What do you think?
Rate this book
Denver: A Novel
By the 1920s, Denver had outgrown its frontier-town beginnings. But for some, life was still as perilous as the surrounding terrain. The insidious influence of the Ku Klux Klan was reaching its peak, and those who stood in its path feared for their safety. Denver is the saga of a family caught in this tempestuous time.
To newspaperman Tom Hastings, his writing matters more than anything. As the book opens, President Harding has just died, and Hastings finds himself drawn toward the biggest story of his career. But his wife resents his allegiance to the newspaper and his Jewish stepfather is a target for the supremacist Kleagles—two good reasons not to persist in his pursuit of the story: that and the KKK has penetrated the highest levels of government in the state.
Some eighty characters surround Tom Hastings: there’s his half-sister, the quiet, passionate Jewess Anna Kohl; David Waldo, a socialist and friend to Jack London; Willie Brown, a rising political star torn between his desire for elective office and the love of his life; and Marvel Millette, a Nellie Bly–like reporter in whom Tom Hastings finally meets his match.
John Dunning creates flesh-and-blood figures, not only of these fictional characters but of historical personages as well. There is John Galen Locke, the Grand Dragon of the KKK, and Fred Bonfils, a founder of a newspaper dynasty built on tabloid sensationalism; President Calvin Coolidge, too, makes a gruff appearance.
Denver is a panoramic novel as vibrant as the city for which it is named, as tumultuous as the era in which it is set. John Dunning never lets the reader lose sight of the men and women who live their lives on the pages of this saga. While crosses burst into angry flames and menacing droves of white-robed Klansmen gather against the torch-lit skies, passions, fears, joys, and hates are played out in Denver in the 1920s.
To newspaperman Tom Hastings, his writing matters more than anything. As the book opens, President Harding has just died, and Hastings finds himself drawn toward the biggest story of his career. But his wife resents his allegiance to the newspaper and his Jewish stepfather is a target for the supremacist Kleagles—two good reasons not to persist in his pursuit of the story: that and the KKK has penetrated the highest levels of government in the state.
Some eighty characters surround Tom Hastings: there’s his half-sister, the quiet, passionate Jewess Anna Kohl; David Waldo, a socialist and friend to Jack London; Willie Brown, a rising political star torn between his desire for elective office and the love of his life; and Marvel Millette, a Nellie Bly–like reporter in whom Tom Hastings finally meets his match.
John Dunning creates flesh-and-blood figures, not only of these fictional characters but of historical personages as well. There is John Galen Locke, the Grand Dragon of the KKK, and Fred Bonfils, a founder of a newspaper dynasty built on tabloid sensationalism; President Calvin Coolidge, too, makes a gruff appearance.
Denver is a panoramic novel as vibrant as the city for which it is named, as tumultuous as the era in which it is set. John Dunning never lets the reader lose sight of the men and women who live their lives on the pages of this saga. While crosses burst into angry flames and menacing droves of white-robed Klansmen gather against the torch-lit skies, passions, fears, joys, and hates are played out in Denver in the 1920s.
407 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1980
21 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
About the author
John Dunning
64 books319 followersJohn Dunning was an American writer of non-fiction and detective fiction. He was known for his reference books on old-time radio and his series of mysteries featuring Denver bookseller and ex-policeman Cliff Janeway.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 30, 2014
DENVER
John Dunning
GOLDEN OLDIE
This marvelous fictionalized history of Denver in the 1920’s was published in 1980. Despite that, it certainly does not detract from the historic value or the novels impact.
This is a magnificent saga about a town that has out grown its frontier beginnings, and of a family caught in the still perilous times now due to the Ku Klux Klan at its most menacing.
Tom Hastings is a newspaper man surrounded by a multitude of characters. Mr. Dunning creates fully formed vibrant, fictional characters, and historical ones as well. There is John Galen Locke, the Grand Dragon of the KKK, Fred Bonfils, founder of a newspaper dynasty, and a cameo of President Calvin Coolidge. These characters and the men and women of early Denver are totally alive with their passions, fears, joys and hates all told in an incredibly fascinating novel.
An absolute must read for local history buffs or anyone interested in Danvers history or to just read a great book.
John Dunning
GOLDEN OLDIE
This marvelous fictionalized history of Denver in the 1920’s was published in 1980. Despite that, it certainly does not detract from the historic value or the novels impact.
This is a magnificent saga about a town that has out grown its frontier beginnings, and of a family caught in the still perilous times now due to the Ku Klux Klan at its most menacing.
Tom Hastings is a newspaper man surrounded by a multitude of characters. Mr. Dunning creates fully formed vibrant, fictional characters, and historical ones as well. There is John Galen Locke, the Grand Dragon of the KKK, Fred Bonfils, founder of a newspaper dynasty, and a cameo of President Calvin Coolidge. These characters and the men and women of early Denver are totally alive with their passions, fears, joys and hates all told in an incredibly fascinating novel.
An absolute must read for local history buffs or anyone interested in Danvers history or to just read a great book.
September 18, 2015
ONE OF THE MOST HAUNTING BOOK I HAVE READ
May 29, 2018
Denver's mayor in the 1920s was a Ku Klux Klan member. Mayor Stapleton didn't try to hide this fact. Now, in Denver, there is a great neighborhood called Stapleton. The majority of the people who live in Stapleton would like to change the name of the neighborhood. So far they have a majority, but not enough of a majority to do that. I thought this historical novel would shed more light on the original Stapleton.
John Dunning wrote 5 mystery novels in the 2000s that were very enjoyable. Then someone got the idea of reviving this 1980 novel. I am officially abandoning it. Too violent.
John Dunning wrote 5 mystery novels in the 2000s that were very enjoyable. Then someone got the idea of reviving this 1980 novel. I am officially abandoning it. Too violent.
August 19, 2014
Takes place in Denver Colorado in the 1920's and is a mix of historical fiction and fact, with some made up characters and some historical figures. This was an engrossing story once I got into it. I made the mistake of starting out just reading a little bit at a time, but there are too many characters to keep track of to do that. Read it in big blocks of time if you can and then it is really well written.
Tom Hastings is the main character, a newspaperman, husband, son, and father, with a drinking problem. He once wrote a great story that made him famous in the newspaper world, but now he is on the downhill skid in the business. The story starts with the Klu Klux Klan gaining control over all aspects of life, having people high up in the government, police, store owners, etc (true story). They want to rid Denver of all immigrants, Jews, Catholics, and blacks.
I won't give the plot away, but there is a lot of loss, violence, corruption, and hatred. It is a haunting story that will stay with you. Thanks for buying it for me Derek!
Tom Hastings is the main character, a newspaperman, husband, son, and father, with a drinking problem. He once wrote a great story that made him famous in the newspaper world, but now he is on the downhill skid in the business. The story starts with the Klu Klux Klan gaining control over all aspects of life, having people high up in the government, police, store owners, etc (true story). They want to rid Denver of all immigrants, Jews, Catholics, and blacks.
I won't give the plot away, but there is a lot of loss, violence, corruption, and hatred. It is a haunting story that will stay with you. Thanks for buying it for me Derek!
July 18, 2013
Great story incorporating real Denver history and people with fictional characters and stories. Really good mix. The time frame is after WWI and before the Depression. The KKK was grabbing power and using intimidation to clean out the "riff-raff". Most politicians were under the KKK thumb and newspapers were afraid to deal with them for fear of losing their advertising. Many people took a long time to realize that they had no one to turn to for protection the KKK was so powerful. Main character Tom Hastings is a fading newspaper man with family, career and drinking problems. Adopted by a Jewish family when he was young he loses his awareness of what's going on after hitting the skids. His sister has had a past that isolates her from the world. Their brother has been horribly injured in the war. Each of these characters and all they come in contact with are woven together with the rich history of Denver, Colorado during those rowdy times.
Read
July 11, 2008I can't give this book a rating as I did not finish it. This book was very intriguing and I would have liked to have found out what happened with all the characters, but the content was too violent at times and so I couldn't keep reading it. But I enjoyed the writing. If anyone reads it, please let me know what happens!
October 23, 2007
One of the best 10 books I've ever read. Historically accurate and surprising. I did not know anything about the Ku Klux Klan west of the Mississippi. This book opened my eyes.
July 9, 2022
The book ends with an unexpected and almost unpredictable twist. Perhaps a personal commentary by Dunning on the state of literature. The book ends with an unexpected and almost unpredictable twist. Perhaps a personal commentary by Dunning on the state of literature.
Read
January 16, 2020abandonado×
quando acho que o autor vai chegar em algum lugar vejo que me enganei
quando acho que o autor vai chegar em algum lugar vejo que me enganei
Read
May 22, 2025DNF- I just didn’t care about this story or the characters, I have too many other books that I am too excited to read to slog through this one.
January 2, 2026
Denver in the 20s
Want to read
January 4, 20081982 *******
July 23, 2012
The book is incredible. Didn't realize the influence the KKK had in Denver. Being from Denver, it was great to follow along with the locations.
A great read!
A great read!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews