thecase and its decades-long afterlife."--Booklist, "With his portrait of the man himself--as well as supporters, for whom almost no evidence was convincing--Mr. White has written the best book ever about Alger Hiss." -- Michael J. Ybarra,The Wall Street Journal "An extraordinary book, packed with information and fresh insights. Part detective story, part cultural history, part psychodrama--I couldn't put it down."--Cass Sunstein, author ofRepublic.Com "What White accomplishes in this innovative and brilliant new book is not yet another attempt to show Hiss's guilt, but rather an examination of how Hiss was both a gifted Soviet agent and 'a successful publicizer of his innocence,' able to convince so many people.... It is the achievement of G. Edward White to have provided the final unmasking of Alger Hiss, and, one hopes, put an end once and for all to the campaign waged on the traitor's behalf."--Ronald Radosh,National Review "If you accept Hiss's guilt, as most historians now do, you will profit from G. Edward White's supplementary speculations about why, after prison, that serene and charming man sacrificed his marriage, exploited a son's love and abused the trust of fervent supporters to wage a 42-year struggle for a vindication that could never be honestly gained."--Max Frankel,The New York Times Book Review "In this inclusive, impressive, deeply pondered and finely spun study, G. Edward White has provided a definitive analysis of the Hiss case.Alger Hiss's Looking-Glass Warsshould provide a welcome close to the controversy over this historic imbroglio."--Washington Times "An intriguing portrait of an enigmatic man who stood center stage during the most electrifying moments of the Cold War."--Library Journal "A significant contribution to a subject that continues to fascinate Americans.... White presents an Alger Hiss with some depth and significance, a consummate spy who was able to maintain the facade of innocence for nearly half of his life."--New York Sun "With its incisive analysis and readability, this is a worthwhile addition to the vast Hiss literature."--Publishers Weekly "Should be the final and definitive history of the famous case. Brilliantly written and massively researched, White's deeply understanding analysis of Hiss's obsessive, life-long and at times almost successful efforts to repudiate the charge of treason should convince all but those to whom his innocence has become a matter of dogma."--Louis Auchincloss "An extremely valuable and much needed contribution to the history of the Hiss-Chambers Case. G. Edward White provides a nuanced biographical study of how Hiss dealt with various challenges in his life and how his steadfast insistence on his innocence despite all of the damning evidence fits into that pattern. White combines this psychological study with a discerning analysis of the evidence available at the time of the trial as well as that coming to light subsequently along with an insightful review of the literature on the case. White's Alger Hiss's Looking Glass Wars bids to join Weinstein'sPerjuryand Tanenhaus'sWhittaker Chambersas one of the indispensable books on the Hiss-Chambers Case." --John Earl Haynes, co-author ofIn Denial: Historians, Communism, and EspionageandVenona: Decoding Soviet Espionage in America "A great read, a real page-turner. This is the first of the books about Alger Hiss fully to accept that he was a Soviet spy. White moves on to ask the fascinating question--if Hiss was guilty of everything he was charged with (and more), why did he spend his post-prison decades steadfastly proclaiming his innocence? The answer seems to be that this was how Hiss had dealt with all the major crises of his earlier life. And this book explains what they were in lucid and compelling prose." --Stanley N. Katz, Director, Center for Arts and Cultural Policy Studies, Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University, "A great read, a real page-turner. This is the first of the books aboutAlger Hiss fully to accept that he was a Soviet spy. White moves on to ask thefascinating question--if Hiss was guilty of everything he was charged with (andmore), why did he spend his post-prison decades steadfastly proclaiming hisinnocence? The answer seems to be that this was how Hiss had dealt with all themajor crises of his earlier life. And this book explains what they were in lucidand compelling prose." --Stanley N. Katz, Director, Center for Arts and CulturalPolicy Studies, Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University, "Should be the final and definitive history of the famous case. Brilliantly written and massively researched, White's deeply understanding analysis of Hiss's obsessive, life-long and at times almost successful efforts to repudiate the charge of treason should convince all but those to whom hisinnocence has become a matter of dogma."--Louis Auchincloss, "What White accomplishes in this innovative and brilliant new book is not yet another attempt to show Hiss's guilt, but rather an examination of how Hiss was both a gifted Soviet agent and 'a successful publicizer of his innocence,' able to convince so many people.... It is the achievement ofG. Edward White to have provided the final unmasking of Alger Hiss, and, one hopes, put an end once and for all to the campaign waged on the traitor's behalf."--Ronald Radosh, National Review, "An intriguing portrait of an enigmatic man who stood center stage during the most electrifying moments of the Cold War."--Library Journal, "With its incisive analysis and readability, this is a worthwhile additionto the vast Hiss literature."--Publishers Weekly, "With his portrait of the man himself--as well as supporters, for whom almost no evidence was convincing--Mr. White has written the best book ever about Alger Hiss." -- Michael J. Ybarra, The Wall Street Journal "An extraordinary book, packed with information and fresh insights. Part detective story, part cultural history, part psychodrama--I couldn't put it down."--Cass Sunstein, author of Republic.Com "What White accomplishes in this innovative and brilliant new book is not yet another attempt to show Hiss's guilt, but rather an examination of how Hiss was both a gifted Soviet agent and 'a successful publicizer of his innocence,' able to convince so many people.... It is the achievement of G. Edward White to have provided the final unmasking of Alger Hiss, and, one hopes, put an end once and for all to the campaign waged on the traitor's behalf."--Ronald Radosh, National Review "If you accept Hiss's guilt, as most historians now do, you will profit from G. Edward White's supplementary speculations about why, after prison, that serene and charming man sacrificed his marriage, exploited a son's love and abused the trust of fervent supporters to wage a 42-year struggle for a vindication that could never be honestly gained."--Max Frankel, The New York Times Book Review "In this inclusive, impressive, deeply pondered and finely spun study, G. Edward White has provided a definitive analysis of the Hiss case. Alger Hiss's Looking-Glass Wars should provide a welcome close to the controversy over this historic imbroglio."-- Washington Times "An intriguing portrait of an enigmatic man who stood center stage during the most electrifying moments of the Cold War."-- Library Journal "A significant contribution to a subject that continues to fascinate Americans.... White presents an Alger Hiss with some depth and significance, a consummate spy who was able to maintain the facade of innocence for nearly half of his life."-- New York Sun "With its incisive analysis and readability, this is a worthwhile addition to the vast Hiss literature."-- Publishers Weekly "Should be the final and definitive history of the famous case. Brilliantly written and massively researched, White's deeply understanding analysis of Hiss's obsessive, life-long and at times almost successful efforts to repudiate the charge of treason should convince all but those to whom his innocence has become a matter of dogma."--Louis Auchincloss "An extremely valuable and much needed contribution to the history of the Hiss-Chambers Case. G. Edward White provides a nuanced biographical study of how Hiss dealt with various challenges in his life and how his steadfast insistence on his innocence despite all of the damning evidence fits into that pattern. White combines this psychological study with a discerning analysis of the evidence available at the time of the trial as well as that coming to light subsequently along with an insightful review of the literature on the case. White's Alger Hiss's Looking Glass Wars bids to join Weinstein's Perjury and Tanenhaus's Whittaker Chambers as one of the indispensable books on the Hiss-Chambers Case." --John Earl Haynes, co-author of In Denial: Historians, Communism, and Espionage and Venona: Decoding Soviet Espionage in America "A great read, a real page-turner. This is the first of the books about Alger Hiss fully to accept that he was a Soviet spy. White moves on to ask the fascinating question--if Hiss was guilty of everything he was charged with (and more), why did he spend his post-prison decades steadfastly proclaiming his innocence? The answer seems to be that this was how Hiss had dealt with all the major crises of his earlier life. And this book explains what they were in lucid and compelling prose." --Stanley N. Katz, Director, Center for Arts and Cultural Policy Studies, Woodrow Wilson School,, "A significant contribution to a subject that continues to fascinate Americans.... White presents an Alger Hiss with some depth and significance, a consummate spy who was able to maintain the facade of innocence for nearly half of his life."--New York Sun, "An extraordinary book, packed with information and fresh insights. Partdetective story, part cultural history, part psychodrama--I couldn't put itdown."--Cass Sunstein, author of Republic.Com, "An extremely valuable and much needed contribution to the history of theHiss-Chambers Case. G. Edward White provides a nuanced biographical study ofhow Hiss dealt with various challenges in his life and how his steadfastinsistence on his innocence despite all of the damning evidence fits into thatpattern. White combines this psychological study with a discerning analysis ofthe evidence available at the time of the trial as well as that coming to lightsubsequently along with an insightful review of the literature on the case.White's Alger Hiss's Looking Glass Wars bids to join Weinstein's Perjury andTanenhaus's Whittaker Chambers as one of the indispensable books on theHiss-Chambers Case." --John Earl Haynes, co-author of In Denial: Historians,Communism, and Espionage and Venona: Decoding Soviet Espionage in America, "With his portrait of the man himself--as well as supporters, for whom almost no evidence was convincing--Mr. White has written the best book ever about Alger Hiss." -- Michael J. Ybarra, The Wall Street Journal, "In this inclusive, impressive, deeply pondered and finely spun study, G. Edward White has provided a definitive analysis of the Hiss case. Alger Hiss's Looking-Glass Wars should provide a welcome close to the controversy over this historic imbroglio."--Washington Times, "With its incisive analysis and readability, this is a worthwhile addition to the vast Hiss literature."--Publishers Weekly, "A significant contribution to a subject that continues to fascinateAmericans.... White presents an Alger Hiss with some depth and significance, aconsummate spy who was able to maintain the facade of innocence for nearly halfof his life."--New York Sun, "With his portrait of the man himself--as well as supporters, for whom almost no evidence was convincing--Mr. White has written the best book ever about Alger Hiss." -- Michael J. Ybarra, The Wall Street Journal "An extraordinary book, packed with information and fresh insights. Part detective story, part cultural history, part psychodrama--I couldn''t put it down."--Cass Sunstein, author of Republic.Com "What White accomplishes in this innovative and brilliant new book is not yet another attempt to show Hiss''s guilt, but rather an examination of how Hiss was both a gifted Soviet agent and ''a successful publicizer of his innocence,'' able to convince so many people.... It is the achievement of G. Edward White to have provided the final unmasking of Alger Hiss, and, one hopes, put an end once and for all to the campaign waged on the traitor''s behalf."--Ronald Radosh, National Review "If you accept Hiss''s guilt, as most historians now do, you will profit from G. Edward White''s supplementary speculations about why, after prison, that serene and charming man sacrificed his marriage, exploited a son''s love and abused the trust of fervent supporters to wage a 42-year struggle for a vindication that could never be honestly gained."--Max Frankel, The New York Times Book Review "In this inclusive, impressive, deeply pondered and finely spun study, G. Edward White has provided a definitive analysis of the Hiss case. Alger Hiss''s Looking-Glass Wars should provide a welcome close to the controversy over this historic imbroglio."--Washington Times "An intriguing portrait of an enigmatic man who stood center stage during the most electrifying moments of the Cold War."--Library Journal "A significant contribution to a subject that continues to fascinate Americans.... White presents an Alger Hiss with some depth and significance, a consummate spy who was able to maintain the facade of innocence for nearly half of his life."--New York Sun "With its incisive analysis and readability, this is a worthwhile addition to the vast Hiss literature."--Publishers Weekly "Should be the final and definitive history of the famous case. Brilliantly written and massively researched, White''s deeply understanding analysis of Hiss''s obsessive, life-long and at times almost successful efforts to repudiate the charge of treason should convince all but those to whom his innocence has become a matter of dogma."--Louis Auchincloss "An extremely valuable and much needed contribution to the history of the Hiss-Chambers Case. G. Edward White provides a nuanced biographical study of how Hiss dealt with various challenges in his life and how his steadfast insistence on his innocence despite all of the damning evidence fits into that pattern. White combines this psychological study with a discerning analysis of the evidence available at the time of the trial as well as that coming to light subsequently along with an insightful review of the literature on the case. White''s Alger Hiss''s Looking Glass Wars bids to join Weinstein''s Perjury and Tanenhaus''s Whittaker Chambers as one of the indispensable books on the Hiss-Chambers Case." --John Earl Haynes, co-author of In Denial: Historians, Communism, and Espionage and Venona: Decoding Soviet Espionage in America "A great read, a real page-turner. This is the first of the books about Alger Hiss fully to accept that he was a Soviet spy. White moves on to ask the fascinating question--if Hiss was guilty of everything he was charged with (and more), why did he spend his post-prison decades steadfastly proclaiming his innocence? The answer seems to be that this was how Hiss had dealt with all the major crises of his earlier life. And this book explains what they were in lucid and compelling prose." --Stanley N. Katz, Director, Center for Arts and Cultural Policy Studies, Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University
