NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST • A twisting, haunting true-life murder mystery about one of the most monstrous crimes in American history, from the author of The Lost City of Z.In the 1920s, the richest people per capita in the world were members of the Osage Nation in Oklahoma. After oil was discovered beneath their land, the Osage rode in chauffeured automobiles, built … their land, the Osage rode in chauffeured automobiles, built mansions, and sent their children to study in Europe.
Then, one by one, the Osage began to be killed off. The family of an Osage woman, Mollie Burkhart, became a prime target. One of her relatives was shot. Another was poisoned. And it was just the beginning, as more and more Osage were dying under mysterious circumstances, and many of those who dared to investigate the killings were themselves murdered.
As the death toll rose, the newly created FBI took up the case, and the young director, J. Edgar Hoover, turned to a former Texas Ranger named Tom White to try to unravel the mystery. White put together an undercover team, including a Native American agent who infiltrated the region, and together with the Osage began to expose one of the most chilling conspiracies in American history.
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This is a story every American should read, if we don’t learn from our past we are doomed to repeat it.
Although the writing is a bit journalistic rather then as a novel, the information is well presented and informative.
I liked this book but it read like a documentary. I know it’s nonfiction and very interesting, sad.
Based on an amazing body of research; well-written, hard to put down,
I learned about a time in our relationship with the Indian tribes that I did not know about; it was another black against our justice for all doctrine. also learned how the FBI came into being an agency of the government.
The wtitting is excellent and there is a well spring of nformation about oil rights-human rights-Indian lack of rights.
Although it is non fiction it is a page turner
Non-fiction that reads like a novel. In the first quarter of the 20th century, a string of unexplained deaths among Oklahoma’s oil rich Osage Indians has the tribe on edge. Local law enforcement has no real interest in solving the case so it is turned over to the fledgling Federal Bureau of Investigation. The book chronicles the cases, details the reasons behind the suspicious deaths and demonstrates the persistence of a small group of agents who are determined to bring some justice to the Osage people.
It is an eye opener.
This non-fiction book will change how you think about native American treatment in the boom of the oil age. It is factual, very interesting and keeps that interest throughout the book. The rich’s man’s abuse of those less privileged is a scenario even in today’s world. I highly recommend this book.
A must-read on Native American history. Very well researched and presented. Just when you think you’ve seen the worst of what the white invaders have done, along comes another story which confounds in it’s greed, bigotry, oppression and ability to do evil.
This is one of those books that EVERYONE should have to read – it is a tragic story of greed and murder and bigotry… It’s also a fascinating true crime story and the early history of the FBI. This country’s early treatment (and continuing treatment) of the Native communities is horrible and it ABSOLUTELY needs to be stopped and we need to TRY and make amends – something I am not sure is even possible.
The book is well written and well researched. I am listening to the auidobook, which is very well narrated… I just wish I could go back in time and slap those bigots silly! But more importantly, we need to NEVER forget these things… especially in this time of continued trouble, racism and hate.
Takes us to some our history I knew nothing of. Hard to believe but a true story that you had to believe. Well done.
A story about the Osage people of Oklahoma who were the beneficiaries of the discovery of oil on their reservation, only to be plundered by local politicians and law-makers. It took the incorruptible to bring the guilty to justice and return what belonged to the Osage, including their integrity and pride.
I read this book for my book club and it haunts me still. I had never heard this story about the mistreatment and killing of the Indians in Oklahoma for their oil rights. I also was unfamiliar with the origins of the FBI. I can not encourage enough for readers to spend the time to read this book and take it to heart.
Excellent depiction of the events related to the Osage murders and the rise of the FBI.
I have always loved history and the impact that events in one locale impact others. This accounting of the treatment of the Osage Indians of Oklahoma over the years leading up to the 1920’s and the planned elimination of them is amazing. How the beginning stages of the FBI played an important role in the end of the murders was hopeful.
If you love history this is a great book!
This is a historical mystery – a well researched tale of a dark time that unfolds like a mystery novel.
There were many times throughout the book I wished this was fiction because so much of the true story was unbelievable!
I learned a lot about the Osage Indians, the settling of the West, the early days of law enforcement and the FBI, and human nature (for good and for ill).
Highly recommended.
was a part of history that really happened & some of us never knew what
they did to the Indians of Oklahoma
was a Book Club read would never have picked it up
Another piece of native American history finally exposed. Very informative!
great book
This history should be required reading. Huck Finn said it well: “Humans can be so cruel to each other.” The events recounted took place in Oklahoma and a bit in Washington, D.C. The time frame is the early 1920’s. The events are heart-braking and horrifyingly true. David Grann’s writing is so readable and balanced. The New York times called his writing “brilliant.” You will be on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
A another sad chapter in the lives of Native Americans. Finally justice was done but took years and a very few committed people.
Superb writing style combines the best of fiction with methodical, comprehensive research. It is the best book I’ve read this year.