Ethel Rosenberg is a controversial figure and generates polarising views varying from an innocent mother caught up in Cold War hysteria to a willing and ruthless accomplice to her husband’s Cold War espionage betraying secrets to the Soviets.

Anne Sebba’s new book “Ethel Rosenberg – A Cold War tragedy” (“An American tragedy” in the US) provides a more nuanced view of Ethel that is not just about innocence and guilt but of a talented singer and mother of two children, betrayed by her family and the American judicial system. Aged 37, in 1953 she becomes the first woman in American history to be executed for a crime other than murder.

Whatever your views about Ethel Rosenberg this episode will detail more of who Ethel was and how the American judicial system was manipulated to ensure her conviction. 

Anne’s book is available on these links.

UK listeners https://amzn.to/3wGZD1z

US listeners https://amzn.to/2TObJra

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I am delighted to welcome Anne Sebba to our Cold War conversations...

There's more information as well as a book giveaway in the episode notes here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode184/

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0:00 Introduction to Ethel Rosenberg's story

1:32 Request for financial support for the podcast

5:10 Ethel Rosenberg's early life and family

12:26 The political climate in 1936 and Ethel's meeting with Julius Rosenberg

16:14 The changing perceptions of the Soviet Union and Ethel and Julius's loyalty

27:31 Book giveaway announcement

33:30 Ethel's knowledge of Julius's espionage activities and the arrest

41:25 Legal proceedings and Ethel's decision to take the 5th Amendment

47:21 Discussion on the Vannona decrypts and Ethel's role

54:08 Importance and relevance of Ethel's story today

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