"Better Dead Than Red!": A Nostalgic Look at the Golden Years of Russiaphobia, Red-Baiting, and Other Commie Madness

by Michael Barson and Dina Nayeri

A nostalgic look at the golden years of Russiaphobia, red-baiting, and other Commie madness. Both amusing and a sobering reminder of the way we were, this book showcases America reveling in the golden age of Russiaphobia, an age in which our patriotic passions -- and naivet} -- were never stronger. But a unique kind of national fear also ran high -- in ways that now seem nearly unbelievable, but which forever altered attitudes and lives. An enlightening,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1562829742
• ISBN13: 9781562829742
• Release Date: May 1992
• Publisher: Hyperion Books
• Length: 26 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 7.0" x 10.0"

Customer Reviews

Anti-Commie Movie Poster Book

As the other reviews have noted: this short paperback is certainly no serious study of the causes-and-effects of the Cold War. Its value lies with its reprinting numerous examples of long-forgotten anti-Red movie-posters and weird Red-baiting "pulp" magazines and articles. Conservatives will be initially disappointed in that it "puts down" the sillier anti-commie publications, and it doesn't lambast the Red Menace; but, hey, it's a fun pub that conservatives should have a copy for research. (The author did such of a fine job in locating such seemingly foolish anti-commie madness stuff that a conservative would think that the author was even one of those "fellow traveller" pinkos; he probably would have been investigated by HUAC and good, old "Fighting Joe" McCarthy.) Young conservatives should get it to learn the titles of anti-Red movies and buy the movie posters for souvenirs; especially the "We'll Bury You" poster -- undoubtedly the best broadsheet! An all-too-short work; wish it had more anti-Chicom references though. I once knew a guy who had his entire basement filled up with thousands of anti-commie books on dozens of shelves -- a true, great right-wing library; this irreverant paperback would have been banned from his collection -- unfortunately; its a hoot!

Primary source history source

With this book you can find domestic Cold War history as it really happened--from movie posters, comic books, magazine headlines, and so on. Was it paranoia or just normal precautions? See it and judge it for yourself. The author generally allows people to draw their own conclusions.One of the most interesting things displayed in the book is a 1947 flier called "How to Identify an American Communist." Some of the warning signs to watch out for:-"The practice of criticizing only American, British and Chinese policies, and never criticizing Soviet policies."-"Continually charging critics with being "Fascists," no matter whether the criticism comes from liberals, conservatives, reactionaries or those who are really Fascists."

Great Research

This book features examples of both pro and anti-Soviet propaganda. It's interesting to see how the line shifted after the end of WWII.

fun with communism

i found this book to be amusing and i enjoyed its sarcastic tone... it is important to remembr it is not supposed to be informative, per se, but it's purpose is to look back on some of the more ridiculous things that america has been involved in. it is full of pictures and stories and stuff like that... it is great for people who look at the cold war and have to shake their heads, but it it is not for those who are patriotic. overall, it is a good oddity to have on one's bookshelf. too bad it's out of print...