The Clansman: An Historical Romance of the Ku Klux Klan

Author: Jr. Thomas Dixon

Description:

The Clansman: An Historical Romance of the Ku Klux Klan by Thomas Dixon Jr. is a controversial novel set during the Reconstruction era following the American Civil War. The book portrays the rise of the Ku Klux Klan as a heroic resistance against Reconstruction policies and African American empowerment. It is part of Dixon's trilogy that includes "The Leopard's Spots" and "The Traitor." The Clansman significantly influenced popular perceptions of the Klan and was later adapted into the infamous film "The Birth of a Nation" by D.W. Griffith, which contributed to the resurgence of the KKK in the early 20th century. The novel is criticized for its overt racism and distorted historical narrative.