J. Edgar Hoover: Evil G-Man Pt. 2

Mass surveillance has become a daily part of life, as corporations and governments around the world openly collect data about who we are and how we live our lives. But has this always been the case? And if not, how did we get here?

Conventional accounts of American history tend to focus on the people at the top—presidents, generals, CEOs, and other influential figures and their struggles, ambitions, hopes, and dreams. But what about average people? The ones who had to live with the consequences of elite decisions, and who often struggled in obscurity? In A People’s History of the United States, historian Howard Zinn aims to tell their story, providing a bottom-up view of American history focusing on Indigenous people, Black Americans, women, laborers, and activists.

Our guide outlines Zinn’s interpretation of significant events, themes, and historical trends in American history. Through our commentary, we’ll provide alternative opinions on the motivations behind and consequences of historical events. We’ll also further explain Zinn’s approach to history and provide additional context for his arguments as well as his perspective on events that happened after the book’s publication.

Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI is about the Osage Reign of Terror—the 1920s organized killings of members of the oil-rich Osage Indians. Powerful and bigoted whites systematically exploited and murdered the Osage people to expropriate their wealth, showing us the horrors that result when racism and greed align. The murders were also a major catalyst for the growth of the FBI, and the triumph of its rational and scientific vision of law enforcement—and a shift away from the era of frontier justice, corrupt and incompetent local sheriffs, and rogue “lawmen.”

James Comey, former director of the FBI, shares his experiences leading the nation's premier law enforcement agency through politically turbulent times. In A Higher Loyalty, Comey reflects on the FBI's role and independence, his decisions during investigations like Hillary Clinton's email scrutiny and Russian interference in the 2016 election, and his eventual termination by President Trump.

Comey underscores the importance of moral, ethical leadership in the face of political pressure. He offers insights on how to cultivate truthfulness and modesty as a leader, the dangers of prioritizing loyalty over principles, and the necessity of upholding the FBI's credibility. This account provides a window into the complexities of public service and the tenacity required to preserve justice in a politically polarized environment.

Are great leaders born, or are they made? In Leadership: In Turbulent Times, bestselling author and historian Doris Kearns Goodwin argues that it’s the latter: Great leaders often grow from personal challenges that shape how they lead later on. In our guide, you’ll discover how the personal crises of four US presidents helped them lead through national crises. Why did a career setback lead Abraham Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation? How did a family tragedy help Theodore Roosevelt end a coal strike that threatened the lives of thousands? Why did Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s polio diagnosis end up helping him lead the country through the Great Depression—and how was Lyndon B. Johnson’s heart attack instrumental to the civil rights movement?

Along the way, you’ll learn how other historians view these presidents, how these presidents’ behaviors reflect the teachings of modern-day experts on leadership and productivity—and how you can apply these lessons to your own life.

A Warning is an inside look at the chaotic Trump administration by a senior Trump administration official writing anonymously. It’s a follow-up to the author’s September 5, 2018, New York Times op-ed piece describing internal efforts to control Trump’s impulses. This is no longer working, “Anonymous” writes. The book depicts an impulsive and corrupt president, who puts his self-interest above the country’s interest, in the process undermining the foundations of democracy and putting national security at grave risk.

“Anonymous” describes the increasingly futile efforts of a handful of principled White House officials to stave off disastrous, often illegal actions. The author warns that the “guard rails” have come off—the principled staffers have mostly been driven away and Trump is uncontrollable. If he wins another four years, he may sink the ship of democracy.

Delve into the twisted narrative of one of history's most infamous serial killers with "Morbid" hosts Ash Kelley and Alaina Urquhart as they inaugurate their multi-part series in "Morbid: A True Crime Podcast." In this episode, the seasoned duo skillfully juxtaposes their macabre subject with their characteristic wit, drawing listeners into the complexity of Ted Bundy's early life. With the easy accessibility of ad-free listening through Amazon Prime and Wondery Plus, the hosts set the stage for an in-depth journey through the darkened corridors of Bundy's mind, inviting true crime aficionados to find a community in Morbid's experiences and insights.

As Kelley and Urquhart delicately peel back the layers of Bundy's formative years, they spark thoughtful reflection on whether a tumultuous upbringing could be a harbinger of the horrors to come. Examining his dysfunctional family dynamics, manipulative romantic liaisons, and the inception of his gruesome acts, they bring chilling clarity to Bundy's descent into iniquity. With profound rejections of misguided narratives and an unwavering focus on Bundy's accountability, Morbid promises its listeners not just a recount but a critical analysis of the societal shockwaves emanating from Bundy's reign of terror. Stay gripped as the series resolves to unveil further dissections of Bundy's despicable crimes, and unpick the somber implications lingering in the collective memory of society.

Jimmy Carter isn’t remembered as a great president, but he’s come to be revered for his work as a humanitarian. However, in His Very Best, biographer Jonathan Alter presents a fresh perspective on the groundbreaking work Carter did in Washington. Instead of focusing on the hardships America suffered during Carter’s time in office, Alter draws attention to the long-term effects of what Carter accomplished while president. Alter paints Carter as deeply principled yet politically short-sighted in a way that let him achieve great things while undermining his legacy.

In this guide, we’ll show how Carter’s early life shaped his political career and his journey to the presidency. We’ll look at the various roles he’s played—politician, reformer, diplomat, and global humanitarian. We’ll also explore the political context that shaped Carter’s years in the White House, as well as the conflict between Carter’s values and the compromises required of anyone in high office.

Best known as the general who led the Union to victory over the Confederacy in the Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant has been widely misunderstood by mainstream historians, argues biographer Ron Chernow. According to Chernow, the mainstream narrative characterizes Grant as an inept heavy drinker whose success in the Civil War stemmed primarily from a numbers advantage and whose Presidency was marred by corruption and the failure of Reconstruction. But in his comprehensive 2018 biography, Grant, Chernow seeks to correct this caricature by shedding light on Grant’s achievements as General of the Union, President of the United States, and a person fighting valiantly against an alcohol addiction.

In this guide, we’ll discuss Chernow’s assessment of Grant’s role in the Civil War, his accomplishments as President, and his struggles against unhealthy alcohol use. We’ll also dig deeper into the historical context of Grant’s life and examine accounts from other historians that complement Chernow’s biography.