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Andy Adams's avatar

I passed up an opportunity to buy this book while browsing a used bookstore on my way to a music festival in Wisconsin a number of years ago. I've been kicking myself ever since! It sounds like I need to get my hands on a copy. Thanks, as always, Damon, for your insight on cultural matters. I hadn't thought about the Red Scare in terms of the culture wars, but you are exactly right.

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Hank Hoffman's avatar

It's a really great read.

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Susan Archie's avatar

This was fabulous. Thanks.

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Tosh Berman's avatar

The Mayor of MacDougal Street is a fantastic read. Great commentary here.

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J-Ro's avatar

I don't know why I've not picked this book up! Van Ronk has been floating in and out of my consciousness for a long while, and this summation really sells it!

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Jeff Curtis's avatar

Thanks, Damon. The coming times are indeed terrifying, we need all the hope we can get. It's a different kind of Red scare, but scary nonetheless..

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Mark Saleski's avatar

Van Ronk’s memoir is reminding me of “It Can’t Happen Here” in that I want to read it but I’m just not sure I can take it at the moment.

And as for the coming times, Cory Doctorow published a pretty interesting essay about a possible media strategy. Lot’s of enlightening (if depressing) stuff in here, as well as the original article posted by Ryan Cooper for The American Prospect.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/12/12/the-view-from-somewhere/#abolish-rogan

(Don’t worry, it’s not really about Joe Rogan)

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Keith Walpole's avatar

Great read, thank you. I need to pick up a copy of Van Ronk's book. I hadn't heard his music before I tuned into 89.9 FM here in New York City one weekend morning and I was struck by his gravity and honesty.

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