G-Man

G-Man by Beverly Gage provides a meticulously researched and deeply insightful exploration into the life and career of J. Edgar Hoover, one of the most influential and formidable figures in American history. As the director of the FBI, Hoover revolutionised the agency from a struggling enforcement unit into a powerhouse of modern crime-fighting technology and bureaucratic control. However, his tenure was also marked by controversial practices, including civil rights abuses and political manipulation.

Winner of multiple prestigious awards, G-Man delves into Hoover’s rise to power and his ability to maintain control over four decades, impacting national policies and shaping American society. Gage brings to light Hoover's charming and charismatic public persona that commanded respect and admiration from millions. Yet, she also unearths his darker side—his systemic exclusion of minorities from his envisioned American utopia, and his instrumental role in laying the foundations for the modern far right.

By portraying the complexities and contradictions of Hoover's character, Gage offers readers a dramatic and gripping narrative that spans key periods of American history. The biography transcends a mere account of one man’s life; it’s a profound commentary on the evolution of the United States through the 20th century, viewed through the prism of Hoover's unique and controversial influence.

This multi-award-winning biography has received wide acclaim from critics:

'Revelatory' – New York Times

'Astonishing' – The New Yorker

'Masterful… This book is an enduring, formidable accomplishment, a monument to the power of biography [that] now becomes the definitive work' – The Washington Post

Beverley Gage’s detailed and engaging portrayal in G-Man cements her work as an essential read for anyone interested in the interplay of power, politics, and the shaping of modern America. The biography stands as a testament to the lasting importance of rigorous historical scholarship.

Award Highlights:

• Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Biography 2023
• Winner of the 2022 National Book Critics Circle Award in Biography
• Winner of the 2023 Bancroft Prize in American History and Diplomacy
• Winner of the American History Book Prize
• Shortlisted for the 2023 PEN/Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award for Biography
• Longlisted for the CWA ALCS Gold Dagger for Non-Fiction