In God’s Country

Covering the timely topic of militia activity in the Northwest, this book is based on interviews with Patriot extremists and gives readers an understanding of their motivations by allowing them to speak for themselves. This overview of Patriot organizations and their beliefs and actions is chilling--but important.

Rather than simply demonizing or directing outrage at Patriot and militia organizations, as some recent high-visibility publications have done, David Neiwert takes the approach of allowing Patriot extremists to speak for themselves and largely on their own terms. His critical journalistic dialogue allows us to better understand the social, economic, philosophical, and religious complexities of how and why these people have come to think the way they do.

There is no question that strains of racism, paranoia, ill-will, and even evilness can characterize many of these people, but it is equally true that they--often minimally educated, and economically and socially challenged by the changing times--are desperately responding to feelings of having been marginalized, and even disenfranchised, from the American dream.

Neiwert’s comprehensive manuscript presents an overview of the multitude of Patriot organizations and beliefs found in the Northwest today. Neiwert feels it is essential to maintain some kind of dialogue with Patriots because, after all, these people are our neighbors and relatives, and they are here to stay.

Contents
Acknowledgments
Foreword
1. Land of the Freeman
2. Parallel Universe
3. God’s Country
4. MOM and Apple Pie
5. Roundup
6. A Destroying Wind
7. Almost Heaven
8. A Hard Land
9. Bitterroot
10. High Noon
11. End of the Universe
12. Home of the Brave
Afterword: Ash on the Sills
Postscript
Endnotes
Index