In 'The Second Coming of the KKK,' Linda Gordon uncovers the remarkable resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan during the 1920s, revealing how this notorious group reinvented itself amid a turbulent era of social change and racial tension. Gordon intricately traces the Klan's appeal to a broad range of Americans, showcasing their intertwining narratives of patriotism and bigotry. As the Klan sought a new identity, it leveraged modern media and mass rallies to spread its dangerous ideology across the nation. This gripping exploration not only tells the story of the Klan's revival but also examines its implications for contemporary society. Readers are left questioning how history echoes in today's world, making this a compelling read for those seeking to understand the roots of extremism.
By Linda Gordon
Published: 2017
""In the shadow of progress, old hatreds often find new life, revealing the cyclical nature of fear and ideologies that cling to power by pitting society against itself.""
Extraordinary national acclaim accompanied the publication of award-winning historian Linda Gordon’s disturbing and markedly timely history of the reassembled Ku Klux Klan of the 1920s. Dramatically challenging our preconceptions of the hooded Klansmen responsible for establishing a Jim Crow racial hierarchy in the 1870s South, this “second Klan” spread in states principally above the Mason-Dixon line by courting xenophobic fears surrounding the flood of immigrant “hordes” landing on American shores. “Part cautionary tale, part expose” (Washington Post), The Second Coming of the KKK “illuminates the surprising scope of the movement” (The New Yorker); the Klan attracted four-to-six-million members through secret rituals, manufactured news stories, and mass “Klonvocations” prior to its collapse in 1926--but not before its potent ideology of intolerance became part and parcel of the American tradition. A “must-read” (Salon) for anyone looking to understand the current moment, The Second Coming of the KKK offers “chilling comparisons to the present day” (New York Review of Books). 8 pages of illustrations
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“"In the shadow of progress, old hatreds often find new life, revealing the cyclical nature of fear and ideologies that cling to power by pitting society against itself."”
The Second Coming of the KKK
By Linda Gordon
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Linda Gordon is a distinguished American historian and author, renowned for her groundbreaking work on women’s rights, social movements, and the interplay between gender and politics in American history. Her notable works include "The Moral Property of Women: A History of Birth Control Politics in America," which explores the history of birth control and its impact on women's rights, and "The Second Coming of the KKK: The Ku Klux Klan of the 1920s and the American Political Tradition," which examines the rise of the Klan and its influence on American society. Gordon’s writing is characterized by her rigorous research, clear prose, and ability to interweave personal narratives with broader historical contexts, making her contributions both accessible and deeply insightful.
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