This book tells the story of the KKK in Indiana. It turns out this was a real hotbed for the KKK and they were extremely powerful controlling cities, police, the governor. If you think of the KKK as Southern, this book will set you straight. The head of the Indiana KKK was D.C. Stephenson who was tried for rape and murder. A truly scary book, but a page burner and dead-on historically.

If you like true "whodunit" stories that still leave you wondering at the end, then this is the book for you. An unfathomable story leading up to a 1920s "Trial of the Century," Lutholtz raises almost as many questions as he answers in his quest for understanding of the mind and actions of D.C. Stephenson, a man so powerful he brought down a governor and a mayor in seemingly one fell swoop, controlled the police chief of a major metropolitan city of the time and had the temerity to claim "I am the law in Indiana." The author does a superb job in uncovering information concerning Stephenson's trial for murder that many Hoosiers don't seem comfortable discussing. Lutholtz also offers excellent coverage of the lawyers and judges involved, and the dangers and pitfalls they faced in trying a man who terrified just about everybody!

Having studied under David Scaer, I have come to appreciate his insights and his dedication to the confession of the Christian faith. He is a man who leaves no stone unturned, who questions traditional views yet always finds a way to support and teach what Scripture says and what the Church has always taught. Most importantly, Dr. Scaer does not locate his theological security in the ability to re-hash what everyone else said before, nor does he assume that his experiences of Christianity are normative simply because they are his own. Rather, Dr. Scaer questions his own views and subordinates them to the person, words and work of Jesus.

These qualities in the writer provide for a solid presentation of the Lutheran understanding of Christology. For those of you who may be reading this review and are not yet familiar with this term, let me explain: Christology is the study of Christ's person and work as the Scriptures describe Him. Particularly, the Person of Jesus is a phrase used to speak about the fact that Jesus is truly 100% God at the same time as truly 100% man, with distinctions but no divisions between the two natures. Christ's work concentrates on the area of His atonement for all sin on the cross, His justification of sinners, His Resurrection, His life, His teachings, etc.

Many things make this book valuable. First, Dr. Scaer tries to address modern heresies on their own ground. Instead of providing an alternate framework to posit questions, Dr. Scaer tries to argue from the inside out - and then watches as the faulty arguments fall under their own weight. He engages the Quest for the Historical Jesus, 20th century theologians of all kinds, and current views. At the same time, Scaer addresses the theological differences between various groups (ex: the classic tensions between historical Lutheranism and historical Calvinism).

Second, though this book is short, it condenses a great amount of thought into it. In many ways, Scaer's books are like springboards for new and deeper considerations. For example, Scaer comments on the Calvinist Christological view that the finite flesh of the man Jesus is incapable of the infinite Son of God, and so (acc. to some Calvinists) the Son can also be found outside the Man. Lutherans have always asserted that this Calvinist view denies the Incarnation, but Scaer brings up some more points to consider. "If the finite is intrinsically incapable of entering into union with the infinite, then the finite has the possibility of being an obstacle to the infinite, and thereby, at this one point, superior to it" (pg. 26).

Here is another thought: "The crucifixion, more than any other moment in the history of the world, or Israel, or even of the life of Jesus, is the greatest manifestation of God's essence. It is not without purpose that the first two evangelists concentrate the testimonies that Jesus is God's Son in the moment of the cross (Mt 27:40, 43, 54, Mk 15:39). The cross is an affirmation of God's triune essence and not incidental to it. Only when God is thought of in majestic and transcendental categories and not in terms of love and compassion is the cross with its suffering a contradiction or paradox" (pg. 75).

In summary, I strongly recommend this book. The language may be challenging at times for the inexperienced (but such is the case with many good theological books... the best way to learn the language is to start reading). Scaer organizes his material around the themes of the Creed. A thorough book for its size and one that I will continue to read.

Although this book bears the legend 'The Rise And Fall Of The KKK In Middle America' it's really the story of the rise and fall of charismatic Grand Dragon David Stephanson and the Klan of Indiana. Of course, that is not a bad thing, because the story is quite fascinating, and as the author deftly points out, still relevant today.
Stephenson, something of a near do well, finds success and almost unlimited power through the newly reborn KKK of the twenties. Although he seemed to have little use for the philosophy that drove the organization he still was able to use it to propel him to a position of prominence similar to political bosses like Tweed or like minded populists like Huey Long. He even dreamed of one day becoming President, and according to some accounts, a strong man in the style of Mussolini.
The Klan of the twenties had little relation to either its predecessors or it's ancestors of today, except for the ceremonies, the hood and the hatred. In fact, they had more in common with Christian right groups like The Moral Majority. The Klan of the twenties, modern sympathizers may want to note, was more concerned with the dangers of papists than of blacks. Indeed, the anti-catholic nature of the Klan was the probably the predominate feature of the organization, and one of the reasons they opposed Democratic President aspirant Al Smith. The other reason of course was 'demon rum'. We tend to forget the importance of wets and drys in the era of prohibition, but the KKK of the 20s were as much about moral crusading and nationalism as Catholic bashing. Made up of WASPs of the fundamentalist persuasion, they attempted to impose their moral values on everyone, much like right wingers today, and much like right wing groups today, their leader failed to live up to the diktat's he wished to impose on others.
Stephenson, himself a drunk and slut, fell from grace after causing the demise of a young girl whom he desired. He kidnapped her, he raped her, he bit her viciously and did not bother to get her help when she took poison in response to his amorous attentions. Stephenson's minions mostly abandoned him at this point, except those that denied it ever took place. Indeed, despite his overt threats, even the politicians that he owned were willing to be exposed rather than defend him. One might think that moral crusaders of our own time could learn a lesson from this true-life parable, but that is perhaps asking too much.

With stories like "Ferryman" (Eric Brown), "The White Stuff" (Peter F. Hamilton & Graham Joyce), and "A Night on Bare Mountain" (Graham Charnock), anthologies don't get any better than this. My only quibble is with the experimental narrative "Thirteen Views of a Cardboard City"(William Gibson) which rounds out the volume with a whimper, not a bang. Otherwise, this is Hugo & Nebula territory.

Certainly the reader will not come away from this book with mixed feelings, but that will depend on how much of an icon the reader considers Beckett to be. When I first read Beckett in the early '60s I was enthralled with the turgid atmosphere Beckett created. He was a new voice to me, but I was troubled by the underlying irritation I felt, the futility of the plot, and the seeming helplessness and ineffectualness of his characters. That has not changed over the years. Beckett is excellent for dredging up all the anxieties of the little life.

I must confess, however, that the desire of people to ascribe genius to the man leaves me somewhat mystified. He is not as deep as Joyce or as inaccessible as the prose of Dylan and I find these two Celtic sons much more rewarding. They had their own widely acknowledged demons. Beckett has his. Therefore I did not find this work by Mr. Stephenson anything more than insightful into another of Beckett's grotesque wrinkles.

Mr. Stephenson has his own writing style and his voice is forceful, however, it seems to me that the reason for reading this piece is to gain insight into the work of Beckett. What else is an academic monograph for? You can agree or disagree with an author's premise, but a reader must take away some new things to consider about the subject of any monograph. I did, and felt that the reading of Mr. Stephenson's criticism was worth my time because it added the overall personality of this sad, bewitched, grim Gael.

I am a student at a university and try to complete my thesiss.