This work investigates the underlying motivations and psychological patterns of Western intellectuals who traveled to and championed socialist regimes during the twentieth century. Paul Hollander, a sociologist, examines the intersection of domestic disillusionment and the romanticization of foreign political experiments. By analyzing the writings and public statements of prominent figures, he argues that these intellectuals were often driven more by a rejection of their own liberal-democratic societies than by a nuanced understanding of the realities within the Soviet Union, China, and Cuba.

Scholars and political historians frequently cite this book as a foundational text for understanding the history of Western intellectual engagement with totalitarian regimes. Readers often note the academic density of the prose and the rigorous documentation provided throughout the study.