The Grocer Who Sold McCarthyism

In The Grocer Who Sold McCarthyism, Fred M. Fiske delves into the life of Laurence A. Johnson, a supermarket owner in Syracuse, New York, who leveraged his influence in the 1950s to combat communism by targeting major food manufacturers like Borden and Kraft. By threatening their sales unless they upheld a blacklist of alleged communists, Johnson gained significant control over Hollywood, affecting the careers of notable stars such as Judy Holliday and Jose Ferrer. This biography not only chronicles Johnson's rise but also sheds light on a critical era in American history marked by fear and ideological conflict, including the libel suit by CBS host John Henry Faulk aimed at dismantling the blacklist.