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tobestik's reviews
202 reviews
Culture Warlords: My Journey Into the Dark Web of White Supremacy by Talia Lavin
slow-paced
1.0
DNF'd at 160 pages because this book was just non-stop humble bragging about the author's online reach, followed by counterproductive name calling, followed by "journalism" that was, by the author's own admission, just taking pictures of people and live tweeting.
I won't deny or argue that the topic of this book and the author's perspective are incredibly important. She has a perspective and a story that absolutely should be told.
However, no part of this read like an actual deep dive or research into a topic as was promised.
I also agree with other reviewers that the book is more of an amalgamation of articles haphazardly thrown into a book than an actual planned book. Ideas jump around and end abruptly.
There's only about 20 pages actually about the author interacting with white supremacist groups, the rest is disjointed flavor text of events that happened. A few to the author, sure, but mostly just things that did happen throughout history or recently.
If you've followed the news even slightly in the last 5 years, you know about every event discussed. I use discussed loosely as really they're just presented with a tone of: "This happened. Wild huh?" And then the book moves on.
I won't deny or argue that the topic of this book and the author's perspective are incredibly important. She has a perspective and a story that absolutely should be told.
However, no part of this read like an actual deep dive or research into a topic as was promised.
I also agree with other reviewers that the book is more of an amalgamation of articles haphazardly thrown into a book than an actual planned book. Ideas jump around and end abruptly.
There's only about 20 pages actually about the author interacting with white supremacist groups, the rest is disjointed flavor text of events that happened. A few to the author, sure, but mostly just things that did happen throughout history or recently.
If you've followed the news even slightly in the last 5 years, you know about every event discussed. I use discussed loosely as really they're just presented with a tone of: "This happened. Wild huh?" And then the book moves on.
Off the Edge: Flat Earthers, Conspiracy Culture, and Why People Will Believe Anything by Kelly Weill
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I've binged quite a few conspiracy commentary books in the past couple years and I cannot even begin to express how refreshingly kind this book is. Not in an excusing the bad parts way but just in the way Weill approached writing about people who believe in flat Earth.
She always speaks about the subjects of the book with a compassion that is so often lacking in books like this. The tone is not judgemental towards believers but rather lays out clearly and in their own words what their beliefs are.
I also loved that she took the time to give an abridged but still detailed history of the flat Earth conspiracy movement from the 19th century forward.
It's just such a breath of fresh air to read a conspiracy book that doesn't dehumanize the people who believe the theory.
She always speaks about the subjects of the book with a compassion that is so often lacking in books like this. The tone is not judgemental towards believers but rather lays out clearly and in their own words what their beliefs are.
I also loved that she took the time to give an abridged but still detailed history of the flat Earth conspiracy movement from the 19th century forward.
It's just such a breath of fresh air to read a conspiracy book that doesn't dehumanize the people who believe the theory.
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
Ahsoka by E.K. Johnston
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
Trust the Plan: The Rise of QAnon and the Conspiracy That Unhinged America by William Sommer
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
A great place to start if you're new to the world of buck-wild online conspiracies and how they bleed in to the real world. Sommer also does a fantastic job of humanizing the victims of Q and positing the somehow radical idea of "these are still our fellow man, maybe we don't give up on them" while also holding accountable those who exploit them.
If you are someone deep into the world of conspiracies you may not find new information per say, but the book is written in a way that is very easy to connect with emotionally. You may also find yourself just waiting for your least favorite internet grifters to make an appearance. It's not fun every time!
The book does not follow a linear timeline, instead jumping around in time as it becomes relevant to the topic which can be a bit much at times. All in all though a great account from someone who waded into this world before most other journalists even knew it existed.
If you are someone deep into the world of conspiracies you may not find new information per say, but the book is written in a way that is very easy to connect with emotionally. You may also find yourself just waiting for your least favorite internet grifters to make an appearance. It's not fun every time!
The book does not follow a linear timeline, instead jumping around in time as it becomes relevant to the topic which can be a bit much at times. All in all though a great account from someone who waded into this world before most other journalists even knew it existed.
Vox by Paul Stewart, Chris Riddell
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75