G-Man: J. Edgar Hoover and the Making of the American Century

J. Edgar Hoover was a brilliant and controversial figure who transformed the FBI into a modern machine and used the tools of state to create a personal fiefdom unrivalled in U.S. history. Beverly Gage's nuanced and definitive portrait charts his rise to power, his conservative values, and his influence on American political history.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 864 pages
Publication date: 04 June 2024
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd

J. Edgar Hoover, the director of the FBI from 1924 to 1972, was a remarkable figure who transformed the agency into a modern machine and used the power of the federal government to make significant changes in the nation and its citizens. He believed in the potential of the government to achieve great things, but he also held prejudiced views against certain individuals, including communists and racial minorities, who he believed did not belong in the American project. Beverly Gage's nuanced and definitive portrait of Hoover's rise to power reveals his use of state tools to create a personal fiefdom unrivaled in U.S. history. Hoover was not solely a tyrant who used strong-arm tactics to control the country, but he also had a complex personality with conservative values that ranged from white supremacy to a crusading and politicized interpretation of Christianity. As FBI director for nearly fifty years, Hoover served as a confidant, counselor, and adversary to eight U.S. presidents, four Republicans and four Democrats. His conservative values earned him the admiration of millions of Americans, and he remained in office for so long because many people, from the highest levels of government to the grassroots, wanted him there. G-Man by Beverly Gage brings Hoover back to the center of American political history, shedding light on his life and legacy.

Weight: 882g
Dimension: 152 x 233 x 46 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781849832854