The Klan Unmasked: With a New Introduction by David Pilgrim and a New Author's Note

The Klan Unmasked is a riveting exposé of one of the most daring undercover operations in American history. In the 1920s, journalist Stetson Kennedy infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan at the height of its power, risking his life to expose the group’s secrets, rituals, and violent agenda. With the precision of a spy and the pen of a poet, Kennedy documented the Klan’s inner workings and fed intelligence to law enforcement and even popular radio shows—turning public opinion against the hooded order.

This book reads like a noir thriller, but its stakes are real and its impact profound. Kennedy’s fearless reporting helped dismantle one of the most dangerous hate groups in the country, making The Klan Unmasked not just a gripping narrative, but a landmark in anti-racist literature. It’s a testament to the power of truth, the necessity of resistance, and the enduring fight for justice.

Whether you're drawn to undercover intrigue or passionate about civil rights, this classic delivers both. It’s not just history—it’s a call to action, wrapped in suspense and driven by moral clarity. Few books are this brave. Fewer still are this urgent.

The Klan Unmasked is part of a three-book set that includes Southern Exposure and Jim Crow Guide to the U.S.A., all available from the University of Alabama Press.