While some critics believe Everitt's work is balanced and without flaw, I disagree. My reading of Everitt's work shows a subtle conservative tilt which is present throughout. And though I applaud Everitt for presenting both sides of the Red Scare story, it doesn't take a reader too much brain power to realize that Everett is sympathetic to many of those involved.

Still, "A Shadow of Red," is a great read.

Years ago, I had a friend whose parents were pegged as Communists. And while my friend eventually recovered from the destruction of his parents' lives; his parents never did.

Which is why I believe books like "A Shadow of Red," are necessary. With its dense, fact-based reporting, "A Shadow of Red," is, presently, one of the few recent works about the Red Scare and the blacklist which covers the list's effect on the radio and television industry.

David Everitt has done the country a service by distilling a great deal of history down into 412 pages. But his history, like the author, has its bias.

Still, bias or not, I'm planning on keeping Everitt's book; perhaps in the future, another historian will use it to bring the history of the 1950s back toward neutral.

I also plan on buying it for my friend.

Published Ivan R. Dee, "A Shadow of Red," is available at your local bookstore or at Amazon.com.