The Naked Communist

The Naked Communist is a 1958 political analysis by W. Cleon Skousen, drawing from his experience as an FBI agent and researcher. The book examines communist ideology, strategies, and what Skousen identified as systematic efforts to spread communist influence globally. The text outlines Marx and Engels' core communist principles while tracking the movement's expansion through the Soviet Union, China, and other nations. Skousen presents evidence of what he claims are coordinated actions to weaken Western democracy, including a list of 45 specific objectives aimed at undermining American society. The book has maintained relevance since its publication, selling nearly two million copies and receiving recognition from political figures including Ronald Reagan. The 2017 edition includes updated analysis comparing Skousen's original predictions to contemporary developments. This influential work encapsulates Cold War-era American fears about communist expansion while raising broader questions about ideological conflict and national security. The text serves as both a historical document of mid-20th century anti-communist sentiment and a framework for examining modern political movements.

Readers describe this as a historical analysis of communism written from a strongly anti-communist perspective. Reviews note the book serves as a primer on communist ideology and tactics from the 1950s Cold War viewpoint. Positive reviews highlight: - Clear explanations of Marxist principles - Documentation of communist expansion methods - Historical examples and case studies - Readable writing style for complex topics Critical reviews point to: - Dated Cold War-era biases and fears - Oversimplified arguments - Limited sources and citations - Religious/conservative slant One reader called it "thorough but tunnel-visioned," while another noted it "reads like anti-communist propaganda rather than objective analysis." Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (3,200+ ratings) Most negative reviews come from academic readers seeking balanced analysis, while positive reviews tend to come from those seeking reinforcement of anti-communist views.

None Dare Call It Conspiracy by Gary Allen A detailed analysis of global power structures and political movements traces connections between international banking, socialist policies, and attempts to create centralized control.

Masters of Deceit by J. Edgar Hoover The FBI director's firsthand account presents methods and tactics used by communist organizations to infiltrate American institutions during the Cold War period.

The Black Book of Communism by Stéphane Courtois This research compilation documents the human cost of communist regimes through statistical data, historical records, and primary sources from multiple countries.

Witness by Whittaker Chambers A former communist party member's memoir reveals internal operations of Soviet espionage networks in the United States government during the 1930s.

The Creature from Jekyll Island by G. Edward Griffin The text examines the creation of the Federal Reserve System and its relationship to international monetary policies that align with concepts discussed in The Naked Communist.

🔷 The book was required reading by the FBI during the height of the Cold War, and even appeared on the FBI's recommended reading list for several years. 🔷 W. Cleon Skousen served as a clerk and administrative assistant to J. Edgar Hoover at the FBI, giving him unique insider access to intelligence about communist activities. 🔷 The book lists "45 Communist Goals" that became part of the Congressional Record in 1963, when Congressman Albert S. Herlong Jr. read them into the record of the 88th Congress. 🔷 Despite being written over 60 years ago, the book experienced a significant resurgence in popularity during the 2008-2009 period, climbing onto several bestseller lists. 🔷 The author spent more than five years researching and compiling the information for the book, drawing from over 100 different sources including Soviet documents and testimonies from former communist agents.