Klan-Destine Relationships: A Black Man's Odyssey in the Ku Klux Klan

by Daryl Davis

Book Overview

Driven by the need to understand those who despise him because of the color of his skin, Daryl Davis sets his sights on meeting Klan members to get to the heart of their hate. With rare courage, Davis... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0882822691
• ISBN13: 9780882822693
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: New Horizon Press
• Length: 315 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.9" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

A fascinating journey into the heart of racism

Once you open Daryl Davis's book you will not want to put it down. It is a fascinating story about his journey into the heart of racism with seeming impossible outcomes. According to Davis (who says he owns, and has read, every book ever written about the Ku Klux Klan), this is the only book written about the Klan by a Black author who has actually had face-to-face interviews with Klan leaders. I recently met Daryl Davis and heard him speak during our MLK Day celebration at the college where I teach. He is a compelling speaker and, I might add, an outstanding piano player (a long-time friend of Jerry Lee Lewis and a co-performer with Chuck Berry). Daryl Davis's story needs to be heard by all Americans and deserves national media attention. I highly recommend this book and its author. (See his web site at: www.daryldavis.com)

exploring the klan cult

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN INTERESTED IN BLACK/WHITE ISSUES AND THIS BOOK WAS AN EYEOPENER AND A MASTERPIECE IN THE MAKING ITS AUTHOR TAKES YOU TO THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE KLANS ROOTS THIER BELIEFS AND WHAT MAKES THEM TICK I TRULY BELIEVE DARLY DAVIS RISKED HIS LIFE WHEN UNDERTAKING THIS JOURNEY IM THANKFUL HE DID, THIS BOOK EXPLORES THE KLANS PERSPECTIVE ON MODERN DAY AMERICA (THEY HAVE AN ANSWER OR EXCUSE FOR EVERY OBJECTIVE THE AUTHOR COMES UP WITH) UNLIKE A PREVIOUS REVIEW I TRULY BELIEVE IF ONE KLAN MEMBER CAN CHANGE THIER VIEWS AS A RESULT OF MEETING THIS MAN THEN SURELY THAT SIGNALS HOPE? READ THIS BOOK ITS HOPE FOR A BETTER WORLD

Editorial Review Misleading

In reality, through his book and the work he put into it as well as his continued efforts after the completion of this book, Daryl Davis has in fact helped many KKK members to see the light and to quit the Klan. Imperial Wizard Kelly whom the editorial review speaks of has in fact quit the klan and has givin his Imperial Wizard robe to Mr. Davis to use in his lectures. Kelly is one of many former klan members who have been touched by Daryl Davis and his work.

You owe it to yourself to read this book.

In an age when the issue of race has become mired in pointless sociological and intellectual discourse, Daryl Davis's "Klan-Destine Relationships", like Nathan Rutstein's "Healing Racism In America", comes as a breath of fresh air.Daryl Davis is an American hero. He should be admired not just for his astounding courage in the face of great potential danger (impressive in its own right), but for the even more laudable act of allowing the "enemy", so to speak, to maintain his dignity at all times. While mainstream America elects to caricature and point its finger at the Ku Klux Klan and other similar groups for their overt racism, Mr. Davis has opted for a much more noble track, treating Klansmen as fellow human beings instead of dismissing them as mere stereotypes, in this way shedding light on their concerns, their values, their hopes, and their motives--however misplaced these might be.Although another reviewer raises an interesting point, is he/she genuinely convinced that the Klan is sophisticated enough to orchestrate such a public relations coup? After all, in the eyes of a wary public, what can the Klan possibly stand to gain from its involvement with Mr. Davis? that it is now a kinder, gentler racist organization? The Kirkus reviewer seems to have overlooked the book's most endearing quality: bringing to light that a true and lasting solution to the race problem in the United States is neither political nor legislative, but spiritual. Mr. Davis is intuitively aware of this truth, and it shows in his approach to tackling the problem head on. Rather than attacking the overt racist (an easy scapegoat to America's most challenging social issue), he instead opts for the much more noble and delicate task of attacking the racism latent within him. I give this book five stars for the author's human and visionary approach.

A gutsy exploration by an amazing spirit

Davis is truly one of the most unique thinkers to come along in many years.I have followed the author's media appearances for years and find his open-minded viewpoint refreshing and quite extordinary.While some narrow reveiwers have branded Davis a simpleton,this savvy man is anything but.He realizes that once we UNDERSTAND the enemy,we can more peacefully resolve the problem.The author's non-violent,non-judgemental approach,coupled with the courage to try and KNOW the Klan make him a modern hero.Davis keeps as mementos over a dozen KKK robes given to him by Klan officials who have left the organization after knowing him.He is a peaceful,extrordinary man!