The Storm Is upon Us

How QAnon Became a Movement, Cult, and Conspiracy Theory of Everything

By: Mike Rothschild

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

Length: 7 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

Its messaging can seem cryptic, even nonsensical, yet for tens of thousands of people, it explains everything: What is QAnon, where did it come from, and is the Capitol insurgency a sign of where it’s going next?

On October 5, 2017, President Trump made a cryptic remark in the State Dining Room at a gathering of military officials. He said it felt like “the calm before the storm” - then refused to elaborate as puzzled journalists asked him to explain. But on the infamous message boards of 4chan, a mysterious poster going by “Q Clearance Patriot”, who claimed to be in “military intelligence”, began the elaboration on their own.

In the days that followed, Q’s wild yarn explaining Trump’s remarks began to rival the sinister intricacies of a Tom Clancy novel, while satisfying the deepest desires of MAGA-America. But did any of what Q predicted come to pass? No. Did that stop people from clinging to every word they were reading, expanding its mythology, and promoting it wider and wider? No.

Why not? Who were these rapt listeners? How do they reconcile their world view with the America they see around them? Why do their numbers keep growing?

Mike Rothschild, a journalist specializing in conspiracy theories, has been collecting their stories for years, and through interviews with QAnon converts, apostates, and victims, as well as psychologists, sociologists, and academics, he is uniquely equipped to explain the movement and its followers.

In The Storm Is upon Us, he takes listeners from the background conspiracies and cults that fed the Q phenomenon, to its embrace by right-wing media and Donald Trump, through the rending of families as loved ones became addicted to Q’s increasingly violent rhetoric, to the storming of the Capitol, and on.

And as the phenomenon shows no sign of calming, despite Trump’s loss of the presidency - with everyone from Baby Boomers to Millennial moms proving susceptible to its messaging - and politicians starting to openly espouse its ideology, Rothschild makes a compelling case that mocking the seeming madness of QAnon will get us nowhere. Rather, his impassioned reportage makes clear that it’s time to figure out what QAnon really is - because QAnon and its relentlessly dark theory of everything isn’t done yet.

©2021 Mike Rothschild (P)2021 Blackstone Publishing

A must read to better understand the Q craze

Mike Rothschild brilliantly and logically unpacks the convoluted Q movement from its inception in a way that helps outsiders understand it's relationship to white nationalism, evangelism, militarism, conspiracy theory obsession, and the need to be relevant / make an impact, and "be special" in a world that increasingly isolates, alienates, and makes us paranoid against one another.

In addition he offers strategizes to reach loved ones who seem "lost" to this fervor, using empathy and love rather than judgement and labels.

Last, he challenges listeners and readers to reframe the idea of the cult, by examining the extent to which the Q movement fits and challenges the cult label.

As someone on the outer limits of the outside, I learned a lot about this movement as well as this community.

Extremely comprehensive, offers more resources for further info

Absolutely loved this book. I also appreciate that he provided resources to further reading. Additionally, I like the approach he takes regarding mocking/attacking people with bad ideas: you’ll never help them escape if they feel attacked.

Great book, lousy narrator

Good book but unfortunate choice for narrator. Joe Barrett doesn't even sound like his other books, his voice is both higher and more raspy. He sounds like an old character actor cold-reading a script that he's never seen before. The real shame is that I've heard the actual author on podcasts and he has a great voice, he would have done a much better job himself. Still, excellent book if you want to understand the weirdest and scariest social movement around.

Demystifies QANON with Empathy and Reason

Loved the book and reader's performance was easy to get used to. Excellently written. Offers an introduction to intermediate level understanding of Q and qanon, the "deep state," nesara/gesara, Iraqi Dinar scam, and other similar grifts. Thank you Mike Rothschild!

I've read about cults and love this book

I've read about cults, scientology, FLDS, Nxvm, Rajnishies and this book is amazing. you will find a really in depth overview of what makes Q well, Q. I've been on the conservative leaning side of the political fence in some shape or another for a long time. until last year I hadn't exactly heard of Q or even could put a face to Q (so to speak). this book helps untangle the mythology and create a comprehensive look into a social phenomena. for those of you who like reading about alex jones or David Icke (or like minded conspiracy nuts) you'll be in for a rich and rewarding read.

Awesome book on QAnon

The first thing I must say about this book is that Mike Rothschild is an incredible writer. This is the first book of his that I’ve read, and it’s difficult for me to really get into books like this, but a great writer like Mike can keep me engaged. Rothschild covers everything from top to bottom when it comes to the QAnon movement, so if you’re curious about what it is, how it started, and all of the stories that came from it, this book’s for you. I’ve been following the QAnon news for a long time and have even done content around some of the stories, so I thought I knew just about everything and figured this book wouldn’t tell me anything new. But I was wrong. There were plenty of stories in this book about QAnon followers that I hadn’t heard before. Although this book didn’t have as much psychology as I typically look for in books, Mike covered some big ideas when it comes to cognitive dissonance, how people get sucked in, and most importantly, how to get a loved one out. So, if you’re curious about learning more about what QAnon is or want to hear some new stories written by a great author, you should definitely get this book.

Important information hurriedly presented.

Speech rate is too fast, terms of art are not patiently defined, and sarcasm complicates comprehension.

I suppose many will find this book instructive. Eventually, I will as well if I listen to it several times and become more tolerant of his gratuitous sarcasm.

I did not listen to this to be amused. I want to learn about Qanon first. Then I will better be able to appreciate the derision without it interfering with comprehension.

Knowledgeable and entertaining

I couldn’t stop listening. I really enjoyed the way Mike lays out Q and really dives into the origin. Good for those who are very aware of Q related lunacy and those who’ve no idea what they’re in for.

Check it out!

One of those books that makes you think while keeping you engaged the whole time.

for the uninitiated

Thorough and entertaining, given the 6th, everyone should understand more what this movement/cult/ideology is...

great job! lays it all out.