Norman Thomas : The Great Dissenter

A conscientious objector in two world wars and a relentless advocate for world peace as well as social justice, Norman Thomas was tear-gassed, arrested, and jailed as he stood up for the rights of minorities, immigrants, and the working poor.

In addition to being a civil rights activist, Thomas headed the Socialist Party for 18 years, ran for president six times, was a pacifist, and created several institutions to advance world peace and universal disarmament. He strongly and vocally opposed the Vietnam War.

This biography highlights the values that lay behind his actions, values which included aspects of socialism but which also conflicted with the views of many Leftists.