Crooked

The Roaring '20s Tale of a Corrupt Attorney General, a Crusading Senator, and the Birth of the American Political Scandal

By: Nathan Masters

Narrated by: David H Lawrence XVII

The riveting, forgotten narrative of the most corrupt attorney general in American history and the maverick senator who stopped at nothing to take him down

Many tales from the Jazz Age reek of crime and corruption. But perhaps the era’s greatest political fiasco—one that resulted in a nationwide scandal, a public reckoning at the Department of Justice, the rise of J. Edgar Hoover, and an Oscar-winning film—has long been lost to the annals of history. In Crooked, Nathan Masters restores this story of murderers, con artists, secret lovers, spies, bootleggers, and corrupt politicians to its full, page-turning glory.

Newly elected to the Senate on a promise to root out corruption, Burton "Boxcar Burt" Wheeler sets his sights on ousting Attorney General Harry Daugherty, puppet-master behind President Harding’s unlikely rise to power. Daugherty is famous for doing whatever it takes to keep his boss in power, and his cozy relations with bootleggers and other scofflaws have long spawned rumors of impropriety. But when his constant companion and trusted fixer, Jess Smith, is found dead of a gunshot wound in the apartment the two men share, Daugherty is suddenly thrust into the spotlight, exposing the rot consuming the Harding administration to a shocked public.

Determined to uncover the truth in the ensuing investigation, Wheeler takes the prosecutorial reins and subpoenas a rogue’s gallery of witnesses—convicted felons, shady detectives, disgraced officials—to expose the attorney general’s treachery and solve the riddle of Jess Smith’s suspicious death. With the muckraking senator hot on his trail, Daugherty turns to his greatest weapon, the nascent Federal Bureau of Investigation, whose eager second-in-command, J. Edgar Hoover, sees opportunity amidst the chaos.

Packed with political intrigue, salacious scandal, and no shortage of lessons for our modern era of political discord, Nathan Masters’ thrilling historical narrative shows how this intricate web of inconceivable crookedness set the stage for the next century of American political scandals.

©2023 Nathan Masters (P)2023 Hachette Books

Critic reviews

"For political junkies, this account of corruption from the 1920s is a tour de force made all the more enjoyable by the able narration of David Lawrence. The audiobook tells the story of the fall of Attorney General Harry Daugherty and the rise of J. Edgar Hoover. The author’s straightforward style translates well to audio, and Lawrence’s steady voice carries the text along smoothly. Lawrence adapts his pacing and tone when quoting from newspaper interviews and congressional testimony. His Southern accent for one political fixer turned government informant is especially enjoyable. This story of a corrupt official and his abuse of power offers lessons today’s politicians would be wise to heed."—AudioFile

"While the account is based in fact, the book reads like a thriller and remains engaging to the last minute. David H. Lawrence XVII’s narration brings a documentary-like feel to the tale and helps listeners keep track of the dizzying cast of characters. VERDICT: For fans of G-Man: J. Edgar Hoover and the Making of the American Century by Beverly Gage. Recommended for general purchase."—Library Journal

“Masters makes an impressive book debut with a brisk, lively history of a political scandal, ‘one of those Roaring Twenties spectacles…that held the entire nation spellbound.’…Drawing on extensive archival research, [he] creates a tense narrative peopled by colorful, often unsavory characters…A stirring look at a shameful episode that holds distressing relevance for today.”—Kirkus

Highly recommended.

I suggest that everyone read this to appreciate the abuse potential of the federal government. A fascinating presentation of past political and monetary corruption that is a page turner as well. 90 years has not made much difference was my conclusion.

History repeats itself 100 years later.

To understand today’s political environment in the Biden / Trump years, read this book which describes a corrupt Attorney General and justice department of the 1920’s.

Highly recommended

History buffs Political buffs. Really almost everyone should read or listen to this book . It’s engaging but also describes a very important chapter in American history