The Militia Movement in America: Before and After Oklahoma City

Andryszewski, Tricia

ISBN 10: 0761301194 ISBN 13: 9780761301196

Publisher: Millbrook Pr, 1997

Synopsis

Explores the movement's growth, its connection with society, its ideologies, and events in Ruby Ridge, Waco, and Oklahoma City

About this title

Reviews

Grade 7 Up. The militia movement is as wide and diversified as anyone can imagine, yet before the Oklahoma City bombing most Americans were only vaguely aware of its existence. Now that many homes have Internet capabilities, more people are becoming aware of these extremist views and exposed to various forms of "hate" literature on their computer monitors. Do these militia movements have the right to spread their ideas? Do they have the right to assemble? What can be done about them without infringing upon their Constitutional rights? Quotations from their literature have been carefully chosen to give readers insight into the minds of the writers. The endnotes leave no doubt that the author is not simply writing from her heart, but from cold, hard, and often horrific facts. The list for further reading cites current literature on a number of the incidents mentioned in the text. Some of them will sound familiar, yet few readers will know or remember all of the events presented here, events that?when viewed as part and parcel of a larger body?have a chilling impact. Sobering black-and-white photos are effectively placed throughout the book. Report writers will find facts easily through the detailed index and will be led deeper into the subject through the endnotes. An eye-opening addition.?Marilyn Fairbanks, East Junior High School, Brockton, MA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Andryszewski (The Dust Bowl, 1993, etc.) presents a sobering and clear-eyed history that traces the development of radical militia groups within the US. She reveals that hatred spawns hatred: The 1995 Oklahoma City bombing may have its roots in early white supremacy groups, e.g., the Ku Klux Klan, and there are interesting similarities between the early militia or ``patriot'' movement of the 1970s and today's militias. Politics and increasing media coverage have turned these once secretive cults into savvy, recruitment-minded, gun-toting organizations, bearing such deceiving names as the ``Liberty Lobby''--a neo-Nazi group. Perhaps most intriguing of all, Andryszewski shines the spotlight on the various media ``stars'' of the militia movement, such as William Pierce (whose novel, The Turner Diaries, recounts the fictional bombing of FBI headquarters). Copious notes and a handy index substantiate the text even further. (b&w photos, not seen, further reading) (Nonfiction. 11+) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Gr. 7^-12. Although several recent books have dealt with hate crimes and the white power movement, this is one of the first to concentrate squarely on the militia movement in the U.S. Using the bombing of the Federal Building in Oklahoma City as her focus, Andryszewski traces the antigovernment militia movement, identifies major groups and individuals and their philosophies and goals, and discusses how the government has responded to militia-inspired domestic terrorism. The writing is concise and thoroughly readable, and the high-interest (and truly frightening) topic will attract browsers and student researchers alike. Detailed chapter notes and a bibliography are appended; black-and-white photographs to be included. Chris Sherman

Edition details

• Publisher: Millbrook Pr
• Publication date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0761301194
• ISBN 13: 9780761301196
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 126