American Zealots

I found this to be an interesting look into a very current subject. It covered many different far-right groups, such as skinheads and other Neo-Nazis, as well as the Christian Identity groups. While interesting, I found the book to be a bit too academic for my taste. It would be a great resource for a university course on the subject.

Perliger's book is balanced, well-researched, and makes a very complicated topic understandable. I think one of the most difficult parts of getting this topic to the public in a consumable way is to connect what has sprung up over the last decade to something with historical roots that go far beyond that and Perliger does that with the skill of an academic researcher and the accessibility of a popular author.

What a fascinating book to read. Was really interesting. Lots to read and lots to think about. Very well written

A year ago, FBI Director Christopher Wray announced that the agency had made about 100 domestic terrorism-related arrests since October 2018 and that the majority of them were tied to white supremacy. A look at recent headlines confirms that the level of far right terrorism has been rising steadily for the last 2 decades. And not just in the USA. But that’s a story for another book.

In his comprehensive and comparative study, Arie Perliger attempts to understand the societal and political factors behind the dramatic rise in far right violence, the new characteristics of its ideological framework as well as the type of strategies society should adopt to counter the growing threat.

The book is based on meticulous analysis of websites, social media platforms, personal accounts, paper and online publications promoting far right ideologies as well as on a dataset constructed by Perliger’s team to document all the violent attacks perpetrated by groups and individuals affiliated with the (very fragmented) American Far Right: the neo-Nazis, the Christian Identity followers, the members of the KKK, of Hammerskin Nation (HSN), of Aryan Nations, etc. The research also looks at paramilitary subcultures hostile towards the federal government and at pro-life organisations whose members are often also members of white supremacy groups. These groups have their own ideological nuances, structures, modus operandi, propaganda, targets, etc.

Their ideologies and rhetoric, however, increasingly overlap with the ones observed in the discourse of mainstream right-wing platforms and leaders. They tend to have similar positions on gun legislation and environmental policies, for example. In fact, Perliger argues, some of the concepts and practices that characterise far right groups are slowly seeping into formal mainstream political processes. He analyses the mechanisms behind this growing tolerance of far right ideas among the Republicans and how this, in turn, emboldens members of far right groups.

American Zealots makes for a fascinating, informative but also harrowing read. I can only admire its author for this in-depth investigation. I don’t think I would ever be able to spend months as he did poring over the abhorrent ideas and discourses professed by the kind of people who think their country needs an NAAWP, a National Association for the Advancement of White People.

The author also looked into a future characterised by the multiplication of environmental catastrophes, further democratisation of information sources, globalisation of political ideas and other dynamics that may provide new avenues of growth for far right ideologies. A pushback against the growing risk of an increase in far right violence lies, he argues, in a series of interventions such as a legal definition of domestic terrorism which would enable government agencies to address adequately groups perpetrating hate crimes, policies that facilitate better integration of minorities living in communities that have had little experience with ethnic and religious diversity, measures to slow the proliferation of White Power gangs in prison, solid tools to counter ideologies that promote hostility and violence towards segments of the population, etc. He would also invite leaders to consider the impact of their rhetoric on the legitimisation of far right narratives.

Even though the book focuses on the United States, it is difficult not to draw parallels with what is happening in Europe today. Not only are there transatlantic links between far right groups but some of the tactics adopted in the US to “recalibrate” their fetid ideological ideas and push them into the mainstream political discourse can also be observed in Europe. Far right Europeans too use civil rights jargon. They too attempt to dilute the ideological framework of their white nationalism with claims that they mostly care about environmental conservation, crime reduction, labour rights, etc. Or the fight against Covid-19.

This was a very informative look at how right-wing domestic violence and racism is becoming commonplace in our Country. The author provided the information in a manner that wasn't confrontational to those that may disagree with it. I learned a lot reading this.

This book is terrifying, enraging, compelling, and a brutal indictment of where were are as a fractured nation. Exposing the soft, white racist underbelly of domestic terrorism, this book shows us not how radical this behavior and belief system is; rather, this book highlights how common it has become. Or perhaps ever was. An essential addition to anyone's collection who has been reading about race relations and anti racism lately.

As a scholar on terrorism, I found Arie Perliger's on domestic right-wing terrorism to be a much needed addition to the current discourse on terrorism. I believe that from this point forward domestic terrorism will be one of the largest threats to American security. The publication was very prescient given the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, 2021. This is meant to place where we currently find ourselves within the larger context of the history of right-wing rhetoric, particularly violent and extreme right-wing rhetoric. However, I was disappointed that this book was not a history of domestic terror groups but rather an overview of the current threat.

I actually have purchased this book. I received a copy 7 days before it was archived. Sorry, I did not realize it and thought I should update you about why I did not get to read this book and review it. I am more familiar with NetGalley now and pay closer attention and would have notified you.

I do appreciate NetGalley, Arie Perliger, and Publisher for giving me a copy of this book. I think it is an important and timely book that I need to understand better.

When I finish my purchased book, I would be happy to give you additional feedback.

A fascinating scary eye opening look at right wing extremists.Well researched informative thought provoking.Excellent for discussion.#netgalley #columbiauniversity