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Columbia Studies in Terrorism and Irregular Warfare
American Zealots: Inside Right-Wing Domestic Terrorism
In an unsettling time in American history, the outbreak of right-wing violence is among the most disturbing developments. In recent years, attacks originating from the far right of American politics have targeted religious and ethnic minorities, with a series of antigovernment militants, religious extremists, and lone-wolf mass shooters inspired by right-wing ideologies. The need to understand the nature and danger of far-right violence is greater than ever.
In American Zealots , Arie Perliger provides a wide-ranging and rigorously researched overview of right-wing domestic terrorism. He analyzes its historical roots, characteristics, tactics, rhetoric, and organization, assessing the current and future trajectory of the use of violence by the far right. Perliger draws on a comprehensive dataset of more than 5,000 attacks and their perpetrators from 1990 through 2017 in order to explore key trends in American right-wing terrorism. He describes the entire ideological spectrum of the American far right, including today’s white supremacists, antigovernment groups, and antiabortion fundamentalists, as well as the histories of the KKK, skinheads, and neo-Nazis. Based on these findings, Perliger suggests counterterrorism policies that can respond effectively to the far-right threat. A groundbreaking examination of violence spawned from right-wing ideologies, American Zealots is essential reading for everyone seeking to understand the transformation of domestic terrorism.
In American Zealots , Arie Perliger provides a wide-ranging and rigorously researched overview of right-wing domestic terrorism. He analyzes its historical roots, characteristics, tactics, rhetoric, and organization, assessing the current and future trajectory of the use of violence by the far right. Perliger draws on a comprehensive dataset of more than 5,000 attacks and their perpetrators from 1990 through 2017 in order to explore key trends in American right-wing terrorism. He describes the entire ideological spectrum of the American far right, including today’s white supremacists, antigovernment groups, and antiabortion fundamentalists, as well as the histories of the KKK, skinheads, and neo-Nazis. Based on these findings, Perliger suggests counterterrorism policies that can respond effectively to the far-right threat. A groundbreaking examination of violence spawned from right-wing ideologies, American Zealots is essential reading for everyone seeking to understand the transformation of domestic terrorism.
232 pages, Paperback
Published August 18, 2020
35 people are currently reading
447 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 29, 2020
In late May 2019, Angela Merkel, the prime minister of Germany, warned of the dark forces that are finding mainstream support in Germany, Europe, and the United States. In making this comment, she was referring to the rise of far-right populist parties, groups, and movements that embrace nationalist, authoritarian, xenophobic, and racist ideologies. At roughly the same time, a senior FBI official acknowledged that the first few months of 2019 had witnessed an upsurge in the number of domestic terrorist cases involving white supremacists. Yet, in the United States, there is no legal definition of domestic terrorism and often times attacks by the far-right are written off by local law enforcement agencies as the acts of deranged, lone gunman. Thus, the problem of right-wing violence is seldom addressed as such, meaning the operational and legal tools used against foreign terrorist groups are not applied to domestic terrorists. Arie Perliger, professor and director of Security Studies at University of Massachusetts, Lowell, tackles this issue head on, by providing a comprehensive analysis of contemporary far-right terrorism in the United States -- its origins, the ideological and operational features of the different streams of far-right extremism, and the dynamic relationship between far-right violence and mainstream political, economic, and social developments.
Although aimed at an academic audience, this book is easily accessible to any lay reader interested in the topic. The author clearly explains all terminology and offers succinct explanations of the different theoretical models that experts have used to explain the ebb and flow of far-right violence throughout US history. Moreover, the author does not resort to the finger pointing and inflamed rhetoric that often characterizes current political discussions. Instead, the author uses concrete data to overcome many of the traditional misconceptions about far-right violence. For example, through a geospatial analysis of recent far-right attacks, he exposes the inaccuracy of the traditional notion that southern states are the epicenter of hate crimes and that progressive states are safer for ethnic and religious minorities. In fact, data shows that often the sites of far-right violence are communities that have had little past experience dealing with ethnic and religious diversity. He also shows that the rhetorical and operational strategies of the American far right are not static; They have evolved in response to local and global developments, such as globalization and the mainstreaming of far-right ideology in the United States and abroad. Specifically, he shows how the mainstreaming of far-right discourses has facilitated the mobilization of far-right groups, because it lowers the psychological and social barriers that previously prevented some individuals from adopting far-right rhetoric or expressing far-right sentiments through violent actions. Combatting this upsurge in domestic far-right violence, the author notes, requires a multifaceted approach. Specifically, we must develop policies aimed at helping communities "respond productively to the processes of demographic diversification they are experiencing" as well as developing policies designed to slow the proliferation of hate groups. and undermine their recruitment efforts. But before any of this can take place, the author emphasizes, we must first recognize that domestic terrorism is a real problem that requires a systematic long-term response.
A must read for any American who wants to understand the complex dynamics that inform far-right violence today!
I would like to thank the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Although aimed at an academic audience, this book is easily accessible to any lay reader interested in the topic. The author clearly explains all terminology and offers succinct explanations of the different theoretical models that experts have used to explain the ebb and flow of far-right violence throughout US history. Moreover, the author does not resort to the finger pointing and inflamed rhetoric that often characterizes current political discussions. Instead, the author uses concrete data to overcome many of the traditional misconceptions about far-right violence. For example, through a geospatial analysis of recent far-right attacks, he exposes the inaccuracy of the traditional notion that southern states are the epicenter of hate crimes and that progressive states are safer for ethnic and religious minorities. In fact, data shows that often the sites of far-right violence are communities that have had little past experience dealing with ethnic and religious diversity. He also shows that the rhetorical and operational strategies of the American far right are not static; They have evolved in response to local and global developments, such as globalization and the mainstreaming of far-right ideology in the United States and abroad. Specifically, he shows how the mainstreaming of far-right discourses has facilitated the mobilization of far-right groups, because it lowers the psychological and social barriers that previously prevented some individuals from adopting far-right rhetoric or expressing far-right sentiments through violent actions. Combatting this upsurge in domestic far-right violence, the author notes, requires a multifaceted approach. Specifically, we must develop policies aimed at helping communities "respond productively to the processes of demographic diversification they are experiencing" as well as developing policies designed to slow the proliferation of hate groups. and undermine their recruitment efforts. But before any of this can take place, the author emphasizes, we must first recognize that domestic terrorism is a real problem that requires a systematic long-term response.
A must read for any American who wants to understand the complex dynamics that inform far-right violence today!
I would like to thank the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
November 14, 2020
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.
January 17, 2021
With everything going on right now in the U.S.; the division in our country politically and ideologically, I found this book very informative and quite scary. There is so much that needs to be done in order to turn the division around. Maybe this book and others like it will plant the intellectual seeds for future leaders as the author hopes. Unfortunately, it seems like things will only get worse before they get better.
October 1, 2022
A comfortingly academic and mostly neutral book on what has become stupidly contentious. A good overview for the beginner
April 17, 2020
American Zealots: Inside Right-Wing Domestic Terrorism by Arie Perliger should become an essential read for anyone who remembers what American democracy once was or at least hoped to be and wants to move back toward that ideal. It is an uncomfortable read because of the content but one we must all work to understand regardless of the unease.
A quick comment about what this book is not nor tries to be. This is not prescriptive except in the very broadest of terms. 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. The strength of this approach is that the reader is not shifting back and forth between trying to understand and trying to assess potential solutions. We can focus on understanding. From an understanding we can begin to form remedies for society and, one hopes, those who currently accept such ideas as factual and/or worthy of violence. Perliger only touches on potential responses in the sense that he highlights what must be kept in mind when generating such plans or policies.
The writing is very straightforward and not heavy with jargon. Any terms he uses, whether from his areas of study or from within the groups he is studying, are explained clearly and concisely, with areas of ambiguity made known. The material, however, can seem overwhelming and confusing at first. I think this is so for two reasons (at least). One is that we have a tendency in public discourse to lump large groups together as if they are a monolithic whole. This habit runs across the political and social spectrum and more often than not serves to muddy the waters of any possible discussion or debate. The other is more related to the material itself, namely that there are many similarities even while the different strands have very different ideological foundations. As these groups have found some common ground to work together (even on very targeted and temporary goals) the casual citizen has perceived these groups as being largely variations on one theme, which is way off the mark.
I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to combat violent extremism of any sort and especially the rise of right-wing violent extremism. You can't hope to change that which you don't understand, and this book is designed to help us understand the current environment by understanding the history and rhetoric of these groups. This is absolutely essential reading for policy makers and future activists who want to do more than simply react to actions or words but rather make substantive change in society.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
A quick comment about what this book is not nor tries to be. This is not prescriptive except in the very broadest of terms. 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. The strength of this approach is that the reader is not shifting back and forth between trying to understand and trying to assess potential solutions. We can focus on understanding. From an understanding we can begin to form remedies for society and, one hopes, those who currently accept such ideas as factual and/or worthy of violence. Perliger only touches on potential responses in the sense that he highlights what must be kept in mind when generating such plans or policies.
The writing is very straightforward and not heavy with jargon. Any terms he uses, whether from his areas of study or from within the groups he is studying, are explained clearly and concisely, with areas of ambiguity made known. The material, however, can seem overwhelming and confusing at first. I think this is so for two reasons (at least). One is that we have a tendency in public discourse to lump large groups together as if they are a monolithic whole. This habit runs across the political and social spectrum and more often than not serves to muddy the waters of any possible discussion or debate. The other is more related to the material itself, namely that there are many similarities even while the different strands have very different ideological foundations. As these groups have found some common ground to work together (even on very targeted and temporary goals) the casual citizen has perceived these groups as being largely variations on one theme, which is way off the mark.
I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to combat violent extremism of any sort and especially the rise of right-wing violent extremism. You can't hope to change that which you don't understand, and this book is designed to help us understand the current environment by understanding the history and rhetoric of these groups. This is absolutely essential reading for policy makers and future activists who want to do more than simply react to actions or words but rather make substantive change in society.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
December 30, 2020
I was looking forward to reading this one and it was even better than I expected. He really gives an in-depth, intellectual perspective on far-right political violence. It focused on domestic terrorism in the United States and all the particular groups that fall under that category and the ways they are similar and differ from one another. It was extremely easy to read being that it was so interesting and if anyone is obsessed with this subject as much as I am will not be disappointed or feel like their time was wasted by reading this book.
February 21, 2021
What a precious gem professor Perliger did! I read it so fast that my kindle was about to explode. Well documented, meticulous in the exposition of data and theories, this book is your perfect introductive reading to the underworld of the American far-right extremism. There is no jargon in "American Zealots" and that makes it perfect for any kind of reader. Definitely one of the must-read of this year. Bravo!
March 21, 2022
A brief review:
1. As dry as toast. Reads like a research paper, which is likely was.
2. At the same time, well researched, lots of data.
3. Provides an excellent breakdown on the types of right-wing extremist groups, their goals, their demographics, and their tactics.
4. Interesting point: Christian identity groups were considered some of the most extreme and violence prone, not groups like skinheads or racist groups like the KKK.
5. Overall: Informative, but not mind-blowing.
June 30, 2020
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.
December 29, 2021
This was worth reading, but it was a lot more like a scientific paper than I was expecting. It was a bit of a struggle to keep going as a result, especially when combined with the timing of reading this on a long holiday road trip to see family (so already sleep deprived).
I appreciate the methodology and detail, but it wasn't an easy read for the same reasons.
I appreciate the methodology and detail, but it wasn't an easy read for the same reasons.
November 16, 2025
Hate & Extremist Book Club #2: Very academic and dense read. Helpful framing of the far right and organization of how to understand the far right. Perliger does a great job going into the historical development, tactics, and messaging of different streams the far right: white supremacists, extreme religious fundamentalists, antigovernment militias, etc.
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August 31, 2021Not yet sure where I stand on rating, but likely a 3. Informative, but I wouldn’t recommend it to those just beginning to learn about the far right. Other books provide a better, more engaging jumping off point.
July 15, 2022
This book provides a thorough examination of American right wing radicalism examining its history, demographics and methods in a data driven way. It is a prescient book to read in light of the capitol storming given its identification of the relationship between elections and right wing violence.
March 26, 2023
Extremely informative on right-wing terrorism. I think this is a must-read for anyone interested in further understanding the nuances behind right-wing terrorism and the future of counterterrorism in America. Well-researched and sourced!
August 26, 2023
Oh boy. A field guide for knowing your domestic terrorists.
While not a compelling read for the lay person, this is a thorough, academic study that should be kept close at hand for all law enforcement officials.
While not a compelling read for the lay person, this is a thorough, academic study that should be kept close at hand for all law enforcement officials.
February 23, 2021
A crucial book that charts the multiple ways in which right wing domestic terrorism intersects a range of different social groups. Very accessible too.
June 7, 2023
Not a narrative book. An information book. Very good.
June 12, 2021
Sobering. Arie Perliger studies terrorism as an academic and applies this expertise in an analysis of the American alt-right. Hate crime is domestic terrorism. Pretty clear, folks.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews