A spy in Canaan
Subtitle: how the FBI used a famous photographer to infiltrate the civil rights movement
By: Marc Perrusquia
Publisher: Melville House
Published: 2017
Language: eng
Number of pages: 349
ISBN-13: 9781612193410
Copyright date: 2017
Subjects: United States; Photographers; Civil rights movements; Undercover operations; United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation; Informers; Biography; History
Description: The story of the double life of famed civil rights photographer Ernest Withers--and how a closely guarded government secret finally came to light, told by the journalist who broke the story. Ernest Withers captured some of the most iconic moments of the Civil Rights Movement -- from the rare photo of Martin Luther King, Jr. in repose to the haunting photo of Emmet Till's great-uncle pointing an accusing finger at Till's killers. He was trusted and beloved by King's inner circle, and had a front row seat to history. But what most people don't know is that Withers was an informant for the FBI -- and his photos helped the Bureau identify and surveil the era's greatest figures. This book explores the life, complex motivations, and legacy of this fascinating figure.--Publisher.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 335-341) and index.
Table of contents: title: Part I: The assassination; title: Part II: The discovery; title: Part III: The big break; title: Part IV: Spying on the movement; title: Part V: To the brink: the FBI's war on Dr. King and Black power.