Dupes: How America's Adversaries Have Manipulated Progressives for a Century

by Paul Kengor

In this startling, intensively researched book, bestselling historian Paul Kengor shines light on a deeply troubling aspect of American history: the prominent role of the “dupe.” From the Bolshevik Revolution through the Cold War and right up to the present, many progressives have unwittingly aided some of America’s most dangerous opponents.

Based on never-before-published FBI files, Soviet archives, and other primary sources, Dupes exposes the legions of liberals who have furthered the objectives of America’s adversaries. Kengor shows not only how such dupes contributed to history’s most destructive ideology—Communism, which claimed at least 100 million lives—but also why they are so relevant to today’s politics.

Dupes reveals:

Shocking reports on how Senator Ted Kennedy secretly approached the Soviet leadership to undermine not one but two American presidents

Stunning new evidence that Frank Marshall Davis—mentor to a young Barack Obama—had extensive Communist ties and demonized Democrats

Jimmy Carter’s woeful record dealing with America’s two chief foes of the past century, Communism and Islamism

Today’s dupes, including the congressmen whose overseas anti-American propaganda trip was allegedly financed by foreign intelligence

How ’60s Marxist radicals—Tom Hayden, Mark Rudd, Jane Fonda, Jeff Jones, Bill Ayers, and more—have suddenly reemerged as “progressives for Obama”

How Franklin Roosevelt was duped by “Uncle Joe” Stalin—and by a top adviser who may have been a Soviet agent—despite clear warnings from fellow Democrats

How John Kerry’s accusations that American soldiers committed war crimes in Vietnam may have been the product of Soviet disinformation

The many Hollywood stars who were duped, including Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Katharine Hepburn, Gene Kelly—and even Ronald Reagan

Soviet records that demonstrate beyond doubt the Communists’ expansionist aims and their targeting of American liberals, especially academics and the Religious Left

How liberals still defend the same Communists who trashed Democratic icons like Woodrow Wilson, FDR, Harry Truman, and JFK—and still attack the anti-Communists who tried to spare them from manipulation

Details on many other dupes (and dupers), including Arthur Miller, Dr. Benjamin Spock, John Dewey, H. G. Wells, George Bernard Shaw, Lillian Hellman, Howard Zinn, Walter Cronkite, and Helen Thomas

Packed with stunning revelations, Dupes shows in frightening detail how U.S. adversaries exploit the American home front.

Genres: History, Politics, American History, Nonfiction, American

832 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 10, 2010

About the author

Paul G. Kengor is an author and professor of political science at Grove City College and the senior director of the Institute for Faith and Freedom, a Grove City College think tank. He is a visiting fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution on War, Revolution, and Peace. Kengor has focused much of his work on Ronald Reagan, faith and the presidency, conservative politics, the Cold War, Communism, and Catholicism.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I've always suspected about Communists & Communism has been proven. While a bit tedious in some parts, it's obvious this author has meticulously researched the material & backed up all claims. Some things I already knew from my own studies of history but there were some surprises, especially about some of Hollywood's elite in the 1940s. This is an aspect of recent history not studied or discussed enough. Some of this REALLY should be discussed, ie: Sen.Ted Kennedy's actions during Reagan's years in the White House (they were treasonous, really) and how the Kremlin actually hijacked the anti-war movement during the 60s. Kengor shows how many (although not all) liberals/progressives have been duped by Communists (both foreign & domestic)and how their causes have literally been hijacked by these Communist/Marxists. Also, if this material is true (and his proof is right there for us all to see!) then we need to COMPLETELY revamp the educational system - meaning, how educators themselves are trained/educated. I had always viewed much of our mainstream media as liberals pushing an agenda, but Kengor shows just how progressives, including much of the media have been duped, thereby duping many unsuspecting Americans themselves. What is really frightening is how Kengor shows us just how the radicals with ties to Communism/Marxism are closely tied to Barak Obama & his election and why we should be concerned about this...question is: is Obama another dupe, or is he the duper? Also, the tactics that Communists have used over the last century that are still being used today. Kengor names names and backs up his assertions with record after record after record (many recently declassified). No wonder this book has not been promoted on many of the mainstream news outlets! The 1 thing I took from this book: There are lessons to be learned from the Cold War and we cannot afford to ignore or even refuse to acknowledge them!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book with some degree of skepticism, but when, half way through, I found a bit about the CPUSA official who tried to recruit me as a young grad student at UCLA, I went back to the beginning and did a more careful read. You might be surprised how much people around the world hate us for our freedom, and how little we seem to care about that.

[Jan Notzon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul Kengor gives us a truly terrifying view of the "dupery" of well-meaning liberals (of which I was one). The estimates of 100 million innocents slaughtered by the Soviet Union and China were completely ignored, and those who pointed to those atrocities and the liberals who enabled them were painted as red-baiting fascists. This country was vilified as an imperialist power (also by me) while the true barbarity of those and other communist countries was either ignored or rationalized.
Mr. Kengor is meticulous in presenting his case. There are no accusations without painstaking examination of the facts, including documents from files of this country's government and that of the ex-Soviet Union, expert testimony and case by case examples. For anyone (like the author of this review) who lived through the '60s, this is a must-read. For that excusing and enabling and "blame America first" live on today, and continue their pernicious effects.

[Cliff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul Kengor is one of my favorite political/historical authors. I have to say...this is in some ways his best book, but it's also my least favorite in some ways.

The theme of this book is probably not what people think. What this book is NOT is some sort of screed attacking the left for being closet communists. In Kengor's view, this would be no more fair than calling American right-wingers closet anarchists. He actually draws some lines between communism and modern leftism that I wouldn't have immediately drawn that make a lot of sense. Kengor himself says, if he could have anything come from this book, it would be to explain to modern-day leftists in America that the far-left is NOT their friends. Indeed, he spends a lot of time discussing how honest liberals in America have repeatedly been "tricked" by communists, many of whom later realized what happened and were aghast. Most famously, John Dewey's "duping" and later anti-communist activities, in spite of being one of the grandfathers of modern leftism.

Yet this is also likely to be distressing to some on the left, because it does force them to acknowledge times where communists forces have explicitly set out to "dupe" them into supporting something that benefited the USSR explicitly, according to their own point of view, even while the American left denied it and honestly had no intention of doing so. Some of the things that happened related to numerous Hollywood stars in the 40's and 50's, Dr. Spock in the 60's, and many others, would be unbelievable if Kengor didn't document them extensively and back them up with now declassified documents, both from the US and fRussia.

That said, if I have a criticism of this book it is that Kengor seems to at times find a bit too much of depth in the topic. Perhaps it's easier for me to say this now, but much of the communist attempts to sway American opinion and infiltrate the government seemed to me to be so crude as to be laughable in retrospect. I also think he goes overboard at times, particularly with regards to Henry Hopkins, who I think was an imperfect man that nonetheless probably wasn't significantly influenced by communists, even if they did try.

So it's not quite as good as The Crusader or The Judge. But it's still a solid book and Kengor is still an author I really enjoy reading and feel like I've come away with a lot of new knowledge.

[DH · Rating 1 out of 5]

Kengor’s determination to discredit Obama by putting him in the lineage of those dubbed dupes warps the legitimate criticism the author levels at supporters of the USSR. Rather than follow the arc of the CPUSA from the heady days of the October revolution through the banality of hacks like Gus Hall begging for Moscow to pay the mortgages of party leaders, Kengor throws in the Weathermen - contemptible for their violence, but hardly creatures of the Kremlin. “Dupes” fails to engage the broad scholarship about the work of the CP in the context of the social movements of its era, nor does Kengor acknowledge the fierce battles fought by democratic socialists and liberals to counter the influence of the CP. Reliant on a great man theory of history, “Dupes” fails to develop a coherent thesis, instead relying on the rather obvious point that Communism sucked. Jaundiced, blindly pro-Reagan and pro-Catholic, “Dupes” is more of a listicle of the dislikes of Paul Kengor than a valuable book. Save your time and money by going straight to the many secondary sources on which Kengor relies.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ten years late, I explored details of what had been obvious before the publication of "Dupes".

Are Ted Kennedy's contacts with Russia alive? John Tunney died seven months ago; who else knew of Kennedy's willingness to collude, during the run-up to an election?
Is there a Statute of Limitations for conspiring with a foreign government?
Kengor offers primary sources for a charge of treason: Senator Kennedy's suggestion he could coach Russian officials as he sought the Democrat Party nomination?

Read "Dupes" as history, as prologue.

Read and share "Dupes" with family and friends.

[Doug Hauser · Rating 4 out of 5]

First half of the book was five star book explaining how the communists duped liberals throughout 1900's. Surprising information such as Woodrow Wilson was a communist fighter. 2nd half of the book was three star even though I believe everything in it. It's just that it goes into Obamas relationships with former liberals who had communist leanings.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

If even a tiny bit of this book is accurate, you should rethink everything you know about all the great Progressives of the past 100 years, from Woodrow Wilson to Ted Kennedy. Drawing on newly-revealed KGB archives that show which American politicians were sympathetic to the cause (and sometimes receiving their donations), I really wonder why this doesn't get a lot more publicity.

[Mike Trapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining. Intriguing. Revealing. That's what this book is. A nice romp through modern history to see how many folks have been conned by the deceitful artistry of communist mind games.

[Mark Greathouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding well-documented history of how Communism has evolved in the U.S. It's surprising how many well-known politicians, academics, and celebrities succumbed to Communist propaganda.

[Stephen Conlon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Professor Kengor researches deeply and then dissects like a surgeon. What we are witnessing in America are the fruits of what the Bolsheviks did to Russia. You became an apparatchik either out of fear, brainwashing, or making the utopian dream something you believed in as strongly as your next heartbeat. Our schools in America play out the true Potempkin Village that had been set up to receive the intellectuals in the 1920s and 1930s from our top two teaching schools - Columbia and the University of Chicago. Enthralled with how well the Russian classroom was working as the children were lined up in rows of seats with the family removed from any input, Dewey, a hardcore socialist and leading educator in America, mirrored Russia as children were programmed to serve the State. Our two teachers unions in America are now wrapping up this long plan as it introduces Critical Race Theory to little children. Their work in earnest started in the counter-culture movement of the 1960. Those same people now, Hillary Clinton, et. al., support the State as we have reversed our freedoms and morality. History and civics are gone as they no longer serve the State. America has already fallen. I realize that some very good people will read this and refuse to believe it, but don't you think the Democrats are fearless now in their quest for power? Many will think that conservatives are cold-hearted. That's hardly the case. Most of them see the destruction of America through the Bernie Sander types who are now relevant. The WW II generation would have laughed at best and hung his kind at worst as he tears at the fabric of America with this new "equity, not equality". As imperfect as capitalism is, the hierarchy that presses for success brings success and innovation. " Equity", to quote a line from Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451", brings us to the fire captain taking a not yet burned book from the main character and explains why he can't read even a page - "Montag, we must all be the same". As America devolves into tribalism and we flood with people who care not what dead white men wrote, I see no reason why we will not see a ruling class save only themselves. One person who Professor Kengor had no knowledge of when he started the book, but whose name was known to every radical group he researched, was one Barack Obama. He did more to get the ball rolling than all of the many before him. The white liberal women in America loved him. Radio host Dan Bongino was a Secret Service Agent who was on his detail and saw differently. So much so that he resigned; no longer willing to see that which would turn a good man's stomach as the government was weaponized and used by Obama against his enemies. Now, we have his criminal stooge Biden working his agenda for our enemies who have worked their way into all facets of our society. As I write this, a highly illegal search has been conducted on former President Trump. So many liberal men and women despise Trump like Goldstein in Orwell's "1984". The lies were told because many wanted to believe them. The Marxists in America had to take him down. The only question now is if he can run and win in 2024 and rips some of the plans of our enemies apart before it is too late. For those who might read this commentary and laugh there will be only one sad truth. When they lock my kind up for speaking, you'll probably be guilty of a thought crime. And as Solzhenitsyn pointed out, two enemies on the political field often ended up in the same cell. This book will explain how it has happened. I'd suggest any doubters watch the short 13:37 clip of defector Yuri Bezmenov's warning to America, circa 1984. The long version is over two-hours. Our demise is already completed. If you wish your children to be free in years to come, you'd better teach them to think, and to fight!

[Anthony Ragan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book on an important, under-covered aspect of our political history: the relationship over the last nearly 100 years between liberals and progressives, on the one hand, and the communists (big "C" and small "c") who used them to advance their goals. Meticulously documented and fair to his subjects, Kengor is at pains to point out that the targets of the communists' most vicious attacks were not conservatives and Republicans, but anti-communist liberals, such as Harry Truman and Woodrow Wilson.

As for the "dupes" that are the subject of this work, Kengor rightly notes that for them, the main enemy was always to the Right, not the communists who were committing atrocities year after year, to which these dupes were blind, sometimes willfully so. Among the revelations (or perhaps just "arguments settled") in the book are Senator Ted Kennedy's clandestine offer to cooperate with the USSR against President Reagan, and the truth that most of the famous "Hollywood Ten" really were members of the Communist Party, or at least highly sympathetic toward Stalin.

The book brings the topic of "dupery" into the modern era by connecting the generations of communists and socialists from the 1920s through the 60s radicals (especially the SDS and Weatherman) to those same radicals' connections to President Obama in his Chicago days. It closes with an intriguing look at whether Humphrey Bogart, who violently denounced the communists when he discovered he had been duped over the Hollywood Ten, was himself a member of the Party or at least very sympathetic toward it at a low point in his life in 1934. Again, Kengor is very judicious in his analysis of the available evidence.

If I have one criticism, it's that the book seems more a history of the communists and socialists, than of the dupes they played for sometimes-willing suckers. Still, this is important information about our country's recent past, as well-worth reading.

[Charles Temm · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid read w/copious end notes.

Much of the older history of Americans aiding the goals of Communism, intentionally or not was in much more detail than I'd been aware of. That it was a thing that started almost immediately w/the Russian November Revolution though was surprising.

Extensive coverage of academic support which continues even today though was no surprise, at least not to anyone who has followed US history/politics. Mr Kengor does an excellent job of pointing out many of our current woes (the Obama era is the period highlighted here) stem from the Marxist/progressive influence in the US education system. As these people gained positions in the education industry, they taught their belief system and denied that of our Republic. The results are apparent to all today.

The biggest thing I got out of the book was the details on Sen R. Kennedy's offer to work w/the Soviets in opposing US foreign policy. He literally offered to aid the Soviets in their policy objectives claiming to fear Pres Reagan's actions more than the self professed enemies of his nation. I had heard about this when the Russians post Communism governments opened up some of their KGB/government archives to researchers. This was a tiny storm at first but died quickly in the mainstream media given it's obvious public relations implications to both the self professed Lion of the Senate and Democrat party. Then of course it was later eclipsed by a sitting US president (Obama) saying once reelected he'd be able to work closer w/Putin's Russia on a hot mike...

A good book full of detail. It's a must read for those interested in how a foreign power heavyhandedly tried to influence US domestic & foreign policy for much of a century.

[Gonzaga Escauriaza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Difficult to understand how people forget the horrors that the Communism brought during its time in office. They have killed more than 100 million people in the 20th century.
They have tortured, physically and mentally, a big part of the population during long periods.
And they have banned religion which is the first right a person can have.
And now, most of the journalist and politicians from outside the communists countries that supported them, do not repent about their comments in favor of the communist ideas. They have forgot what happened during those days and that the damage to the lives of so many people is beyond repair.
The dupes, probably unwittingly, helped out the communists but thanks God, Reagan came to win the cold war. And instead of being grateful to him, The Pope John Paul II, and Margaret Thatcher they continue to accept discussing the communist programs and ideas.
But now after the collapse of the USSR we have a lot of documentation that confirms the drama the people dived during the communist days and that the politicians lived in a sheer farce.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A remarkable account of how progressives and those on the political left were 'duped' by the communists in the twentieth century. If you're a leftie (or former leftie like me) it will be tough reading and you will feel disabused of much of what you thought you knew. Kengor voluminous end notes do much to help convince you he is not making all this stuff up. This is an important book and one that should be read by progressives. Drawing as it does on the now declassified COMINTERN archives, the revelations are quite powerful.

[Scott Carson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dupes is incredibly researched and informational, so much so that it took me a long time to really soak in and process of the information and context that is provided. This was a long and scary read, scary when you start to realize how applicable some of the lessons that are provided here are applicable in the United States today.

If you think that you couldn’t possibly fall into the trap of a useful idiot, think again and read this book!

[James Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive account of the twentieth century campaign of influence in the arts, politics, and the overall culture of America. It chronicles cases over the decades that show prominent Americans knowingly accepting Communist propaganda and using it to subvert the American way of life. This is a book that should be read by anyone interested in the history of Communist intrusion in American history.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul Kengor's research is incredibly thorough, and he includes copies of countless documents to support his case. Besides delving into names of numerous anti-anti-Communists from the rise of Lenin until now, he makes an interesting point about the way education has been used to further Marxist/Progressive thought.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely well researched, yet readable account of communist and (big C) Communist dupes from Lenin's era all the way to 2010. If you still think the left is all about peace, love, and rock and roll, then this book will rectify your delusions.

[Robin Fairhurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very eye opening! Those that should read it won't and those that do read it already know what is happening. The media, Washington DC and Hollywood are all complicit in the destruction of the family and democracy.

[Thomas D Sinex · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit overheated at times in style, but that has nothing to do with the essential truth of the book's main argument.

[Bobbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously enjoyed this book and surprised to see historically who was duped by the communists, who actively supported them and who rejected them

[Kelly Korby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really revealing information. I knew quite a lot of this beforehand, but some new revelations were incredible eye-opening.

[Sandra Greene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most essential book every single American should read. Do not delay. It is so well researched and documented, leaving no room for dispute. It’s past time to wake up.

[Wesley Dietz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read along with "The Devil and Karl Marx" and "The Communist Manifesto" to keep from getting duped by Marxists who call themselves progressive.

[Brian Katz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book, a focus on something (communism) operating in broad daylight, but hidden through a web of deceit, propaganda and the media. I had read a lot about Marx and the impact of communism on Russia and China, but did not know of the efforts made by CPUSA to infiltrate the United States political system. As with any reading, one must take everything with a dose of skepticism. Following that line of thought, if half of what I read is true, we have a problem.

I learned a lot about this subject beginning with the CPUSA and it’s activities in the early 1900’s. The research performed by the author was impressive. Because lots of time has gone by since these events, archives have been released and the truth is able to come out. I learned about the Vietnam conflict and how Russian propaganda impacted the narrative. John Kerry was duped too, as he testified to Congress a false narrative (this is no surprise though - as today, John is advocating a failed policy in Iran). I also learned about the Cold War and how Reagan was able to topple the USSR through the SDI initiative and other means. Reagan was a true hero.

There were some great Americans who were initially duped, but than fought like hell to destroy the communists from within. People like Woodrow Wilson, John Dewey and Ronald Reagan come to mind.

I guess the really scary part is the infiltration by the communist party inside academia, places like Columbia University and the University of Illinois, as well as other institutions (government, non profits, etc...) within the US. It is no surprise that the CPUSA was able to dupe liberal and progressives at every turn. This is because their worldview aligns with the communists and they hate conservatives. The same thing is happening today with the far left taking over the Democratic Party, with the liberals and progressives choosing to remain in a slowly boiling pot, too stupid to jump out.

Educators like Bill Ayers, Frank Marshall Davis and a host of many others, sadly used their stature as educators to indoctrinate younger people. This is dangerous as these students have risen into leadership positions within government, the media and corporate America today.

The biggest duper was Barack Obama and his hope and change message. He was smart enough to temper his message towards the center in order to dupe lots of people. But down under all that charisma is a communist, seeking to transform America. His relationships with Ayers and Davis were well documented by the author. But sadly, the press protected him during his candidacy and terms as President. In 2021 we are seeing a third Obama term, through the puppet Joe Biden, whose policies are further to left than even Obama.

It is a very dangerous time in 2021 with China on the rise and a great division from within the USA.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kengor's book Dupes is an incredibly well researched and meticulously footnoted work on how the communists infiltrated the United States, often with the help of witting or unwitting accomplices, hence the title, "Dupes".

The book is not an easy read, but it is eye opening and worth the read. And lest someone think it is just an opinion book from "the right"; that is the importance of the extensive footnotes. Anyone is free to do their own research on any given topic, using the footnotes.

We are still suffering today in many ways from the changes wrought by the communists; and no, not socialists, not progressives, not "The Left", but dyed-in-the wool, proud to be Communists.

Read the book and reach your own conclusions.

[noreast_bookreviewsnh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dupes: How America’s adversaries have manipulated progressives for a century by Paul Kengor
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If you had any doubt or questions about whether or not the USA has been influenced and infiltrated by communist’s and communism over the last 100 years then read this book and it will remove all doubt. Full details such as names, dates and proof of subversion by the communists are laid out in this book starting in the early 1900’s under Woodrow Wilson all the way to current day with “Progressive Icon” Obama. An important read for the current times and helps to understand why our country is in disarray.
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#usa #history #manipulation #communism #america #read #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #book #reading #knowthyenemy #paulkengor #godblessamerica🇺🇸

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

You have to read this to understand world events from 1910 to 1990.

[Elexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good evidence of communism sprinkled throughout America in the past and present