Communism has played a central part in Australian political nightmares for over half a century. Yet it has received scant serious attention comparable in scope and perspective with this work. This book places the Communist Party of Australia firmly in its political context, national and international, from the 1920s to the mid-1950s. It is important in its insights into the general history of Australian radicalism; its contribution to Australian history, especially labour history; and its placing of radical Australian history in a world context. It is written from the perspective of one who joined the Communist Party of Australia because it seemed the only party 'committed to the struggle for socialism and against fascism' and who left it because this 'no longer seemed the case'. Its breadth, perceptiveness, and understanding commend it to all people concerned with the continuing political struggles of the Right, the Left, and the Centre.