📖 Overview
In Bad Company examines domestic terrorism in America through detailed case studies and interviews with imprisoned extremists. The book focuses on white supremacist and anti-government groups active in the 1980s and 1990s.
Based on extensive research and prison interviews, criminologist Mark Hamm analyzes the paths that led individuals to join terrorist organizations. The text explores the intersection of personal trauma, ideology, and group dynamics in the radicalization process.
The narrative moves between specific cases and broader analysis of far-right extremist movements in the United States. Through investigation of groups like The Order and the Aryan Republican Army, Hamm documents recruitment methods, organizational structures, and operational tactics.
The work offers insights into how seemingly ordinary Americans become involved in political violence and terrorism. Through its examination of individual motivations and group psychology, the book contributes to understanding the persistent challenge of domestic extremism.
👀 Reviews
Readers found this book provided unique insights into the Christian Identity movement and militia activities leading up to the Oklahoma City bombing. The research relies on interviews with imprisoned members of the Aryan Republican Army.
Liked:
- Detailed exploration of how members were recruited and radicalized
- Clear connections between various extremist groups
- First-hand accounts from inside the movement
Disliked:
- Some felt the academic writing style was dry
- A few readers wanted more analysis of prevention strategies
- Questions about reliability of prisoner interviews
Ratings:
Goodreads: 3.7/5 (12 ratings)
Amazon: 4.2/5 (8 ratings)
Notable review comments:
"Important documentation of how these groups operated in the 1990s" - Goodreads reviewer
"Too much focus on theoretical frameworks rather than the actual events" - Amazon reviewer
"The prisoner interviews provide perspectives not found elsewhere" - Library Journal review
📚 Similar books
American Terrorist by Lou Michel, Dan Herbeck
Chronicles Timothy McVeigh's path to the Oklahoma City bombing through interviews and investigative reporting.
Lone Wolf Terror and the Rise of Leaderless Resistance by Jeffrey Kaplan Examines the emergence of individual actors in domestic terrorism through case studies and organizational analysis.
The Turner Diaries by Andrew Macdonald Documents the influence of this underground novel on white supremacist movements and domestic terrorist activities in America.
Terror in the Name of God by Jessica Stern Presents firsthand research into religious extremist groups through interviews with terrorists across multiple ideologies and organizations.
Bringing the War Home by Jeremy Varon Traces the parallel development of left-wing terrorist groups in the United States and Germany during the 1960s and 1970s.
Lone Wolf Terror and the Rise of Leaderless Resistance by Jeffrey Kaplan Examines the emergence of individual actors in domestic terrorism through case studies and organizational analysis.
The Turner Diaries by Andrew Macdonald Documents the influence of this underground novel on white supremacist movements and domestic terrorist activities in America.
Terror in the Name of God by Jessica Stern Presents firsthand research into religious extremist groups through interviews with terrorists across multiple ideologies and organizations.
Bringing the War Home by Jeremy Varon Traces the parallel development of left-wing terrorist groups in the United States and Germany during the 1960s and 1970s.
🤔 Interesting facts
📚 The book examines five domestic terrorist cases that occurred between 1984 and 1996, including the Oklahoma City bombing and the World Trade Center bombing.
🔍 Author Mark S. Hamm conducted extensive personal interviews with imprisoned terrorists while researching this book, providing rare first-hand accounts of their motivations and experiences.
⚖️ As a former prison warden and criminal justice professor at Indiana State University, Hamm brings unique insight into both the correctional system and the mindset of extremist inmates.
💭 The book reveals how many domestic terrorists were radicalized through a combination of military training, prison experiences, and involvement in white supremacist groups.
🏛️ The research presented in this book has been used to help develop FBI profiles of potential domestic terrorists and inform law enforcement training programs.