Parenti has a way with his words. The first time I learnt about socialism/ML was thrue his work. His simple and to the point explanation help me change from a conservative/libral to a socialist.
Blackshirts and reds should be required reading for any commie. I would argue it has as much importance of anything written by marx or lenin or mao or stalin. It has an ability to open peoples eyes quicker and more completely than anything else. It is always my first recomendation to any new leftist