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gimpyknee's review
2.0
In an attempt to relive my childhood, I'm rereading Landmark history books. I recall that this one was one of my favorites first read nearly 60 years ago. Sadly, this is one Landmark history book that does not hold up to the test of time. This book was written during the Commie-scare period of the '50's. It is a book for boys about J. Edgar Hoover and his "G-men". There's not a "G-woman" to be found. Some 6,000 men, but not a single female FBI agent at the time of this book's publication in 1954.
Quentin Reynolds touts that during WWII a total of 16,062 "enemy aliens" were apprehended in America by the FBI. He then further touts that the cases of these "enemy aliens" were heard on an individual basis by Enemy Alien Hearing Boards which resulted in more than 3,200 of these "enemy aliens" being interned. Only 3,200 internees? That means the other 12,862 "enemy aliens" were found innocent of any criminal activities. In other words, 80% of those individuals charged by the FBI as "enemy aliens" were found innocent. That is no record to be proud of, let alone to be touted in a book about FBI accomplishments.
Overall, this book is nothing short of a propaganda piece on the FBI. It is very much outdated. It's a disappointing read equal to the lamentable fact that a public tour of FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C. no longer ends with an FBI agent demonstrating firearms usage by firing of pistols and a Tommy gun.
Quentin Reynolds touts that during WWII a total of 16,062 "enemy aliens" were apprehended in America by the FBI. He then further touts that the cases of these "enemy aliens" were heard on an individual basis by Enemy Alien Hearing Boards which resulted in more than 3,200 of these "enemy aliens" being interned. Only 3,200 internees? That means the other 12,862 "enemy aliens" were found innocent of any criminal activities. In other words, 80% of those individuals charged by the FBI as "enemy aliens" were found innocent. That is no record to be proud of, let alone to be touted in a book about FBI accomplishments.
Overall, this book is nothing short of a propaganda piece on the FBI. It is very much outdated. It's a disappointing read equal to the lamentable fact that a public tour of FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C. no longer ends with an FBI agent demonstrating firearms usage by firing of pistols and a Tommy gun.