Killers of the Flower Moon

Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI

• Genre: Nonfiction; true crime; history
• Originally Published: 2017
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 1160L; college/adult
• Structure/Length: 3 parts, 26 chapters; approximately 400 pages; approximately 9 hours on audio
• Central Concern: Author David Grann explores the true story of a series of murders of Osage Nation members in Oklahoma in the 1920s. After oil was discovered beneath their land, the Osage became among the richest people in the world. As this historical narrative reveals, however, some members of the community were murdered while others died under mysterious circumstances. The Bureau of Investigation, a forerunner to the FBI, worked to unravel a chilling conspiracy and one of the most monstrous crimes in American history.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Descriptions of murder and violence; hate crimes; racism; exploitation; systemic injustice

David Grann, Author

• Bio: American journalist and author; staff writer for The New Yorker since 2003; known for his meticulous research and captivating narratives; explores true stories often involving historical mysteries and injustices
• Other Works: The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon (2009); The White Darkness (2018)
• Awards: Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime (2018); Anthony Award for Best Critical/Nonfiction Work (2018)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

•  Anti-Indigenous Racism and Prejudice
• The Corrupting Effect of Money
•  The Pull of the Past on the Present

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

• Gain an understanding of the historical and cultural context regarding the Osage Nation in Oklahoma.
• Study paired texts and other brief resources to make connections via the text’s themes of Anti-Indigenous Racism and Prejudice, The Corrupting Effect of Money, and The Pull of the Past on the Present.
• Discuss the Bureau of Investigation’s involvement in the Reign of Terror and draw conclusions about its perceived effectiveness as federal investigation force.
• Plan, design, and display a proposed memorial for the victims of the Osage Reign of Terror; present a rationale for the design choices and symbolism.