A Hard Journey: The Life of Don West

Equally known for being called to testify at the McCarthy hearings and for being the father of folksinger Hedy West, poet, minister and radical activist Don West lived a sojourner's life, almost always on the run from anti-union or anti-communist organizations (including the U.S. government). But what he'd most like to be remembered for is his constant role as advocate for the people of Southern Applachia. Despite (or perhaps because of) extensive research, Lorence captures West's tumultuous life in nothing but straight facts, favoring detailed minutes of meetings (""West moved quickly to promote a reconfigured role for the SCHW in Georgia and a tighter link with Foreman and the national organization"") over any exploration of West's internal turmoil after being, for example, exiled from Kentucky for spreading socialist rhetoric, or being beaten and left for dead in the mountains (the latter only mentioned in passing). When the topic of West's tempestuous and high-handed character comes up, Lorence tends to rationalize; similarly, he forgives West's constant equivocating over whether or not he was a Communist (it seems he was, in fact, a card-carrying member of the Party for much of his adult life). Though he outlines clearly and faithfully West's professional and political struggle, Lorence provides little insight into the man himself.