Review of Official and Confidential: The Secret Life of J Edgar Hoover

This dense and detailed read about one of the most influential and powerful men in
US security history requires a lot of patience and an open mind to read. Clearly
Hoover was an intelligent and meticulous man who sought to portray himself as a
stalwart of US values and defence against any threat, real or imagined, that would
help support his position and make him more indispensable.

Hoover probably believed a lot of what he said but the reader is left in no doubt
that he played up any threat he could to further consolidate his power and extend
his already considerable reach. He was feared and respected by all levels of people
in Washington since he had files on most of them that could threaten
their positions. Thus ensconsed in a deeply padded position he could more or less
call the shots to congress. He asked for money and resources and was rarely refused.
Even Nixon, no paragon of virtue, wanted to fire Hoover but knew that he could not
take the risk.

This is a richly rewarding read, deeply researched and with an impressive bibliography
(particularly in the hardback edition). Whether you believe any or all of it is
up to you but, as the old saying goes: "You just couldn't make this sh*t up."