The Klan Unmasked (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 285 pages
• Publisher: University Press of Florida (March 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.com Sales Rank: #734,135 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 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

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.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

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

By A Customer

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.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A FANTASTIC EXPOSe! Great read...., December 1, 1998

By	[e-mail] (Flatblock 17c) - See all my reviews

This book is a true story based upon Stetson Kennedy's inflirtration into the Ku Klux Klan. This book shows how the Klan used it political and economic powers to persuade the American Government in their favor. This book will give any reader a better idea of the corruption that runs through out our government. The author Stetson Kennedy is a true hero. Stetson Kennedy fought for liberty, equality and justice. It's unfortunate that most people will never hear of the great things that Mr. Kennedy did to help achieve the ideals that we should always be striving for.