The Puppetmaster: The Secret Life of J. Edgar Hoover

by Richard Hack

Book Overview

While many of J. Edgar Hoover's achievements and insecurities are well-documented, the author of Hughes and Clash of the Titans reveals for the first time the most hidden secrets of Hoover's private... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1893224872
• ISBN13: 9781893224872
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: New Millennium (GB)
• Length: 455 Pages
• Weight: 1.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.6" x 6.4" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

The Extremes of Light and Dark in One Human Being

Puppetmaster chronicles the life and career of J. Edgar Hoover, Director of the FBI for over fifty years that lasted continuously across the landscape of eight different U.S. presidents. Author Richard Hack brings us an engaging look at Hoover's career and his enormous influence in structuring the FBI as an important and powerful law enforcement agency concerned with many of the homeland security issues of the time. Hoover is an ultimate icon of how one human being can do so much good and yet, at the same time, resort to some of the most corrupt immoral and un-American tactics to achieve his goals. His life is an example of a highly organized and determined American who believed he was doing what was best for America during his fifty year directorship, He accomplished a tremendous amount in building a strong and stable agency that was truly valuable, and continues to be so, in assisting criminal investigations and apprehensions throughout the country. Unfortunately, J. Edgar Hoover was a human being who became a bit too impressed with the aura he had created about himself and his very profound human insecurity made him a dangerous person. He was the living embodiment of the axiom that 'power corrurpts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.' In the interests of national security, Hoover perpetrated some oif the most heinous acts of immorality witnessed in American history. Don't forget, he was in charge for fifty years! Hoover ruined lives, invaded good people's privacy, blackmailed politicians and presidents and believed that he was more important than the very Presidents of the United States he served. That Hoover outlasted eight presidents is witness to the degree to which he so diabolically gathered private and potentially damanging information on others. He made himself indispensable because of his potential danger to important people's lives. They surrendered to him. Puppetmaster is a well told story of one human being, his influence on our nation and at the same time, the tale of a lonely, powerful, arrogant man who was so insecure in himself that he started confusing national interest with his own peculiar needs. And, he got away with it. A very worthy read! James J, Maloney Saint Paul, Minnesota

PUPPETMASTER CD EDITION

THE EXPERT READING AND STORYTELLING METHOD IN WHICH THE BOOK UNFOLDS IS SIMILAR TO AN OLD RADIO SERIAL, EXCEPT IN THIS CASE FACT IS ODDER THAN FICTION. THE LISTENER IS MEZMERIZED BY THE STORY DETAIL, HOLDING ON TO THE NEXT WORD. WHAT A STORY, THE HISTORY, THE BEHIND THE SCENES NO ONE EVER KNEW. THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS ON DISC WHICH REALLY GRABS ONE'S ATTENTION.SUPER BOOK, GREAT FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND LISTEN TO LEARN.!!

TRUTH IS STRANGER THAN FICTION

To many people, J. Edgar Hoover is little more than a name above the FBI Building in Washington, DC. I was certainly not aware of the rein of terror this man rode through eight administrations for nearly fifty years. In "Puppetmaster," author Richard Hack has delivered more than a biography of one of the most influential figures in recent history. He has done the near-impossible by writing it in such a delicious way that I found myself unable to put this book down, despite the cries of my neglected wife. Hoover had an incredible life, recounted here in incredibly researched detail. Wish there were more pictures, for the ones that are here add tremendously to the unfolding saga of corruption, power, influence, and murder. A fine read.

Biography for Our Times

As the USA focuses on domestic intelligence, this stunning work helps clarify issues citizens need to focus on. This thorough and insightful look at the bureaucratic career of the 20th century details the triumphs and pitfalls of intelligence gathering, as well as road signs on abuse of federal power.From the Palmer raids to the reform that led to J. Edgar assuming power to the director twisting heart-thumping patriotism into the ability to shelter gangland murder, the truth provides more drama than the folk legends of cross-dressing.As American public opinion helps shape national intelligence and security, this book provides new and invaluable insight. A thorough and insightful index provides access to the details and personalities of a singular man and career.

FASCINATING AND THOUGHT PROVOKING

Any mention of J. Edgar Hoover these days conjures up images of a cross-dresser in a hotel room and secret files worthy of any blackmailer. While this new biography on Hoover does cover those rumors and hundreds more, that is not the reason to rush immediately to buy this book. In "Puppetmaster," author Richard Hack unfolds a psychological study of a man as errie as he was fascinating, as powerful as he was corrupt, and as fundamentally patriotic as any man since George Washington. The book is written like a novel--full of description that flows the reader through tales of gangsters, kidnappings, Communism, wiretaps, and murder. I throughly enjoyed this book, which I absolutely recommend to anyone who wants a wonderful read about a fascinating man.