KKK: The Story of the Klu Klux Klan

by Ben Haas

KKK: The Story of the Ku Klux Klan, first published in 1963, sets out to answer three questions about the KKK: what it is, why was it so hard to eradicate from American society, especially in the southern states; and how powerful is the Klan (at the time of the book’s publication). Through his extensive research and interviews with Klan leaders as well as knowledgeable outsiders, author Ben Haas attempts to answer these questions and provide insight into the origins, beliefs, and activities of this secret society.

AS LONG AS THERE’S HATE

KLANSMEN WILL RIDE

This is the frightening conclusion suggested by Ben Haas’ study of the Ku Klux Klan, yesterday, today, and until... Even as the House Committee on Un-American Activities, spurred on by the anger of President Johnson, investigates the midnight tyranny of the Klan’s “enforcers,” doubt is justified whether the whole monstrous picture of the Klan’s stubborn vitality can be dragged into the day light...and whether its flaming crosses will ever be doused. Avid “Americanism” and pious “old-time religion” bolster the vicious, fear-driven bigotry that may even today be spreading and solidifying its cruel grip on the nation. Here is the story of the hooded hate-mongers and their...

...INVISIBLE EMPIRE OF TERROR

ROUGHSHOD BIGOTRY..,

THE MEN, THE MINDS, THE TRADITION

From its birth in the ashes of the Civil War to its resurgence in the heat of today’s civil rights struggle, here is the story of the Klan. It is a horror story told with scathing humor; a non-fiction nightmare detailed by a journalist who has interviewed present Klan leaders and dug for the truth behind their claims. Here is the face and the shape of the sprawling white monster that seemingly will not die.

Genres: History

187 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2019

About the author

Benjamin Leopold Haas was born in Charlotte , North Carolina in 1926. Mr. Haas stated in an interview that he inherited his love of books from his father, who would bid on hundreds of books at unclaimed freight auctions during the Depression. His imagination was also fired by the stories of the Civil War and Reconstruction told by his grandmother, who had lived through both. “My father was a pioneer operator of motion picture theatres”, Ben wrote. “So, I had free access to every theatre in Charlotte and saw countless films growing up, hooked on the lore of our own South and the Old West.” Dreaming about being a writer, 18-year-old Ben Haas sold a story to a Western pulp magazine. He dropped out of college to support his family. He was self-educated. He served in the U.S. Army from 1945 to 1946. He made Raleigh his home in 1959. Ben and his wife had three sons, Joel, Michael and John. Ben held various jobs until 1961, when he was working for a steel company. He had submitted a manuscript to Beacon Books, and an offer for more came just as he was laid off at the steel company. He became a full-time writer for the rest of his life. Ben wrote every day, every night. “I tried to write 5000 words or more every day, scrupulous in maintaining authenticity”, Ben said. His son Joel later recalled, “My Mom learned to go to sleep to the sound of a typewriter”.
His son John told me “It sounded like machine-gun fire coming out of his office”. Writing nonstop over the next 16 years, Ben Haas would create somewhere around 130 books under his own name and a dozen pen names.

Full Name: Benjamin Leopold Haas

Known Pseudonyms:
John Benteen
Thorne Douglas
Ben Elliott
Richard Meade
Quinn Reade
Jack Slade
Ben Stone

Reviews

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seems credible enough.