James Weinstein (author)
James "Jimmy" Weinstein (1926–2005) was an American historian and journalist best known as the founder and publisher of "In These Times", a progressive magazine started in 1976 in Chicago, Illinois. He frequently wrote about early 20th-century American socialism. Biography. James Weinstein was born in New York City on July 17, 1926. Weinstein served in the US Navy. He graduated Cornell University in 1949. He later attended Columbia University, obtaining a master's degree in history. As a young man, Weinstein was an active supporter of Henry Wallace's 1948 presidential bid on the Progressive Party ticket , a campaign strongly backed by the Communist Party. However, Weinstein later became critical of "third party" strategies and would encourage the American Left to work within the Democratic Party. Weinstein became a prominent figure among left-wing Democrats in his adopted home of Chicago, Illinois, where he founded the progressive magazine "In These Times" in 1976 and it is still headquartered. He was inspired by Civil Rights icon Julian Bond, and intellectuals Noam Chomsky and Herbert Marcuse, both teaching at the University of Chicago at the time. Weinstein wrote numerous history books, including "The Decline of Socialism in America", "The  Corporate Ideal in the Liberal State", and "The Long Detour: The History and Future of the American Left". He also founded the journals "Studies on the Left" and "Socialist Revolution" (later renamed "Socialist Review" and ultimately "Radical Society"). He was one of the founders of Modern Times Bookstore in San Francisco, California. Weinstein was a committed fan of the Chicago Cubs and enjoyed experimenting with culinary recipes. He died in Chicago on June 16, 2005, at the age of 78.