Review: Them
Editorial Review - Kirkus ReviewsA picaresque journey into the wonderland of delusional fanatics, often scary, yet wildly funny. Ronson, a British journalist and documentary filmmaker (Channel 4's The Secret Rulers of the World) explores the world of religious and political extremists, from Omar Bakri Mohammed, a hapless militant Islamic fundamentalist cheerfully trying to organize a jihad in North London, to David Icke, ranting that the world is run by a global elite descended from a race of extraterrestrial 12-foot lizards. (The response to Icke of the Anti-Defamation League, ever alert for anti-Semitism disguised by code words, suggests that paranoia is not confined to the lunatic fringes.) Most encounters, such as with an Arkansas Ku Klux Klan leader who eschews use of the "N" word (in public), or with Dr. Ian Paisley preaching his conspiracy theories in Cameroon, read like a comic novel, as the deadpan Ronson lets his subjects skewer themselves with their own words. Less laughable is his visit with Randy Weaver's daughter Rachel, which leads him to conclude that the killings at Ruby Ridge were made possible by the demonization of the Weavers as white supremacists. A subsequent brief meeting with skinheads at the Aryan Nation in Idaho is one of the most chilling episodes here. From his wanderings among extremists, Ronson learns that their most consistent belief is that the world is run by a cabal of international financiers and politicians, mostly Jews, known as the Bilderberg group, who periodically gather in a secret room to determine the planet's fate. Ronson's mission, to track down the secret rulers of the world and discover who they are and what they actually do, is the stuff of high comedy, and what he finds is about as sinister as a frat party. Ronson's eye for the telling detail and his gift for capturing hilarious dialogue make this an entertaining read, but laughs aside, this is serious and thought-provoking stuff, and likely to nettle left, right, and some in the middle too.
Review: Them: Adventures With Extremists
Editorial Review - Bookreporter.com - Fred KoveyIt goes without saying that extremism is on everyone's mind nowadays. Whether that's the reason that Jon Ronson's THEM, a British book, has been released in America is an open question. There's little doubt that the new preface addressing September 11th is the kind of socially relevant touchstone that a publisher would never let pass by. But how much does the book itself really have to say about ... Read full review
Review: Them: Adventures with Extremists
User Review - Mohamed - GoodreadsA balanced book about how the conspiracy theorist sum up all the information and got deluded by their own mind. Keeping the cinematic vision and suspenseful style is one of the great capabilities of ... Read full review
Review: Them: Adventures with Extremists
User Review - Brendan - GoodreadsIt's a little disconcerting how close Ronson gets to very scary people in this book. But his point, I think, is that even the very scary people are just people. Them details Ronson's journey into the ... Read full review
Review: Them: Adventures with Extremists
User Review - Ashley Farley - GoodreadsI can't say this enough but I absolutely love Jon Ronson. His journalistic and personal view of the world makes for masterful storytelling. His wit inspires me. If I had read any of his work before ... Read full review
Review: Them: Adventures with Extremists
User Review - Astrid - GoodreadsBit dated, but brought me right back to those times. Nice, funny and strangely sinister at the same time. Read full review
Review: Them: Adventures with Extremists
User Review - Cathy Wood - GoodreadsThoroughly enjoyed it. The only negative thing I have to say is that whilst I was reading it and for days afterwards everything I read was in Jon Ronson's voice in my head. is this normal? Read full review
Review: Them: Adventures with Extremists
User Review - Cassie - GoodreadsLoved it. I purchased this book when I was broke, and meant to return it to the store to get the refund, but I just couldn't part with it. I highly recommend this wild journey. Read full review
Review: Them: Adventures with Extremists
User Review - Will Craighead - GoodreadsAmazing Read full review
Review: Them: Adventures with Extremists
User Review - Chris Pederson - Goodreadsa light-hearted look extremists and conspiracy theorists. My absolutely favorite comment from Jon through out the book as he's talking to people is 'Really?' I said. Read full review
