Breaking Hate

February 1, 2020
A former white supremacist leader examines the sinister nature of organized hate-fueled violence. "The delicate fibers of America's fabric have been ripped to shreds by extremism," writes Picciolini, who recounted his personal transformation in White American Youth (2017). His road to reform informs his latest book, which is partly autobiographical yet also drawn from the profiles of people who have fallen prey to the same net of hate and radical racism that had ensnared him as a teenager. In 1987, Picciolini, who felt lost as a young teenager, immersed himself in the neo-Nazi white supremacy movement and helped found two white supremacist punk bands. He openly confesses that once he met and engaged with the actual objects of his hate and rage, he couldn't justify or reconcile that hate any longer and denounced the movement. This lesson is just one of several approaches the author believes are proven deterrents against indoctrination with radical extremist groups. The author explores the ways violence integrates itself into personal histories of bigotry or intolerance and calls out racists by exposing their "protective armor" of agony, shame, fear, and insecurity, beneath which lies a "fractured human." Delving deeper, Picciolini chronicles the evolution of several former extremists he has counselled--e.g., Kassandra, a former white nationalist kidnapped and radicalized by her virtual "online Nazi boyfriend," a case that became one of the most challenging the author ever faced. He also tells the stories of Daniel, a child born into poverty and emotional abuse, and several post-combat, trauma-addled military veterans who fell "into the insidious arms of hate." As an outspoken advocate who has denounced racism and resolved to "repair the harm I once caused," Picciolini sets an instructive example for those questioning their own extremism. As he notes, "this book is my testament to how important empathy, compassion, and self-reflection are." An inspirational and refreshing book for anyone seeking to get out of their cycle of hatred and anger.

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January 10, 2020

Picciolini (White American Youth), head of the Chicago Skinheads for several years until he renounced white supremacy in 1996, now directs the Free Radicals Project, an organization that deprograms "formers," alt-right members seeking to escape their former lives. Here, the author shares gripping stories of his toughest cases and how he uses identity, community, and purpose to repair his clients' emotional and physical "potholes." The most compelling examples include Kassandra, abducted by an undocumented immigrant with the assistance of a Russian troll; Reggie, whose Muslim hatred was shattered following meetings with an Iman; and Daniel, an organizer of the 2017 Unite the Right march in Charlottesville, who met with Susan Bro at a meeting arranged by the author. The mother of Heather Heyer, who was killed at the march in Charlottesville, is also spotlighted. Picciolini faults the Trump administration for encouraging alt-right attacks and withdrawing grant funding for the author's deprogramming efforts. Picciolini and his family continue to receive death threats from the alt-right.

VERDICT This nail-biting narrative will immerse readers wanting to understand the roots and brutality of white supremacy. It will serve as a helpful resource for counselors seeking anecdotal examples of radical politics in action.--Karl Helicher, formerly with Upper Merion Twp. Lib., King of Prussia, PA

Copyright 2020 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2019

Once leader of a notorious neo-Nazi hate group, Picciolini draws on personal experience to explain why such hatred festers and why that needn't be the case. With a 40,000-copy first printing.

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.