The brief description of "Loyalties" is that it is Bernstein's memoir of the effects McCarthyism and the Cold War had on his family. However, what I found even more interesting than such things as the FBI report on Bernstein's Bar Mitzvah is the picture the book gives of Washington as a city, separate from politics. If you're interested in a local history of the DC area, or urban history in general, this is a surprisingly good read. ( )

I just finished this. It is not easy reading about a difficult chapter in the history of the United States. Bernstein is obviously an excellent reporter and writer. The book is well-researched and written. But I think its appeal is limited to those with some previous interest in the topic. The topic being his parents surveillance over the course of 30 years by the FBI for suspected Communist sympathizing. ( )