Upon the publication of the book's first American edition in 1952, American literary critic Lionel Trilling exalted Orwell as a "secular saint", who was wholly committed to truth and journalistic objectivity. Historian John Rodden argued that Trilling's introduction to Homage was instrumental in bringing the book to prominence, as the American intelligentsia of the period had been in search of a "moral and political condemnation" of Spanish communism. American reviews re-conceived the book as a key piece of context for understanding Orwell's later work, presenting it as about "the making of an anti-totalitarian". Some understood it as a demonstration of communist tactics for seizing power, placing it within the post-WWII context of the formation of the Eastern Bloc and the People's Republic of China. American journalist Herbert Matthews was sharply critical of the book's re-contextualisation by Americans during the Cold War, arguing that its importance as an account of the Spanish Civil War had been eclipsed by its status as an anti-communist exposé.
upon the publication of the book's first american edition in 1952 american literary critic lionel trilling exalted orwell as a "secular saint" who was wholly committed to truth and journalistic objectivity historian john rodden argued that trilling's introduction to homage was instrumental in bringing the book to prominence as the american intelligentsia of the period had been in search of a "moral and political condemnation" of spanish communism american reviews re-conceived the book as a key piece of context for understanding orwell's later work presenting it as about "the making of an anti-totalitarian" some understood it as a demonstration of communist tactics for seizing power placing it within the post-wwii context of the formation of the eastern bloc and the people's republic of china american journalist herbert matthews was sharply critical of the book's re-contextualisation by americans during the cold war arguing that its importance as an account of the spanish civil war had been eclipsed by its status as an anti-communist exposé