Timothy Egan

"He discovered that if he said something often enough, no matter how untrue, people would believe it."

This was a well-researched account of a dark time in our nation's history.
D.C. Stephenson's conniving enabled him and his cronies to reinvigorate and mobilize the Klan, eventually taking over the city of Indianapolis as well as most of the state of Indiana.

"The Klan prided itself on how quickly it could spread a lie, from a kitchen table to the whole state in six hours or less."

This is a scary and powerful lesson. Stephenson and his crew of bullies manipulated people and played to their lowest, hateful instincts in the name of patriotism.

Only through details of Madge's death was prosecutor able to expose Stephenson's duplicity.… (more)

This was published when I was in high school, and has been on my reading to-do list since moving to WA ten years ago. Purchased from Powell's by Mason on our 'Christmas' trip.

This used inscribed paperback copy was just mixed in with regular stock, so I picked it over a signed first edition hardcover that was $50.

These essays feel a little... dated, but they mostly hold up well in their environs. I remember cringing at 'rangerette', and a 30 something backpacker dude describing his backcountry steak and bourbon dinner.

That said, Egan hits all the Washington high notes. Three decades on, we are still struggling with the salmon, but there is talk of actual dam removal along the Columbia, along with the recently freed Elwha. At work, Howard Hanson dam is getting a fish passage that will restore chinook to the Upper Green.

Having seen most of the same routes, I would be happy just sticking it out at La Push, where he closes.… (more)