BlacKkKlansman by Ron Stallworth

(pb; 2014: memoir)

From the back cover

“When Ron Stallworth, the first black detective in the history of the Colorado Springs Police Department, came across a classified ad in the local paper asking all those interested in joining the Klu Klux Klan to contact a P.O. box, he did his job and responded with interest, using his real name while posing as a white man.

“His decision launched what is surely one of the most audacious and incredible undercover investigations in history. During the months-long investigation, Stallworth sabotaged cross burnings, exposed white supremacists in the military, and even fooled David Duke himself.”

Review

BlacKkKlansman is a funny, fascinating and timely cop story-memoir, one worth reading. Stallworth, a few times in the book, repeats himself unnecessarily but otherwise it’s a focused, entertaining and sometimes alarming nonfiction work.

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The resulting film was released stateside on August 10, 2018. Spike Lee directed and co-wrote the screenplay. His co-screenwriters were Charlie Watchtel, David Rabinowitz and Kevin Willmott.

John David Washington played Ron Stallworth. Adam Driver played Flip Zimmerman. Ken Garito played Sergeant Trapp. Topher Grace played David Duke. Alec Baldwin played Dr. Kennebrew Beauregard. Michael Buscemi, billed as Michael Joseph Buscemi, played Jimmy Creek.