Sunday, June 10, 2007

Kenneth Ackerman on how J. Edgar Hoover got his start: Tonight on Book TV

Sunday, June 10, 6:00 pm and at 9:00 pm, Eastern time, US

After Words: Kenneth Ackerman, author of "Young J. Edgar: Hoover, The Red Scare, And The Assault On Civil Liberties" interviewed by Joan Biskupic

Description: Historian Kenneth Ackerman examines the early career of J. Edgar Hoover in "Young J. Edgar: Hoover, The Red Scare, And The Assault On Civil Liberties." Hoover began his career as a twenty four year old assistant to Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer where he played an influential role in the undertaking of the Palmer Raids. The raids resulted in the arrests of over ten thousand Americans suspected of radical political beliefs after bombs exploded in nine U.S. cities on June 2, 1919. The reputation of Attorney General Palmer would later be tarnished due to what was deemed as an overzealous assault on civil liberties. J. Edgar Hoover would escape from the aftermath of the Palmer Raids unscathed and in 1924 became the head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, a position he held until 1972. Kenneth Ackerman discusses his book with Joan Biskupic, Supreme Court correspondent for USA Today.

Author Bio: Kenneth Ackerman is the author of several books on U.S. history including, "Dark Horse: The Surprise Election and Political Murder of President James A. Garfield." He has served in senior posts on Capitol Hill and the executive branch for over twenty five years and currently practices law. Joan Biskupic is the Supreme Court correspondent for USA Today. She is the author of "Sandra Day O'Connor: How the First Woman on the Supreme Court Became It's Most Influential Justice." Prior to joining USA Today, Ms. Biskupic reported on the Supreme Court for the Washington Post. She is currently working on a book about Justice Antonin Scalia.