Description
Book SynopsisUltimately, Inventing the Pinkertons is a gripping look at how the histories of American capitalism, industrial folklore, and the nation-state converged.
Trade ReviewFor fans of the American West as well as true crime buffs. Library Journal
Table of ContentsIntroduction: Pinkerton's National Detective Agency, or heroes and villains of the Gilded Age Chapter 1: In which Allan Pinkerton creates his agency The making of Allan PinkertonAllan Pinkerton goes to warCrafting the Pinkerton detectiveConclusion: a detective mythology Chapter 2: In which Pinkerton Men become the anti-heroes of the middle west Mississippi OutlawsThe Outlaw Jesse JamesWild bandits of the borderConclusion: Highwaymen of the Railroad Chapter 3: In which Pinkerton agents infiltrate secret societies A Noxious Weed of IrelandAmong the Assassins! Strikers, Communists, Tramps, and DetectivesConclusion: Anarchists and the Detectives Chapter 4: In which the Pinks serve as a private army for capital The "Pinkerton Force" or detectives on trial"Pinkerton is neither more nor less than the head of a band of mercenaries"The Knights of Labor and the Pinkerton roughsConclusion: Anarchists and the detectives Chapter 5: In which Pinkerton myrmidons invade Homestead The Great Battle of HomesteadMr. Frick's hired invadersThe Pinkerton system is a standing menace to order and good governmentConclusion: Pinkerton raiders, the advance guard to Poles and Hungarians Chapter 6: In which the disgrace of Pinkertonism is subjected to public scrutiny Protecting property from the" Tyranny of the Homestead Mo"Protecting free labor from "this gang of Hessians"Protecting society from the "Disgrace of Pinkertonism"Conclusion: Lessons on Corporate management from the Mercenaries of the Oligarchy Chapter 7: In which the frontier closes and Pinkerton practices are exposed A Cowboy Detective and a Labor SpySurrounded with lice, Pinkerton detectives and other verminPinking the PinkertonsConclusion: Anarchists and the Detectives, reconsidered Chapter 8: In which the modern state takes on the duties of the Pinkerton agency Birdy Edwards and the last myth of the PinkertonsThe modern state and the detectivesStool Pigeons, Company gunmen, and the New DealConclusion: Dashiell Hammett, Pinkerton Conclusion: Pinkerton's Inc.
