About the Book

On March 23, 2004, Reverend Sun Myung Moon was proclaimed "King of Peace" at a coronation ceremony held in the Dirksen Senate Office Building. In attendance were twelve U.S. lawmakers. In his speech, Moon proclaimed himself "humanity's Savior, Messiah, Returning Lord and True Parent."

John Gorenfeld broke the story. With original reporting and new information available nowhere else, Bad Moon Rising introduces readers to the bizarre world of Moon, founder of the Unification Church and ultra-conservative owner of the Washington Times and United Press International. Many Americans remember Moon forcing teens to sell carnations at bus stops and airports during the 1970s. Since then, Moon has stealthily accrued power in Washington and claimed posthumous endorsements from George Washington, Confucius, and Martin Luther.

Here for the first time is the story of Moon's quest for influence in Washington, with a growing media empire rooted in the heart of the GOP message machine. Gorenfeld uncovers Moon’s support for Republican operatives and politicians—including the Bush family—and reveals a hidden saga of political corruption and megalomania.