The Klan Unmasked [Paperback]

Stetson Kennedy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1990

Stetson Kennedy here tells the story of his post-World War II years as an undercover agent in the KKK (where he rose to Kleagle rank). Fast-paced and suspenseful, the book is a gripping mix of eyewitness reports of Klan activities, accounts of Kennedy’s clandestine information-gathering, and his efforts to report his findings to the media and to any law enforcement agencies that would listen. As a result, for a time in the 1940s, Washington news commentator Drew Pearson was reading Klan meeting minutes on national radio, and radio’s Superman had America’s kids sharing the most current Klan passwords as fast as the Dragon could think up new ones.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"S tetson Kennedy is our Nation’s No. 1 Klan-buster. He has done a painstaking and patriotic job in exposing the KKK. Everyone interested in the future of America should read his book.”--Drew Pearson, Washington Merry-Go-Round

“Back in the forties, when the going was very, very rough, Stetson Kennedy was working with me and our Atlanta office, and he infiltrated not just one, but many Klans.” --Arnold Forster, general counsel, Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith

“Stetson Kennedy’s infiltration and exposure was the greatest single factor in curbing the growth of the post WW II Klan.” --Wynn Craig Wade, The Fiery Cross

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Stetson Kennedy is an award-winning author and human rights activist. Kennedy is also known as a pioneering folklorist, a labor activist, and environmentalist. He is the author of the books: Palmetto Country, Southern Exposure, The Jim Crow Guide, The Klan Unmasked, and After Appomattox.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 285 pages
• Publisher: University Press of Florida (December 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813009863
• ISBN-13: 978-0813009865
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,416,771 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Easy Entertaining Read about Amerikkkan Terrorism, September 3, 2002

By 

GHT - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Klan Unmasked (Paperback)

Kennedy first released this book in 1954, the 1990 edition includes some practical ideas to fight Klan and other neo-fascist organizations in an afterword.

This book is a very easy read, conversational in tone, and compelling in content. Mr. Kennedy outlines his infiltration into the headquarters chapter of the KKK in Atlanta and the Columbia Brownshirt organization there, and his undercover hob-knobbing with violent racists and hatemongers, and the colorful illiterates and semi-literates that made up the membership of the Klan and their fellow travellers. He put his life in danger many times confronting the evil, brutal and stupid nature of southern racists.

Another compelling part of the story is the complicity of the police, FBI, the Democratic machine of the Talmadge family, (who rode the upsurge in Klan violence to national political prominence), and the Republican businessmen of the south who paid Klansmen to help bust union drives by busting heads and nightriding.

He also spends alot of time detailing Klan rituals and meetings, and the seemingly neverending lists of Kleagles, Kludds, etc. that made up the hoodoo hierarchy of the Klan organization. It seems like never had so much empty ritual been used in attempt to 'sanctify' such mindless violence.

A good book that gives a good cross-section of what Klan terror and rightist violence was all about in the 1940s and 1950s.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This True story is more exciting than any action movie!, November 11, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Klan Unmasked (Paperback)

A must read. Steson Kennedy tells the true story about his infiltration into The KKK of the forties and fifties in the deep south. This eye opening true story will keep any reader on the edge of their seat!

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kennedy is a true American hero, August 13, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Klan Unmasked (Paperback)

A friend originally recommended this book to me, I was initially put off by the subject matter. The Klan is not really something I wanted to know about, also the book was written long before I was born, so I wasn't overly excited about it. However, I am so glad I did read it, because not only is Kennedy a hero (for infiltrating the Klan at it's most powerful), he is also a fantastic writer. This book reads like a thriller, but it's all true. I think this book would appeal to many people, from a wide cross section of society, even if, like me, they don't think so at first. I have bought copies for friends and family, and have received positive feedback from them. This book warrants its five star rating.