Willard M. Oliver

When I finally decided to give this book a try, what really sold me was the author's argument that the creation of the FBI had its roots in the investigation of fraud in federal land sales. However, the story that Oliver really wants to tell is that of the evolution of federal police services, from the U.S. Marshals, to the Pinkertons, to the Secret Service, until one arrives at the Bureau of Investigation. Apart from that, the real meat of this book is Teddy Roosevelt's feud with such high-level members of Congress such as Rep. James A. Tawney (Chairman of the Appropriations Committee) and Sen. Ben "Pitchfork" Tillman; men who were determined to keep the power of the president under control, and maintain the authority of the states. It's an okay study, but not really what I was looking for.… (mais)