Pinkerton's Great Detective: The Amazing Life and Times of James McParland

Riffenburgh (Encyclopedia of the Antarctic) presents a detailed account of a well-known member of the infamous Pinkerton National Detective Agency, James McParland. Based on archival sources and period newspaper accounts, this rich work moves beyond biography as it examines mid- to late 19th-century American ethnic, labor, law enforcement, and political history. An Irish immigrant, McParland first made a name for himself by infiltrating the secret society known as the Molly Maguires in the Pennsylvania anthracite coalfields. Following the Pinkerton company line that ends justify means, he manipulated miners into violent action to excuse intervention by law enforcement and the military. He rose through the company ranks to manage its operations in the western United States and oversaw the hunt for Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch. McParland also led anti-organization activities in Western mines and fought against the Western Federation of Mines. His exploits won praise in pro-business newspapers and harsh condemnation in the labor press. Reader Andrew Garman does an excellent job in presenting this story.