?This is the only book-length study of the relationship between black Americans and socialism. Contrary to existing scholarship, which views the relationship as minimal because of the racism of party members, Foner asserts that significant forces in the Socialist party fought racism in the party's ranks... and that socialist ideas and movements exercised an important influence on... black intellectuals and writers.' To support his thesis, Foner highlights such obscure figures as the Reverend George W. Woodbey and better-known black socialists such as A. Philip Randolph.... Foner's work is informative. Recommended.?-Library Journal