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Open Daily: 10am - 10pm | Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm
3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
612-822-4611
The Grocer Who Sold McCarthyism: The Rise and Fall of Anti-Communist Crusader Laurence A. Johnson

The Grocer Who Sold McCarthyism: The Rise and Fall of Anti-Communist Crusader Laurence A. Johnson

Audio Book

Biographies General20th Century United States HistorySocial Movements

Currently unavailable to order

ISBN13: 9798228320802
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Published: Nov 5 2024
Language: English
Laurence A. Johnson, a supermarket chain owner in Syracuse, New York, wasn't just passionate about fresh produce; he was equally fervent about purging communism from America's airwaves in the early 1950s. Teamed with like-minded anti-communists, Johnson targeted food giants like Borden and Kraft. He threatened to hurt sales of their products if they sponsored TV and radio shows employing anyone blacklisted for alleged communist ties. Manufacturers gave in, effectively giving Johnson veto power over hiring and firing of actors, directors, and writers. As a result, the careers of stars such as Jack Gilford, Judy Holliday, Uta Hagen, Kim Hunter, Jose Ferrer, and Joseph Cotten suffered.

Fred M. Fiske's The Grocer Who Sold McCarthyism exposes this little-known chapter of American history, including a libel suit by CBS radio host John Henry Faulk in 1956 that aimed to end the blacklist, and to punish Johnson and others for their reckless attacks.

Fiske's powerful biography explores Johnson's ascent from small-time grocery operator to kingmaker wielding Red Scare hysteria as a cudgel to shape the landscape of American entertainment and commerce. Through Johnson's journey, we gain insight into a pivotal moment in U.S. history when the nation grappled with fear, ideology, and the delicate balance between security and freedom.

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20th Century United States History