In Kicking the Old Man Around, I wrote an abbreviated history of the Klu Klux Klan(s), one I'm moderately proud of. Jesus Gil says he's interested in reading more about the subject, so I thought I'd mention a favorite book of mine.

Although it's not encyclopedic, Women of the Klan: Racism and Gender in the 1920s is probably the best concise history of the Klan phenomenon I've read. Although it does focus on the previously little-examined role of women, the book cannot help but deal extensively with the entire organization. Indeed, by focusing on women, the book winds up giving the most evocative and interesting overall look at the organization I've seen in one slim volume.

The book does concentrate almost entirely on the Klan in its heyday, the period from 1915 to the 1940s. If you want to know more about the Klan in the second half of the 20th century, or as it is today, you'll have to seek other sources. (Although they're such a tiny and pathetic organization today, I'm not sure why anyone would be interested exept as something to make fun of.) But if you want to know a lot about the second Klan, and what it looked like at its height, I don't think you'll find a better or more accessible read.

By the way, there are a couple of really bizarre reviews of that book up on Amazon, talking about feminism and animal rights and such. Ignore them. This is a top-notch book. Also, you may notice my own review there. I wouldn't mind a bit if you clicked on that little "yes" vote that says you found it helpful. ;-)