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Book Review: "A Conspiracy So Immense"

Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 07:05AM

I thought I'd kick off the book review feature with a review -- appropriately enough -- of one of my favorite books, A Conspiracy So Immense, by Pulitzer winning historian David Oshinsky. It's a narrative biography of Senator Joseph McCarthy, one of the most odious -- and fascinating -- characters in American political history.

I've received lots of complements from readers about my writing style -- crisp, active voice, to the point. It was learned while sitting in Oshinsky's cold war class at Rutgers, and reading this book a couple of hundred times. I've read it so often that I had to purchase a second copy last year because the first fell apart.

If you're familiar with Strunk & White's Elements of Style, this book is the living embodiement of it. Put simply, it's the most crisp prose you'll ever read in a biography, which is made all the more impressive given the heavy subject matter.

The short synopsis: It's a narrative chronology of the rise and fall of Joe McCarthy, and the havoc he wrought on the country. You don't have to be a McCarthy buff to enjoy this book; it's a wonderful commentary on post-war America and the domestic cold war, and is the authoritative guide on the man whose name adorns the era. It also has some fascinating footnote citations which serve as a road map to other similar books.

I've recommended A Conspiracy So Immensehundreds of times over the years, and the feedback is always the same: the best biography of its kind. If you enjoy narrative history that reads like fiction, pick up this book. You won't be dissapointed.

Footnote: Prior to posting this review, A Conspiracy So Immense was ranked 367,000 at Amazon.com. Currently, it's at 46,000 ... sweet.

Nick Ragone |

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Reader Comments (10)

Great book. Wonderful insight into the era, and into Joe McCarthy.

November 11, 2008 |

the gooch

When will you be reviewing "The Last Testament of Lucky Luciano"?

November 11, 2008 |

Is there a TomRagone.com also?

November 12, 2008 |

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