Hoover's Image Game: Crime, Power, and Glamour

This chapter explores J. Edgar Hoover's strategic manipulation of crime statistics and media narratives to cultivate his public persona as a law enforcement hero during the Great Depression. It examines his dual tactics of showcasing FBI successes while secretly compiling compromising information on politicians to maintain control. Through the lens of Hollywood's glorification of criminals and the intricate dynamics of his relationship with Clyde Tolson, the chapter reveals the complexities of power, identity, and image within Hoover's life and career.