You Can't Do That Dan Moody

by Ken Anderson, Melissa Roberts

Looks at the life of the Texas governor who prosecuted the Ku Klux Klan during the 1920s

167 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Licensed by the Evangelical Free Church, Ken first pastored in Isle, Minnesota and later in Newman Grove, Nebraska. Then he became involved in the newly formed ministry, Youth For Christ, and served as their first full-time Magazine Editor. Ken became connected to a fledgling organization called Baptista Films, where he wrote and then directed his first film drama. Later he launched Gospel Films. Over 200 Christian films have been produced since then, including original dramas for many foreign countries. As a pioneer in Christian films, Ken will be best remembered for the drama story, PILGRIM’S PROGRESS, produced in 1977. Featured in the story is Liam Neeson in his first screen role, as Evangelist. Ken began a writing career that spanned 7 decades. 77 books were published, at least 1 per decade, with 19 books alone published in the 40's. As an author, Ken will be best remembered for his work, WHERE TO FIND IT IN THE BIBLE, published in 1996 by Thomas Nelson. Over 4 million copies are in print, and it remains a busy seller on the Nelson backlist.

Reviews

[James Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book. Easy to read which gives a great overview to the life of Dan Moody from his life as a rural lawyer to giver of Texas. The book focuses heavily on his fight against the Ku Klux Klan. A really easy to read book and very informative.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the 1920s, the Ku Klux Klan (“KKK”) was a big problem all over the country. Dan Moody was a district attorney in Central Texas. As a prosecutor, he held a trial in Williamson County against some members of the KKK after they attacked Robert Burleson, when it was rumored with no evidence that Burleson was having an affair with a married woman. The KKK threatened Burleson with a letter telling him that he must leave the area due to his indecency. Burleson took no mind to their threats. Several months later, Burleson was kidnapped, whipped with a belt and received hot tar poured over his beaten body by some KKK members. He survived. Dan Moody implored others to help him investigate and seek witnesses so he could engage trial and convict those KKK members involved. He was successful. Later, Dan Moody ran for the position of Governor of the State of Texas. His opponents argued that Dan Moody was too young and inexperienced for such a position. However, Dan Moody won the election.

What really surprised me was that there were no violent repercussions from the KKK against Dan Moody for using the law to go after them. At least none expressed in this book. Dan Moody reminded me of the hero in the movie “Walking Tall” based on a true story of a man trying to clean up his town by taking out the bad guys. Here, Dan Moody used the courtroom to fight the bad guys.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the 1920's, the Klan was a powerful force across the nation. Anonymous, shrouded in their white robes, they preached a virulent form of hatred against catholics, and african americans . They may be best be known for their cross burnings and vigilante justice.

“You Can't Do That, Dan Moody !” is a young adult novel centering on the trial that bought the KKK to justice in Texas. The effort was led by Dan Moody, the district attorney at the time, and who later became the youngest governor of Texas. A dramatized version of history, it reads like a mix between a Law & Order episode and a piece of non-fiction. Ken Anderson, the author, and a former district attorney, inserts some of his legal experience particularly during the moments of witness questioning. A handy glossary is included in the back of the book for those who may find themselves requiring a reference for some of the legal and Klu Klux Klan-related terminology.

Though Ken Anderson has come under recent scrutiny for having allegedly withheld evidence in a prior case that led to the conviction of the wrong man, it does not take away that the book itself covers a very important time in central texas history.

[Mikayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my second time reading this book and I enjoyed it much more this time then I did the first. As a younger kid I found the descriptions of the Klu Klux Klan very disturbing and I would defiantly not recommend this to anyone under 12 years old. It was a very good look at Dan Moody's life and works and I really enjoyed reading it.