The Rosenberg File: A Search for the Truth

by Ronald Radosh, Joyce Milton

Based on extensive research in government files, papers, unpublished memoirs, and numerous interviews this account chronicles the history of the Rosenberg spy case

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Espionage, True Crime, American, War

616 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[Christopher Saunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ronald Radosh and Joyce Milton's The Rosenberg File was written in the early '80s, yet remains the definitive account of postwar America's most sensational spy case. Radosh and Milton reconstruct the Rosenberg's involvement with Communism and their spy careers, along with the legal battles and political furor surrounding their arrest and conviction. Radosh and Milton leave little doubt as to Julius Rosenberg's guilt (they're more uncertain about Ethel, though subsequent research seems to implicate her as well) and that their efforts played some role in the leaking of nuclear secrets to the Soviet Union, undercutting liberal-progressive stances on the issue then contemporary. On the other hand, the authors view the spies' death sentence as an unnecessary overreaction (noting that Klaus Fuch, their partner-in-crime, and others received relatively light sentences) and demonstrate how much the US government, from Truman, Eisenhower and J. Edgar Hoover down through judges and media figures, exploited the case. Surely as nuanced a portrait of such a complex, emotionally fraught and politically compromised espionage tale could allow; especially impressive considering when it was written and published.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting look at the Rosenberg 's case. The book looks at both sides of the question of guilt or innocence.
I feel sorry for their kids, who were put in second place to what their parents were doing. The kids paid a horrible price for their parents' deeds and will for the rest of their days.

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE MOST IMPORTANT BOOK ACCUSING THE ROSENBERGS OF ESPIONAGE

Julius and Ethel Rosenberg (1915/1918-1953) were convicted and executed in 1953 for conspiracy to commit espionage, and passing information about the atomic bomb to the Soviet Union. They were the first civilians executed for espionage in United States history. Ronald Radosh (b. 1937) is an academic historian, while Joyce Milton is "an independent historian and biographer."

In their Introduction to the second edition (1997), the authors note with satisfaction that the most vehement critics of the first edition (1984) of their book were Walter and Miriam Schneir, authors of Invitation to an Inquest; yet in an August 1995 article in The Nation, the Schneirs admit that Julius Rosenberg had been the head of a spy ring. But Radosoh and Milton also believe that "the use of the death penalty in this context was improper and unfair."

The authors state that the prosecutors realized that the case against Ethel was "not too strong"; however, they felt that her conviction would "strike fear into other amateur spies, active or potential." (Pg. 147)

They also note that while the Rosenberg's letters "repeatedly and insistently" proclaim their innocence, "it is difficult to discern exactly what they are claiming to be innocent of." (Pg. 339)

Their ultimate conclusion is that Julius was the coordinator of an "extensive espionage operation whose contacts were well-placed to pass on information on top-secret military projects in the fields of radar and aeronautics," while Ethel "probably knew of and supported her husband's endeavors, and it seems almost certain that she acted as an accessory, at least in the activation of her own brother." (Pg. 450) However, they add that the Rosenberg ring was never the "primary conduit of U.S. atomic secrets to the Soviets." (Pg. 451)

This book is ESSENTIAL READING for anyone interested in the Rosenberg case. (As is Walter Schneir's revised opinion in Final Verdict: What Really Happened in the Rosenberg Case.)

[James Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meticulously researched, indepth analysis of documents, transcripts, personal interviews, evidence, etc. - reaches a nicely analytical conclusion. Well written, albeit in such detail that I ended up skimming large portions of it.

[Talmadge Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seemed fair and even-handed , and well-documented. Very skeptical of the claims of innocence, particularly in regard to Julius, but very critical of the death sentences.

[Neddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.35

[Jan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I very much wanted to like this book, and in-depth look at the espionage case against Julius and Ethel Rosenberg (and their subsequent convictions) based upon FBI files obtained through the Freedom of Information Act and upon interviews with parties involved.

However, I had an incredibly difficult time becoming engaged in this book. I actually had to renew it at the library for a second 3-week period in order to finish it, something I never do. Even then, I eventually ended up either skipping or skimming large sections of the book, also something I never do.

It's not that the book was poorly written. On the contrary, it was far more readable than a lot of non-fiction books. I just felt that it was way too detailed. Some of the chapters seemed to go on interminably, with page after page of information that seemed barely relevant to the case. I found it rather tedious. But still, I wanted to finish it, which shows that the story is still compelling on a deep level.

Ultimately, the authors argue that evidence shows that Julius Rosenberg was indeed guilty of espionage - and that Ethel was likely complicit with this - but that the double death penalty verdict was a miscarriage of justice. No other person implicated in or convicted in this case received a verdict nearly as harsh. Additionally, the importance of the information that the Rosenbergs passed on to the Soviets (who were our allies at the time of the crime) is minimal at best.

Despite having read only the first half of the book and skimming through the rest, I found myself agreeing with their analysis of the case, which shows that they did their job. This book probably deserves more than 2 stars, but I'm still unwilling to award it more than that after working so hard to slog through it.

[FiveBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Professor Harvey Klehr has chosen to discuss Ronald Radosh and Joyce Milton’s  The Rosenberg File , on FiveBooks as one of the top five on his subject - Communism in America, saying that:

"What the authors do with this book is to provide the first thorough, scholarly and objective examination of the case. They really produced a marvellous book which demonstrated that Julius Rosenberg in fact was guilty and that he had run a very large and effective espionage operation for the Soviets.

The full interview is available here: http://thebrowser.com/books/interview...

[Julie Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never knew! It's so weird to look at this from today's perspective.

[Craig Adamson]

reviewed in WSJ