The View from Alger's Window by Tony Hiss

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.

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

About Tony Hiss

In Motion marks Tony Hiss’s thirteenth book and follows the award-winning The Experience of Place. 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… More about Tony Hiss

About Tony Hiss

In Motion marks Tony Hiss’s thirteenth book and follows the award-winning The Experience of Place. 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… More about Tony Hiss