Encyclopedia of Modern American Extremists and Extremist Groups

(Hardback)

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Description

The most comprehensive, up-to-date reference work on American extremists and extremist groups. In the last 20 years, the number of extremists and extremist groups in the United States has increased dramatically. This encyclopedia, the only one of its kind, provides the most up-to-date information on 275 of the most influential and significant homegrown extremists and extremist groups that have operated in the United States since 1950, as well as entries on important extremist events, terms, and concepts. More than 75 percent of the converage deals with the period since the 1980s and includes subjects not carried in any other work on the topic. Objective ly written entries focus on left-wing and right-wing individuals and groups who take extreme positions on political, economic, religious, or social issues. Included is the latest information about the workings and agenda of established groups such as the Ku Klux Klan, as well as hard-to-come-by information on a variety of recent militia groups, cults, survivalists, and separatist movements. Each entry is followed by a useful bibliography of books and articles for further research. A timeline of events in American extremism and a selection of photos accompany the text. The largest group of entries deals with political extremism, individuals and groups that advocate a fundamental transformation or overthrow of the United States government. Next in importance are religious extremist groups, which espouse radical religious views. Also featured are economic and social extremists, who combine a strong political orientation with concern about transforming society. Among the many issues covered in this encyclopedia are race, homosexuality, Holocaust denial, anarchy, neo-Nazism, environmentalism, animal rights, and religious cults. Current through the end of 2001, this work is a valuable tool for authoritative information on what has become a growing problem in the United States.

Reviews

.,."provides a comprehensive, alphabetical guide to the most influential and significant extremist people, groups, and movements....Atkins offers the first comprehensive reference work to the broad range of extremism in America....As a book designed for students and general readers, it will be a welcome addition to general reference collections in academic and public libraries."-Reference & User Services Quarterly
.,."this book gives readers insight into a wide range of viewpoints. As it is the only resouce currently available on this topic, academic and large public libraries should strongly consider purchase."-Library Journal
.,."Atkins makes a marvelous attempt to ferret out from the nether regions of society individuals or groups who perpetrate such heinous acts as murder, bombing, and other acts of violence or condone them under the guise of righteousness....Highly recommended for all levels of readers."-Choice
...provides a comprehensive, alphabetical guide to the most influential and significant extremist people, groups, and movements....Atkins offers the first comprehensive reference work to the broad range of extremism in America....As a book designed for students and general readers, it will be a welcome addition to general reference collections in academic and public libraries.-Reference & User Services Quarterly
...this book gives readers insight into a wide range of viewpoints. As it is the only resouce currently available on this topic, academic and large public libraries should strongly consider purchase.-Library Journal
...Atkins makes a marvelous attempt to ferret out from the nether regions of society individuals or groups who perpetrate such heinous acts as murder, bombing, and other acts of violence or condone them under the guise of righteousness....Highly recommended for all levels of readers.-Choice
The entries are easy to read and have a great deal of information that high school students doing research would have trouble finding elsewhere. Recommended.-Library Media Connection
Useful for the academic circulating collections.-Gale
While other books cover specific aspects of extremism, this work offer a more comprehensive survey. It will be useful in high-school, public, and academic libraries.-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
With particularly good coverage of the past 20 years, this quide to a troubling topic is highly recommended for academic and public libraries.-Lawrence Looks At Books
..."this book gives readers insight into a wide range of viewpoints. As it is the only resouce currently available on this topic, academic and large public libraries should strongly consider purchase."-Library Journal
..."Atkins makes a marvelous attempt to ferret out from the nether regions of society individuals or groups who perpetrate such heinous acts as murder, bombing, and other acts of violence or condone them under the guise of righteousness....Highly recommended for all levels of readers."-Choice
"The entries are easy to read and have a great deal of information that high school students doing research would have trouble finding elsewhere. Recommended."-Library Media Connection
"Useful for the academic circulating collections."-Gale
"While other books cover specific aspects of extremism, this work offer a more comprehensive survey. It will be useful in high-school, public, and academic libraries."-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
"With particularly good coverage of the past 20 years, this quide to a troubling topic is highly recommended for academic and public libraries."-Lawrence Looks At Books
..."provides a comprehensive, alphabetical guide to the most influential and significant extremist people, groups, and movements....Atkins offers the first comprehensive reference work to the broad range of extremism in America....As a book designed for students and general readers, it will be a welcome addition to general reference collections in academic and public libraries."-Reference & User Services Quarterly

Author Bio

STEPHEN E. ATKINS is Associate University Librarian for Collection Management at the Sterling C. Evans Library at Texas A&M University.