Stetson Kennedy Books

"Jim Crow Guide: The Way It Was", is an excellent 'guide' to life in the Jim Crow South. Stetson Kennedy's book amply captures this era, when terriorism of an entire class of U.S. citizens, in the South, was the order of the day. The author's style of writing and unique presentation technique, makes this work easy reading for general readers and all students of American History from 9th grade and above.

This book provides a strong overview of the folk culture of a range of communities in South Florida. The chapters on occupational folklife and tourism are especially strong. The writers provide a very readable and informative study of the types of traditional activities associated with the many different ethnic and occupational groups in the region. There is excellent background history on the Seminoles, Miccosukees, and Cuban communities as well as fine descriptions of the folk arts, musical traditions, and festivals associated with each of the various cultures. The bibliography is excellent, and it is a useful starting point for further developing the insights of the writers. This volume is a great contribution to the Folklife of the South series, and it will serve the historical record well.

A friend originally recommended this book to me, I was initially put off by the subject matter. The Klan is not really something I wanted to know about, also the book was written long before I was born, so I wasn't overly excited about it. However, I am so glad I did read it, because not only is Kennedy a hero (for infiltrating the Klan at it's most powerful), he is also a fantastic writer. This book reads like a thriller, but it's all true. I think this book would appeal to many people, from a wide cross section of society, even if, like me, they don't think so at first. I have bought copies for friends and family, and have received positive feedback from them. This book warrants its five star rating.

Kennedy first released this book in 1954, the 1990 edition includes some practical ideas to fight Klan and other neo-fascist organizations in an afterword.

This book is a very easy read, conversational in tone, and compelling in content. Mr. Kennedy outlines his infiltration into the headquarters chapter of the KKK in Atlanta and the Columbia Brownshirt organization there, and his undercover hob-knobbing with violent racists and hatemongers, and the colorful illiterates and semi-literates that made up the membership of the Klan and their fellow travellers. He put his life in danger many times confronting the evil, brutal and stupid nature of southern racists.

Another compelling part of the story is the complicity of the police, FBI, the Democratic machine of the Talmadge family, (who rode the upsurge in Klan violence to national political prominence), and the Republican businessmen of the south who paid Klansmen to help bust union drives by busting heads and nightriding.

He also spends alot of time detailing Klan rituals and meetings, and the seemingly neverending lists of Kleagles, Kludds, etc. that made up the hoodoo hierarchy of the Klan organization. It seems like never had so much empty ritual been used in attempt to 'sanctify' such mindless violence.

A good book that gives a good cross-section of what Klan terror and rightist violence was all about in the 1940s and 1950s.

This book is an awesome account of Kennedy's time in the Klu Klux Klan. I enjoyed reading every page of this book. Kennedy has got to be one of the bravest men ever. At times this book had me really nervous wondering wat was gonna happen to him. I recommend this book to anyone that wants to learn more about the KKK or anyone that just enjoys a good read.

This book is set in the deep south of Georgia, mainly in the years following World War II. The Klan Unmasked is the true story of the author, Stetson Kennedy, in an undercover battle with the famed white supremacist group, the Ku Klux Klan. He decides the best way to bring the Klan to its knees is to go undercover as a Klan member and get the dirt on the Klan into the public eye. A few characters help Kennedy on his mission including Dan Duke, the Assistant Attorney General of Georgia. Many minor characters are in leagues with the KKK whom Kennedy `befriends', while working against them. The opposition to Kennedy is the KKK, certain political leaders, and white supremacists across the nation.
Normally I never read nonfiction; I usually find it boring. However, when I read the back cover of The Klan Unmasked, it really peaked my interest. After reading maybe ten pages, I knew I was going to enjoy this book. The reason this book was such a good read is attributed to the author's ability to keep the suspense element flowing throughout the entire book. There is always something new happening, something devious the Klan is conjuring. There were some points in the book where I was really thirsting for more detail and explanation. Sometimes it seemed as though Kennedy assumed his readers knew the background information, when the information just wasn't there. Reading The Klan Unmasked truly opened my eyes to the atrocities of the KKK in the Deep South. The author gets your attention well and really makes you know this stuff was going on. I would suggest this book to a reader who won't take offense over racial slurs or some violence. You should read this book if you dislike the Ku Klux Klan, because this one will really empower and enlighten you. Do not read this book if you are in any way affiliated with the KKK; you'll only become angry.

During the period of time that author Stetson Kennedy served as an undercover FBI agent, Gay Edgar Hoover had little taste, or interest in, using his little Hoovers to unmask those with whom he was in sympathy--The Klan. The director, who fought the American inquisition as a file clerk, instead relished opportunities to hound members of the American left--ranging from hard core members of the American CPUSA to liberal and progressive organizations opposing American policy across the globe.

Kennedy's book is a story of the adventures of one man to unmask and expose members and organizations of the extreme American right. The frustrated, ignorant, uneducated, bigoted who view the American dream as a nightmare for them. A dream which gives everyone else a chance but them.

The story of the Klan is well known. Kennedy brings the reader inside the organization of white sheet wearing ignoramuses and bigots populating the American political underworld.

It is a book to read which reminds us that despite the outward veneer of civilization, there exists pockets of alienated and dangerous people ready to use resentment, bigotry and hatred for their own ends.

A good read for a journey into the netherworld of darkness.

I can write a review but actually I need an author's biography form so my husband, Stetson Kennedy, can fill it out. If you could e-mail it to him at stet_k2000@yahoo.com I will make sure he fills it out.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the evidence to support the assertion that despite losing the war the South was not reconstructed. I did however find that reading 31 different testimonies to the Joint Congressional Committee to be somewhat mundane. This book is a must for anyone who is interested in the history of the reconstruction and have only read the official version of these historical events.

This is one of the rare true historical accounts as to what happened after the Civil War. The testimonials by the ex-slaves give a chilling, but accurate account of what actually happened. The revisionist historians will probably frown but this is the only true account of "how the south won the war."

Read this book to really know the Cracker South. If you are interested in organizing people you will learn first hand about the unionization of the Cuban cigar workers.

This is Dixie in all its rawness! Learn of the real South. Nobody is exempt from its biting edge.