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The View from Alger's Window by Tony Hiss
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The View from Alger’s Window

A Son’s Memoir

A Son’s Memoir

By Tony Hiss

By Tony Hiss

By Tony Hiss

By Tony Hiss

Category: Historical Figure Biographies & Memoirs | Parenting

Category: Historical Figure Biographies & Memoirs | Parenting

Read An Excerpt

Read An Excerpt

Paperback $13.00

Jul 11, 2000 | 272 Pages

Ebook $9.99

Sep 29, 2010 | 272 Pages

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    • Paperback $13.00

      Jul 11, 2000 | 272 Pages

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    • Ebook $9.99

      Sep 29, 2010 | 272 Pages

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    About The View from Alger’s Window

    The View from Alger’s Window is Tony Hiss’s remarkable memoir of the trial and imprisonment of one of the most famous victims of the Cold War witch-hunts: his father. Tony Hiss was seven years old when Whittaker Chambers first accused Alger Hiss of passing secrets to the Russians. For the rest of his childhood, Tony and his family experienced the cruelties and intimidations of the time.

    Drawing on hundreds of letters Alger sent from prison, the author counters public perceptions of Hiss and shows the fundamental decency and essential goodness of his father and, along the way, draws a compelling portrait of an innocent man. At the same time he lets us see how adversity drew this father and son together, allowing them to achieve a closeness they might never have been able to otherwise.

    Beautifully written, wise, The View from Alger’s Window sheds new light on a family, a time, an accusation, and a man whose guilt or innocence continues to inspire debate.

    About The View from Alger’s Window

    The View from Alger’s Window is Tony Hiss’s remarkable memoir of the trial and imprisonment of one of the most famous victims of the Cold War witch-hunts: his father. Tony Hiss was seven years old when Whittaker Chambers first accused Alger Hiss of passing secrets to the Russians. For the rest of his childhood, Tony and his family experienced the cruelties and intimidations of the time.

    Drawing on hundreds of letters Alger sent from prison, the author counters public perceptions of Hiss and shows the fundamental decency and essential goodness of his father and, along the way, draws a compelling portrait of an innocent man. At the same time he lets us see how adversity drew this father and son together, allowing them to achieve a closeness they might never have been able to otherwise.

    Beautifully written, wise, The View from Alger’s Window sheds new light on a family, a time, an accusation, and a man whose guilt or innocence continues to inspire debate.


    From the Trade Paperback edition.

    Also by Tony Hiss

    In Motion
    The Experience of Place
    See all books by Tony Hiss

    Also by Tony Hiss

    In Motion
    The Experience of Place
    See all books by Tony Hiss

    About Tony Hiss

    Tony Hiss has written over 12 books including The Experience of Place and In Motion. His books have explored subjects as varied as train travel, Hunanese cooking, giant pandas, the story of his family, and the future of New York City…. More about Tony Hiss

    About Tony Hiss

    Tony Hiss has written over 12 books including The Experience of Place and In Motion. His books have explored subjects as varied as train travel, Hunanese cooking, giant pandas, the story of his family, and the future of New York City…. More about Tony Hiss

    Product Details

    Paperback | $13.00
    Published by Vintage
    Jul 11, 2000 | 272 Pages | 5-3/16 x 8 | ISBN 9780375701283

    Ebook | $9.99
    Published by Vintage
    Sep 29, 2010 | 272 Pages | ISBN 9780307766298

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    Praise

    "A loving, beautifully written tribute by a son to a father who suffered and, in spirit, prevailed." —The Atlanta Journal-Consitution

    "In this intimate and appreciative memoir, Tony Hiss . . . has achieved what must surely have been his boyhood dream: to free his father from history’s
    imprisonment." —The Boston Globe

    "Poignant, wonderfully written and deeply troubling. . . . A haunting record." —The New York Times

    "[A] tender hagiography . . . heartbreakingly sweet." —Time

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