Witness, Whittaker Chambers

(Originally posted January 24, 2018)

Our book group read an incredible book called Witness written by Whittaker Chambers.

Chambers defected from the Communist underground in the U.S. in the 1930's - which had already heavily infiltrated the U.S. government. In 1948 and 1949, he testified in a grand jury and two lawsuits against Algier Hiss, one of the underground Communists who had a high position in the U.S. State Department.

I can't recommend this book highly enough, though it is a project and a half, and there is much of the machinations of the Communist "apparatus," as Chambers calls it, that are very difficult to wade through. It's like thinking you need to memorize an organizational flow chart of a secret combination for some quiz, so remember - there's no quiz!

Chambers is unapologetic and bold in his condemnation of communism, and its opposition to the free will granted to men by God. His writing is unbelievably articulate and poignant. Here is a short excerpt about his legal team, the "Davids" set up to go against the "Goliath" of the Communist Party, which, at that time, absolutely included huge sectors of the U.S. government. Speaking of those who were on his side, believed him, and defended him, he writes:

"The inclusive fact about them is that, in contrast to the pro-Hiss rally, most of them, regardless of what they had made of themselves, came from the wrong side of the railroad tracks. I use the expression as the highest measure of praise, as Lincoln noted that God must love the common people; he made so many of them. For in America, most of us begin on the wrong side of the railroad tracks. The meaning of America, what made it the wonder of history and the hope of mankind, was that we were free not to stay on the wrong side of the railroad tracks. If within us there was something that empowered us to grow, we were free to grow and go where we could. Only, we were not free ever to forget, ever to despise our origins. They were our roots. They made us a nation."

I'm profoundly grateful I took the time to read this one. It joins the ranks of 4 other important biographies/autobiographies that have been watershed, defining books in my education on liberty.

[Added March 21, 2024]

I often speak and write about the handful of autobiographies/biographies which have been seminal in my understanding of the world and human nature. When I say that, I mean primarily that they have been seminal in my understanding of humans' struggle for freedom versus dominion.

This memoir was important because it clearly showed how public figures are packaged for popularity or notoriety. Algier Hiss reeked of success, style, and respectability, and the press lauded him and bleated his innocence because of it. On the other hand, Chambers was an unfashionable, almost dumpy, frumpy-looking character. Again, the press capitalized on his appearance to help them paint him as an unsavory, untrustworthy character.

This book was one of the first places I saw clearly the tactics of those who subvert freedom by turning themselves into victims, and then their victims into bullies.

Because portions of the actual grand jury transcripts are included in this book, this was the first place I was able to analyze the non-answer stonewalling and obfuscating we routinely see in public hearings today. To see the exact same patterns in hearing after hearing have led me to the inescapable conclusion that these patterns and tactics are taught, coached, and rehearsed.

But the most beautiful takeaway from this book which is so full of what could feel like hopelessness - some, actually expressed by Chambers himself - is his bold, brilliant, and beautiful witness of what he did, why he did it, and for whom he did it. Chambers wanted to leave his personal witness of the existence of God, and the help and support he received from his God when he made the seemingly impossible decision to stand up, against all odds, and do what was right.