American Extremism: History, Politics and the Militia Movement (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780415483803)

American Extremism explains how at the heart of the politics practiced by the militia movement is an attempt to define the nature of 'Americanism', and shows how militia members employ the myths, metaphors and perceived historical lessons of the American Revolution, the constitutional settlement and America's frontier experience to do so. Mulloy argues that militia members' search for the 'authority of history' leads them to a position best characterized as 'ahistorical historicism', in which political interests in the present are given greater weight than the demands of a historically accurate reading of the past.

With discussion of such recent events as the Oklahoma City bombing, Waco and the September 11th attacks alongside topical issues including militia conspiracy theories and the origins of Americans' right to keep and bear arms, this work provides the deepest understanding to date of the American militia movement.

Author: Darren Mulloy
ISBN-10: 0415483808
ISBN-13: 9780415483803
Publisher: Routledge
Language: English
Published: 10/01/2008
Pages: 248
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.78lbs
Size: 9.21h x 6.14w x 0.52d

Review Citation(s):
Library Journal 05/01/2013 pg. 45