Synopsis
"Klandestine: The Untold Story of Delmar Dennis and His Role in the FBI's War Against the Ku Klux Klan" is a nonfiction book written by Sally Denton and published in 2021. The book tells the story of Delmar Dennis, a former police officer who became a key informant for the FBI in their battle against the Ku Klux Klan in the 1960s and 1970s.
Denton draws on extensive research, including interviews with Dennis himself and other sources, to provide a detailed account of Dennis's life and his work with the FBI. She explores his background as a police officer in Indiana, his recruitment by the FBI, and his undercover work in the Klan.
The book offers insights into the inner workings of the FBI's investigation of the Klan, including the use of informants and the challenges of infiltrating the organization. Denton also examines the political climate of the time, including the FBI's sometimes controversial tactics and the ongoing struggle for civil rights.
Throughout the book, Denton highlights Dennis's courage and dedication to the cause of justice, as well as the personal toll that his work took on him and his family. She offers a nuanced and complex portrait of Dennis, showing both his flaws and his strengths, and the complicated moral choices he faced in his work with the FBI.
Overall, "Klandestine" is a gripping and thought-provoking account of a little-known figure in the fight against the Ku Klux Klan. Denton's engaging writing style, meticulous research, and insightful analysis make this book a valuable addition to the literature on the civil rights movement and the ongoing struggle for racial justice in America.