I saw this book on my recent trip to Saratoga Springs for a regatta and it looked interesting, so I picked it up. This is a tale about how the KKK became big in the Heartland - Indiana, Illinois, Ohio - in the 1920's. And it is terrifying and mortifying, although perhaps not shocking given recent events. The main "character" was a real person - DC Stephenson - who was the Grand Dragon of the KKK during this time period. He had his aspirations set upon the White House (and owned just about every politician and local law enforcement agent up until that point).
The book begins with a history of the KKK, which is, I think, important as it provides the context in which these acts occurred. If it hadn't provided the background, I think that DC Stephenson and the story of his "movement" would have been in a vacuum. The book itself was obviously meticulously researched but also was extremely readable. I found myself compulsively reading it and couldn't put it down. It was definitely a page turner.
I found myself wanting more about Madge, the woman that is credited in bringing down the KKK. I felt that the book didn't do her justice, instead using her as a pawn in the games that men play to maintain or disrupt systems of power and that disappointed me to no end. Egan really had the opportunity to not only educate us about a hate organization but tell us the story of the life of a brave, groundbreaking woman and he fell short.
Generally speaking though, this was a wonderful and necessary book that I would still recommend that all read, particularly in the current political climate.
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