forestofglory

This book was written after the Oklahoma City Bombing to help explain why there are so many violent radicals in the rural US. The author is a historian so she approached the problem from a historical perspective. The book argues that there are two strands in US rural radicalism, which the author calls producer radicalism and vigilantism. Producer radicalism is about wanting to make a living farming independently, while vigilantism is what it sounds like -- violence to those considered other. However she didn't really convince me that these two groups had separate histories. It seemed that the vigilantes general directed their violence at groups they felt where threatening their way of life and economic well being -- and as such where mostly a violent out growth of producer radicalism.

The book covers many historical protests and political movements -- but none in very much detail. I would have liked more details as I sometimes felt there wasn't enough detail to support the arguments.I may go read up on some of these movements.