Welcome to Litsy!

I was eager to read this book and quickly grabbed it off of the library shelf when it arrived, but I‘m so glad to have finished it. The author has been closely reporting on the right, in fascist and highly abusive spaces for a while now; this isn‘t easy. Here, she tells the story of how Fred Brennan‘s creation of 8chan birthed the nightmare we are seeing in America today, and reminds us that you cannot separate racism from misogyny. This ⬇️

Not a happy book, but shining a light on the fringes of society (which have become mainstream) is vital work and I don‘t know how Elle Reeve does it. Profiled here are leaders in the movements breeding hate and violence in America. I think it‘s important to learn about the outrageous behavior so that it stays outside of the norm and people don‘t get sucked into narratives they find online. Neo nazis, Jan. 6th, incels, oh my!

It‘s probably good that the Alt-right don‘t like each other anymore than people outside of their movement like them.

I‘m giving this a pick because it‘s well done, but frankly I have mixed feelings. While I think it‘s important to be aware of elements of hate in our society so we can combat it, I worry that detailing individuals pedaling that hate gives them a platform we shouldn‘t give them.

Reeve is a reporter on the alt right beat at Vice then CNN. She traces the line from 4Chan to 8Chan to the Unite the Right rally to Jan 6. She speaks with the nihilistic young men who populate this underworld of incels and Nazis. Some escape and some don‘t. A very important book, especially heading into the presidential election.