Communism in America

Several times in past months I have watched Mark Levin on Fox News talk about his recent book “Marxism in America.” I have not yet been able to get a copy of it, though I hope and plan to as the Lord allows. Levin’s commentary about his book, which I understand has sold well, has caught my interest. As I looked at what he said, I found myself wondering–did Mr. Levin take Marxism in America all the way back to the Lincoln administration and before as Donnie Kennedy and I did in our book “Lincoln’s Marxists.” Although I can’t say for sure because I have not read his book, I have a gut feeling he didn’t go back that far.

I am wondering at this point if he dealt with communists like Joseph Weydemeyer back in the 1850s and many other communists and socialists who were well known “Forty-Eighters” as we call them today. And I wonder if he dealt with the fact that Lincoln, though not a communist himself, had no problems with socialists and communists. In fact, he was quite comfortable around them–quite probably because he was prone to a socialist worldview himself.

Levin is known to be a great supporter and admirer of Lincoln, so I just have a gut feeling at this point that he doesn’t take Marxism in America back quite that far–though if he hasn’t he should have. If I am able to get his book I will find out. If any reading this have seen his book maybe you can tell me if my hunch is correct. If I can get Levin’s book I hope to review it at some point.

When Donnie Kennedy and I did “Lincoln’s Marxists” I felt we broke some new ground regarding Marxism in America that most current “historians” simply ignore because it was not the kind of history they preferred dealing with. Dealing with Lincoln’s socialist proclivities would not help their bottom line.

Anyway, if I am able to get Levin’s book it will be interesting to see how far back he takes Marxism in America.