From the Editor

■ In the controversy over Madeline Albright’s Jewish parentage (see “The Week”), some commentators seek to exonerate the daughter by blaming the father. He allegedly suppressed knowledge of his parents and converted to Catholicism from opportunism.

These are serious charges to bring against a man who, being dead, cannot defend himself. But there is little evidence to support them and some on the other side. His book, The Communist Subversion of Czechoslovakia 1938-1948, was dedicated to his parents—hardly the act of a man who wished to obliterate their memory. (My thanks to George Szamuely for drawing this to my notice.)

About the Author

John O’Sullivan

John O’Sullivan is a senior fellow at National Review Institute and a contributing editor of National Review.

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■ In the controversy over Madeline Albright’s Jewish parentage (see “The Week”), some commentators seek to exonerate the daughter by blaming the father. He allegedly suppressed knowledge of his parents and converted to Catholicism from opportunism.

These are serious charges to bring against a man who, being dead, cannot defend himself. But there is little evidence to support them and some on the other side. His book, The Communist Subversion of Czechoslovakia 1938-1948, was dedicated to his parents—hardly the act of a man who wished to obliterate their memory. (My thanks to George Szamuely for drawing this to my notice.)