American Reich: A Murder in Orange County, Neo-Nazis, and a New Age of Hate
by Eric Lichtblau
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From the Pulitzer-winning author of the New York Times bestseller The Nazis Next Door, a deeply reported exploration of the violent resurgence of hatred and white supremacy through the lens of Orange County, California—“ground zero” for racial extremism—and the story of one brutal murder there that revealed the deep roots of violent bigotry as a bellwether for the country.One night in early 2018, while he was home from college, an Ivy League student named Blaze Bernstein snuck out of his parents’ house in Orange County. Waiting for him in a car outside was an old high-school classmate: Sam Woodward, someone who Blaze mostly remembered as a brooding, bigoted loner. But that night, after... The author’s ability to manage multiple elements within the story contributes to its overall strength. Plot, character, and theme are integrated in a way that feels cohesive rather than fragmented. This integration supports a smooth and engaging narrative. This book stands out for its ability to convey complex ideas in a way that feels natural and easy to follow. Rather than relying on excessive exposition, the author allows the story to evolve organically through dialogue and action. Readers often appreciate how the pacing remains consistent, avoiding unnecessary detours while still providing enough detail to fully understand the motivations behind each character. This approach creates a reading experience that feels both thoughtful and satisfying.
