Max Elbaum

Max Elbaum is an American historian, author, and political activist known for his scholarly work on social movements of the 1960s-1980s. His research focuses particularly on the New Left, civil rights activism, and anti-war organizing during this transformative period in American history. His most significant work is "Revolution in the Air: Sixties Radicals turn to Lenin, Mao and Che," which provides a detailed analysis of the New Communist Movement in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s. The book has been recognized for its thorough scholarship, including praise from Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David Garrow. Elbaum's own activist background includes membership in Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and co-founding Line of March, a Marxist-Leninist organization. His firsthand experience in these movements informs his historical analysis and writing. His work continues to influence discussions about radical political movements, social change, and the legacy of 1960s activism in America. Elbaum regularly contributes to contemporary political discourse through his writing and speaking engagements.

Readers view Max Elbaum as a chronicler of American left-wing movements, with particular focus on his book "Revolution in the Air." Readers appreciate his insider perspective on 1960s-70s radical movements and detailed documentation of New Communist organizations. Several reviewers note his balanced treatment of both achievements and failures. One Amazon reviewer highlighted the book's "thorough research into a period that needed examination." Critics point to dense academic writing and what some call an overly sympathetic view of Maoist groups. Multiple readers mentioned struggling with the number of organizations and acronyms covered. A Goodreads review noted "gets bogged down in organizational minutiae." Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (176 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (28 ratings) Syndicate Network book discussion: Mostly positive academic reviews AK Press reader reviews: 4.5/5 (12 ratings) Most common descriptor in reviews: "thorough" and "detailed"

Revolution in the Air: Sixties Radicals Turn to Lenin, Mao and Che (2002) A historical examination of the New Communist Movement in the United States from the late 1960s through the 1980s, documenting how thousands of young activists turned to communist politics during this period.

Revolution in the Air: Sixties Radicals Turn to Lenin, Mao and Che - New Edition (2018) An updated version of the 2002 text, featuring a new foreword and afterword that connects the historical analysis to contemporary social movements and political developments.

Howard Zinn writes about American social movements and radical history from a bottom-up perspective, examining the role of ordinary people in creating social change. His work "A People's History of the United States" covers many of the same themes and movements that interest Elbaum.

David Garrow provides detailed historical analysis of the civil rights movement and its key figures, with particular focus on Martin Luther King Jr. His research methodology and attention to social movement dynamics parallel Elbaum's approach to studying activist histories.

Todd Gitlin writes extensively about the New Left and 1960s social movements from both a scholarly and participant perspective. His work "The Sixties: Years of Hope, Days of Rage" covers similar territory to Elbaum's research on radical movements.

Dan Berger focuses on social movements, prison activism, and radical politics in recent American history. His work examines many of the same post-1960s radical organizations and movements that Elbaum analyzes.

Van Gosse studies the American Left and social movements of the Cold War era, with particular attention to race and internationalism. His research on New Left organizations and their evolution overlaps with Elbaum's focus on radical movements of the 1970s and 1980s.