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hbrxnnxmxn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
fast-paced
4.0
Culture Warlords a harrowing, explicit exploration of white supremacist spaces - providing a look at how these groups seem to operate in private and just how deep some of their ideologies go. Frankly I’m not sure how Talia Lavin spent so much time in this spaces (as herself or even under cover) given the disgusting levels of vitriol they exhibit, but it does provide a greater level of understanding into how deep these beliefs go, and some of the real consequences these groups push for. I wish this book explored just a bit more of what brings someone to believe these things, or how indoctrination of such a grand level takes place and especially the role the internet plays in radicalizing someone for the far right. I understand the purpose is more so exploration, and it is not a marginalized group’s responsibility to solve an issue, but I also think it would have been helpful to see part of this book, even a small part, dedicated to how to best combat white supremacy or the ways to overcome it online or otherwise. These are very hard topics and there aren’t easy answers.
edesreads's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
smritz's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Pretty good, at least for someone like myself who has been interesting in reading about and monitoring the far-right for a while. Even so, this book managed to cover some events that I don't recall ever hearing about. Not to mention reading about all this from the perspective of a Jewish woman was very interesting.
tori_tbr's review against another edition
5.0
Her book pulls back the layers of unsorted trash in our collective culture that we haven't dealt with. Great for anyone who wants to learn more about the culture and conditions that lead to modern white supremacist self-radicaliztion online. It's written in a narrative way with personal examples from the author so it's an easy read or listen for people who want to learn more but would rather learn from a long-form article format instead of the more common instructive text-book style in books describing American White Nationalist radicals. Her decision to go undercover to doxx (reveal the personal details and identity of another person remotely, online)white supremacists and share her research into American and European White Supremacy movements. Her description is really pragmatic, reflective and timely.
torabella216's review against another edition
3.0
There’s so much important content in this book and while I did learn more about historical origins of white supremacy lingo and folklore, I was a bit disappointed by the lack of novelty or original commentary. Perhaps I needed more stories about catfishing neo nazis or maybe the shock of the insidious nature of white supremacy has worn off in the tumultuous years 2 years since this book was written. Either way, the book didn’t live up to the hype it built sitting in my TBR pile. Still a valuable read and certainly quick to get through.
shetef's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Vital reading for antifascists everywhere. Talia Lavin's work here is both heartfelt and brave. Very excited for her next book to come out in October.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Gun violence