Masters of Deceit. Signed by J. Edgar Hoover. First Edition, First Printing. Holt & Co. New York, 1958.

Edgar Hoover was the first Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He turned the new bureau into the most powerful law enforcement agency in the world. Over his tenure as director, he established numerous protocols, including fingerprint databases and national crime tracking. Hoover himself proved to be a criminal, however. After his death in 1972, it became clear that Hoover regularly broke laws and his own FBI policies through illegal surveillance of U.S. citizens and through wiretapping and burglaries. Hoover was also totally fixated on Communist sympathizers in the U.S. He also had a propensity to equate any leftwing politics with Communism, and in turn, targeted and harassed political dissidents. These issues have tarnished his legacy. His overreach is why FBI directors have term limits today. In Masters of Deceit, however, readers will find a bold J. Edgar Hoover writing at the height of his power. The work is essentially a guidebook for identifying, vilifying, and harassing anyone perceived as Communists. His logic is conspiratorial. His suggestions are highly political. Of course, the Cold War necessitated vigilance in the face of official foreign Communist party activities, but in Masters of Deceit, Hoover demonstrates little discernment between foreign Communist adversaries and left-leaning, progressive U.S. citizens.

This first edition, first printing is signed by Hoover on the front free endpaper. It is in very good condition. In the original cloth, near-fine with only slight fading to spine and rubbing to edges. Text block fine. In the original dust jacket, very good with chipping, creases, and closed tears.

A very good signed first edition by J. Edgar Hoover.