|
Puppetmaster: The Secret Life of J. Edgar Hoover |  | Author: Richard Hack
Publisher: Phoenix Books
Category: Book
List Price: $16.95
Buy New: $4.00
as of 3/14/2010 11:43 PDT details
You Save: $12.95 (76%)
New (22) from $4.00
Seller: enzobadhop
Rating:  18 reviews
Sales Rank: 421581
Media: Paperback
Pages: 455
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.5
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 6 x 1.1
ISBN: 1597775126
Dewey Decimal Number: 320
EAN: 9781597775120
ASIN: 1597775126
Publication Date: August 1, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
| |
| Features:
| • | ISBN13: 9781597775120 | | • | Condition: NEW | | • | Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark. |
|
| Also Available In:
|
| Similar Items:
| |
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
J. Edgar Hoover, the most powerful lawman in America for over fifty years, was also the country's most controversial and feared public servant. His career as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation spanned nine different presidential administrations and survived a dozen attempts to sweep him from office. During that time, Hoover completely reshaped domestic law enforcement as he expanded the reach of the FBI and transformed his G-men into an elite national crime fighting division. Despite his contributions to the criminal justice system, Hoover fell from favor soon after his death, the victim of rampant rumors and innuendo. In
|
| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 18
 Blah Blah Blah August 7, 2009
Lolly Hellman (Venice Beach, CA USA)
I felt the author tried to put Hoover in a softer light here. Why, I do not know. He certainly gave Hoover more credit than he deserved. Puppetmaster wasn't the correct title, "Manipulator" fits Hoover better. I love and appreciate the FBI, but I am thrilled Hoover is no longer a part of it.
Puppetmaster: The Secret Life of J. Edgar Hoover June 29, 2009
Dona J. Klein (Long Beach, CA USA)
Fascinating. Slow a the start but by the end I couldn't put it down. Describes how Hoover start out wanting to do the right thing but in the end it was all about keeping his power at any cost or at the expense of others. In the end what did he gain?
 If there is anything "good" about this book I didn't get that far. June 16, 2009
Barry J. Coe (Pueblo, CO)
0 out of 4 found this review helpful
I tried to read this book but didn't get half way. There may be something worth reading but it would be after this point.
I just know J. Edgar Hoover led a very interesting and colorful life from the things I've heard. Maybe for the most part he's not a nice man; I don't know. I'll tell you one thing after reading this book you won't know either. This author has it in for Hoover from page 1. The whole tone and content of the book is to degrade Hoover. It really feels like the author has a vendetta. I don't know the author.
An evenhanded look June 11, 2008
General Pete (SC)
This great bio by Richard Hack follows the life of the long time director of the F.B.I
J. Edgar Hoover starting with his boyhood in the Washington area and following him through his school days and onward to the seat of power. We get an interesting look at Hoover from the days of the mid-west gangsters to hilarious rants on Martin Luther King that border on paranoia.
Before when I thought of J. Edgar Hoover I always had a vague picture an evil man who indulged in activates in secret that he ruined other people for. It is interesting to see the interpretation in this book; it was not the man that was evil it was just that as time went on he used evil methods to hold on to his power.
While it is tempting for some to want a watershed moment where Hoover would either "get with it" or retire it never arrives. Instead Hoover goes on becoming less and less relevant and that if nothing else can be considered a form of poetic justice.
A well written, entertaining biography of a strange man. January 23, 2008
Muddy Moe (Plano, TX United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Before I read this I had a reasonably good general knowledge of Hoover from reading books about 20th Century US History in general. However, I had not read a dedicated biography of Hoover himself. Some reviewers have remarked that Hack's book does not add anything really new. This may or may not be true. However, I found it to be a good read and a well paced, well written, well laid out biography of a very strange and important man.
One thing that was jarring about Hack's book is that occassionally he will delve into internal dialogue that is clearly speculation on his part. For example, he will describe what Hoover was thinking as he lay in bed at night, or what he was thinking in the shower. Without sources, such as a diary entry, this is clearly just speculative embellishment. Hack also describes some personal lunch conversations that appear to be speculative as well. The speculation seems reasonable, however, and is not salacious or scandalous.
In fact, one thing that probably sets this biography apart from others (not that I have read others, but I am familiar with accusations in other biographies of Hoover), is that Hack concludes that Hoover was probably not an actively homosexual man and that his strange relationship with Clyde Tolson was platonic. More accurately, he claims that there is no real evidence that the relationship with Tolson was non-platonic.
Hack provides a very balanced portrait of Hoover, giving credit to his incredible drive, patriotism, and loyalty to his ideal of the American Way. Hack also presents a Hoover who was constantly self-promoting, paranoid, and who used his office for personal gain in the form of book royalties, government paid vacations, graft from "friends" and government paid improvements to his house. While Hoover's disregard of civil liberties is clear to all, Hoover's lack of financial integrity somehow left a deeper impression with this reader.
I recommend this book. In understanding Hoover's long life as a civil servant, the reader gains a deeper understanding of America from before the First World War to just before Watergate.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 18
|
|
|
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME. | | Luxury Vacation Info |
|
Are you ready for your next luxury vacation? Let Travelwizard experts
take care of all the details.
The best available price is our starting point. Then we add value through
complimentary excursions, amenities, or services.
TravelWizard.com can get you the room, or suite, condo or villa you want,
when others can't.
We have tons of money saving specials: free nights, free meals, room
upgrades, and wonderful inclusions such as free golf and spa visits.
Free car with a 7 night stay at 40 different hotels, or receive a
credit of $199 value, and apply it to another car category.
We work with every airline, so you can choose the airline you prefer.
You get frequent flyer miles on most of them.
We can get you discount first class, or
business class tickets.
You can book your activities ahead of time to
assure peace of mind.
How do we do it? Simple. We leverage our
tremendous buying power!
Email this page to a friend
Bookmark this page
|
|
|
|
|
