The Rosenberg Cold War spy trial

Children's Literature

The years immediately following the end of World War II marked the beginning of an era of distrust between the United States and communist nations that has gone down in history as the Cold War. That recently concluded age was marked by extreme fear of espionage activities by Soviet agents bent upon unraveling the fabric of American democracy. As a result of this paranoia, a man such as Senator Joseph McCarthy was able to foster a movement of repression in America that touched thousands of lives. One of the most celebrated events of the McCarthy era occurred in 1950 and involved a seemingly innocuous family. That was the arrest, trial and eventual execution of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg for the crime of nuclear spying. In this analysis of the Rosenberg trial, the author details factual information related to the case and introduces readers to the Rosenbergs and their two children. They appeared to be a loving family whose parents were former communists with a social reformer bent. However, it is also quite possible that the Rosenbergs, in particular Julius, might actually have been involved in attempting to head a spy ring working for the Soviets. This tale of intrigue, deception and fear is ably told in this nonfiction work. Readers will also learn a great deal about the jury trial process and the social history of Cold War America. 2001, Enslow, $20.95. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck