Gossip Men: J. Edgar Hoover, Joe McCarthy, Roy Cohn, and the Politics of Insinuation

J. Edgar Hoover, Joseph McCarthy, and Roy Cohn were influential figures in midcentury America who wielded national power through intimidation and insinuation. Christopher M. Elias' book "Gossip Men" explores their connections with gender, sexuality, and national security, revealing how they solidified their power through misleading techniques and how the American people of the 1950s were primed to accept these coded threats.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 288 pages
\n Publication date: 25 May 2021
\n Publisher: The University of Chicago Press
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In the mid-20th century, a trio of influential figures emerged in America: J. Edgar Hoover, Joseph McCarthy, and Roy Cohn. These men wielded immense power and influence over the government and legal system through intimidation and insinuation. Hoover's FBI, known for its secrecy, threats, and illegal surveillance, thrived on its ability to maintain control and suppress information. McCarthy and Cohn, on the other hand, are best remembered for their infamous anticommunist smear campaign of the early 1950s. This campaign, which culminated in McCarthy's public disgrace during televised Senate hearings, was characterized by unfounded accusations and widespread fearmongering.

In his book "Gossip Men," Christopher M. Elias delves into the lives and careers of these tarnished figures, shedding light on their connections and relationships. Elias explores how these three men solidified their power through the skillful use of deliberately misleading techniques such as implication, hyperbole, and photographic manipulation. He also shows that the American people of the 1950s were particularly primed to accept these coded threats because they were already familiar with such tactics from widely popular gossip magazines.

By using gossip as a lens to examine profound issues of state security and institutional power, Elias thoroughly transforms our understanding of the development of modern American political culture. Through his meticulous research and analysis, Elias provides a fresh perspective on the historical events and personalities that shaped the nation during this tumultuous period. "Gossip Men" is a must-read for anyone interested in American history, politics, and the power of gossip to shape public opinion.

\n Weight: 584g\n
Dimension: 162 x 237 x 29 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780226624822\n \n