Super Short Summary

G-Man: J. Edgar Hoover and the Making of the American Century by Beverly Gage is a biography of John Edgar Hoover, the influential founding director of the FBI who served from 1924 until his death in 1972. The book examines Hoover's life, from his upbringing and career ascent to his controversial actions, such as surveillance of political radicals and civil rights leaders, while contextualizing his impact on American history. The book includes discussions of suicide, mental illness, sexual assault, racist violence, and anti-gay bias.