The Mississippi Delta, in the wake of the horrific hate crimes of the 1960s, was not a desirable post for a newly-married, naive, white FBI Agent from the north. Nevertheless, John W. Whiteside III was posted to the FBI's remote office in Greenville, Mississippi in 1972, and told to make the best of it.
In his second book, Cypress Shade, a true crime FBI memoir, Whiteside reflects on this tense period in US history that further shaped the Civil Rights Movement and forever changed his life.
From the culture shock he and his wife endured upon arriving, to the discrimination he felt as an unwanted, distrusted northerner and federal agent, his frank account shares what life in the Deep South was like from an outsider's perspective. Forced to examine his personal thoughts on racial equality, Whiteside describes the inner transformation he experiences when it is his job to ensure justice, equality, and rights for blacks.
His unforgettable stories range from comical to troubling as Whiteside recalls the good and the bad of everyday life in the Delta, and his growing concern for the people and culture of the South.
About the Author: John W. Whiteside III enjoyed a thirty-year career in the FBI, serving in Cleveland and Akron, Ohio; Greenville, Mississippi; New York City, New York; FBI Headquarters at Washington, DC as a supervisor; and Philadelphia and Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. Prior to his retirement, he was a supervisor for three years in Philadelphia. He holds a BS in education from Temple University, Philadelphia, PA. After retiring from the FBI, Whiteside worked as a private investigator for a local West Chester, PA company. Currently he provides counterintelligence consulting to the US Government.
Author of two nonfiction books Fool's Mate: A True Story of Espionage at the National Security Agency and Cypress Shade, a true crime FBI memoir, Whiteside currently lives in Chester County, Pennsylvania. He is married, with three children and two grandchildren.
