Allan Pinkerton : The First Private Eye

Rating:
Summary: Great description of the PI's
Review: I had always heard of the Pinkertons or Pinkerton Detective Agency, but had never really thought about who this "Pinkerton" might be. James Mackay's Alan Pinkerton: The First Private Eye is a useful biography of both the man and the firm. In his introduction, Mackay makes clear that his most original scholarship - and of which he is most proud - is in tracing Pinkerton to his youth in Scotland as a Chartist leader. Unfortunately, this is the dullest part of the book, I think because Mackay is focused wholly on doing scholarship rather than telling a story. Once his subject moves to America, however, Mackay's book gains in interest and becomes an interesting read. Here, he shows how Pinkerton, by trade a cooper, essentially stumbled onto his career as investigator through his extreme powers of observation and sheer doggedness. Though these attributes, his honesty and business acumen, Pinkerton built a business which remains in existence today. A particularly interesting section of this book deals with Pinkerton's actions during the Civil War, and the allegations that he had become a puppet of General McLellan and disloyal to Lincoln. Mackay explores and justifies Pinkerton's loyalty to "Little Mac", but argues - convincingly for me - that he did not stray from the Union (In the process Mackay argues that McLellan has been unfairly maligned and was a "great" general; this argument, however, is undeveloped, and perhaps will form another book). This is a useful and interesting book for readers interested in real-life "private eyes" and the Civil War.

Rating:
Summary: Mackay detects truth about Allan Pinkerton
Review: Mackay is as talanted a literary detective as Allan Pinkerton was as a criminal detective, written in a clear style that's a pleasure to read. It's a well balanced account, explaining the character's actions in the context of the times.
Mackay's first surprise is that Allan Pinkerton wasn't born when most biographers say he was. From there he goes on to uncover the truth about Pinkerton's early career in Scotland, and the truth about a 'supposed' assasination plot against Lincoln before he took office. (The plot was independently confirmed by a political enemy of Pinkerton who had no motive to make Pinkerton look good--which convinced Lincoln the plot was real, and to follow Pinkerton's suggestions to foil it. Political enemies of Lincoln denied the existence of the plot to make Lincoln out to be a coward.) Before he finishes the Civil War period, Mackay has 'rehabilited' the often pilloried Union general McClellan (whom Pinkerton worked for) and divulged startling information uncovered in 1967 about the plot to assasinate Lincoln. This book is outstanding, a definite 'keeper'.

Rating:
Summary: Mackay detects truth about Allan Pinkerton
Review: Mackay is as talanted a literary detective as Allan Pinkerton was as a criminal detective, written in a clear style that's a pleasure to read. It's a well balanced account, explaining the character's actions in the context of the times.
Mackay's first surprise is that Allan Pinkerton wasn't born when most biographers say he was. From there he goes on to uncover the truth about Pinkerton's early career in Scotland, and the truth about a 'supposed' assasination plot against Lincoln before he took office. (The plot was independently confirmed by a political enemy of Pinkerton who had no motive to make Pinkerton look good--which convinced Lincoln the plot was real, and to follow Pinkerton's suggestions to foil it. Political enemies of Lincoln denied the existence of the plot to make Lincoln out to be a coward.) Before he finishes the Civil War period, Mackay has 'rehabilited' the often pilloried Union general McClellan (whom Pinkerton worked for) and divulged startling information uncovered in 1967 about the plot to assasinate Lincoln. This book is outstanding, a definite 'keeper'.

Rating:
Summary: Pinkerton review thorough, occaisionally too biased
Review: Pinkerton Biography

The story of Allan Pinkerton, a poor Scottish immigrant and former working-class radical who rose through the ranks of society to become the protector and confidant of presidents and tycoons is a quintessential American story that deserves such a thorough telling. This book was a fascinating read, and left me wishing that the author had delved more into the numerous early cases that were only hinted at in the text.

The only serious criticism of this biography is the author appears to have gotten a little too close to his subject, which in several points has clouded his objectivity. This is apparent in the book's tendency to rush to Pinkerton's defense, particularly regarding the handling of the Molly Maguires and other labor disturbances of the late 19th century. A sweeping condemnation of the labor activists as "terrorists," or stressing the fact that they greatly outnumbered the Pinkerton operatives during violent strikes, are intended to make Pinkerton and his agents "the good guys" in the eyes of readers. This stance is questionable, however, considering the book's general lack of background information on the U.S. labor situation at this time. The author also neglects to explore how Pinkerton, a well-known Glasgow labor radical in his own youth, so readily sided with "other side" -- the titans of American industry -- later on in life.

But overall this book is a good read and well-researched, especially the chapters concerning Pinkerton's early life in Scotland and his association with President Lincoln during the Civil War.

Rating:
Summary: A Must Read for All Gumshoe Fans
Review: This biography of the inventor of the private investigation industry is not only a thrilling look at a fascinating man, it is also a fresh perspective on a slice of American history. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in mystery fiction or detective novels, as well as anyone who is looking for a history book that isn't boring. While it may well be a bit biased, the presentation is thought-provoking and makes me want to research the period of the late Civil War/early Reconstruction more thoroughly.
Better than most fiction I've encountered lately, and definitely an overlooked gem.

Rating:
Summary: Great description of the PI's
Review: This books encompasses all of Allan's PI's work. I had an enjoyable time reading it. It is a fasination subjet for me. I am considering of changing careers and going into the PI business.