Them: Adventures with Extremists

By: Jon Ronson

Narrated by: Jon Ronson

Length: 8 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

Them began as a book about different kinds of extremists, but after Jon had got to know some of them - Islamic fundamentalists, neo-Nazis, Ku Klux Klansmen - he found that they had one oddly similar belief: that a tiny, shadowy elite rule the world from a secret room. In Them, Jon sets out, with the help of the extremists, to locate that room. The journey is as creepy as it is comic, and along the way Jon is chased by men in dark glasses, unmasked as a Jew in the middle of a Jihad training camp, and witnesses international CEOs and politicians participate in a bizarre pagan ritual in the forests of northern California.

Them is a fascinating and entertaining exploration of extremism, in which Jon learns some alarming things about the looking-glass world of ‘them’ and ‘us’. Are the extremists on to something? Or has Jon become one of Them?

©2012 Jon Ronson (P)2012 Audible Ltd

Critic reviews

"A funny, superbly controlled account of [Ronson’s] wanderings through the wonderland of fanaticism and delusion." (Brian Appleyard, New Statesman)

"This book is chilling and hilarious by turns. Ronson’s trademark laid-back attitude is a delight." ( Independent)

"A funny and compulsively readable picaresque adventure through a paranoid shadow world." (Louis Theroux, Guardian)

"Ronson plays up to his charming buffoonery... But he is an acute social commentator. He is compelling." ( Times Literary Supplement)

Love Jon's Reading!

Follow Jon Ronson as he searches for The Bilderberg Group, a secret society that allegedly rules the world. Jon seems to find some of the scariest people you can imagine, and gives them a humanity you won't find in the news. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a great mystery. Also, you'll be googling "Bilderberg Group" when you're done to find out more!

Still Timely

I felt, as I listened to this book, that I was getting an insider look at the beginnings of today's fringe right-wing. This is especially true of two of the threads--the people/groups who left the KKK to form other groups and Alex Jones. I was listening to this book as the Sandy Hook defamation trial was underway and his ex-wife went public to say he is a "dangerous king of mentally ill." His behavior during the trial and the things his ex says are certainly on display in this 19-year-old book.

I enjoyed Jon Ronson's reading/performance.

The only thing which was a negative, and this is no fault of the author, is that 20 years ago, these extremists were somewhat silly, and that is Ronson's take on them. Now we see the damage they can do and there is nothing funny about them.

I definitely recommend this book, especially if you are wanting to better understand extremists without a sociological approach.

Them and Terrorism

What did you love best about Them: Adventures with Extremists?

As with all Jon Ronson books, this one was truly pleasurable in audio format—he should offer his services as a professional reader in addition to his writing career. I commend him on his bravery in interacting with “them” and maintaining an unbiased and sometimes amusing (how can you wage Jihad if you can touch a fish), perspective. For me this book was important because it provides a different perspective on my research on terrorist organizational behavior and leadership (ISBN-13: 978-0615687391). While it’s difficult to view the world from the perspective of the extremist, it’s imperative to understanding why they do and behave the way they do. I recommend this book to those interested in the behaviors of individuals and groups, particularly as an alternate reference when researching terrorism.

Not my favorite Jon Ronson book

I'm a huge fan of Jon Ronson but I didn't find this book as interesting as some of his others. His writing, as always, is clever and the book was well-researched but I didn't find the subject matter that compelling. Extremists - conspiracy theorists, wing-nuts, paranoid crazy people - are fascinating in small doses, but after a while they get boring.

Love Jon Ronson

What did you love best about Them: Adventures with Extremists?

A romp through crazy town with a great host. Also learned some things.

What other book might you compare Them: Adventures with Extremists to and why?

Jon Krakauer without the yuks. They like the same subjects.

Which scene was your favorite?

I loved the descriptions of bohemian grove and the men urinating on trees!

Any additional comments?

His books are great and I am going to read all of them at some point. I love that he is the narrator. Self narrations really adds allot in my opinion. Good narration can make or break an audiobook in my opinion.

If he says "haHA" one more time....

Interesting book but toward the end I really couldnt handle the author saying "haHA" at all, makes all the conversations in the book sound like a joke.

Wish it were better, and where’s the ending?

As advertised, this is a book about Jon Ronson’s experiences with different extremists, racists, conspiracy theorists, and crackpots. It’s obvious he put a lot of time and effort developing relationships and getting a material for this book ,but maybe not so much time and effort writing it. For a “humorist,” this book isn’t very funny. tt doesn’t read like Zany Adventures with Wackos in the Woods. On the other hand, it’s not very informative. There are no detailed biographies of conspiracy leaders, histories of secret societies. Or alternative theories to counter the conspiracy narrative and accompany Bronson’s narrative. For example, why were they followed by a guy in sunglasses?
Finally, the book ends rather abruptly, without a conclusion. Just Branson saying, “I shut my computer off. I’m tired…”
What!?

A different take from Jon Ronson

a little different from previous Jon Ronson books. this one focuses on his time with various extremists...ie Randy Weaver, Alex Jones, the Bildaberg group etc. interesting takes and insights into each with each having their own story. interesting but not as compelling as others in his line.

not what I was expecting or hoping for

this story was often repetitive and not well organized. interesting premise though and interesting end.

Juvenile.

With the exception of the Bo Gritz/Randy Weaver section, it was like following a gang of imaginative 4th graders on a romp.