Rising Out of Hatred: The Awakening of a Former White Nationalist

Rising Out of Hatred follows the transformation of Derek Black, the heir apparent to America's white nationalist movement and son of Don Black, founder of the white supremacist website Stormfront. The narrative traces Derek's journey from his early years as a leader in white nationalism through his time as an undergraduate student at New College of Florida. During his college years, Derek attempts to maintain a double life - participating in white nationalist radio shows and speaking at conferences while also pursuing a conventional academic path. His beliefs face challenges through interactions with diverse classmates and exposure to new historical evidence and perspectives. Through extensive interviews and documentation, Saslow reconstructs the key relationships and intellectual turning points that impacted Derek's worldview. The account includes the perspectives of Derek's family members, fellow students, and others who intersected with his story. The book examines larger questions about how beliefs are formed and dismantled, the role of education and relationships in changing minds, and the possibilities for transformation even among those deeply embedded in extremist ideologies.

Readers found this story compelling as a real-world account of how someone changes deeply-held beliefs through relationships and education. Many noted the book's relevance to current political divisions. Positives from reviews: - Clear, detailed reporting and research - Shows the step-by-step process of changing beliefs - Presents multiple perspectives without judgment - Documents the role of college education in expanding worldview Common criticisms: - Some sections feel repetitive - Not enough examination of white nationalist movement overall - A few readers wanted more analysis of psychology behind belief changes Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (7,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (580+ ratings) Representative review: "Saslow shows how patient engagement and fact-based discussion can actually change minds, even with the most extreme views. Important lesson for our divided times." - Goodreads reviewer "The story needed more voices from the white nationalist movement to provide fuller context." - Amazon reviewer

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🔹 The book's subject, Derek Black, is the godson of David Duke (former KKK Grand Wizard) and was once considered the heir apparent to America's white nationalist movement. 🔹 Author Eli Saslow won the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting before writing this book, which became a New York Times Notable Book of 2018. 🔹 Derek Black's transformation began at New College of Florida, where a Jewish student invited him to weekly Shabbat dinners, leading to friendships that challenged his beliefs. 🔹 Before his change of heart, Derek Black created a children's page on Stormfront (his father's white nationalist website) and hosted a daily radio show promoting white nationalism. 🔹 The book draws from hundreds of hours of interviews with Derek Black, his family, friends, and former white nationalist associates, as well as personal correspondence and private online forums.