Militia Movement in America [Library Binding]

Tricia Andryszewski (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1997

Explores the roots of the militia movement's growth in the United States, its connection with mainstream society, the ideologies of anti-government groups, and the tragedies at Ruby Ridge, Waco, and Oklahoma City.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

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.

From Booklist

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

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Library Binding: 128 pages
• Publisher: Millbrook Press (February 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761301194
• ISBN-13: 978-0761301196
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,454,993 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Would-Be Primer of the Militia Movement That Goes Awry, April 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Militia Movement in America (Library Binding)

This book tries to be a good introduction for young people to the anti-government militia groups. It would be if it weren't for some large flaws in it. One MAJOR drawback is when it inexcusably ties legitimate dissent with the government to virulent, violent anti-government groups. It is still an American right to not like government policies and for the book to link this with those who were responsible for the Oklahoma City bombing is irresponsible at best and subversive to the U.S. Constitution at worst (I believe the Constitution mentions something about citizens being able to petition the government about grievances). Also the book tries to "chill" free speech by quoting out of context talk radio icons Rush Limbaugh and G. Gordon Liddy (neither one of them were advocating violent rebellion if the author took the time to read the COMPLETE transcripts of their shows that is quoted). The book attacks the NRA for daring to support 2nd Amendment rights and being critical of Federal agents who overstep their bounds. The tome doesn't stop there, though. The book goes on to imply that the GOP in Congress shares blame for the Oklahoma City bombing because of their anti-bureacracy rhetoric. According to the book, dissent IN THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF BY MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT is tied to violent militia groups and gives these groups encouragement. An impressionable young person reading this will come away with the idea that all dissent by citizens, all protesting government policy, and all political debate on the size of government are all evil because it leads people (ie militia types) to commit violence. I only hope that the young people this book is aimed at does more reading on their own so they will realize that they too can disagree with the government and agitate for change without being lumped together with violent groups. Agitation and disagreement with the government is a FUNDAMENTAL American freedom and it shouldn't be thrown away.

4.0 out of 5 stars A VERYY surprising book at that grade level..., November 30, 2011

By 

Sanford Clark "Sandyclaus" (Springfield, Missouri) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Militia Movement in America (Library Binding)

This is an excellent brief history of the events leading up to and just after Oklahoma City. The negative reviews citing lack of balance seem to be pretty one-sided. She doesn't equate speech with violence, but rather points out where calls for violence have been made. As to balance, I noted that the facts of the case against Randy Weaver are straightforward and his eventual acquittal is there, along with his ties to Christian Identity and Aryan Nation groups.

McVeigh's interest in the Turner Diaries is mentioned as is the media followup. The reaction of militia groups is said to largely be one of condemnation, but she does point out those, who like fellow reviewers here, blame the government for the bombing. Somehow the slaughter was regrettable, but inevitable to them.

A kid today, trying to understand the more outrageous of the Tea Party types, with their AK-47s and racist signs, would find plenty here to put that in context. They would also be able to see a clear line between which messages fed McVeigh's destructive instincts.

When you consider this might be the ONLY book in their school library to counter the distorted and hate-filled propaganda they may encounter on the web, it makes this book all the more important.

All that said, it is dense reading for 5th and 6th grade. At that level, it is a serious nonfiction slog for a kid expecting a simplistic message.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Liberal bias in the higest degree, August 30, 2001

By 

Josh Deremer (Woodbridge, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Militia Movement in America (Library Binding)

This book is clearly bias toward the far left. The author has grouped normal patriotic people and organizations with violent racists and extremists. This is the process of linkage which is used for people's (in this case, the author's) political agenda. The author seems to believe that anyone who owns firearms, opposes liberals, opposes government wrongdoing, and wants smaller government is somehow to blame for the actions of a few exremists. By the time I was done with this book, I was enraged to say the least. It is really a shame that our youth has to be subjected to this...