In God's Country: The Patriot Movement and the Pacific Northwest

I am one of the Deputies David wrote about in the Chapter titled "Roundup". David wrote an excellent book and I can assure every reader that the information David wrote is true. Every american citizen should read this book. The information will certainly make you take another look at how divided this country really is and how some Americans will do anything to make you see that "their way" is the only way regardless who may suffer their wrath along the way.

David Neiwert is an extrodinary investigative reporter. His work uncovering the lies of Ted Olson shows the man's work ethic. As others have said, he allows the so called Patriots to speak for themselves. This book is a primer however. It never approaches the rank and file paranoids and racists. It deals well with those who market themselves, looking to draw in more rubes, to their extremist fold. I don't expect David to go into the Aryan Nation camp, or their satellites in the American prison system. For what he did, I congratulate him.

This book is a must read for anyone interested in the "Patriot" movement and the reasons sincere and well-meaning people get caught up in the world of conspiracy theory and its attendant paranoia. Neiwert has unprecedented access to all of the major players and tells the story in a very engaging "journalistic" style that belies its publication by a university press. It should be a popular book sold at airports rather than one which will probably be (unfairly) overlooked as "academic". The fact that it is so well written shouldn't be misunderstood as condemnation from this reader. It is well written AND well researched. "Aterword/Ashes on the Sills" alone is worth the price of the book. Kudos

Neiwert's book has a flow and smooth readability one rarely finds in a work with a subject matter such as this. I found myself turning the pages, wanting to find out what happened next. The information was all new to me, as this is a subject I had no knowledge of before reading this book. I'm sure glad I read it, as it has given me the background knowledge of events and people to better evaluate related events in the news.Given the subject matter, the "Patriots" of the Pacific Northwest, and their twisted ideologies, Neiwert provides a suprisingly balanced and at times sympathetic view. His understanding of these people and what makes them tick comes through, and the at times deeply-personal narrative removes the detachment mere press reports maintain. Neiwert's shared geographic and economic background with the subjects of the book makes him an ideal commentator, although his own ideological viewpoint is the antithesis of theirs.What Neiwert tells us is chilling, and there are no easy solutions to this little-known and downplayed movement in American society. Given that the mainstream media has largely overlooked this story (for reasons Neiwert clearly explains), this book is a must read for anyone who wants to keep informed.

So said the Enlish cleric Thomas Fuller more than 100 years ago. Like the author, I've lived in God's country my whole life, and the behavior of the militias and patriots has left me puzzled by the willingness of "normal" folks to choose their puzzling paths.As we watched Ruby Ridge, Waco, Oklahoma City, the wise among us shook our heads, and prayed for an end to the idiocy. Unfortunately, every error by the human beings in our government feeds the fantasies of these groups, who shudder at the sound of helicopters and imagine vast UN concentration camps in the national parks.Neiwert, a journalist, is fair to these people, and gives them ample opportunity to share their stories. He doesn't however, shy from comments about these statements, and calls bull**** on them when their public comments collide with the inflammatory rhetoric (racism and anti-Semitism) of their meetings and publications.In particular, Neiwert gives the gruff Bo Gritz, plenty of space (and rope to hang himself with), whose bluster came to prominence at Ruby Ridge, and whose wife and followers gave up on him in the years to come.I was frustrated by the feeling that no one really knows what to do with these people, but that's not Neiwert's fault. I doubt the government knows what to do with them. In fact, if anyone in the government is working on the issue at all, it gives these "patriots" further ammunition for their paranoia.Neiwert writes of the the circumstances that led people to make their choices -- in Ruby Ridge, in Jordan, Mont., home of the Freemen -- and in Oklahoma City.He does this in a style that is accessible, personal and highly interesting.