Better Dead Than Red by Ann Curthoys, John Merritt

In the heated decades of the Cold War, the phrase “Better Dead Than Red” captured the anxieties, divisions, and fierce political battles that defined an era. In this compelling study, Ann Curthoys and John Merritt uncover how anti-communist sentiment shaped Australian politics, culture, and everyday life, from parliamentary debates to the streets, workplaces, and even within families.

Through careful research and vivid storytelling, the authors trace the ways fear of communism influenced national identity, foreign policy, and civil liberties. They explore the rise of movements, the silencing of dissent, and the personal stories of those caught in the crossfire of suspicion and ideology.

Both insightful and unsettling, Better Dead Than Red reveals how the struggle against communism left a lasting mark on Australia’s history—and challenges readers to reflect on how fear and ideology continue to shape public life today.