A Republican President is besieged by criticism. He believes the Democratic party headquarters has a file that would damage his reputation, so he orders a burglary. R Nixon in 1972? No, H Hoover in 1930 (p.153)! 1933 saw a change in Administrations. J Edgar Hoover again demonstrated his usefulness to the new AG (p.155). Page 163 tells of some doubts about Bruno Hauptmann's guilt: his fingerprints did not match "the latent impressions developed on the ransom notes and the ransom money" found in the garage! Page 181 notes the friends of Hoover; one was AA Berle, "whose former commanding officer was General Van Deman".

Chapter 15 discusses the arrests made when Hoover was on the scene; he was a better administrator than a detective. In the 1930s he personally conducted several vice raids in Miami, until complaints about ruining the tourist business brought them to an end. Chapter 16 tells about the proposed coup d'etat against FDR. General Smedley Butler, who was forced to retire after criticizing Mussolini, was approached by bankers who wanted to make him head of the American Legion (p.201). They wanted the American Legion to copy the Fascisti of Italy, and lead a march on Washington to change the Administration. Page 203 tells of the American Liberty League, the clique behind this proposed putsch. General Butler took his story to Hoover ("no federal crime involved"), then to the new House Un-American Activities Committee. Many of the sponsors of the American Liberty League then withdrew their support; other groups (like 'America First') were created (p.204). The FBI began intelligence investigations into the Nazi movement, a departure from criminal investigations.

On 8/24/1936 FDR held a private meeting with Hoover. The new task would be to investigate Fascism and Communism. Did the FBI lack authority? Hoover said he could do this only if the State Dept requested it. That was done the next day (p.207). On 11/30/1939 Hoover told Congress he had resurrected the despised GID to list suspected individuals, groups, and organizations. If needed, he could imprison "both aliens and citizens", such as radical labor leaders, critical journalists and writers, and certain members of Congress (p.213)! Complaints to FDR about Hoover keeping tabs on their activities helped Hoover (p.223), because FDR like to hear about this. FDR also ordered Hoover to do more political intelligence on his opponents (p.225). One of FDR's secret tapes records him giving instructions on how to smear Willkie (p.227).

Page 232 tells how FDR overruled the Supreme Court decision against wiretapping! Page 234 tells of the ACLU "stooge". Page 241 tells of FDR's deal with HUAC: if people couldn't be prosecuted, then HUAC could smear them. Pages 269-273 tell about Dusko Popov's visit to America, and his unheeded warning about an attack on Pearl Harbor. (See Robert Stinnett's book "Day of Deceit".) Page 282 tells of mail opening being done in WW II and for decades after. Page 283 tells of rumors of planting incriminating evidence! Bugging hotel rooms is noted on page 286. The bitter rivalry between Hoover and Henry Morgenthau Jr is discussed on page 293. There were constant battles with Army and Navy intelligence. Page 296 tells of Pearl Harbor investigations.

Hoover was a top-level bachelor bureaucrat who remained in office during many administrations. We will never see his king again. (Congress passed a law against it.)

The first sixty pages tell of the three days after Hoover's death. AAG Patrick Gray asked AD John Mohr for "the secret files" only to be told there were no secret files (p.37). They used code words to hide them, such as "Official Confidential" and "Do Not File" files! Page 73 mentions that Hoover was "in charge of counter-radical activities as special assistant to the attorney general" since 1917. Hoover was a strong proponent of "dragnet" raids, made without warrants and probable cause (pp. 72-3). While this is usually censored in the history books, some WW II era movies show Nazis doing this in occupied countries. Page 77 tells how a prediction of insurrection and terrorism resulted in an increased budget!

Hoover was appointed chief of the General Intelligence Division in 1919 (p.79). One-third to one-half of special agents investigated threatened strikes; the DOJ became a national strikebreaking agency! Since 1914 the cost of living had doubled, and wages declined by 14%. Their penetration and control of the two Communist parties allowed them to arrange meetings so their members could be easily arrested (p.91)! The affidavits of probable cause were almost devoid of proof (p.89). (I wonder if this could ever happen again?) Page 93 tells how the BI's undercover agents handed out red membership cards to often illiterate aliens. After warrantless arrests, the "third degree" was used to get their statements. Since no Revolution occurred afterwards, the 'NY Times" claimed a success! Months later the National Popular Government League released its study, and said the Department of Justice was breaking the laws and violating the Constitution (p.98). The twelve signers were famous lawyers. Hoover immediately opened a file on each! Other lawyers condemned these raids, including two future Supreme Court Justices.

Page 101 explains how this "Double Cross System" worked: "beyond reasonable doubt, the Government owns and operates some part of the Communist Party". This suspected agent had helped write two key documents used in all of these cases. During WW II some in British Intellignce criticized Hoover's arrest of the 8 Nazi spies, saying they should have doubled them. But they didn't understand American politics! They may have looked down on the Americans, but Hoover (and others) were running agents while these critics were still in diapers.

Hoover showed his talents by being kept on with a new administration. He investigated Harding's political opponents, and easily switched loyalties (p.109). Hoover received support from military intelligence (p.11). Page 114 tells how investigating Mann Act violations created massive amounts of data on corruption. Some prominent names (Rockefeller, Mellon, and Vanderbilt) profited from prostitution as landlords. Page 120 tells of a proposal to create sympathy for the Attorney General by bombing his house!

And there are many more such stories in later chapters. Remember this: J Edgar Hoover was promoted because he was the best man available in the "Department of Easy Virtue"!

This tells how the rulers and politicians of 1916 San Francisco tried to legally murder Tom Mooney and Warren Billings for a crime they didn't commit. Every scrap of testimony by the prosecution was perjured! The verdict caused worldwide protest demonstrations. Both men were freed after twenty years in prison.

Preparedness Day parades that year were business sponsored, pro-Republican party, anti-Wilson, and anti-labor. It could mean the European War, the Invasion of Mexico, or an attack on Democrats, Progressives, organized Labor, Socialists, pacifists, or supporters of President Wilson (p.12). The parade went on with unaccustomed silence from the crowd. At 2:06PM the bomb went off, killing 10 people and wounding may others; over forty were hospitalized. Glass from broken windows fell on the people below. When DA Fickert arrived, he used a sledge hammer and crowbar to create more damage! Photographs on page 28. Five people were arrested for this crime, when there were no warrants and no evidence to connect them to it.

Thomas Jeremiah Mooney's father was a coal miner and union organizer. His early death left the family poor, and they moved to Massachusetts where they had relatives. Tom became involved in union activities (p.34). The Panic of 1907 saw him travelling to find work across the country. He found work in Stockton, and joined the Socialist Party. Salesman Mooney went out to sell pamphlets rather than wait for customers to call. Tom became a militant organizer for industrial unionism. He then joined the IWW and its "direct action". Tom often criticized the union leaders as much as corporate employers; he made enemies of those who should be allies.

The early life of Warren Knox Billings saw him moving from job to job. One of his jobs was at a struck factory, where he sabotaged the work (p.54). He then became part of the Mooney family. Page 60 explains how the frame-up racket worked. Tom seems to have had too much arrogance and pride. Page 66 tells how the president of United Railroad looted the company of millions, not unlike today's scandals. Tom tried to organize a union there but failed. Page 70 tells of another attempted frame-up: they hired a look-alike to carry suitcases to where bombs would be set off!

This book is important as it documents prosecutorial tricks repeated at other political trials. Single, double, and triple agents do not occur only in wartime! Part One is their personal history. Part Two is about the trial. Part Three is about the efforts to free them. Part Four tells of their release. The appendix discusses the solutions to the crime. Henry Landau's "The Enemy Within" tells of German espionage in America during that time. His "Secrets of The White Lady" tells of his intelligence work in occupied Belgium and France.

Vincent Bugliosi, who prosecuted Charles Manson along with Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel, Leslie Van Houton, and Charles "Tex" Watson, gives us an insider's look into the Tate-LaBianca murders of 1969. Described by Manson himself as a "judicial genius", Bugliosi personally (and tirelessly) gathered most of the evidence himself. He takes us through the murders, the manhunt, the capture, his struggle to build his case, and finally the trial. A very frightening read, when one considers the savagery of the murders along with Manson's dangerous (and powerful) personality. Also sad, not just because how you come to feel for the victims, but also because the flowerful 1960's ended this way. Sixty-four pages of photos and a 1994 update, which clears up some unanswered questions as well as detailing the post conviction lives of the killers, all of whom are still incarcerated save for Steve Grogan, who was convicted of a different murder. A must for any true crime buff, and you probably won't make it past the first chapter without checking to see if your doors are locked.

When you open the book, the first thing you come to will be a disclaimer that warns, "The story you are about to read will scare the hell out of you." This is no exaggeration! Don't make the mistake I did and read it alone in the middle of the night! I was so terrified that I was afraid to close my eyes.

Vincent Bugliosi does an effective job of putting the chilling story of the Manson murders into print. You will learn a few things about our country's criminal-law system as you read the book, so it's very educational.

The greatest tragedy in this true-crime story was that Sharon Tate worked hard all her life for stardom yet would find it only in death.

I cannot help but empathize with all the murder victims -- some of whose bodies will never be found -- but most especially with the Tate and LaBianca victims whose only crime was being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"If this was not a proper case for the death penalty, no case ever would be." In that one sentence, Vincent Bugliosi sums up exactly how horrific, senseless and sadistic these murders were. This is definitely not a case study for the squeamish, and Bugliosi leaves no stone unturned in his prosecution, as well as his investigation, of the Manson murders.

Co-author Curt Gentry narrates the first half of the book in the omniscient third-person, informing readers of the stark facts. On August 9, 1969, 10050 Cielo Drive went from being Sharon Tate's "love house" to a slaughter house where 5 victims (Tate, her friends Jay Sebring, Abigail Folger, Voytek Frykowsky, and an unknown bystander, Steven Parent) were stabbed repeatedly, and in some cases, shot. The most horrifying image is the death of Sharon herself, who was nearly nine months pregnant, and in her most vulnerable state. The following night, August 10, Rosemary & Leno LaBianca were the victims of the massacre. Aside from the graphic nature of the crimes, messages had been printed in blood. Among them was a mispelled one: "Healter Skelter".

Gentry gives details on the LAPD investigation. At times, the police come off as the Keystone Kops with their obvious mistakes (for instance, an officer presses the gate buzzer at the Tate residence, obliterating the bloody fingerprint originally left there). In other instances, some officers are shown to be thorough in their interviewing techniques and investigations (most notably Dianne Lake, a former member of the Manson family).

When Gentry begins to unravel the horrors of one Charles Manson, a small-time pimp and criminal who had spent most of his life in federal prison, the narration is at its most compelling. Eventually, one of the perpetrators of the "Helter Skelter" murders, Susan Atkins aka Sadie Mae Glutz, blabs to her cellmates once too often, and (thankfully) gets the killers arrested. Bugliosi gets assigned to the case.

Bugliosi apologizes for the abrupt change in the narration, since he picks it up in the first person singular. However, his ability to relate the details of the case, the personalities of the killers and victims, the forgotten clues, interviews with understandably frightened witnesses, and his analysis of the dynamics of the Manson Family will soon make the reader forget this change in the "voice". Bugliosi is a trial lawyer who puts 150% into his work, and to read his account of why he had to prove motive, how he got the maximum amount of information from his witnesses, etc., is to read a masterpiece. It's rare to see any lawyer that dedicated to his job. Bugliosi not only has an eye for details that are seemingly unimportant at first, he also has the ability to articulate the main points of the case in a manner which is easily understood by someone unfamiliar with criminal law--a rare combination. The trial was almost as bizarre as the murder, with the defendants behaving as if they were unruly students in a classroom, and laughing at inappropriate times. The most unforgettable moment would have to be Manson's attempted attack on the judge, as his co-defendants admiringly looked on. Those 3 women, as well as the other Manson family members (including the prosecution witnesses), believed that Charlie had magic powers. Considering that he and his four co-defendants were found guilty and got the death penalty, only to have the death penalty overturned by the U. S. Supreme Court, it would seem that maybe Manson DID.

In the afterword, Bugliosi goes on to name other unsolved murder cases in which the Manson family members are suspects (there are possibly about 40 victims in all, or even more). His eloquent trial arguments are a reminder of what could have happened if this case had been assigned to a lawyer who DIDN'T always have his eye on the ball. The scariest thing about these cases is that Manson could have easily walked, given the initial lack of concrete evidence. Bugliosi is probably the all-time champion prosecutor when it comes to circumstantial evidence cases. For another one of these books, check out another one of his books, "Till Death Us Do Part". His final argument is so concise and thorough in the way it covers every possible issue, it must certainly rank among one of the finest arguments in U. S. history.

A number of important lessons call out from the pages of this engrossing and rather sad story - not the least of which is that Francis Gary Powers got shafted, folks. Plain and simple.

During his captivity, the press severely tarnished his reputation by publishing sometimes gross misinformation about him and his mission. Some of these misconceptions thrive to this day.

How many people still believe he was under CIA orders to use his infamous suicide pin? (he wasn't even required to carry it) How many people still think he told the Soviets too much? (his handling of the interrogations was very shrewd; he cleverly protected the most important secrets - even after our reckless press published information that threatened to undermine his strategy) How many people really think he was considering defecting to the USSR after release from Soviet prison? (never crossed his mind) Or that he didn't activate the U-2's destruct mechanism because it was allegedly set to destroy both plane and pilot? (completely false rumor started by the Soviets)

Perhaps the saddest part is that after his release, the CIA could have done more to clear his name. But they apparently back-peddled from this effort because clearing his name meant tarnishing theirs (For starters, Powers states that the CIA did not train their U-2 pilots on what to do if captured. These days, practically all military pilots receive such training).

Several years ago I paid for a pristine first edition of this 1970 book, signed by Powers and co-author Curt Gentry (Powers died in 1977). At first I thought I'd paid too much. After reading it, I think I got a bargain.

On 1-May, 1960, CIA U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers was shot down over the USSR and spent two years in a Soviet prison. Eighteen years later, he was permitted to publish his own story. The two excellent preceeding reviews cover the crucial historical and political aspect of the U-2 story -- particularly how Mr. Powers was made a scapegoat for the embarassment of the US. I highly recommend this memoir of a courageous and loyal American. I also recommend it for Mr. Powers' personal story, told engagingly in his own unassuming but elegant words. How he survived being downed by a SAM, how he strove to manipulate his interrogation to protect American secrets. How he carried himself at his showcase espionage trial, and how he endured his incarceration. Not too surprisingly, he narrates with less rancor for his Soviet captors than for his own US government. And the American press, which reviled him as a coward and accused him of treaon. And, as if he didn't have enough hardship, his faithless, alcoholic wife, who all but abandoned him! It was only through the efforts of his father that he obtained his early release. Ironically, his treatment on return home was much crueler than anything he experienced in Russia. But throughout his ordeal, Gary Powers' steadfast devotion to his country never wavered. I found his memoir inspirational and riveting. I've seen the wreckage of his U-2 spy plane, still on exhibit in the "Cold War" area of the Moscow Central Armed Forces Museum. And I've made the drive to Vladimir, location of the prison in which he kept his diary. I believe "Operation Overflight" is going to be released in paperback soon, after years out of print. If so, I hope it will include more of the technical and personal information which was too sensitive for publication in 1970.

With respect to the "Cold War" we usually know the official versions from both the government of the USA and of the USSR. Powers book is extremely interesting because it gives you a private account of somebody that was deeply involved in the U-2 Cold War incident: a third point of view. A point of view that has no "agenda" to push through.
Powers description of his life in prison had for me an almost spiritual meaning. After reading what he went through, I felt grateful for what I have. He mentions, for example, that in prison work is cherished: he and his cell mate fought to have the privilege of cleaning their cell.
On the other hand, his actual experience in jail was very different from what you see in the movies. There was no violence, no torture, no conspiracy to escape. In almost two years he had a chance to speak with only one other prisoner: his cell mate. It was the most boring experience imaginable, so much so that some prisoners lost their minds.

It is difficult not to feel contempt for Dwight Eisenhower who after ordering the flight completely abandoned Powers to his fate. Eisenhower cared much more for his "prestige" than for any person but in the end his prestige went down the drain anyway when his involvement in the U-2 affair was finally known.

Another player that has dramatically dropped in stature for me is Robert Kennedy. His callousness is hard to believe. After all the suffering Powers went through in the USSR for doing his duty for the CIA, R. Kennedy was willing to try him for treason with the only purpose of advancing his political career! The politics surrounding this event are sickening: JFK had invited Powers to meet him at the White House but at the last moment the offer was withdrawn.

In the end, no president or high level politician did anything to obtain Powers'release from the USSR. It was his father whom he had to thank for his release.

Obviously, the CIA did not want this book to be published and 8 years had to pass before it finally saw the light.

I fully recommend the book as it gives you an insight as to how history is really made by real people, in real places, performing real duties.

The fisrt three quarters of the book is a historical insight to the State of California and what makes it so special and unique. It offers a look into the Reagan political era. The remainder of the book is a "what if". What if California didn't exist?

I first read this a few years after it came out, maybe 1971, and I have to say, while it was fascinating, it also made me a lifelong convert to the "I'm never moving to California" camp. If even half the outrageous, rich narrative is true (and in the first 3/4 of the book I have every reason to believe it is) it's reason enough to be leery of moving out there. Never even been there, but Gentry's book showed the stranger, darker side of cultists, Ronald Reagan, Los Angeles and Kalifornia Kulture. Haven't seen my copy of the book in probably 20 years now -- they should definitely consider reprinting it!

I read this book in the early 70's and loved it! I found it funny, tragic and obviously, memorable. I've thought about it often and am now trying to find a copy to re-read. I'd like to see if it is as good as my memory thinks it was and if it is as good, share it with some California "Johnny come lately" friends!

J. Edgar Hoover: The Man and the Secrets by Curt Gentry is a biography of J. Edgar Hoover one of the most powerful men in Washington, D.C. In his time, Hoover kept files on everyone in power, he trusted no one and his paranoia isolated him further.

Hoover was a bachelor and a private man, but he was not a particularly honest man. He blackmailed, threw his influence around, used illegal wiretaps, and was seroiusly flawed as a human being. America's "number one cop" loved to use sexual slander as his favorite tool to destroy all who crossed his path.

This book reveals Hoover as a man who was frighteningly obsessed and had the power to change U.S. History and wasn't afraid to use it if it made him a national hero. Hoover was director of the FBI and during his tenure he manipulated presidents, the Supreme Court and Congress. No one was immune to him and his incorruptible FBI.

I found this book to be written well, as the narrative flows, the reader in enveloped into intrigue and into Hoover's web of paranoia. J. Edgar Hoover spread his political cancer far and wide making him virtually untouchable. A shocking tale of a man for nearly fifty years who would destroy anyone with his virtually unchecked power.

A very good read that will fascinate the reader and keep your intrest throughout.

Curt Gentry's book is about J.Edgar Hoover(JEH), the most powerful, most durable U.S.bureaucrat ever and about the KGB-, Gestapo-like organization (the FBI) that he created. Since JEH held his position for 55 years - he served under 8 presidents and 16 attorneys general- the book offers a multitude of extremely interesting historical moments involving the interplay between JEH, the FBI, and elements and major personalities of our government and society. While Gentry never resolves the issue of JEH's sexual orientation, he does adequately document why JEH can rightfully be described as ambitious, puritanical, vain, loquacious, cold and unemotional, neat, organized and resourceful, articulate, devious and manipulative, prejudiced, effective, smart, vindictive, energetic, feared, and, on some rare occasions, humorous.
The FBI's methods and techniques -legal and illegal- by which the FBI acquired the information and the secrets that filled FBI file cabinets - the secrets that constituted JEH's real power- are fully described: telephone (wire) taps/recordings, 'bugs' (surreptitiously mounted miniature microphones in the homes, offices, vehicles, organizations, etc., of FBI targets), 'black bag jobs'(breaking and entering operations to collect info, membership and mailing lists, etc.), burglaries (forced, illegal entries to steal or to plant incriminating evidence), mail openings (to and from targeted individuals and organizations), infiltrations (using FBI spies who are or become members of targeted organizations), paid and unpaid informants, 'news' leaks (to embarrass or discredit individuals or organizations), anonymous messages (to intimidate or coerce targeted individuals or organizations), and counter-intelligence programs (active measures and strategies implemented to generate family feuds, or internal conflicts between individuals or within organizations).
Also very interesting are those historical moments that Gentry identifies when JEH's responses and actions impacted upon the nation both significantly and negatively - like, for example, his long time policy that organized crime did not exist in the U.S., his secret but indispensable aid to Sen. McCarthy's anti-communist campaign, his failure to provide FDR with available intelligence that could have altered the events at Pearl Harbor, and his on-going advice to LBJ that anti-Vietnam protests were communist-inspired (vs. a true manifestation of genuine American opposition to the war).
In short, if you enjoy U.S. history - and you want 'the rest (or at least more) of the story' - you'll enjoy this book.

A candid and thoroughly scrutinized synopsis of the life and times of J. Edgar Hoover and his FBI. It is with a hint of cynicism that the author states that Hoover was a blackmailer, a common embezzling thug, and a thief. I could not disagree with Mr. Gentry's narrative, nor could I have imagined a story as fascinating and apalling as JEH's being compacted into less than the book's 800 pages.

I recommend this book over any other FBI/Hoover biography currently available.