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God, Guns, and Sedition: Far-Right Terrorism in America
Shocking acts of terrorism have erupted from violent American far-right extremists in recent years, including the 2015 mass murder at a historic Black church in Charleston and the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. These incidents, however, are neither new nor unprecedented. They are the latest flashpoints in a process that has been unfolding for decades, in which vast conspiracy theories and radical ideologies such as white supremacism, racism, antisemitism, xenophobia, and hostility to government converge into a deadly threat to democracy.
God, Guns, and Sedition offers the definitive account of the rise of far-right terrorism in the United States―and how to counter it. Leading experts Bruce Hoffman and Jacob Ware trace the historical trajectory and assess the present-day dangers of this violent extremist movement, along with the harm it poses to U.S. national security. They combine authoritative, nuanced analysis with gripping storytelling and portraits of the key leaders behind this violence and their followers. Hoffman and Ware highlight key terrorist tactics, such as the use of cutting-edge communications technology; the embrace of leaderless resistance or lone wolf strategies; infiltration and recruitment in the military and law enforcement; and the movement’s intricate relationship with mainstream politics. An unparalleled examination of one of today’s great perils, God, Guns, and Sedition ends with an array of essential practical recommendations to halt the growth of the violent, far right extremism and address this global terrorist threat.
God, Guns, and Sedition offers the definitive account of the rise of far-right terrorism in the United States―and how to counter it. Leading experts Bruce Hoffman and Jacob Ware trace the historical trajectory and assess the present-day dangers of this violent extremist movement, along with the harm it poses to U.S. national security. They combine authoritative, nuanced analysis with gripping storytelling and portraits of the key leaders behind this violence and their followers. Hoffman and Ware highlight key terrorist tactics, such as the use of cutting-edge communications technology; the embrace of leaderless resistance or lone wolf strategies; infiltration and recruitment in the military and law enforcement; and the movement’s intricate relationship with mainstream politics. An unparalleled examination of one of today’s great perils, God, Guns, and Sedition ends with an array of essential practical recommendations to halt the growth of the violent, far right extremism and address this global terrorist threat.
448 pages, Hardcover
Published January 2, 2024
About the author
Bruce Hoffman
71 books41 followersProfessor Bruce Hoffman has been studying terrorism and insurgency for nearly forty years. He is currently Director of the Center for Security Studies, Director of the Security Studies Program, and a tenured professor at Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Washington, DC. Professor Hoffman previously held the Corporate Chair in Counterterrorism and Counterinsurgency at the RAND Corporation and was also Director of RAND’s Washington, D.C. Office. From 2001 to 2004, he served as RAND’s Vice President for External Affairs and in 2004 he also was Acting Director of RAND’s Center for Middle East Public Policy. Professor Hoffman was recently appointed by the U.S. Congress to serve as a commissioner on the Independent Commission to Review the FBI’s Post-9/11 Response to Terrorism and Radicalization.
Professor Hoffman was Scholar-in-Residence for Counterterrorism at the Central Intelligence Agency between 2004 and 2006. He was also adviser on counterterrorism to the Office of National Security Affairs, Coalition Provisional Authority, Baghdad, Iraq during the spring of 2004 and from 2004-2005 was an adviser on counterinsurgency to the Strategy, Plans, and Analysis Office at Multi-National Forces-Iraq Headquarters, Baghdad. Professor Hoffman was also an adviser to the Iraq Study Group. Professor Hoffman is a member of the National Security Preparedness Group, the successor to the 9/11 Commission and again co-chaired by Governor Thomas H. Kean and Congressman Lee H. Hamilton.
Professor Hoffman is a Global Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Washington, D.C.; a Senior Fellow at the Combating Terrorism Center, U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY; a Visiting Professor at the Institute for Counter-Terrorism, Interdisciplinary Center, Herzliya, Israel; and, a Visiting Professor at the Handa Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence at the University of St Andrews, Scotland. He is also a contributing editor to The National Interest.
Professor Hoffman is a member of the Jamestown Foundation’s Board of Directors; a member of the board of advisers to the FBI Intelligence Analysts Association; and, serves on the advisory boards to the Arms Sales Monitoring Project at the Federation of American Scientists and of Our Voices Together: September 11 Friends and Families to Help Build a Safer, More Compassionate World.
Professor Hoffman was the founding Director of the Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, where he was also Reader in International Relations and Chairman of the Department of International Relations. Professor Hoffman is Editor-in-Chief of Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, the leading scholarly journal in the field. and a member of the advisory boards of Terrorism and Political Violence and the Review of International Studies. He is also editor of the new Columbia University Press Series on Terrorism and Irregular Warfare.
Professor Hoffman holds degrees in government, history, and international relations and received his doctorate from Oxford University. In November 1994, the Director of Central Intelligence awarded Professor Hoffman the United States Intelligence Community Seal Medallion the highest level of commendation given to a non-government employee, which recognizes sustained superior performance of high value that distinctly benefits the interests and national security of the United States.
Professor Hoffman has conducted field work on terrorism and insurgency in Afghanistan, Argentina, Colombia, India (Kashmir and Assam), Indonesia, Israel, Iraq, Northern Ireland, Pakistan (North West Frontier Province), the Philippines (Mindanao), Pakistan, Palestine (the West Bank and Gaza Strip), Sri Lanka, and Turkey.
A revised and updated edition of his acclaimed 1998 book, Inside Terrorism, was published in May 2006 by Columbia University Press in the U.S. and S. Fischer
Professor Hoffman was Scholar-in-Residence for Counterterrorism at the Central Intelligence Agency between 2004 and 2006. He was also adviser on counterterrorism to the Office of National Security Affairs, Coalition Provisional Authority, Baghdad, Iraq during the spring of 2004 and from 2004-2005 was an adviser on counterinsurgency to the Strategy, Plans, and Analysis Office at Multi-National Forces-Iraq Headquarters, Baghdad. Professor Hoffman was also an adviser to the Iraq Study Group. Professor Hoffman is a member of the National Security Preparedness Group, the successor to the 9/11 Commission and again co-chaired by Governor Thomas H. Kean and Congressman Lee H. Hamilton.
Professor Hoffman is a Global Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Washington, D.C.; a Senior Fellow at the Combating Terrorism Center, U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY; a Visiting Professor at the Institute for Counter-Terrorism, Interdisciplinary Center, Herzliya, Israel; and, a Visiting Professor at the Handa Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence at the University of St Andrews, Scotland. He is also a contributing editor to The National Interest.
Professor Hoffman is a member of the Jamestown Foundation’s Board of Directors; a member of the board of advisers to the FBI Intelligence Analysts Association; and, serves on the advisory boards to the Arms Sales Monitoring Project at the Federation of American Scientists and of Our Voices Together: September 11 Friends and Families to Help Build a Safer, More Compassionate World.
Professor Hoffman was the founding Director of the Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, where he was also Reader in International Relations and Chairman of the Department of International Relations. Professor Hoffman is Editor-in-Chief of Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, the leading scholarly journal in the field. and a member of the advisory boards of Terrorism and Political Violence and the Review of International Studies. He is also editor of the new Columbia University Press Series on Terrorism and Irregular Warfare.
Professor Hoffman holds degrees in government, history, and international relations and received his doctorate from Oxford University. In November 1994, the Director of Central Intelligence awarded Professor Hoffman the United States Intelligence Community Seal Medallion the highest level of commendation given to a non-government employee, which recognizes sustained superior performance of high value that distinctly benefits the interests and national security of the United States.
Professor Hoffman has conducted field work on terrorism and insurgency in Afghanistan, Argentina, Colombia, India (Kashmir and Assam), Indonesia, Israel, Iraq, Northern Ireland, Pakistan (North West Frontier Province), the Philippines (Mindanao), Pakistan, Palestine (the West Bank and Gaza Strip), Sri Lanka, and Turkey.
A revised and updated edition of his acclaimed 1998 book, Inside Terrorism, was published in May 2006 by Columbia University Press in the U.S. and S. Fischer
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 15, 2023
Well, this doesn’t paint a pretty picture. But it does paint a very real, worrisome one. From the beginnings of far-right hate and organization efforts to the 1960s to the disillusionment that some Vietnam veterans faced in the 1980s all the way up to today, this is an easily mapped blueprint of the Who, Why, How, and What behind this pervasive hate. This proves just how long-held some hate and ideologies are, how they’re passed down from parent to child or from friend to friend or even from coworker to coworker. How this hate still has its claws in this country. And how it’s definitely found a home among far-right groups, both domestically and worldwide.
Often, some of the points and lines between dots aren’t connected or are glossed over to save time or to keep readers wanting to know how to stop this. Not this book. The authors make a point to introduce the most insidious voices, they reference one of the sacred texts (think Turner), and they provide the proof within quotes and how they inspired events in the last 40 or so years. This also goes into how some old hate fizzled out due to lack of membership, but how newer, angrier, more hateful hate has picked up to become even more overt. No, it’s not all on Trump. And these authors don’t pretend that this hate is something new. But they DO clearly point out the rise of hate thanks to Trump. The rise of hate by faux Christians. The refusal to NOT hate because of xenophobia.
It’s a bleak picture, I won’t lie. But it’s also one that provides counterpoints to the agenda of hate. It provides real, touchable ways to negate the hate and to possibly change the path. Maybe not for all hate, but for some of it. And there’s got to be some hope in that, right?
Often, some of the points and lines between dots aren’t connected or are glossed over to save time or to keep readers wanting to know how to stop this. Not this book. The authors make a point to introduce the most insidious voices, they reference one of the sacred texts (think Turner), and they provide the proof within quotes and how they inspired events in the last 40 or so years. This also goes into how some old hate fizzled out due to lack of membership, but how newer, angrier, more hateful hate has picked up to become even more overt. No, it’s not all on Trump. And these authors don’t pretend that this hate is something new. But they DO clearly point out the rise of hate thanks to Trump. The rise of hate by faux Christians. The refusal to NOT hate because of xenophobia.
It’s a bleak picture, I won’t lie. But it’s also one that provides counterpoints to the agenda of hate. It provides real, touchable ways to negate the hate and to possibly change the path. Maybe not for all hate, but for some of it. And there’s got to be some hope in that, right?
June 13, 2024
God, Guns, and Sedition, Bruce Hoffman and Jacob Ware [Columbia University Press, 2024].
An academic—though accessible—examination of various far right wing political ideologies (including racism, antisemitism, antigovernment and anti-taxation extremism) and how they manifest as political violence, particularly in the United States. Includes case studies of the Atlanta Summer Olympics bombing, the Oklahoma City attack, and the January 6th siege on the Capitol.
***
Bruce Hoffman is an American politician analyst, and a specialist in terrorism, counterterrorism, and insurgency. His books include Inside Terrorism and Anonymous Soldiers: The Struggle for Israel 1917-1947. Additionally, Hoffman is a contributor to the Atlantic Monthly.
Jacob Ware is a research fellow for the Council on Foreign Relations at Georgetown University.
An academic—though accessible—examination of various far right wing political ideologies (including racism, antisemitism, antigovernment and anti-taxation extremism) and how they manifest as political violence, particularly in the United States. Includes case studies of the Atlanta Summer Olympics bombing, the Oklahoma City attack, and the January 6th siege on the Capitol.
***
Bruce Hoffman is an American politician analyst, and a specialist in terrorism, counterterrorism, and insurgency. His books include Inside Terrorism and Anonymous Soldiers: The Struggle for Israel 1917-1947. Additionally, Hoffman is a contributor to the Atlantic Monthly.
Jacob Ware is a research fellow for the Council on Foreign Relations at Georgetown University.
Read
April 14, 2024The thesis seems to be, the capitol hill riots are the result of a bunch of anti government ideas that trace their genealogy back to the white supremacist groups of the 60s. The author's emphasize the danger these far right groups pose to the effective functioning of democracy. The majority of the book is a description of the history of the main groups and personalities espousing some of these ideas which gradually includes more and more foreign entities as the movement seemingly goes transnational.
What do you get out of this book that you won't from going down rabbit holes on Wikipedia looking at far right groups in the US? First of all it's relatively concise, coherent and covers all the major events and personalities you would need to know to be conversant on the subject. Some material gets does get relatively little coverage; although, this is understandable considering it's only about 350 pages. The research is exhaustive, with a very dense bibliography if you feel like reading further into any of the topics covered.
The recommendations to these groups are pretty much the usual. I am cynical about the utility of educating citizens to be better at assessing the creditability of information in news so they don't fall for conspiracy theories, considering most conspiracy theorists seem to be the dumbest kids you went to school with. I liked that their recommendation to tighten up gun control included a caveat that laws that harm legitimate gun owners should be avoided because they drive gun owners to these groups.
Their most worthwhile observation to me was that the transnational nature of the far right makes the foreign/domestic distinction close to worthless. Sort of an ironic observation about nationalist groups, but they argue it convincingly. This leads to a good point about how US legislation makes it t difficult to designate "domestic" groups as terrorist entities and how this knee caps law enforcement.
The book occasionally mentions some of the far left's anti social activities and the authors are careful to point out that counter terrorism measures should be ideologically neutral and designed to combat both left and right wing terrorism. This feels a bit like a disclaimer and the book might have benefited further from having a look at the far left activities that the far right positions itself in opposition to.
Overall, it's a worthwhile read and makes its case without sounding like a conspiracy theory, as some books that try to tie the far right and some of the crazier mainstream conservative politics together, tend to do.
What do you get out of this book that you won't from going down rabbit holes on Wikipedia looking at far right groups in the US? First of all it's relatively concise, coherent and covers all the major events and personalities you would need to know to be conversant on the subject. Some material gets does get relatively little coverage; although, this is understandable considering it's only about 350 pages. The research is exhaustive, with a very dense bibliography if you feel like reading further into any of the topics covered.
The recommendations to these groups are pretty much the usual. I am cynical about the utility of educating citizens to be better at assessing the creditability of information in news so they don't fall for conspiracy theories, considering most conspiracy theorists seem to be the dumbest kids you went to school with. I liked that their recommendation to tighten up gun control included a caveat that laws that harm legitimate gun owners should be avoided because they drive gun owners to these groups.
Their most worthwhile observation to me was that the transnational nature of the far right makes the foreign/domestic distinction close to worthless. Sort of an ironic observation about nationalist groups, but they argue it convincingly. This leads to a good point about how US legislation makes it t difficult to designate "domestic" groups as terrorist entities and how this knee caps law enforcement.
The book occasionally mentions some of the far left's anti social activities and the authors are careful to point out that counter terrorism measures should be ideologically neutral and designed to combat both left and right wing terrorism. This feels a bit like a disclaimer and the book might have benefited further from having a look at the far left activities that the far right positions itself in opposition to.
Overall, it's a worthwhile read and makes its case without sounding like a conspiracy theory, as some books that try to tie the far right and some of the crazier mainstream conservative politics together, tend to do.
August 8, 2023
Excited to read this book by two talented authors!
February 28, 2024
An overdue and highly interesting in-your-face read! This is a gripping and eye-opening exploration of the rise of far-right extremism in the United States. The authors delve deep into the history and ideology of these violent groups, shedding light on their motivations and tactics. One of the most striking aspects of the book is its thorough analysis of the intersection between religion, firearms, and anti-government sentiment within the far-right movement. Hoffman and Ware expertly unpack the ways in which these elements have fueled the growth of extremist groups and inspired acts of terrorism across the country. The authors also provide valuable insights into the ways in which social media and online platforms have played a significant role in radicalizing individuals and spreading extremist ideologies. Their examination of the role of technology in the dissemination of hateful rhetoric and incitement to violence is both timely and thought-provoking. Overall, “God, Guns, and Sedition” is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of far-right terrorism in America. Hoffman and Ware’s meticulous research and engaging writing style make this book both informative and engaging. It is a compelling and important work that sheds light on a pressing issue facing our society today.
February 17, 2024
A deep dive into the history and revival of our homegrown domestic terrorist. From Ulysses S Grant’s attempt to subdue the KKK to the current evolution into today’s individual “accelerationist” lone wolves, it has been a slow, chronic cancerous growth in this country.
Of the 429 pages in this book, 98 pages are notes, 58 bibliography and 16 index - well documented.
A Moscow mule was req hired post reading.
Of the 429 pages in this book, 98 pages are notes, 58 bibliography and 16 index - well documented.
A Moscow mule was req hired post reading.
January 9, 2024
God, Guns, and Sedition offers a study of violent far-right extremism in the fifty years. The book largely focuses on the origins and history of the American alt-right, tracing the events and movements that led to lone wolf attacks like the white supremacist mass shooting on Mother Emanuel AME in Charleston (2015) to larger, more coordinated attacks, like the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville and subsequent violence against counterprotestors (2017) and the January 6 insurrection attempt on the US Capitol (2021). While examining the role of social media in disseminating extremist beliefs, the authors also study several prominent events outside the US, such as the Christchurch mosque shootings (2019) and the 2011 Norway attacks.
Since the early days of the Trump administration, I've found myself asking the question "how did we get here?" I knew that the intense (and, at times, violent) polarization of American politics and would not simply fade away in the Biden administration. I found this book helpful for its wide-ranging historical view and overview of the different elements that have led to the emergence of violent extremism in the mainstream. The early chapters focus on the development of anti-government movements and armed militias that grew out of fears of government overreach in response to high-profile stand-offs with armed groups in the 1980s and 1990s. The authors also trace the evolution of white supremacist movements, particularly in response to the Civil Rights Movement. Later chapters describe the growth of online conspiracy groups, such as QAnon and COVID denialism (plus the larger cult of Trump followers), and how these different ideologies merged into the larger coalitions that have enacted high-profile acts of mass violence. The final chapters focus on how these movements entered the mainstream via Trump's tacit endorsement of such groups as the Proud Boys after Charlottesville, culminating on the insurrection attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election led by Trump supporters (including the chilling preparations by the Oath Keepers).
While this book is academic in tone, I found it more accessible than other, more strictly historical, titles on this topic. The chapters are organized by different shifts in these groups' motives and methods, making the historical timeline difficult to track, as it skips around between chapters. Even so, this organization helps demonstrate how so many far-flung groups with disparate ideologies have coalesced into a larger, significant threat to American politics and public life.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Since the early days of the Trump administration, I've found myself asking the question "how did we get here?" I knew that the intense (and, at times, violent) polarization of American politics and would not simply fade away in the Biden administration. I found this book helpful for its wide-ranging historical view and overview of the different elements that have led to the emergence of violent extremism in the mainstream. The early chapters focus on the development of anti-government movements and armed militias that grew out of fears of government overreach in response to high-profile stand-offs with armed groups in the 1980s and 1990s. The authors also trace the evolution of white supremacist movements, particularly in response to the Civil Rights Movement. Later chapters describe the growth of online conspiracy groups, such as QAnon and COVID denialism (plus the larger cult of Trump followers), and how these different ideologies merged into the larger coalitions that have enacted high-profile acts of mass violence. The final chapters focus on how these movements entered the mainstream via Trump's tacit endorsement of such groups as the Proud Boys after Charlottesville, culminating on the insurrection attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election led by Trump supporters (including the chilling preparations by the Oath Keepers).
While this book is academic in tone, I found it more accessible than other, more strictly historical, titles on this topic. The chapters are organized by different shifts in these groups' motives and methods, making the historical timeline difficult to track, as it skips around between chapters. Even so, this organization helps demonstrate how so many far-flung groups with disparate ideologies have coalesced into a larger, significant threat to American politics and public life.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 15, 2023
Well, this doesn’t paint a pretty picture. But it does paint a very real, worrisome one. From the beginnings of far-right hate and organization efforts to the 1960s to the disillusionment that some Vietnam veterans faced in the 1980s all the way up to today, this is an easily mapped blueprint of the Who, Why, How, and What behind this pervasive hate. This proves just how long-held some hate and ideologies are, how they’re passed down from parent to child or from friend to friend or even from coworker to coworker. How this hate still has its claws in this country. And how it’s definitely found a home among far-right groups, both domestically and worldwide.
Often, some of the points and lines between dots aren’t connected or are glossed over to save time or to keep readers wanting to know how to stop this. Not this book. The authors make a point to introduce the most insidious voices, they reference one of the sacred texts (think Turner), and they provide the proof within quotes and how they inspired events in the last 40 or so years. This also goes into how some old hate fizzled out due to lack of membership, but how newer, angrier, more hateful hate has picked up to become even more overt. No, it’s not all on Trump. And these authors don’t pretend that this hate is something new. But they DO clearly point out the rise of hate thanks to Trump. The rise of hate by faux Christians. The refusal to NOT hate because of xenophobia.
It’s a bleak picture, I won’t lie. But it’s also one that provides counterpoints to the agenda of hate. It provides real, touchable ways to negate the hate and to possibly change the path. Maybe not for all hate, but for some of it. And there’s got to be some hope in that, right?
Often, some of the points and lines between dots aren’t connected or are glossed over to save time or to keep readers wanting to know how to stop this. Not this book. The authors make a point to introduce the most insidious voices, they reference one of the sacred texts (think Turner), and they provide the proof within quotes and how they inspired events in the last 40 or so years. This also goes into how some old hate fizzled out due to lack of membership, but how newer, angrier, more hateful hate has picked up to become even more overt. No, it’s not all on Trump. And these authors don’t pretend that this hate is something new. But they DO clearly point out the rise of hate thanks to Trump. The rise of hate by faux Christians. The refusal to NOT hate because of xenophobia.
It’s a bleak picture, I won’t lie. But it’s also one that provides counterpoints to the agenda of hate. It provides real, touchable ways to negate the hate and to possibly change the path. Maybe not for all hate, but for some of it. And there’s got to be some hope in that, right?
December 20, 2023
Gods, Guns, and Sedition is a history of the Far Right in America with the overall thesis that current far right extremism is not new but is, instead, something that has long existed in America. While I did not really find the thesis to be anything new, I did overall enjoy learning from the book.
This book strugles from a structural standpoint. The first few chapters zip through numerous people that are connected, but the reader really does not understand who any of these people are. Therefore, you're getting a lot of information on people you don't know, nor do you know why you should know them. Further, the book goes back and forth in time, again leading to confusion on the reader's part. The book spends an entire chapter on Timothy McVeigh. While I understand why he is an important character in this book, it felt like a lot for a book that did not center itself on McVeigh. I think the authors could have narrowed their thesis a bit more - it seemed they were centered on the Turner Diaries a bit - and then this would have made more sense.
This book is informative, but it could have done with significant tweaking to help the reader.
This book strugles from a structural standpoint. The first few chapters zip through numerous people that are connected, but the reader really does not understand who any of these people are. Therefore, you're getting a lot of information on people you don't know, nor do you know why you should know them. Further, the book goes back and forth in time, again leading to confusion on the reader's part. The book spends an entire chapter on Timothy McVeigh. While I understand why he is an important character in this book, it felt like a lot for a book that did not center itself on McVeigh. I think the authors could have narrowed their thesis a bit more - it seemed they were centered on the Turner Diaries a bit - and then this would have made more sense.
This book is informative, but it could have done with significant tweaking to help the reader.
January 15, 2024
Well, that was terrifying. I have heard most of the names and of course, I know about most of the major incidents, but I had no idea how pervasive this philosophy was. I have been trying to understand how people who used to seem rational have adopted this obviously insane right-wing philosophy that is geared towards terrifying people into thinking that "they": are going to replace them with evil parasitic minorities.
It really took a long legacy and a lot of lies, and a lot of the lies are meant to destroy trust in the system. Even simple things like measles vaccines are now an evil plot by untrustworthy health departments and we should get medical advice from other conspiracy theorists.
The final chapter offers some ideas on ways we can fight this movement, but as the book describes in great detail, it's a leaderless movement where people commit some of these evil acts without even telling the others. I have my personal doubts that the US can recover.
This is a dense read with a lot of information and citations, but it is important for people trying to understand what is happening.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this
It really took a long legacy and a lot of lies, and a lot of the lies are meant to destroy trust in the system. Even simple things like measles vaccines are now an evil plot by untrustworthy health departments and we should get medical advice from other conspiracy theorists.
The final chapter offers some ideas on ways we can fight this movement, but as the book describes in great detail, it's a leaderless movement where people commit some of these evil acts without even telling the others. I have my personal doubts that the US can recover.
This is a dense read with a lot of information and citations, but it is important for people trying to understand what is happening.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this
January 9, 2024
An extraordinary read for an extraordinary time. A trailblazing history of far-right extremism and a blueprint for eradicating it. The narrative and analysis are groundbreaking but accessible, humbling but optimistic, mindful of the past but very much forward-looking. To call it a “must-read” would be an understatement!
December 11, 2023
God, Guns, and Sedition is a decent introduction to the history of the far right. I would recommend including a list of groups mentioned because this book does mention a fair amount of groups and people. Overall, I really did enjoy this book but I found the last chapter a bit lacking.
January 5, 2024
A very insightful look at the evolution of far right terrorism in the United States. The authors detail the history of domestic terrorism and demonstrate how each movement is influenced by its predecessors. A terrifyingly important read in today’s United States.
August 22, 2024
The episodic nature of terrorism often makes analysis of it choppy and inconsistent, something that is rectified through this book and its holistic treatment of terrorism's underlying trends, contributing factors, and potential remedies. Through insightful analysis of a number of assailants motivated by a range of ideologies, myths, and desires, Hoffman and Ware provide a unified approach to understanding the phenomenon. Their historical approach is particularly helpful in illuminating the interactive nature of American extremism, demonstrating the interplay between groups and individuals that can lead to a crescendo. The decade by decade perspective allows us to more fully understand the grievances in light of the social and political environments in which they arise and through which they are continued.
Hoffman's and Ware's insight into the specifics of terror acts and the psyches of offenders through the years is especially important in highlighting the social and religious aspects, which are often neglected for consideration of the political goals of terrorists. Their analysis of various actors and groups demonstrates the power of racial and religious bias not simply for political gain but as weapons of social control, thereby expanding our understanding of extremism and terrorism as not solely tools of political sedition but of social insurrection and control.
Their painstaking treatment also highlights another often-neglected aspect, that of the transnational nature of extremism and terror. No longer are we faced with a stark differential between acts inside and outside of borders, as Hoffman and Ware show in their explanation of how today's global world allows, even encourages, interplay among extremists which can in turn fuel grievances.
The concluding chapter noting prevention solutions demonstrates their experience with and expertise in policy. Such a pervasive social ill is not going to be remedied easily and Hoffman and Ware judiciously categorize recommendations as short-, medium-, and long-term, allowing for immediate action that can, in time, build to a sense of national, and perhaps global unity.
The book is easy to access for the layman while retaining the rigor of these two master academics, the latter proven by a wealth of information in the end notes and bibliography. The detailed descriptions of assailants, their motivations, and their actions provide context that is often glossed over in the immediate aftermath of attacks and the statistics cited. It is also balanced and written without condemnation while retaining sensitivity for victims. Highly recommended for anyone interested in understanding today's social, cultural, religious, and political battles.
Hoffman's and Ware's insight into the specifics of terror acts and the psyches of offenders through the years is especially important in highlighting the social and religious aspects, which are often neglected for consideration of the political goals of terrorists. Their analysis of various actors and groups demonstrates the power of racial and religious bias not simply for political gain but as weapons of social control, thereby expanding our understanding of extremism and terrorism as not solely tools of political sedition but of social insurrection and control.
Their painstaking treatment also highlights another often-neglected aspect, that of the transnational nature of extremism and terror. No longer are we faced with a stark differential between acts inside and outside of borders, as Hoffman and Ware show in their explanation of how today's global world allows, even encourages, interplay among extremists which can in turn fuel grievances.
The concluding chapter noting prevention solutions demonstrates their experience with and expertise in policy. Such a pervasive social ill is not going to be remedied easily and Hoffman and Ware judiciously categorize recommendations as short-, medium-, and long-term, allowing for immediate action that can, in time, build to a sense of national, and perhaps global unity.
The book is easy to access for the layman while retaining the rigor of these two master academics, the latter proven by a wealth of information in the end notes and bibliography. The detailed descriptions of assailants, their motivations, and their actions provide context that is often glossed over in the immediate aftermath of attacks and the statistics cited. It is also balanced and written without condemnation while retaining sensitivity for victims. Highly recommended for anyone interested in understanding today's social, cultural, religious, and political battles.
June 20, 2024
God, Guns, and Sedition is a comprehensive history of the rise of right-wing extremism over the past forty years. You should read this book if you are wondering how we got to where we are today and January 6th. The authors do an excellent job (and their notes are exhaustive) of activities, individuals, and actions that have contributed to a place where we are now wondering if our Democracy ends with this next election.
One of the main themes throughout the book is using the book The Turner Diaries as a playbook. If you aren't familiar with The Turner Diaries--it is a screed that describes a fictional race war in America and the use of accelerationism. Accelerationism is a Marxist strategy of revolution and is being used by white supremacists. They want to hasten the destruction of Western civilization. It is dangerous because they believe one act of mass violence perpetuated by one person can bring this about.
Timothy McVeigh is a good example of someone who bought into the plan of the Turner Diaries--he used to float around gun shows selling the book, and he used many sections in the book to plan his Oklahoma City bombing.
The book outlines incidents from Ruby Ridge to Waco to Oklahoma City and how things quieted down in the country after 9/11 because our focus was on international terrorism, which then came roaring back as the far-right groups began using social media and the Internet to recruit others. The book then outlines later lone-wolf mass shootings and terrorist incidents over the past few decades and how they play into the larger picture of accelerationism.
The scariest thing I found in this book was the recruitment of our military into white supremacy groups. Or no, maybe the scariest thing is to see how Trump has fueled and made white supremacy groups mainstream or normalized. I don't know. This book scared me, but I think I needed to be scared.
The last chapter outlines policy changes needed to combat extremism, and I hope it isn't too late. I leave you with a quote from Ronald Regan that they included at the front of the last chapter:
Freedom is a fragile thing and it's never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by way of inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to people. And those in world history who have known freedom and then lost it have never known it again. Ronald Reagan, January 5, 1967
Other recommendations on related topics:
The Kingdom, The Power, and the Glory by Tim Alberta
American Whitelash by Wesley Lowery
Homegrown: Timothy McVeigh and the Rise of Right-Wing Extremism by Jeffrey Toobin
One of the main themes throughout the book is using the book The Turner Diaries as a playbook. If you aren't familiar with The Turner Diaries--it is a screed that describes a fictional race war in America and the use of accelerationism. Accelerationism is a Marxist strategy of revolution and is being used by white supremacists. They want to hasten the destruction of Western civilization. It is dangerous because they believe one act of mass violence perpetuated by one person can bring this about.
Timothy McVeigh is a good example of someone who bought into the plan of the Turner Diaries--he used to float around gun shows selling the book, and he used many sections in the book to plan his Oklahoma City bombing.
The book outlines incidents from Ruby Ridge to Waco to Oklahoma City and how things quieted down in the country after 9/11 because our focus was on international terrorism, which then came roaring back as the far-right groups began using social media and the Internet to recruit others. The book then outlines later lone-wolf mass shootings and terrorist incidents over the past few decades and how they play into the larger picture of accelerationism.
The scariest thing I found in this book was the recruitment of our military into white supremacy groups. Or no, maybe the scariest thing is to see how Trump has fueled and made white supremacy groups mainstream or normalized. I don't know. This book scared me, but I think I needed to be scared.
The last chapter outlines policy changes needed to combat extremism, and I hope it isn't too late. I leave you with a quote from Ronald Regan that they included at the front of the last chapter:
Freedom is a fragile thing and it's never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by way of inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to people. And those in world history who have known freedom and then lost it have never known it again. Ronald Reagan, January 5, 1967
Other recommendations on related topics:
The Kingdom, The Power, and the Glory by Tim Alberta
American Whitelash by Wesley Lowery
Homegrown: Timothy McVeigh and the Rise of Right-Wing Extremism by Jeffrey Toobin
September 3, 2024
God, Guns, and Sedition: Far-Right Terrorism in America by Bruce Hoffman is a timely and comprehensive examination of the rise of far-right extremism and domestic terrorism in the United States. Hoffman, a leading authority on terrorism studies, dissects the historical roots, ideological drivers, and organizational dynamics that have fueled far-right movements in the country.
The book offers a detailed analysis of how religion, particularly Christian nationalism, has been intertwined with extremist views on gun rights, anti-government sentiment, and white supremacy. Hoffman traces the origins of these movements, connecting them to broader global trends and dissecting their evolution from fringe groups into more organized and violent factions.
One of the book's strengths is its methodical approach to profiling various far-right groups and ideologies, ranging from neo-Nazi organizations to militias and so-called "lone wolves." Hoffman draws on decades of research and real-world examples, such as the Oklahoma City bombing and the Capitol insurrection on January 6, 2021, to demonstrate the dangers posed by these movements.
Hoffman also explores how the digital age has amplified the far-right’s ability to recruit, radicalize, and coordinate, emphasizing the role of social media in spreading hate-filled rhetoric and conspiracy theories. His examination of the intersection between political polarization and violent extremism is particularly illuminating, shedding light on the challenges law enforcement and policymakers face in combating these threats.
While the book is heavily focused on the American context, Hoffman situates the rise of far-right terrorism within a global framework, offering comparisons to similar movements in Europe and other parts of the world. This adds depth to his analysis and highlights the international dimension of the issue.
Overall, God, Guns, and Sedition is a deeply researched, insightful, and sobering account of far-right terrorism in America. Hoffman provides readers with a thorough understanding of the movement’s roots, its motivations, and the growing threat it poses to democracy and national security. For anyone seeking to understand the rise of domestic terrorism in the United States, this book is an essential read.
The book offers a detailed analysis of how religion, particularly Christian nationalism, has been intertwined with extremist views on gun rights, anti-government sentiment, and white supremacy. Hoffman traces the origins of these movements, connecting them to broader global trends and dissecting their evolution from fringe groups into more organized and violent factions.
One of the book's strengths is its methodical approach to profiling various far-right groups and ideologies, ranging from neo-Nazi organizations to militias and so-called "lone wolves." Hoffman draws on decades of research and real-world examples, such as the Oklahoma City bombing and the Capitol insurrection on January 6, 2021, to demonstrate the dangers posed by these movements.
Hoffman also explores how the digital age has amplified the far-right’s ability to recruit, radicalize, and coordinate, emphasizing the role of social media in spreading hate-filled rhetoric and conspiracy theories. His examination of the intersection between political polarization and violent extremism is particularly illuminating, shedding light on the challenges law enforcement and policymakers face in combating these threats.
While the book is heavily focused on the American context, Hoffman situates the rise of far-right terrorism within a global framework, offering comparisons to similar movements in Europe and other parts of the world. This adds depth to his analysis and highlights the international dimension of the issue.
Overall, God, Guns, and Sedition is a deeply researched, insightful, and sobering account of far-right terrorism in America. Hoffman provides readers with a thorough understanding of the movement’s roots, its motivations, and the growing threat it poses to democracy and national security. For anyone seeking to understand the rise of domestic terrorism in the United States, this book is an essential read.
April 30, 2024
The research on this book was exhaustive and alarming. The amount of information that is out there about extremists here in the United States. The terrible irony of the indoctrination of far-right terrorists is that they honestly believe that they can preserve freedom in the United States by stepping on literally every freedom that we have. They complain about government overreach, but believe that every person should be Christian. And not only that, they also advocate for this change to come through violence.
This book particularly explores the rise in lone-wolf terrorism, which makes it intensely difficult to suss them out before tragedy. It explores the fact that the United States has long allowed this indoctrination to flourish and leaves far too many loopholes in the laws against domestic terrorism.
Hoffman lays out a plan at the end for what needs to be done in order to counter the growth of extremism here. He cites examples from other countries to demonstrate the effectiveness of these "soft" measures. He also says that on balance the measures will be more effective for future generations since they are more preventative in nature. The true challenge comes with figuring out what to do about the current deeply entrenched acolytes.
This book particularly explores the rise in lone-wolf terrorism, which makes it intensely difficult to suss them out before tragedy. It explores the fact that the United States has long allowed this indoctrination to flourish and leaves far too many loopholes in the laws against domestic terrorism.
Hoffman lays out a plan at the end for what needs to be done in order to counter the growth of extremism here. He cites examples from other countries to demonstrate the effectiveness of these "soft" measures. He also says that on balance the measures will be more effective for future generations since they are more preventative in nature. The true challenge comes with figuring out what to do about the current deeply entrenched acolytes.
March 18, 2024
It should be noted that almost all the “terrorists” deviate to the Republican side of politics when the authors are, without doubt, Democrats. Of course, nobody can defend any kind of crime but the authors do not analyze what motivates these “terrorists”. It’s also interesting to note that victims are almost always Black American people but the complainants seem to have Jewish surnames. One last thing… Mr Goodreads, why cannot I find “Turner Diaries” in your database when the book I’m evaluating is full of it?
And one last wisdom from the authors who are great humanists, as well.
“The formidable instruments of military power successfully employed against al-Qaeda and ISIS and their various affiliates and branches—most prominently the targeted kill- ings achieved by drone strikes and the lethally effective raids conducted by special operations forces—are completely irrelevant to countering domestic terrorism for the obvious reasons that they cannot and should never be deployed against our fellow citizens.” Of course homegrown terrorists should be treated with kindness!
And one last wisdom from the authors who are great humanists, as well.
“The formidable instruments of military power successfully employed against al-Qaeda and ISIS and their various affiliates and branches—most prominently the targeted kill- ings achieved by drone strikes and the lethally effective raids conducted by special operations forces—are completely irrelevant to countering domestic terrorism for the obvious reasons that they cannot and should never be deployed against our fellow citizens.” Of course homegrown terrorists should be treated with kindness!
January 27, 2024
This is a fascinating account of the rise of far-right terrorism in the United States, which shows how the tactics, strategy, and goals of its various sub-groups have evolved and adapted over time. Importantly, it looks at the events of January 6th in a broader historical context, tracing its roots over decades of far-right violence. For anyone interested in learning about the domestic terrorism by far-right groups in the United States, this book provides ample insight and food for thought. The authors also address what can be done about it, through a set of even-handed and pragmatic proposals. Worth the read.
April 1, 2024
This is the second book in a trilogy of books I read on the topic of the right-wing in America. This book focuses on the violent and terrorist actions of the extreme right-wing. How it has grown and how it is accepted or ignored by members of the right-wing who should know better.
When one side uses violence to try to achieve its end, and the "responsible" members of that side ignore or excuse the violence, and in some instances celebrate it, there is something wrong with what's going on.
If you pay attention to American politics, there isn't necessarily anything surprising in this book, but it's a good read that puts a lot of it all in one place.
When one side uses violence to try to achieve its end, and the "responsible" members of that side ignore or excuse the violence, and in some instances celebrate it, there is something wrong with what's going on.
If you pay attention to American politics, there isn't necessarily anything surprising in this book, but it's a good read that puts a lot of it all in one place.
August 28, 2024
The kind of book that is both interesting and terrifying. It’s a really good overview of the history of far right terrorism in the USA (but not only), and the way it has changed over the years. Yes, social media probably makes it worth, it’s never been that easy to have access to material and people that will radicalize people in just a few months.
The chapter on how COVID helped radicalize some people who joined conspiracy theories and then more fringe groups (the line is fine).
There’s also a chapter on potential solutions : teach media literacy, and to that I say good luck
The chapter on how COVID helped radicalize some people who joined conspiracy theories and then more fringe groups (the line is fine).
There’s also a chapter on potential solutions : teach media literacy, and to that I say good luck
January 4, 2024
Ware and Hoffman do a fantastic job of highlighting the multi-faceted domestic terrorist threat in the United States, which is often overlooked in favor of the international terrorist groups that tend to capture Americans' imaginations. Their writing is engaging while brilliantly highlighting the scope of the domestic terror threat. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone with an interest in domestic terrorism and national security!
May 13, 2024
This book never really got traction with me. It documents a number of incidents from the 1980s to the present, including incidents that occurred in other countries and chalks it all up to American violence. Some chapters present the same story 2-3 different times as evidence for the argument. No tables, no systematic evidence. Disappointing for a book that is supposed to define an entire problem.
May 5, 2024
An excellently done history of the growth of far-right terrorism in the US, with great sources pulled to comprehensively analyse how the movement has always been a threat and through the Internet will become larger unless changes are made. Anyone concerned about this topic should make sure to read this book.
June 23, 2024
Mais um livro interessante prejudicado pelo "excepcionalismo americano" e romantização de um passado idílico, minimizando o racismo latente na formação sociedade americana. Pela narrativa, parece que foram episódios pontuais na história do país, e não instituições racistas que perduraram por séculos e originaram discursos e ideologias supremacistas.
May 6, 2024
Hoffman and Ware provide a detailed history of far right terrorism in this country. It is frightening, as well as important to know about. It is much worse than I thought. This is a must read to wrap your brain around the terrorism happening in the US.
December 27, 2023
A conclusive description on how the different factors in American culture and availability of weaponry can lead to far-right terrorism. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.
Read
April 20, 2024Lightly skimmed. Seemingly quite thorough
June 20, 2024
One of the best books on far right terrorism in the US published thus far.
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