Radicalized

by Max Kutner

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Audiobook

Audiobook

First published September 23, 2020

Reviews

[Tracy Fenton · Rating 4 out of 5]

On my quest to listen to every true-crime podcast, Radicalized is a free 7 episode podcast only available on Audible.

Max Kutner looks closely at the case of 18 year old Devon Arthurs who converted to Islam and described himself as a Salafist National Socialist. In May 2017, Arthurs was accused of killing two of his roommates and fellow Atomwaffen Division members which an assault rifle in retaliation after they ridiculed his conversion from a Neo Nazi to Islam.

Over the 7 episodes Max meets and interviews Arthurs father and sister, his victims families and we listen to the actual footage of Devon Arthurs being arrested and interviewed.

This is a chilling account of how a young man with obvious mental health issues becomes obsessed first as a white supremist and actually runs a Neo-Nazi Group and then converts to Islam.

[Kari · Rating 2 out of 5]

For interest levels this gets a 5 stars but it doesn’t get that overall because of the discussion of autism in relation to radicalisation. It posits that if Devon had received ‘treatment’ for his autism he might not have done what he did...this is a lazy way of looking at the situation and offensive to autistic people. Autistic people and people with other neurodevelopmental disorders are more at risk of being victims of violence than being violent themselves. Autism may have led to Devon being isolated and vulnerable for radicalisation but it did not make him kill people. The discussion of ‘treatment’ is problematic in itself. There is no ‘treatment’ for autism because it is not an illness. The only ‘treatment’ autistic people require is for society to stop trying to force them into a shape they do not wish to inhabit.

[Benjamin Stahl · Rating 2 out of 5]

This podcast follows the descent of a young man into white supremacy, then Islamic extremism, with two murders thrown in and a final arrest. I found the whole thing a little preachy to be honest.

[George Dobson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting look into how people become radicalised. But was very let down by the handling of the contributions of autism and mental illness in the case of Devon Arthurs.

[James Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This podcast/audiobook series fails in its inability to understand the nuances of study of various far-right ideologies, lumping various ideologies in as merely “White Supremacy” when in reality this is such an overly simplistic designation that it gives passes to the various (often uniquely dangerous) ways in which the ideologies can vary. For example, Kutner repeatedly states that National Socialism (or Nazism) is “White Supremacy”, but this is a overly simplistic designation for that ideology and not accurate. Spreading this information ultimately dilutes the conversation to such a point where it can be harmful, Kutner would have been advised to do more research to avoid this.

[Richard O'Neal · Rating 1 out of 5]

Author has TDS. This was published while thousands of leftists were burning, looting, and killing across this country, yet the author is consumed by a few hundred Anerican nazis. In less than three months leftists caused more damage than right wing groups have in 250 years. In three months leftists killed more people in their rioting than far right wingers have in ten years, yet this author makes inflated claims about murders/lynchings by KKK.
The fact is, there's a few hundred far right nuts. There's thousands of leftists terrorists in America.

[Myk Pilgrim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly harrowing highlights the unsurprising parallels between white supremacist and Islamic extremists.
If you would like a more in-depth dive into the self-delusional lunacy that is extremism check out Them: Adventures with Extremists

[Teri Pastorino · Rating 4 out of 5]

glimpse into how kids get radicalized and the white supremicists that are among us these days - frightening

[Hilary Cockshaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook

[Asil Hindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Free podcast on Audible, 4hr worth listening. Juggling between Neo Nazism, Islam and Christianity.... 18 year old young man goofed up

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearly written by a liberal but he tried hard to be balanced. Coulda tried harder.

[Aadya Dubey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am shaking.
Oh my God.
Damn the internet.
What is wrong with the world, damn it?

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an interesting podcast. It reminded me quite a bit of the season of Serial about Beau Bergdahl. Fascinating look into why people radicalize and the scary consequences.

[Paul Sating · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author in me found this useful. The human in me was horrified.

[Jayme Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disturbing, but eyeopening at the same time.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly researched, written and read. Disturbing but gripping at same time.

[Sammi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting insight into radicalisation