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Coming Clean: The Rise of Critical Theory and the Future of the Left
What has gone wrong with the left—and what leftists must do if they want to change politics, ethics, and minds.
Leftists have long taught that people in the West must take responsibility for centuries of classism, racism, colonialism, patriarchy, and other gross injustices. Of course, right-wingers constantly ridicule this claim for its “wokeness.”
In Coming Clean, Eric Heinze rejects the idea that we should be less woke. In fact, we need more wokeness, but of a new kind. Yes, we must teach about these bleak pasts, but we must also educate the public about the left’s own support for regimes that damaged and destroyed millions of lives for over a century—Stalin in the Soviet Union, Mao Zedong in China, Pol Pot in Cambodia, or the Kim dynasty in North Korea.
Criticisms of Western wrongdoing are certainly important, yet Heinze explains that leftists have rarely engaged in the kinds of open and public self-scrutiny that they demand from others. Citing examples as different as the Ukraine war, LGBTQ+ people in Cuba, the concept of “hatred,” and the problem of leftwing antisemitism, Heinze explains why and how the left must change its memory politics if it is to claim any ethical high ground.
Leftists have long taught that people in the West must take responsibility for centuries of classism, racism, colonialism, patriarchy, and other gross injustices. Of course, right-wingers constantly ridicule this claim for its “wokeness.”
In Coming Clean, Eric Heinze rejects the idea that we should be less woke. In fact, we need more wokeness, but of a new kind. Yes, we must teach about these bleak pasts, but we must also educate the public about the left’s own support for regimes that damaged and destroyed millions of lives for over a century—Stalin in the Soviet Union, Mao Zedong in China, Pol Pot in Cambodia, or the Kim dynasty in North Korea.
Criticisms of Western wrongdoing are certainly important, yet Heinze explains that leftists have rarely engaged in the kinds of open and public self-scrutiny that they demand from others. Citing examples as different as the Ukraine war, LGBTQ+ people in Cuba, the concept of “hatred,” and the problem of leftwing antisemitism, Heinze explains why and how the left must change its memory politics if it is to claim any ethical high ground.
Kindle Edition
Published April 8, 2025
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About the author
Eric Heinze
13 books13 followersAfter completing studies in Paris, Berlin, Boston, and Leiden, Eric worked with the International Commission of Jurists and UN Sub-Commission on Human Rights, in Geneva, and on private litigation before the United Nations Administrative Tribunal in New York. He conducts lectures and interviews internationally in English, French, German, and Dutch, and is a member of the Bars of New York and Massachusetts, and has also advised NGOs on human rights, including Liberty, Amnesty International and the Media Diversity Institute.
From 2016 – 2019 Eric served as Project Leader for the four nation EU (HERA) consortium Memory Laws in European and Comparative Perspective (MELA), and in 2022 he served as General Rapporteur on the Criminalisation of Hate Speech for the 21st General Congress of the Académie Internationale de Droit Comparé, held in Asunción, Paraguay.
His prior awards and fellowships have included a Fulbright Fellowship, a French Government (Chateaubriand) Fellowship, a Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) fellowship, a Nuffield Foundation Grant, an Obermann Fellowship (Center for Advanced Studies, University of Iowa), and several Harvard University Fellowships, including a Sheldon grant, an Andres Public Interest grant, and a C. Clyde Ferguson Human Rights Fellowship.
Heinze founded and directs Queen Mary’s Centre for Law, Democracy, and Society (CLDS). His opinion pieces have appeared in The Washington Post, The Guardian, The Independent, Times Higher Education, Aeon, The Raw Story, openDemocracy, Speakers’ Corner Trust, Quillette, The Conversation, Left Foot Forward, Eurozine, and other publications, and he has done television, radio and press interviews for media in Denmark, Brazil, the Netherlands, Norway, South Korea, the UK and the US. He serves on the Advisory Board of Social Theory and Practice, the International Journal of Human Rights, the University of Bologna Law Review and the British Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, Rivista Italiana di Filosofia Politica (journal of the Italian Society of Political Philosophy) and Heliopolis: Culture Civiltà Politica.
Heinze’s most recent book, The Most Human Right: Why Free Speech is Everything (2022, The MIT Press) has been nominated for ‘The Next Big Idea’, Season 18 (non-fiction published from February – July 2022). It has been reviewed in Joe Humphreys’ Unthinkable series in the Irish Times and in several other publications and in 2023 the Chinese translation was published in Taipei by Motifpress. Several of Heinze's other books have also been translated internationally.
Heinze’s articles have appeared in Oxford Journal of Legal Studies, Harvard Human Rights Journal, International Theory, Modern Law Review, International Journal of Human Rights, The Journal of Comparative Law, Constitutional Commentary, the International Journal of Law in Context, Ratio Juris, Legal Studies, the Canadian Journal of Law & Jurisprudence, Michigan Journal of International Law, National Black Law Journal, Journal of Social & Legal Studies, Law & Critique, and several other journals. He has also contributed chapters to such collections as Oxford Handbook of Law and Humanities (Oxford University Press, 2020); Extreme Speech and Democracy (Oxford University Press, 2009); Religious Pluralism and Human Rights (Intersentia, 2006) and Minority and Group Rights Toward the New Millennium (Nijhoff, 1999).
From 2016 – 2019 Eric served as Project Leader for the four nation EU (HERA) consortium Memory Laws in European and Comparative Perspective (MELA), and in 2022 he served as General Rapporteur on the Criminalisation of Hate Speech for the 21st General Congress of the Académie Internationale de Droit Comparé, held in Asunción, Paraguay.
His prior awards and fellowships have included a Fulbright Fellowship, a French Government (Chateaubriand) Fellowship, a Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) fellowship, a Nuffield Foundation Grant, an Obermann Fellowship (Center for Advanced Studies, University of Iowa), and several Harvard University Fellowships, including a Sheldon grant, an Andres Public Interest grant, and a C. Clyde Ferguson Human Rights Fellowship.
Heinze founded and directs Queen Mary’s Centre for Law, Democracy, and Society (CLDS). His opinion pieces have appeared in The Washington Post, The Guardian, The Independent, Times Higher Education, Aeon, The Raw Story, openDemocracy, Speakers’ Corner Trust, Quillette, The Conversation, Left Foot Forward, Eurozine, and other publications, and he has done television, radio and press interviews for media in Denmark, Brazil, the Netherlands, Norway, South Korea, the UK and the US. He serves on the Advisory Board of Social Theory and Practice, the International Journal of Human Rights, the University of Bologna Law Review and the British Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, Rivista Italiana di Filosofia Politica (journal of the Italian Society of Political Philosophy) and Heliopolis: Culture Civiltà Politica.
Heinze’s most recent book, The Most Human Right: Why Free Speech is Everything (2022, The MIT Press) has been nominated for ‘The Next Big Idea’, Season 18 (non-fiction published from February – July 2022). It has been reviewed in Joe Humphreys’ Unthinkable series in the Irish Times and in several other publications and in 2023 the Chinese translation was published in Taipei by Motifpress. Several of Heinze's other books have also been translated internationally.
Heinze’s articles have appeared in Oxford Journal of Legal Studies, Harvard Human Rights Journal, International Theory, Modern Law Review, International Journal of Human Rights, The Journal of Comparative Law, Constitutional Commentary, the International Journal of Law in Context, Ratio Juris, Legal Studies, the Canadian Journal of Law & Jurisprudence, Michigan Journal of International Law, National Black Law Journal, Journal of Social & Legal Studies, Law & Critique, and several other journals. He has also contributed chapters to such collections as Oxford Handbook of Law and Humanities (Oxford University Press, 2020); Extreme Speech and Democracy (Oxford University Press, 2009); Religious Pluralism and Human Rights (Intersentia, 2006) and Minority and Group Rights Toward the New Millennium (Nijhoff, 1999).
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 30, 2025
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. And boy, I'll be honest...
As an intellectual exercise this book is perfect. The author, as a critical thinking theory advocate, writes this book about how the left must fulfill the "memory politics" concept, being "memory" the knowledge and acceptation of the historical left atrocities, let alone errors, and "politics" meaning that such acceptation must impulse according political actions. So far, so good. I'm a politics illiterate so I will premise on.
Unlike the author, I live in a country where the left is not only a viable form of government but actually my actual president is leftist. We are currently under a social democrat government. So, for us, leftist is NOT an intellectual exercise but a realpolitik fact. Purists don't survive in the daily struggle.
This book proposes that the world left has been dishonest regarding its memory politics and need to acknowledge and denounce its own past mistakes. I love the concept, is total candor. What I don't like is that in real life if you open your hearth to be tenderly stabbed by your friends "as it should be" you'll be massacred mercilessly by your foes. We live in a world where we leftist are not just struggling against our fine right wing adversaries, interested first in money and then in power but always in a respectful way, but instead we are being crushed by alt right worldwide movements which treat us like enemies to be erased and has no scruples inventing false narratives, exalting violence and following the Goebbels manual. This is not a match between gentlemen as used to be, we are fighting for our lives down here.
In real life, being honest is the only acceptable way but there's a difference between being honest and accept your past flaws to giving instead the alt right the arms to erase you from the existence. That's the difference between writing intellectual leftist essays and being a leftist governing power. But, can you be a real leftist power without hiding the historic leftist crimes? Of course you can. Boric, Lula, Sánchez, Sheinbaum and others are pushing for progressive world forces while at the same time denouncing leftist authoritarian wanders. We have Maduro and the venezuelan regime banned from our narrative. We accept the modern XXI century left was luckewarm in their memory politics department, accepting and even promoting very un-socialistic but very effective open market legislations (in my country, at least). We acknowledge the russian and chinese crimes (we never were really fond of Russia, anyways. We like liberty). You can do both moving forward leftist narratives and politics without accepting our forefathers misdemeanors without losing credibility and winning it, instead. The book criticizes the "cost/benefit" calculation assuming the historical burden but our progressives presidents are doing such expense and gladly paying the cost for it. This can be done. For sure this is not the norm in the modern left, as the book says, but here down we aspire it to be the new normal.
The last chapters talk about the leftist antisemitism but fails to take into it own weight the zionism. In a situation where the israeli army has wrongfully killed 50k+ innocent palestinian people, where the International Court of Justice has a capture order against Netanyahu and were the ONU has officially signaled the Gaza conflict has a ongoing genocide, you cannot stay in the intellectual position of saying "all Israel criticism is antisemitism and is wrong". You cannot confuse the innaceptable antisemitism without recognizing the extremist zionism we are seeing is wrong. Both concepts needs to be completely disyunted one from another. You cannot be a real leftist and condone Israel erasing a complete population.
Noteworthy is to say that this opinion could cost me dearly in the future. Fascism is on the rise up north and fascism don't like strong opinions. But this has to be said and I don't fear to do so. I don't say because I have nothing to lose but in the contrary, because everything is on the stake.
As an intellectual exercise this book is perfect. The author, as a critical thinking theory advocate, writes this book about how the left must fulfill the "memory politics" concept, being "memory" the knowledge and acceptation of the historical left atrocities, let alone errors, and "politics" meaning that such acceptation must impulse according political actions. So far, so good. I'm a politics illiterate so I will premise on.
Unlike the author, I live in a country where the left is not only a viable form of government but actually my actual president is leftist. We are currently under a social democrat government. So, for us, leftist is NOT an intellectual exercise but a realpolitik fact. Purists don't survive in the daily struggle.
This book proposes that the world left has been dishonest regarding its memory politics and need to acknowledge and denounce its own past mistakes. I love the concept, is total candor. What I don't like is that in real life if you open your hearth to be tenderly stabbed by your friends "as it should be" you'll be massacred mercilessly by your foes. We live in a world where we leftist are not just struggling against our fine right wing adversaries, interested first in money and then in power but always in a respectful way, but instead we are being crushed by alt right worldwide movements which treat us like enemies to be erased and has no scruples inventing false narratives, exalting violence and following the Goebbels manual. This is not a match between gentlemen as used to be, we are fighting for our lives down here.
In real life, being honest is the only acceptable way but there's a difference between being honest and accept your past flaws to giving instead the alt right the arms to erase you from the existence. That's the difference between writing intellectual leftist essays and being a leftist governing power. But, can you be a real leftist power without hiding the historic leftist crimes? Of course you can. Boric, Lula, Sánchez, Sheinbaum and others are pushing for progressive world forces while at the same time denouncing leftist authoritarian wanders. We have Maduro and the venezuelan regime banned from our narrative. We accept the modern XXI century left was luckewarm in their memory politics department, accepting and even promoting very un-socialistic but very effective open market legislations (in my country, at least). We acknowledge the russian and chinese crimes (we never were really fond of Russia, anyways. We like liberty). You can do both moving forward leftist narratives and politics without accepting our forefathers misdemeanors without losing credibility and winning it, instead. The book criticizes the "cost/benefit" calculation assuming the historical burden but our progressives presidents are doing such expense and gladly paying the cost for it. This can be done. For sure this is not the norm in the modern left, as the book says, but here down we aspire it to be the new normal.
The last chapters talk about the leftist antisemitism but fails to take into it own weight the zionism. In a situation where the israeli army has wrongfully killed 50k+ innocent palestinian people, where the International Court of Justice has a capture order against Netanyahu and were the ONU has officially signaled the Gaza conflict has a ongoing genocide, you cannot stay in the intellectual position of saying "all Israel criticism is antisemitism and is wrong". You cannot confuse the innaceptable antisemitism without recognizing the extremist zionism we are seeing is wrong. Both concepts needs to be completely disyunted one from another. You cannot be a real leftist and condone Israel erasing a complete population.
Noteworthy is to say that this opinion could cost me dearly in the future. Fascism is on the rise up north and fascism don't like strong opinions. But this has to be said and I don't fear to do so. I don't say because I have nothing to lose but in the contrary, because everything is on the stake.
December 2, 2025
I am Australian Working Class I have been told that in America I would be classified as a Communist, The word Woke seems to me to be a smart way of getting attention it wasn't there in the seventy's eighty's nineties or the two thousands, Certainly to Labourers in Australia no one had the guts to call us Woke. Try telling that to a guy throwing a carton of dog food down a machine four stories high at Davids Holdings Blacktown. Eric tells the story of a cost benefit calculation Conservative Politics has never been for the worker as we have seen with John Howard's Work Choices they turfed him out of office for that, the book is well researched and the scales of justice is interesting I had Bowel Cancer months later that spread to my lungs in Straya we have Medicare introduced by a Labor Government this is the difference between Labor and the LNP . In the book the Author talks of Mao and Stalin having travelled Five Continents staying with a family in Beijing I can only say that they are very happy with there Government, we have travelled also to Russia they do not like you taking photo's and American travellers have issues there, Vietnam Cambodia and Laos the Vietnamese People admired Ho Chi Minh he and Mao are sent to Russia every year to be enbalmed when you visit these places you do not care of the Left and Right Miranda only wants to show you the brand new bathroom on the Sacred Way in Beijing with it's brand new toilet , Politics is not spoken. Eric asks us to come clean and the future of the Left obviously he does not know that in every State and Territory except one was Labor facts tell you that the Left is doing very well compared to extreme right wingers on the Conservative side. The book is very intellectual the Israel Genocide in Gaza is well researched the scales of justice are important , there is much to this book leftists capitalism Western Countries it is raw and realistic and it does show the socio political history of the Left and Right, and it does tackle racism and historical injustice it is a journey, it asks us to come clean, the truth is it has never left us,, all in all a great book.
July 22, 2025
Coming Clean by Eric Heinze is a thought-provoking non-fiction book that critically analyzes how gender difference, class, race and ethnicity influence global politics. It is a well-researched book that deeply touches on these controversial topics painting a picture of how the political realm has been negatively influenced, globally.
The book also brings out the idea of schools teaching about "Western History" to the men and women believed to become the future leaders. It states why it is more than important to study "about the patterns of oppression" that many experienced over hundreds of years. Though some view this trend of study as "grievous studies" that promotes hate towards a particular society of people.
The book is aimed to help readers identify and comprehend the scales of justice. However, how can justice be well understood if the root cause of injustices is not uncovered from deep within, allowing individuals from different corners of the world to identify the gaps and failures of those who didn’t see the need to uphold justice?!
It goes ahead to identify how poor leadership has interfered with social, economic, and political stability. This does not only include the Western countries, but also other countries experiencing some forms of injustices.
Reading the book, you may want to find out what these terms represent and how they are connected to the issue of global injustices. They include "leftists", "memory politics", "crits", "progressive", and "capitalism."
What I liked about the book is how raw and realistic the ideas are painted. The thought organization is fluid and to the point. It is not a political book, however, the book addresses some gaps in politics that have negatively affected justice. Not just in one country, but globally.
It is not an easy read for readers who enjoy fictional tales that transport them to a beautiful or chaotic fictional realm.
Readers who are into serious books addressing themes like socio-political history will find the book enlightening and a wake up call.
The book also brings out the idea of schools teaching about "Western History" to the men and women believed to become the future leaders. It states why it is more than important to study "about the patterns of oppression" that many experienced over hundreds of years. Though some view this trend of study as "grievous studies" that promotes hate towards a particular society of people.
The book is aimed to help readers identify and comprehend the scales of justice. However, how can justice be well understood if the root cause of injustices is not uncovered from deep within, allowing individuals from different corners of the world to identify the gaps and failures of those who didn’t see the need to uphold justice?!
It goes ahead to identify how poor leadership has interfered with social, economic, and political stability. This does not only include the Western countries, but also other countries experiencing some forms of injustices.
Reading the book, you may want to find out what these terms represent and how they are connected to the issue of global injustices. They include "leftists", "memory politics", "crits", "progressive", and "capitalism."
What I liked about the book is how raw and realistic the ideas are painted. The thought organization is fluid and to the point. It is not a political book, however, the book addresses some gaps in politics that have negatively affected justice. Not just in one country, but globally.
It is not an easy read for readers who enjoy fictional tales that transport them to a beautiful or chaotic fictional realm.
Readers who are into serious books addressing themes like socio-political history will find the book enlightening and a wake up call.
August 6, 2025
Professor Eric Heinze's remarkable book, "Coming Clean," is a no nonsense, deep academic dive into the world of "critical thinking" such as Critical Race theory and other "woke"schools of thought many progressives call their own. Heinze dismantles many of the traditional leftist inconsistencies, especially in regard to the constant leftist harping on the historical injustices in the Western world from slavery to modern school board controversies on LGBTQ local curriculum. It's not that Professor Heinze argues against railing on past historical injustices in the neoliberal West, but emphasizes that acknowledgment of leftist abuses makes the original argument that much more cogent. For instance, there is a trend of current progressive thinking that tends to gloss over, or even embrace, the horrible injustices and abuses of Stalin, Mao, and the often progressive model of Fidel Castro and Nicolas Maduro. Without acknowledging those faults, modern day progressives risk, correctly so, being called out as political/cultural hypocrites.
Sometimes, even a profound academic work can have unintentional consequences, and for me, they were sort of personal. Although a Ronald Reagan Republican when I joined the Foreign Service, I transitioned to more "bleeding heart' liberal over the years, mainly based on what I witnessed during a career spent overseas--and magnified immensely by both Trump administrations. I consider myself a true advocate for social justice. However, I never left my strong desire for democracy, my perception of the USSR, Russia, Sandinistas (lots of personal experience there) and the evils of Mao's cultural Revolution. So, perhaps, I'm not the progressive I thought I was. In a nutshell, "Coming Clean" is must read for political scientists, and both adherents and adversaries of "critical thinking."
Sometimes, even a profound academic work can have unintentional consequences, and for me, they were sort of personal. Although a Ronald Reagan Republican when I joined the Foreign Service, I transitioned to more "bleeding heart' liberal over the years, mainly based on what I witnessed during a career spent overseas--and magnified immensely by both Trump administrations. I consider myself a true advocate for social justice. However, I never left my strong desire for democracy, my perception of the USSR, Russia, Sandinistas (lots of personal experience there) and the evils of Mao's cultural Revolution. So, perhaps, I'm not the progressive I thought I was. In a nutshell, "Coming Clean" is must read for political scientists, and both adherents and adversaries of "critical thinking."
August 23, 2025
As a person of color reading Eric Heinze’s Coming Clean, I found the experience both enlightening and unsettling. The book tackles racism, historical injustice, and their ongoing impact on our lives today. Heinze doesn’t let readers turn away from uncomfortable truths instead, he challenges us to face them head-on.
One of the most powerful lessons is the importance of acknowledging the past, especially the painful parts, if we want real progress. This speaks deeply to those of us who live with the weight of history while still fighting for justice in the present. Heinze makes clear how systemic racism operates through institutions, and understanding this gives us the tools to confront it more effectively.
He also explores microaggressions those small but harmful remarks or actions that can cut deep. For someone in the Black community, this section stands out because it mirrors daily realities. It’s a reminder that even people with good intentions can unknowingly reinforce stereotypes or cause harm.
What makes Coming Clean especially urgent is its call to look at our own complicity in systems of inequality. Heinze urges us not only to recognize injustice but also to actively challenge it. The book pushes readers toward accountability and action, showing how equity demands both awareness and courage.
Overall, Coming Clean is more than a book, it’s a journey. It offers knowledge, but also a push toward real conversations and meaningful change. Heinze gives us both a mirror and a map: a way to see ourselves honestly and a guide to building a fairer society. For anyone invested in justice, it’s a must read that sparks reflection, discussion, and movement.
One of the most powerful lessons is the importance of acknowledging the past, especially the painful parts, if we want real progress. This speaks deeply to those of us who live with the weight of history while still fighting for justice in the present. Heinze makes clear how systemic racism operates through institutions, and understanding this gives us the tools to confront it more effectively.
He also explores microaggressions those small but harmful remarks or actions that can cut deep. For someone in the Black community, this section stands out because it mirrors daily realities. It’s a reminder that even people with good intentions can unknowingly reinforce stereotypes or cause harm.
What makes Coming Clean especially urgent is its call to look at our own complicity in systems of inequality. Heinze urges us not only to recognize injustice but also to actively challenge it. The book pushes readers toward accountability and action, showing how equity demands both awareness and courage.
Overall, Coming Clean is more than a book, it’s a journey. It offers knowledge, but also a push toward real conversations and meaningful change. Heinze gives us both a mirror and a map: a way to see ourselves honestly and a guide to building a fairer society. For anyone invested in justice, it’s a must read that sparks reflection, discussion, and movement.
December 21, 2025
Eric Heinze’s Coming Clean: The Rise of Critical Theory and the Future of the Left explores how critical theory has shaped modern left-wing thinking about history, power, and injustice. The book explains how the left has focused strongly on exposing Western crimes such as racism, colonialism, and sexism, especially through education and public debate. Heinze supports this effort but argues that it often stops halfway. He introduces the idea of “memory politics,” which means not only studying historical injustice but also teaching it openly to the public so society can understand present problems through the past.
At the same time, Heinze criticizes the left for failing to apply this same honesty to its own history. He argues that leftist movements have also caused serious harm, yet these events are rarely discussed in public with the same intensity as Western wrongdoing. This lack of self-criticism, he claims, weakens the moral credibility of the left. Overall, Coming Clean is a clear and thoughtful book that challenges readers to think more carefully about justice, history, and responsibility, while remaining critical of both the left and the right in a balanced way.
Highly recommend it to other readers.
At the same time, Heinze criticizes the left for failing to apply this same honesty to its own history. He argues that leftist movements have also caused serious harm, yet these events are rarely discussed in public with the same intensity as Western wrongdoing. This lack of self-criticism, he claims, weakens the moral credibility of the left. Overall, Coming Clean is a clear and thoughtful book that challenges readers to think more carefully about justice, history, and responsibility, while remaining critical of both the left and the right in a balanced way.
Highly recommend it to other readers.
June 27, 2025
Overall a well written book on a contentious arena. Politics are narrative and perspective driven . Regardless of your political ideology you can gain a insightful tool to gauge your perspective from Coming Clean
The author Heinze does a solid job of setting a neutral apolitical foundation for healthy discourse. With the introduction of terms/tools l.e : Autocritique, memory politics & converge interest he creates a lattice work to demystify complex biases.
Similar to Paulo Freire “pedagogy of the oppressed” for politics to move pass empty words.. one must develop a critical conscious to question authoritative narratives of bespoke political factions.
Memory politics must go pass step one .. the information stage and must produce rational informed action.
Heinze gives numerous examples of left leaning atrocities from socialist histories that deserve to be mention that rarely does. Right leaning history is well documented but it must be restated again. The effacement of critical race theory must not legislated out of textbooks .
Without going too much in depth, Heinze puts a nice bow at the end of complex topic. I would recommend this book to all political parties.
The author Heinze does a solid job of setting a neutral apolitical foundation for healthy discourse. With the introduction of terms/tools l.e : Autocritique, memory politics & converge interest he creates a lattice work to demystify complex biases.
Similar to Paulo Freire “pedagogy of the oppressed” for politics to move pass empty words.. one must develop a critical conscious to question authoritative narratives of bespoke political factions.
Memory politics must go pass step one .. the information stage and must produce rational informed action.
Heinze gives numerous examples of left leaning atrocities from socialist histories that deserve to be mention that rarely does. Right leaning history is well documented but it must be restated again. The effacement of critical race theory must not legislated out of textbooks .
Without going too much in depth, Heinze puts a nice bow at the end of complex topic. I would recommend this book to all political parties.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2025
Just finished this masterpiece by Eric Heinze. I was impressed by the research done by the author. The book is not only thoughtful provoking, but also very convincing. The author uses references frequently in his book which are powerful and authentic.
It is not only a provocative critique for the political left, but also a detailed discussion of the political right as well. It doesn’t shy away to identify deficiencies in either of them.
Heinze discusses a range of topics to support his argument including wars, LQBT, racism, free speech, modern education system, colonialism and patriarchy among many others. Heinze work is honest and doesn’t shy away from identifying weakness in the political left, and strongly advising them to confront their hypocrisies and blind spots.
The book discusses burning issues and Eric incorporate them to support his arguments. This makes this book very current and convincing at the same time. Eric advocates strongly to ‘come clean’ and leave the hypocrisy behind.
The book is a roadmap for progressive politics through rigorous self examination and introspection.
A must read
It is not only a provocative critique for the political left, but also a detailed discussion of the political right as well. It doesn’t shy away to identify deficiencies in either of them.
Heinze discusses a range of topics to support his argument including wars, LQBT, racism, free speech, modern education system, colonialism and patriarchy among many others. Heinze work is honest and doesn’t shy away from identifying weakness in the political left, and strongly advising them to confront their hypocrisies and blind spots.
The book discusses burning issues and Eric incorporate them to support his arguments. This makes this book very current and convincing at the same time. Eric advocates strongly to ‘come clean’ and leave the hypocrisy behind.
The book is a roadmap for progressive politics through rigorous self examination and introspection.
A must read
June 2, 2025
As someone who has long identified as part of the left-center of politics, I found "Coming Clean" particularly enlightening about areas we need to do better.
We have often given a significantly incomplete picture of human rights abused that have happened historically and currently when they don't neatly fit with our own proper concerns about capitalism gone amok, white supremacy, etc.
For me Russia's invasion of Ukraine was a wakeup call. And I was at a loss about why some one-time close colleagues on the left were afraid to oppose this, perhaps because they had not fully come to terms with the tremendous damage to Ukrainians and many others done during the period of the former Soviet Union in the name of socialism.
Eric Heinze's multiple discussions of the need for forthright self-criticism on the left and where that has fallen short can only strengthen the fight for global human rights.
An important resource.
We have often given a significantly incomplete picture of human rights abused that have happened historically and currently when they don't neatly fit with our own proper concerns about capitalism gone amok, white supremacy, etc.
For me Russia's invasion of Ukraine was a wakeup call. And I was at a loss about why some one-time close colleagues on the left were afraid to oppose this, perhaps because they had not fully come to terms with the tremendous damage to Ukrainians and many others done during the period of the former Soviet Union in the name of socialism.
Eric Heinze's multiple discussions of the need for forthright self-criticism on the left and where that has fallen short can only strengthen the fight for global human rights.
An important resource.
December 15, 2025
Leftist advocate of critical theory critiques the left’s application of it.
Read it over the summer or thereabouts, but if I remember correctly…. I’m pretty sure I loved this one. It has very few reviews, and had a pretty nuanced and thoughtful approach, so hopefully I’ll make time to go back and summarize his main arguments and what I thought of them. I have many, many tabs — the majority for “interesting/agree”, with a sizable minority for “disagree at least in part”.
Rating: 4.
P.S. No clue why I forgot to use GR for a solid portion of this year. Needless to say, I didn’t stop reading. Just keep coming upon more books on my shelves that I read and tabbed earlier this year but never updated here. And of course, now I somewhat forget my impressions of them. Why, Jenni, why!! Must identify all before my 2025 reading roundup!!
Read it over the summer or thereabouts, but if I remember correctly…. I’m pretty sure I loved this one. It has very few reviews, and had a pretty nuanced and thoughtful approach, so hopefully I’ll make time to go back and summarize his main arguments and what I thought of them. I have many, many tabs — the majority for “interesting/agree”, with a sizable minority for “disagree at least in part”.
Rating: 4.
P.S. No clue why I forgot to use GR for a solid portion of this year. Needless to say, I didn’t stop reading. Just keep coming upon more books on my shelves that I read and tabbed earlier this year but never updated here. And of course, now I somewhat forget my impressions of them. Why, Jenni, why!! Must identify all before my 2025 reading roundup!!
November 29, 2025
While reading Eric Heinz’s Coming Clean, I realized I am not the target audience for this book. Heinz’s thoroughly researches his topics to get to his conclusions, but I tend not to agree with his framing. I recognize he is known for challenging the political landscape with variety of topic. But this book felt structurally weak. I think what Heinz ultimately wants people to do is recognize the faults in many political ideologies. However, I am not convinced that is his goal. It took me awhile to finish this book and that might be because I am a fiction reader. But, it could also Heinz’s writing felt like it was yelling at me rather than challenging me to think beyond what I’ve told. Overall, I’d give this a 3/5.
April 20, 2025
Coming Clean: The Rise of Critical Theory and the Future of the Left by Eric Heinze is a thought-provoking and courageous examination of the modern left's challenges and contradictions. Heinze argues for a deeper, more honest form of "wokeness", one that not only acknowledges historical injustices like racism and colonialism but also confronts the devastating consequences of leftist support for oppressive regimes throughout history. Insightful and sharply reasoned, Coming Clean offers a vital call for self-reflection and accountability, urging readers to rethink the ethical foundations of progressive politics in today's world.
May 18, 2025
In Coming Clean: The Rise of Critical Theory and the Future of the Left, Eric Heinze challenges leftist thought with unflinching honesty. While advocating for more "wokeness"—but of a nuanced, self-reflective kind—Heinze calls for a reckoning within leftist circles. Acknowledging the dark chapters of Western history is vital, but so too is confronting the left’s own complicity in global injustices.
From Stalin's brutal legacy to the complexities of modern identity politics, Heinze unravels how the left’s reluctance to scrutinise its own history undermines its moral authority. By advocating for transparent self-critique, he aims to rebuild a foundation for ethical and political progress.
From Stalin's brutal legacy to the complexities of modern identity politics, Heinze unravels how the left’s reluctance to scrutinise its own history undermines its moral authority. By advocating for transparent self-critique, he aims to rebuild a foundation for ethical and political progress.
October 27, 2025
Eric Heinze's "Coming Clean" is not a light read, but offers a powerful perspective if you are invested in progressive politics and social justice.
The book is a critique of modern progressive politics and its slective self-fulfiling use of history. The book deeply explores "critical theory"- the thinking behind the social justice movements. It thoroughly explains complex ideas like systemic injustice.
This is not an easy read. It is dense and assumes that you are familiar with political philosophy. However, for those willing to put in the work, it offers a powerful warning that the Left's current approach may be undermining its own goals.
The book is a critique of modern progressive politics and its slective self-fulfiling use of history. The book deeply explores "critical theory"- the thinking behind the social justice movements. It thoroughly explains complex ideas like systemic injustice.
This is not an easy read. It is dense and assumes that you are familiar with political philosophy. However, for those willing to put in the work, it offers a powerful warning that the Left's current approach may be undermining its own goals.
April 22, 2025
Eric Heinze’s Coming Clean: The Rise of Critical Theory and the Future of the Left is a powerful reflection on how progressive movements reckon with their past. Rather than offering a takedown, Heinze urges the left to look inward to examine the blind spots and uncomfortable legacies that still shape its politics today. Coming Clean is a sharp and necessary read for anyone thinking seriously about the future of the left. It’s a reminder that ethical clarity begins with self-awareness and that meaningful progress demands both courage and accountability.
May 22, 2025
“Coming Clean” is a thoughtful and accessible book that challenges the left to apply to itself the same critical standards it demands of others. With clear, elegant prose, the author offers a serious reflection on historical responsibility and the ethics of critique.
Rather than dismissing progressive ideals, the book urges a deeper honesty about the left’s own past. It’s a call for consistency, not condemnation—a way to strengthen critical thought by making it more accountable and self-aware.
Essential reading for anyone interested in politics, justice, or critical theory in practice.
Rather than dismissing progressive ideals, the book urges a deeper honesty about the left’s own past. It’s a call for consistency, not condemnation—a way to strengthen critical thought by making it more accountable and self-aware.
Essential reading for anyone interested in politics, justice, or critical theory in practice.
September 15, 2025
I got to read this book through booktasters and I am soo glad I signed up, because, whew. my choice of books surprises me everytime😅.Anyway review about this book;Coming Clean was such an honest and vulnerable read. What stood out to me most was the rawness, Erick doesn’t sugarcoat the struggle, and that made it deeply relatable. I found myself pausing, reflecting, and even seeing parts of my own story mirrored back at me. It’s not just about confession, it’s about the messy, courageous work of facing yourself and finding freedom. A book that lingers with you long after the last page.🤭
June 15, 2025
okay so this book? it’s like calling out the left but in a smart way. not like anti-woke stuff, but more like “yo, let’s be real about all the past—not just Western sins but also what happened under lefty regimes.”
he’s saying: if we’re gonna remember history, remember all of it. even the ugly stuff from our side.
bit deep, bit heavy, not for sleepy brain 😅 but fr, made me think. bold & kinda needed......
he’s saying: if we’re gonna remember history, remember all of it. even the ugly stuff from our side.
bit deep, bit heavy, not for sleepy brain 😅 but fr, made me think. bold & kinda needed......
August 26, 2025
A book filled with a lot of theories. It talks about economics, race, ethnicity, antisemitism, patriarchal and heteronormative hierarchies. The book is an enlightenment to critical concepts such as microaggressions and macroaggressions, factual denial and ethical denial, relative innocence and absolute innocence, absolute purity and whitewashed purity, orientalism, systemic injustice, self-censorship and many more. What an exposé on memory politics
October 10, 2025
Coming clean is a book of depth as it dwells through topics of class rasicsm injustice of the past and how it's still prevalent in today's time along with the workings of global politics it tackles the topics head on and dismantles it in parts making sure to show case that there's not just one side to the playings of the past
The book has a no nonsense style of writing and is a very impressive read as it has helped me gain better insight on the history of the left
The book has a no nonsense style of writing and is a very impressive read as it has helped me gain better insight on the history of the left
November 2, 2025
Prof. Eric Heinze’s Coming Clean is a thought-provoking reflection on truth, confession, and moral responsibility. philosophy with personal insight, prof. Eric Heinze explores what it truly means to “come clean” in a world driven by appearances. Elegant, honest, and deeply reflective, the book challenges readers to face the complexity of sincerity and self-understand.
“collective self-scrutiny takes place not because of self-interest but regardless of it.”
“collective self-scrutiny takes place not because of self-interest but regardless of it.”
July 21, 2025
4⭐️
A bold and thought-provoking look at how Western democracies often use human rights as a political tool while ignoring their own undemocratic actions. This book really challenged my thinking and to rethink what democracy looks like in practice. Thank you to Eric Heinze for sending me a copy of your book to read and Booktasters for making this happen.
A bold and thought-provoking look at how Western democracies often use human rights as a political tool while ignoring their own undemocratic actions. This book really challenged my thinking and to rethink what democracy looks like in practice. Thank you to Eric Heinze for sending me a copy of your book to read and Booktasters for making this happen.
Want to read
August 30, 2025This book is sharp and engaging, asking the Left to look at itself with honesty. As a socialist, I only wish the focus on class struggle was stronger, since without it the roots of oppression remain hidden. Still, it’s a valuable read that makes you stop and think.
Without class struggle, Coming Clean turns left critique into safe liberal talk—capitalism remains the real enemy.
Without class struggle, Coming Clean turns left critique into safe liberal talk—capitalism remains the real enemy.
July 16, 2025
This book exphasizes more on history and past. The author mainly tell us about what better we could have done in our past. The authos has provided nice insights in the book with simple writeup style.
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