Brotherhood of Murder [Paperback]

Thomas Martinez (Author), John Guinther (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 4, 1999

Now a SHOWTIME Original Motion Picture starring William Baldwin, Kelly Lynch, and Peter Gallagher, Brotherhood of Murder chronicles the dramatic true story of Tom Martinez, a man who was undercover for the FBI in one of America's most dangerous white supremist terrorist groups. Given the recent tragic hate-crime shootings, this classic non-fiction book is more relevant than ever. Growing up poor, white and angry on the mean streets of Philadelphia, Tom Martinez was ready for action. And he found it with Bob Mathews, founder of the most violent secret racist society in America, The Order. The charismatic Mathews was a leader Martinez could follow to hell and back. And he did - through counterfeiting, knowledge of bombings, robbery and murder, and, finally, horrified awareness. Martinez had been seduced by the rhetoric into a group whose racial hatred resulted in the largest armored car robbery in American history, and the killing of Denver talk-show host Alan Berg. Here is his riveting story: the vivid, harrowing details of life inside The Order, and how he regained his conscience and his manhood by going undercover for the FBI to bring the group down. Thomas Martinez has refused the security of the Witness Protection Program. To this day he journeys across the country, a marked man, risking his life to warn of the dangers of the neo-Nazi right. His extraordinary story packs the power of a first-rate thriller. But in America today, it is the bone-chilling truth. Updated for iUniverse.com by the author, this story packs the power of a first-rate thriller!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Martinez was a member of the right-wing fanatic organization The Order, which was responsible for the 1984 murder of Denver talk-show host Allan Berg. an outspoken foe of the luna tic right. "With coauthor Guinther, Martinez tells of his arrest for passing counterfeit money, his disenchantment with The Order and his part in helping to prosecute its members," found PW.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Gripping, well-written. BROTHERHOOD OF MURDER should be required reading. -- Jewish Chronicle of Pittsburgh

Martinezs BROTHERHOOD OR MURDER provides insight into the subculture of hate in America. His personal journey is proof positive that people can change. -- Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Simon Wiesenthal Center

Within the span of two months, America has witnessed three separate but equally despicable and horrifying acts of violence aimed at religious and ethnic minorities: the firebombing of synagogues in Sacramento, a killing spree targeting Blacks, Jews and Asians in Illinois and Indiana, and the barbaric shootings of Jewish day school and the slaying of a Filipino-American postal worker in Los Angeles. Each incident sadly, has been linked to followers of extremist groups whose venomous message of racial superiority and hate may have spurred them to action.

As an insider who blew the whistle on the violent nature of Americas far-right fringe, Tom Martinez offers a compelling and chilling reminder of the potentially explosive nature of hate. He convincingly demonstrates how racial and religious prejudice can be exploited by hate-filled extremists to serve a criminal cause. His story has new immediacy in the light of recent tragedies. -- Abraham H. Foxman, Anti-Defamation League

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Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (November 4, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583485805
• ISBN-13: 978-1583485804
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #163,196 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars what a joke, December 3, 2005

By 

C. berger "bookfan" (hutchinson,ks usa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Brotherhood of Murder (Paperback)

tom martinez is a joke he snitched on his comrads to keep his ownself out of trouble when he was the one that passed the bill that led them to question him.the accounts that he told in the story does not add up to much.if you want the truth write bruce carrol pierce at the levenworh us prison in kansas or "richard sucitari at the usp in florence co, last i heard richard was still there. the both are very informitve and usualy have kind words to say. i would have rated 0 but there isnt one so 1 is all i could do

5 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The rise, fall, and redemption of a man., October 6, 2000

By 

Kevin (Falls Church, VA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Brotherhood of Murder (Paperback)

One word to describe this book? "Amazing."

Tom Martinez gives an inside look of the far-right, from his fundraising days with the National Alliance to how he helped the FBI bring down Bob Mathews, leader of the Order.

Besides learning the inner workings of such organizations, what amazed me about the book is Martinez's personal experiences. For example, his shattering the myth that hate and racism is learned at home. Martinez makes it clear that hate is a form of fear...in his case, his fear of black gang members in his high school led to his support of David Duke and a downward spiral from there. Not once did his parents ever utter a derogatory word about minorities, Martinez says.

Martinez could have easily written this book in a spiteful manner, blaming his felony conviction for passing bad money on the members of the Order. But he doesn't. Martinez takes full responsibility for his actions and even has compassion for some of the Order members who he brought to justice...even Bob Mathews who was killed in an FBI shootout.

Unfortunately, I missed the Showtime movie based on this book...but I recently won a copy of it on eBay and cannot wait until it arrives!

5 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Most Important Books I've Ever Read, December 7, 1999

By 

Martha L. Thomases "Martha Thomases" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Brotherhood of Murder (Paperback)

Tom Martinez' story is terrifying and uplifting. It's frightening to learn how easy it can be for someone to become a neo-Nazi. It's exalting to see the same person change. Martinez is one of the bravest characters you'll ever meet in the pages of a book, and he's real, not fiction. I bought copies for every teenager I know.