The Union Station Massacre: The Original Sin of J. Edgar Hoover's FBI

by Robert Unger

Using the original eighty-nine volumes of FBI case file, journalist/scholar Unger reveals what really happened on that June day in 1933. He describes how the FBI turned the massacre case into a witch hunt for "Pretty Boy" Floyd and Adam Richetti, both of whom paid with their lives. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Genres: History, True Crime, Crime, American History, Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1997

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had always heard and read about what a self serving corrupt piece of trash J. Edgar Hoover was. This book was the nail in the coffin. I pretty much feel like he belonged in Alcatraz more than half the people he sent there. It's not hard to see why no one trusts the FBI when you learn about it's beginnings. Or should I say first 40 years. This is a great book. To the point and easy to read. I'd recommend it anyone whether you're a history buff or not. Great ole timey corrupt cops vs gangland hoods. 4.5 stars.

[Chucky Fire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rotten soul.

[Sean Wicks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chronicling an event that helped lead to widening the powers of the FBI, the author delves deep into the Union Station Massacre (also known as the Kansas City Massacre) where Bureau agents were shot and killed along with a prisoner they were transporting to Leavenworth. Hoover used the incident to heighten a man-hunt for "Pretty Boy" Floyd who Hoover claimed was behind the hit. The book suggests otherwise. It lays out how the Bureau manipulated evidence and testimonies to fit Hoover's agenda to apprehend dead-or-alive (mainly dead) Floyd and his right hand man that was also fingered as one of the triggermen. What the author uncovers is shocking.

While an insightful read, it isn't the most engaging and loses steam. If you do read it stick with it though, the final rundown of what probably occurred is worth the read.

[Jerry Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

provides useful insight into the Union Station Massacre and gives us a theory of the true events of that day (at least as deduced by the author). The narrative is compelling and the theory credible.

The book attempts to set the events of the massacre into the context of the times and the struggle Hoover had to get the FBI established in terms of reputation and power. In this is pretty much succeeds, although there is a lot of assumption about perjured evidence and Hoover's personality.

It is particularly interesting as a resident of Kansas City and shed a lot of light on the growth of this town and it's history.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

I expected a book that would be interesting only for a small, local (Kansas City) audience. Instead this book stands well on its own for all readers interested in the development of Hoover's FBI, centered on this KC event. Of course, plenty of detail is especially recognizable for locals; the book could have well employed a few maps and diagrams.