Fascinating read, interesting characters. My take on it is that everyone thinks they are right and that no one else knows what they are talking about.
Nobody can infiltrate and reveal the contradictions within Australia's white nationalist/anti-Islam and anarchist/socialist groups like John Safran. Equal parts terrifying and hilarious, this book shows I have no idea what's happening in my own city let alone my country.
Brilliant, brave, illuminating and very funny.
John Safran has a way of exposing the hypocrisy of extremism while forcing us to examine our own beliefs in a way that only he can. His sarcasm and humour and the fact that he is always at the centre of his stories mean that his books, including Depend What You Mean By Extremist, are compelling, disturbing and hilarious.
A well rounded, gonzo journalistic look at extremism in Australia.. Showing that no matter how or where you identify on the spectrum, you're probably deluding yourself about something in your belief system!
WOOO AMY READ A BOOK
John knocked it out of the park, complicated and great. Read read read.
"Maybe it's helpful for people to know that dangerous people have charisma"
This was excellent, an exploration of the ugly, tribal complexity of Australian politics, the rise of the extreme right in the most left of Australian cities, and an exploration of what informs the creation of genuinely disturbing beliefs.
Combining Safran's surprisingly thoughtful writing and trademark transgressive humor this is fundamentally a True Crime book (is it ever!
I give John 5 stars for sheer nerve and nuttiness but, for me, the book itself gets a 3 because it lost its momentum and came to a dull end.
I really enjoyed this. It's best read in few and close together sittings - there are so many characters and stories to follow.
