• Vietnam Hawk
    Stout's last Wolfe story, A Family Affair, is decidedly pro-Vietnam. Gifford Thomas wrote an interesting introduction to a paperback printing of that book. Click her to read an excerpt.
  • Freedom House
    Freedom House was formed in October 1941 as an organization dedicated to the defense of freedom throughout the world— a cause perceived to be in great danger. Founding members included George Field, Dorothy Thompson, Wendell L. Willkie, Herbert Agar, Herbert Bayard Swope, and Rex Stout. These and other members had been involved in both Fight For Freedom and in the New York Chapter of the Committee to Defend America By Aiding the Allies. Freedom House carried on the spirit of these two organizations by acting as a clearing house of information. Its first agenda was to work, during World War II, to prepare the country for peace, and then after the war to continue to defend peace and freedom throughout the world.

    In a highly publicized dispute with writer Dorothy Thompson, Stout resigned from his post with Freedom House, but later was reconciled—after Miss Thompson quit as president of Freedom House—to become its treasurer in 1957, a post he held for many years.

    In 1965, Rex Stout and Freedom House came out in favor of the Vietnam War. Many Stout fans were appalled at this stance. Further information about Mr. Stout's involvement with Freedom House:

  • In at least four of the Wolfe stories, Rex Stout demonstrates Wolfe's and his own anti-communist sentiments:
    • The Second Confession
    • Triple Jeopardy: The Cop Killer
    • Triple Jeopardy: Home to Roost
    • The Black Mountain