This short book (only 160 pages) is an “oldy but goody” if you please, and is well worth the read.

After 20 years as a leader in the communist party in England, Douglas Hyde resigned in 1948 from his post as news editor for the London Daily Worker and, with his family, converted to Catholicism. Thus, he ended 20 years as an ardent member of the Communist Party.

Hyde proceeded to write Dedication and Leadership and led seminars to teach Catholics and other Christians how communists recruited and trained their “disciples.” The thesis of the book is that dedication is at the heart of leadership, and it is the dedication of communists to party goals, their methods of psychological manipulation and willingness to sacrifice, that propelled the system to international power.

The author describes how communists take advantage of the natural idealism of youth by challenging them to “change the world” and to embrace hardship. He gives the example of older communists who prove their dedication by working hard for little pay, and shows how the veterans don’t ask new recruits to do what they are not doing themselves.

Hyde explains the communist methods of education and formation, which are quite different in countries where communism is in control compared to countries where it is not. As readers might expect, it’s a tougher road for communists to navigate in countries where they are not in charge. He describes how communism — using a small minority of committed, trained people — took over much of the world, and how they maintain active campaigns to stay in power.

The author presents a hypothetical character to demonstrate how communists operate. “Jim” is a man without good looks, special education, or talents, yet with dedication and patience, he is molded and becomes a valuable leader. A tried-and-true communist tactic is to take over trade unions — in both government and the private sector, and Hyde describes how this happens: communists are challenged by their leaders to be “the best” in the workplace, and to be respected leaders. This pandering to human pride reaps rewards as most succeed in their efforts to succeed.

Dedication and Leadership was first published in 1966, when communism had taken over much of the world and was continuing to expand. Some of its examples are out of date, e.g., Hyde describes how young recruits were sent out onto street corners to sell Daily Worker newspapers.

But despite the book’s age, Christians will recognize in it the things they should be doing to combat this dangerous economic and political system. Jesus Christ asked His disciples to take up their cross, spread God’s Word, and to make disciples of all people, which is the most effective antidote.

The situation today is much different than when Hyde wrote his book in the mid-1960s. There are communists in high places — we would probably call them Cultural Marxists — often drawing high salaries in local, state, and federal government, in universities and colleges, in public school districts, and in non-profit organizations. They are not short on resources, which are provided by billionaire supporters.

In Hyde’s day, communists were called to life-long perseverance and dedication to their cause, however misguided, and this is what the author encourages Christians to do as disciples of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Hyde’s little book provides valuable insights so that readers might learn from communist tactics and dedication, thereby becoming more effective followers of Christ, who hopefully will make the ultimate choice for “total” Christianity over “total” Communism.

To read the entire book, go to Christianbook.com or Thriftbooks to order!

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