Beverly Gage has leveraged time and document availability to author a work for which any biographer and historian would be proud.
G-Man: J. Edgar Hoover and the making of the American Century is a biography that reveals the complexity and contradictions of the person who led the Federal Bureau on Investigation (FBI) for 48 years. She also does the same as relates to the United States during his life. Gage is brilliant for taking the time to provide this aspect. Context always helps a storyline – especially here.
Depending on the period and setting, J. Edgar Hoover (in the eye of the public and media) was the Super Hero of American Greatness and a singular example of the horrible implication of government overreach and personal vindictiveness. Gage’s exemplary work confirms both conclusions could rightfully be made.
Gage presents Hoover to us before-cradle-to-after-the-grave. The biography is as detailed as it its compelling. What you think you know about Hoover is confirmed. What you will learn you did not know, will be substantial and revelatory.
*** Jeff’s Thoughts and other Worthless Trivia ***
My goodness how does anyone navigate being subject to the choice (and whims) of 4 Democrat and 4 Republican Presidents?
