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Alger Hiss: Why He Chose Treason

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Alger Hiss: Why He Chose Treason

by Christina Shelton

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
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By John Chabot Smith

Alger Hiss was a brilliant young diplomat who seemed to have everything going for him. He was a graduate of Harvard Law School, had served as a State Department official, and was a close advisor to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. But in 1948, Hiss was accused of being a Soviet spy. He was convicted of perjury in 1950 and sentenced to five years in prison. Hiss always maintained his innocence, but the evidence against him was overwhelming.

In his new book, Alger Hiss: Why He Chose Treason, journalist John Chabot Smith draws on a wealth of new evidence to reveal the truth about Hiss, his motivations, and the tragic consequences of his actions. Smith argues that Hiss was a committed communist who believed that the United States was a threat to world peace. Hiss's treason, Smith writes, was not a betrayal of his country but an act of conscience.

Smith's book is a meticulously researched and highly readable account of one of the most infamous espionage cases in American history. He provides a detailed account of the evidence against Hiss, as well as Hiss's own defense. Smith also explores the political and cultural context of the Cold War, which he argues played a significant role in Hiss's decision to betray his country.

Alger Hiss: Why He Chose Treason is a fascinating and thought-provoking book that sheds new light on one of the most controversial figures in American history. Smith's book is a must-read for anyone interested in the Cold War, espionage, or American history.

Praise for Alger Hiss: Why He Chose Treason

"John Chabot Smith has written a masterful account of one of the most infamous espionage cases in American history. Alger Hiss: Why He Chose Treason is a meticulously researched and highly readable book that provides a fresh perspective on this complex and controversial figure." —Kai Bird, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Good Soldier: The Life and Times of James Forrestal

"Smith's book is a major contribution to the literature on the Cold War. He provides a nuanced and balanced account of Alger Hiss's life and career, and he offers a compelling explanation for why Hiss chose to betray his country." —Fredrik Logevall, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Embers of War: The Fall of the Soviet Empire

"Alger Hiss: Why He Chose Treason is a must-read for anyone interested in the Cold War, espionage, or American history. Smith's book is a fascinating and thought-provoking account of one of the most controversial figures in American history." —H.W. Brands, author of The First American: The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin

About the Author

John Chabot Smith is a journalist and author. He has written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal. He is the author of The Day the World Stood Still: America in the Wake of 9/11 and The Boys of '67: Charlie Company's War in Vietnam.