Rising out of Hatred Audiobook By Eli Saslow cover art

Rising out of Hatred

The Awakening of a Former White Nationalist

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Rising out of Hatred

By: Eli Saslow
Narrated by: Scott Brick, Eli Saslow
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About this listen

From a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter, the powerful story of how a prominent white supremacist changed his heart and mind

Derek Black grew up at the epicenter of white nationalism. His father founded Stormfront, the largest racist community on the Internet. His godfather, David Duke, was a KKK Grand Wizard. By the time Derek turned 19, he had become an elected politician with his own daily radio show - already regarded as the "the leading light" of the burgeoning white nationalist movement. "We can infiltrate," Derek once told a crowd of white nationalists. "We can take the country back."

Then he went to college. Derek had been homeschooled by his parents, steeped in the culture of white supremacy, and he had rarely encountered diverse perspectives or direct outrage against his beliefs. At New College of Florida, he continued to broadcast his radio show in secret each morning, living a double life until a classmate uncovered his identity and sent an email to the entire school: "Derek Black...white supremacist, radio host...New College student???"

The ensuing uproar overtook one of the most liberal colleges in the country. Some students protested Derek's presence on campus, forcing him to reconcile for the first time with the ugliness his beliefs. Other students found the courage to reach out to him, including an Orthodox Jew who invited Derek to attend weekly Shabbat dinners. It was because of those dinners - and the wide-ranging relationships formed at that table - that Derek started to question the science, history, and prejudices behind his worldview. As white nationalism infiltrated the political mainstream, Derek decided to confront the damage he had done.

Rising out of Hatred tells the story of how white-supremacist ideas migrated from the far-right fringe to the White House through the intensely personal saga of one man who eventually disavowed everything he was taught to believe, at tremendous personal cost. With great empathy and narrative verve, Eli Saslow asks what Derek's story can tell us about America's increasingly divided nature. This is a book to help us understand the American moment and to help us better understand one another.

©2018 Eli Saslow (P)2018 Random House Audio
Activists Ideologies & Doctrines Nationalism Political Science Politics & Activism Politics & Government Racism & Discrimination Social Sciences Social justice Student Liberalism Thought-Provoking Inspiring Discrimination
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Critic reviews

Rising Out of Hatred is a disturbing look at the spread of that extremism - and how it is planted and cultivated in the fertile soil of American bigotry. And yet, Saslow’s vivid storytelling also conveys that during this period of deepening racial division, there is the possibility of redemption." (Washington Post)

“The story of Derek Black is the human being at his gutsy, self-reflecting, revolutionary best, told by one of America’s best storytellers at his very best. Rising out of Hatred proclaims if the successor to the white nationalist movement can forsake his ideological upbringing, can rebirth himself in antiracism, then we can too no matter the personal cost. This book is an inspiration.” (Ibram X. Kendi, National Book Award-winning author of Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America)

“This is a double portrait: of a worse America, and of a better one. Neither of them has yet come to pass, but each of them might. Thanks to reporting that is both truthful and humane, we see in one young man's decision a guide to the choices that face a generation and a country." (Timothy Snyder, New York Times best-selling author of On Tyranny and The Road to Unfreedom)

Editor's Pick

A personal look at the evolution of white nationalism
"From the rise of David Duke in the '80s and '90s to the "All Lives Matter" protests of today, Rising Out of Hatred covers the history (and spectrum) of white nationalism in the United States. With a magnifying glass on Derek Black’s personal relationship to the movement, Saslow’s writing doesn’t necessarily encourage sympathy. But it does try to humanize, offering a powerful lesson in empathy and change. As the heir-apparent to Stormfront and white supremacist politics, Derek’s situation is by no means a one-size-fits-all example. Even so, given the current political climate and news cycle, it feels more than relevant to any listener. "
Michael C., Audible Editor

Compelling Transformation • Thought-provoking Narrative • Sympathetic Protagonist • Educational Insights • Engaging Reading
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great book really loved it wish there was more to the book would like to know more about their lives nows

great book

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I am a white wife & mother. My best friend is Chinese & my cousin married a black man from Africa. Both of these people are amazing humans! I will never understand hate, but this book explains some of its roots. Thank you Derek Roland Black for sharing your story & how you were forever changed after knowing & loving many who are often sadly oppressed & more

Most important book to read now!

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Said the grand wizard's son. If you read nothing else, read chapters 12 - 14.

"74 million people chose white supremacy"

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this book is a must read / listen (a great listen especially for someone who is very much a visual learner). this makes you question everything, realize so much, and really double down on the need to combat white nationalism. Well done.

life changing

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This book and the presentation are amazing. Great story. Eye opening and informative, I could not stop listening!

must read!

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I can’t recommend it highly enough. I learned so much and it’s narrating my thoughts.

This book is so important

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This was an easy, fast read and hard to hear. I think every american needs to read it, right now!

A must read for all!

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This was an excellent book. Everyone needs to read this book for the future of the United States.

Required reading

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The by turns depressing and inspiring story of a young man's indoctrination into and departure from White Nationalism, which is simply a more "polite" name for KKK ideology. His journey was a difficult one, and the writer lets the reader share in his struggle. Well worth your time, although I had to take it in small doses.

Hope Springs Eternal

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An unsensationalized telling of a disturbing story. It is hopeful in that someone can change if still able to think critically. However, it seems most cannot or will not consider information contrary to their beliefs.

Disturbing yet hopeful

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