We Are Proud Boys

How a Right-Wing Street Gang Ushered in a New Era of American Extremism

By: Andy B. Campbell

Narrated by: Stacy Carolan

Length: 8 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

A gripping investigation into the nation’s most notorious far-right group, revealing how they created a new blueprint for extremism and turned American politics into a blood sport

After the 2016 election, Americans witnessed a frightening trend: the sudden rise of a host of new extremist groups across the country. Emboldened by a new president, they flooded political rallies and built fervent online presences, expanding rapidly until they were a regular sight at everyday demonstrations. Amid the chaos, one group emerged as a leader among the others, with matching outfits, bizarre rituals, and a reputation for violence: the Proud Boys.

From leading extremism reporter Andy Campbell, We Are Proud Boys is the definitive narrative exploration of this notorious street gang and all the far-right movements they’re connected to. Through groundbreaking new reporting, Campbell delivers the untold story of a gang of blundering, punch-happy goons who grew to become the centerpiece of American extremism and positioned themselves as the unofficial enforcement arm of the GOP. Beginning with their founding by Gavin McInnes, the media personality best known for co-founding VICE, Campbell takes us deep into the Proud Boys, laying bare their origins and their rise to prominence. As he exposes the group's noxious culture and strange rituals, he reveals how the ultimate project of the Proud Boys–to desensitize Americans to political violence–has succeeded entirely, culminating with Republicans calling the January 6 insurrection "legitimate political discourse." The bizarre, frightening story of the Proud Boys reveals the playbook they have created for domestic extremism, giving us the necessary insight to push back against radicalism in America before it swallows our democracy whole.

©2022 Andy Campbell (P)2022 Hachette Books

Urgency of the Message

This book is well written and balanced. The reader does an excellent job. The message of this book expresses the magnitude of the threat posed by The proud Boys and similar Right Wing Extremist groups. It shows in example after example the fascist ideology these groups espouse and how their ideology and violence could become the norm in the U.S., leading us (with another Trump Presidentisl Victory) into a full blown totalitarian and Fascist State. This book is a ‘call to action’ for all Americans who love our Democracy and respect for all All its citizens. I highly recommend this book

Excellent history and summary of impact of PB's

This is a concise and well-presented history of the Proud Boys, their leaders, their tactics, and their impact in promoting increasing violence in political demonstrations and rallies in the US. No one would accuse Mr. Campbell of providing a balanced and unbiased perspective of the Proud Boys, and he often paints other right wing extremist groups (e.g., Three Percenters, Oath Keepers) with a broadly overlapping brush that inadequately respects their training and commitment to armed violence and their resistance to the Federal Government. However, the book describes the Proud Boy’s formation, unstable leadership and commitment to violence in support of Donald Trump with the tacit support and approval of the Republican Party.

Know thine enemies

Excellent reporting, well summarized on a key part of the fascist threat to peace and democracy in America. The narrator was so good that I forgot I was listening to a narrator and just got drawn into the story.

American the disunited

How in hell did we allow the Republican Party become so un-American? Shame on the coward politicians that are mute in the face of Proud Boys domestic terrorism.

Depressing, But Important

A valuable dip into the origins of contemporary hate groups in America. It is such a shame that America's worst enemies are other Americans. Decent humans mustn't fall asleep a the wheel. This is a real threat, and it is important to know where it came from and how it operates.

I see other reviews trying to do a false equivalence between Antifa and the Proud Boys. The Proud Boys by their own admission are an organized gang seeking violent confrontation to push their agenda of "Western Chauvinism". Antifa is a response to Fascism. I don't agree with violence, but I also don't agree with allowing violent thugs to overrun democracy, and bring back fascism and nazism.

Todays Proud Boys are yesteryear’s Brown Shirts

Narration is clear, varied and interesting.

Author documents in detail the Proud Boy’s origin, growth, organizational structure, mission, culture, despicable violence inflicted on legitimate protesters (whom the speciously claim are anti-fascist hooligans) and simple, effective tactics.

This book is thorough, replete with numerous descriptions and instances of their wanton violence. Furthermore, he convincingly argues that we are bound to further suffer their brutality, because many people, particularly including Republicans and paranoid alarmists, like what they do. Civility, honest debate, and abhorrence of violence be damned!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Well worth your time no matter what you may know

Excellent book on one of the worst of the recent US facist movement gangs, The Proud Boys. No matter what you may know about them, you will still likely learn more if you take the time to listen. Get this audio book and listen.

Pronunciation

It would have been nice if the narrator or the producer would have taken the time to get the pronunciations of places in Portland Oregon correct. For example; the name of the rive that runs through the city or the name of the Parkway that runs parallel to the aforementioned river that runs through Portland.

Takes the PB Seriously as a Violent Gang

Campbell makes a strong, detailed case that the Proud Boys have pretty successfully marketed themselves as a drinking club full of simple, salt-of-the-earth tough guys who sometimes get out of hand, despite openly crowing that they are a murderously violent political street-fighting gang, and despite committing numerous violent crimes in public. Many readers may be paying attention to the Proud Boys for the first time and be shocked by a lot of what Campbell reports. I've thought of myself as paying attention to the far right for years, but Campbell was able to show me a lot of new information and remind me of things I'd somehow forgotten. (Hey, 'member that MAGA-Trump mail-bomb guy with the wild van covered in MAGA stickers and painted messages? I forgot that guy, but Campbell didn't.)

Stacy Carolan's narration is so good I caught myself talking back to him out loud at times. There are several moments I won't spoil for future readers, where Carolan's subtle intonation helps create the humor or the grimness the author's words are trying to convey.

Opinions may differ but facts are facts

I get it this a book not a news article so his opinion may be laced throughout, but when he presents something as a fact it should actually be a fact