The Ku Klux Klan in Minnesota

We tend to think of the KKK as made up of uneducated people on the fringes of society. The KKK of the 1920s was not like that. It included large numbers of community leaders in towns and cities across the USA. It was definitely racist, subscribing as most Americans did at that time to a "scientific racism" holding that people coming from Northern European countries were superior to all others. The Klan of the 1920s was also anti-Catholic, anti-semitic, and opposed to further immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe. The Klan embraced Protestant Christianity, and small town values. It sought to preserve America for white, Christian, Protestants and resisted what it saw as threats to this vision of America. The significance of the KKK in Indiana in the 1920s is well known. In this well researched book Elizabeth Dorsey Hatle shows that the Klan was also a significant force in Minnesota at that time. While the writing is sometimes difficult to follow, the overall line of thought is clear enough. The book does a good job of bringing to light how fear of "others" can lead us astray--even in "liberal" Minnesota.

It is an excellent book well researched and easily read---As a life long Southern Minnesotan I was shocked that towns I knew so well had been hotbeds of KKK and anti immigrant sentiment. i grew up in the 50's and the people who had been in the klan would still have been active in life in communities. As a Catholic I had no idea Southern Minnesota had such strong feelings-- great crdit to a fine author

A very scholarly work. A lot of footnotes and documented information. May be a difficult read for some, but if you're truly interested in the subject, you'll find it fascinating. The author even documents the locations of the 50+ Klaverns in Minnesota. As a life long Minnesotan, I had no idea!

Good information ina book that is hard to read. It needed to be proofread before publishing. There are sentences that don't make sense, words not used properly and information presented in an order that is confusing. I don't want to not recommend it but be warned.

I am glad I ordered it and read it. Lots of information I need as a Minnesota resident.

So glad to have found your last copy!

Good information but a tough slog. Still, important to know that Minnesota isn't always "NICE."

Information may be factual, but the writing style is very difficult to follow. The author seems to jump from one thought to another in a rather disjointed way, and I could not force myself to finish the book. If you want a textbook read, this may be okay.