Killers of the Flower Moon: Oil, Money, Murder and the Birth of the FBI
From the bestselling author of The Lost City of Z, now a major film starring Charlie Hunnam, Sienna Miller and Robert Pattison, and the Number One international bestseller The Wager, comes a true-life murder story which became one of the FBI’s first major homicide investigations. In the 1920s, the richest people per capita in the world were members of the Osage Indian nation in Oklahoma. After oil was discovered beneath their land, they rode in chauffeured automobiles, built mansions and sent their children to study in Europe. Then, one by one, the Osage began to be killed off. As the death toll climbed, the FBI took up the case. But the bureau badly bungled the investigation. In desperation, its young director, J. Edgar Hoover, turned to a former Texas Ranger named Tom White to unravel the mystery. Together with the Osage he and his undercover team began to expose one of the most chilling conspiracies in American history.
A Gripping Tale of Greed, Murder, and Justice
David Grann's "Killers of the Flower Moon: Oil, Money, Murder and the Birth of the FBI" is an exceptional work that blends true crime, historical exploration, and a poignant commentary on racial injustice. Winner of the Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime and shortlisted for prestigious honors like the Andrew Carnegie Medal and CWA ALCS Gold Dagger, this book has left an indelible mark in the realms of non-fiction literature.
Synopsis: Set against the backdrop of the Osage Indian nation in Oklahoma during the 1920s, "Killers of the Flower Moon" unveils a sinister conspiracy involving oil, wealth, and a series of chilling murders. The Osage people, once the richest per capita in the world due to oil discovered beneath their land, found themselves targeted in a wave of mysterious deaths. The FBI, in its early days, became involved in the investigation, revealing a shocking tale of greed, corruption, and systemic racism.
Historical Exploration and Injustice: Grann's narrative skillfully intertwines historical context with a crime investigation, shedding light on a forgotten chapter in the American West. The Osage murders become a lens through which the author explores the racial injustice prevalent during that era. Grann unveils the social fabric of the time, exposing the layers of exploitation and discrimination faced by the Osage people even in the midst of their newfound wealth.
Meticulous Research and Riveting Storytelling: The strength of "Killers of the Flower Moon" lies in Grann's meticulous research and his ability to transform historical facts into a riveting narrative. The author's attention to detail creates a vivid and immersive reading experience, allowing readers to step into the shoes of the Osage victims and the investigators trying to unravel the mystery. Grann's storytelling prowess ensures that the book reads like a suspenseful mystery, despite being a non-fiction account.
Critique of Law Enforcement and Pursuit of Justice: The narrative delves into the early days of the FBI, highlighting its flaws and the challenges it faced in confronting a conspiracy of this magnitude. J. Edgar Hoover's decision to turn to former Texas Ranger Tom White adds an additional layer of intrigue to the story. Grann critically examines the actions and missteps of law enforcement during this investigation, offering a nuanced portrayal of the pursuit of justice in the face of corruption.
Influence on American History: "Killers of the Flower Moon" is not just a true crime story; it is a profound exploration of a pivotal moment in American history. The impact of the Osage murders reverberates beyond the pages of the book, forcing readers to confront the darker aspects of the nation's past. The book serves as a compelling reminder of the need for justice and the ongoing struggle against racial inequality.
Conclusion: David Grann's "Killers of the Flower Moon" stands as a masterful work that seamlessly combines historical investigation, true crime, and a critical examination of racial injustice. The book's accolades, including the Edgar Award, reflect its significance and the impact it has had on readers. Grann's ability to unravel a complex narrative with depth and nuance ensures that "Killers of the Flower Moon" transcends the true crime genre, becoming an essential read for those seeking to understand the intricacies of America's past and the pursuit of justice in the face of unspeakable crimes.
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David Grann, American journalist, staff writer for The New Yorker, and author. 
Unveiling the Mysteries of History through Gripping Narratives
Discover the world of David Grann, an acclaimed American journalist, staff writer for The New Yorker, and an author who has left an indelible mark on the literary landscape. Born on March 10, 1967, Grann has spent his career weaving captivating narratives that unravel the complexities of historical events and human intrigue.
Grann's journey into the realm of storytelling began with his first book, The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon, published by Doubleday in February 2009. This gripping exploration of British explorer Captain Percy Fawcett's disappearance in the Amazon captivated readers worldwide, earning Grann a spot on The New York Times bestseller list and subsequent acclaim.
His journalistic prowess extends beyond books, with Grann's articles collected in prestigious anthologies, including What We Saw: The Events of September 11, 2001, and The Best American Crime Writing of 2004 and 2005. A workhorse reporter, Grann's contributions to publications such as The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, and The Washington Post have solidified his reputation as a captivating storyteller with a devoted readership.
Born to Phyllis and Victor Grann in 1967, David Grann developed an early passion for the written word. He graduated from Connecticut College in 1989 and went on to earn a master's degree in international relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in 1993. While initially interested in fiction, Grann's career took a turn toward journalism as he began his journey as a freelance journalist in Mexico, supported by a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship.
Grann's journalistic career took root in Washington, D.C., where he served as a copy editor at The Hill. Subsequently, he held editorial positions at The New Republic and The New Yorker, where he has been a staff writer since 2003. His commitment to investigative reporting and excellence in journalism earned him the George Polk Award and the Sigma Delta Chi Award for the New Yorker piece "Trial By Fire" in 2009.
In 2017, Grann's book Killers of the Flower Moon: An American Crime and the Birth of the FBI delved into the chilling Osage Indian murders, earning him a finalist spot for the National Book Award and reaching #1 on The New York Times bestseller list.
Grann's latest literary offering, The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder, published in April 2023, continues his tradition of unveiling historical mysteries with unparalleled storytelling. Debuting at #1 on The New York Times bestseller list, it has garnered praise as one of the finest nonfiction books by reviewers and even captured the attention of former President Barack Obama.
As a devoted family man with two children, David Grann's literary legacy is marked by his ability to transform historical events into compelling narratives that resonate with readers around the globe. Join the journey into the past through the lens of David Grann's masterful storytelling.
It was a page-turner from the beginning to the end. Other reviews have given away much too much of the story, so my comments will be on other aspects.
Grann’s judicious use of period photographs of the victims and murderers enhances the narrative and allows the reader to connect with the characters. His descriptions of the execution sites paint enough of a picture that I was able to see the killings take place.
A non-fiction book by a journalist might be expected to be a bit on the dry side—not so. Grann delivers tension, conflict, and suspense one would expect of a modern murder mystery.
Gann’s work made me angry: angry at the whites, angry at the government, angry at all but one of the lawmen, and angry enough to want the villains drawn and quartered.
This is a must-read.
The subtitle suggests that the ‘birth of the FBI’ will be a key part of the story. It is, but only in the sense that one Bureau agent in particular is a key element in the investigation. The material on J. Edgar and his personality is common knowledge and ultimately the birth of the Bureau is tangential to the story of the Osage murders.
The story of the black gold and how it is finally replaced by the windmills of an Italian energy company is, in some ways, more interesting. The horrific treatment of the Osage is well-known; what is not so well-known is its extent. In other words, the psychological/moral elements of the story are ultimately more interesting than the investigative ones.
My bottom line: the story was chilling and moving but not riveting. Given the breadth of its readership and the resources invested in the film, I expected more. The book is essentially an examination of the depths of the darkness within the human soul; the murder investigations are less interesting.
Four stars.
The book is also an exposition of a timeless psychological equation: racial dehumanization + poverty + financial incentives = murder - an equation which we have seen applicable to many ethnic groups throughout history.
