NPR's Book of the Day Two new books take on lesser-known chapters of WWII and Cold War-era Black history
Feb 6, 2026
Howard Bryant, sports writer and author who examines Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson’s clash during the Red Scare. Cheryl W. Thompson, NPR investigative correspondent and author who uncovers 27 missing Tuskegee Airmen. They discuss political pressure on Black leaders, contested public memory, wartime disappearances, family letters, and how these stories were overlooked.
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Robinson Testified Against Robeson
- Howard Bryant shows how Jackie Robinson was called to HUAC to counter Paul Robeson during the Red Scare.
- Robinson's measured disagreement damaged Robeson's standing and shifted public opinion against him.
Robeson Felt Betrayed By Both Nations
- Paul Robeson's loyalty to his ideals complicated his response to Stalin's abuses and U.S. racism.
- Bryant argues Robeson prioritized U.S. accountability and felt betrayed by both nations.
Modern Echoes Of The Red Scare
- Bryant sees strong parallels between Red Scare tactics and contemporary attacks on progressive politics and the arts.
- He warns that today's rhetoric and defunding echo the second Red Scare's playbook.
