Superman Versus the Ku Klux Klan: The True Story of How the Iconic Superhero Battled the Men of Hate

I liked this book a lot. The reading level is clearly at a youth level, but not childlike. I read it both for my own sake and as a grandparent. I learned a lot of history type information about the creators of Superman as well as the history of the KKK. It dawned on me I did not really know a lot about the actual history of the KKK.In regard to resisting the KKK, I had heard of Stetson Kennedy. It now seems my knowledge of him was slightly inaccurate and exaggerated. However I am quite sure he did a lot of good.I feel discussing a matter like the KKK without any racial terminology would be difficult. It is possible that certain terminology SHOULD be used so the issues can be clearly understood. Nonetheless I personally would not want a child to read this without parental input. My own children are now grown. I can still vividly recall one of my children watching a major network news show when a discussion of the "N - word" came on and the actual word was used. My child was in early grade school. She turned to me and asked me about the specific word. It was clear to me she had NEVER heard the word anywhere and that made me happy. That contrasted with my own experience as a child in the 1950's. Clearly the word was not being used at school or on the playground. But it was still a sobering experience for me and I was glad I was there to try to answer questions. I remember President Obama saying he thinks every generation gets better about this subject and I agree with him about that.Additionally there is a brief passage about a sub group in the KKK that engaged in a specific and gruesome type of physical torture. Parents should be aware of that. I refer to a brief narrative about corkscrews.There was also a passing discussion about Wonder Woman. According to this work, Wonder Woman, in addition to entertainment, spoke to females about domestic violence. I did not know that and it never dawned on me that Wonder Woman could be used to facilitate such discussion. I appreciate knowing that.

I found this a very readable, fascinating account of the creation of Superman and how this fictional superhero was used to fight the Ku Klux Klan. I've heard the story of Superman's creation before but not in as complete a fashion as is explained here. It's an interesting story about two Jewish teenagers growing up during the Great Depression who desperately wanted to join the comics industry. But neither could ever imagine their creation becoming the phenomenon it did. Unfortunately for them, they turned the copyright over to DC Comics (normal procedure at the time) and as a result didn't receive the benefits they should have. But Superman has throughout his history provided not only entertainment but the idea that good can defeat evil, even the real thing.The Ku Klux Klan may not have started out as an organization of evil but it certainly became one. What I didn't know was that it petered out after their extreme acts of violence got out of control. Reading about the deliberate reincarnation of the organization was a bit sickening, but ironically it seems that the people responsible for its recreation were more interested in money than ideology. Unfortunately, many of those who joined the organization did fully buy into the hate and fear that the organization encouraged and often acted on it, violently.Seeing these two stories come full circle when the Superman radio show decided to have Superman face an organization that clearly represented the KKK. This book represents the impact that even a fictional character can have on the history of a nation. The power of propaganda for good or evil can easily be seen in this story, a story that happens to be true. A great example of the kind of history book that children will want to pick up and read. There is however a lot of text here, more photos and extras would have been nice. But the story is compelling enough to make up for that, but reluctant readers will be put off by the amount of text. A great read though for more advanced readers.

The 1915 revival of the Klan was as much a business enterprise as it was one of hate. It’s sickning to think that as a non-profit shouldn’t be allowed to promote hatered. 80% of the KKK’s revenue went to a PR firm in Atlanta.And that is just in section 2. There is so much more. A very interesting book that weaves the history of the US,, the KKK, Superman, and WWII into a very interesting narative. They helped create many childrens programming techniques that we take for granted today.Well worth reading — easy to read.

While this book deals in a swift, readable, delightful style with this one very meaningful intersection of contemporary history and popular culture, it also tells us a lot about the history of the Ku Klux Klan and the character of Superman--why both came into being, how they evolved over time, and why both are still relevant today. And it also makes you love and appreciate the Man of Steel even more.

I like Helen B's review. I think the "sobriety" we feel when reading about the Klan was a little much for my 11-year-old, who didn't finish the book. I thought it was great and hope he will re-evaluate it as a teenager.

Really eye opening and a great telling for an important moment in history.

Keeeeeeeee we e e e e w w w w w e e e we e e e e we e e e x t z

great

Incluye el origen de Superman (los hechos que llevaron a su creación) así como el de sus creadores; el origen del KKK y el paralelismo de ambos hasta su colisión. Muy bueno.

Entertaining and information.