The Death of James Forrestal by SIMPSON, Cornell - 1966

Octavo. Cloth boards with gilt-stamped spine; ix, 193 pp.; dust jacket. Mystery surrounds not only the circumstances of Forrestal's death, but the allegedly pseudonymous author of this work as well. The author's true identity is unknown, although researcher David Martin has propounded a theory in his article, "Who Killed James Forrestal?" Simpson's book, allegedly written in the mid-1950s was "too controversial or too dangerous" to publish. The John Birch Society's publishing arm, Western Islands, finally published it in 1966.

It's a fascinating, conspiratorial account of the life and death of James Forrestal (1892-1949), the first United State Secretary of Defense until Truman forced his resignation. He soon committed suicide after being institutionalized, although Simpson and others on the Right believed he had been murdered - most likely by Communists, although Jews/Zionists couldn't be discounted. Scarce in commerce.

A Fine copy with owner's name written on the pastedown but hidden by the jacket flap; a few pages with offsetting from newspaper articles. In a Very Good+, price-clipped dust jacket, which is rubbed with a few nicks and one small closed tear.