The Klan

by Patsy Sims

Book Overview

" First published in 1978, The Klan is considered the best book on the grandfather of all extremist hate groups. Now, in the wake of the Oklahoma City bombing and other domestic terrorist activities... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0813119944
• ISBN13: 9780813119946
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: University Press of Kentucky
• Length: 307 Pages
• Weight: 1.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Worth buying?

Patsy Sims book is by far one of the best books I've read on the Klan. This book would come second to "Soliders of God." She covers a wide range of famous (or will be in the history books later on) men who are actually still amoung us! She mainly lets these men speak from the book so that the reader can hear what they really think. She does let some of her personal comments out. I personally do not like that style of writting or news. Report facts not opinions or personal feelings. She fails to mention that Imperial Wizard James Venable gave his position to Ray Larsen in 1993. I.W. Ray Larsen has since taken the National Knights into 23 different Nations! For the above 2 mentioned facts I only gave her 4 stars. Worth Buying? Yes.

American race sociology in the extreme

"The Klan" tells the story of the author's trek across the South and details the conversations she had with many active in the Klan movement. The first half of the book concentrates on her experiences with some of the minor figures in the movement. Most of these (Grand Dragons- statewide Klan leaders) were small personalities with half-formed ideas about racial inferiority and a half-baked sense of some "Jewish Conspiracy". Many of the subjects are poor and poorly educated. As the book progresses, Sims begins to reap the benefits of making connections within this marginalized culture. She begins to meet with some of the men jockeying for the national leadership of the various Klans (men like Robert Shelton, David Duke, and James Venerable). These types come off as much more eloquent, soft-spoken and professional about their racist views. And they are portrayed in a balanced way, with a genuine interest into their characters as men and leaders. Along the way, Sims picks up anecdotes about the history and significant events associated with the movement.Using primary sources Sims presents an interesting window into the way these people view our society. There is ample speculation about membership numbers circa 1976 (the year in which much of the book was originally written), but the secrecy of the organization makes it impossible to find the truth.Although those presented are the most radical examples of this brand of thought, I would venture to guess that a lot of lower and middle class whites in America have engaged in some watered down form of this thinking. I found myself confronting some of the perceptions and stereotypes I carry around with me, both about blacks AND whites.The story of the Klan(s) is one of infighting, backstabbing and incompetence. But it is also about the very real frustrations, fears, and passions these people bring to the race issue in their everyday lives. It must have been very difficult for the author to remain openminded and hear what they had to say. I think she was able to make a fairly valiant effort.

The Klan

This has got to be the most comprehensive look at the Klan that I have ever read. Her subjects talk to her as if they aren't afraid to reveal their secrets. It takes a talented author to make a klansman reveal the kind of stuff that is related in this book.