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Going Mainstream

How extremists are taking over

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Going Mainstream

By: Julia Ebner
Narrated by: Emily Pennant-Rea
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'Piercingly revelatory ... a tour de force' - Carl Miller, author of The Death of the Gods

'...a must-read ' - Eliot Higgins, author of We Are Bellingcat

'A timely and frighteningly revealing book' - Richard Kerbaj, author of The Secret History of the Five Eyes

The internationally bestselling author of Going Dark: the secret social lives of extremists (A Telegraph Book of the Year) returns to explore why radical ideas are increasingly infiltrating politics, popular culture and our everyday lives.

Incels. Anti Vaxxers. Conspiracy theorists. Neo-Nazis. Once, these groups all belonged on the fringes of the political spectrum. Today, accelerated by a pandemic, global conflict and rapid technological change, their ideas are becoming more widespread: QAnon proponents run for U.S. Congress, neo-fascists win elections in Europe, and celebrity influencers spread dangerous myths to millions. Going Mainstream asks the question: What is happening here?

Going undercover online and in person, UK counter-extremism expert Julia Ebner reveals how, united by a shared sense of grievance and scepticism about institutions, radicalised individuals are influencing the mainstream as never before. Hidden from public scrutiny, they leverage social media to create alternative information ecosystems and build sophisticated networks funded by dark money.

Ebner's candid conversations with extremists offer a nuanced and gripping insight into why people have turned to the fringes. She explores why outlandish ideas have taken hold and disinformation is spreading faster than ever. And she speaks to the activists and educators who are fighting to turn the tide.

Going Mainstream is a dispatch from the darkest front of the culture wars, and a vital wake-up call. Elections & Political Process Freedom & Security Politics & Government Social Sciences Violence in Society Funny Espionage Social justice
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Critic reviews

'A sober and sobering read that helps disentangle an important though often misunderstood phenomenon' (Brendan Daly)
'A haunting and essential account of how so many people around the world have embraced extreme ideas' (Cynthia Miller-Idris)
'A timely and frighteningly revealing book. It should be on the shelves of every Western spy agency working to defeat extremist ideologies' (Richard Kerbaj, author of The Secret History of the Five Eyes)
'Piercingly revelatory ... a tour de force' (Carl Miller, author of The Death of the Gods)
'Riveting and often deeply disturbing ... A punch to the stomach'
'With unparalleled insight and urgency, Ebner reveals the dangerous spread of extremist beliefs. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the terrifying new reality we face' (Eliot Higgins, author of We Are Bellingcat)
'Fascinating and important'
'Ebner has done some gutsy, thought-provoking research'
'Engaging and visceral ... Reads like a thriller'
All stars
Most relevant
If you want to know more and combat far-right ignorance this is a good place to start. Some will argue that it could have used other fringe groups from leftist or religous backgrounds which I would agree that would be interesting however this book is about how the corrupt far right views are interconnected. it shows how they all use fascist tools take anxieties and ignorance and make a world view of conspiracy, confirmation bias, contradiction and ultimately instability in our modern culture and shows how in the age of the internet how dangerous it is. It ends with a call to action built out of resolute steadfast denial of these thought patterns to continue to resonate in our culture and the importance how the sensible centre needs to call out untruths and perniciousness to what is a big threat to our society.

One thing I would say is that this is certainly the work of a focused journalist who is an expert in her field at tracking these groups, and so looks at the thought patterns and inaccuracies in their worldview, if you're looking for a takedown of the right or help someone stuck in these communities you may have to read other books as I believe for some who is stuck in the far right thought loop they would find this book initially unconvincing. but it does help understand these communities which is probably a good first step.

Exposing the deluded hard-right fringe

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Julia exposes the dangers of right wing extremism and points out the lack of association on the left

This is a very important book

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A bit of an uplift to earlier work by Andrea Nagle. Looks at how different forms of online conspiracy groups such as anti-feminism, anti-trans, anti-vax etc all intersect with and get funnelled by far right groups. Her views on trans rights are balanced (and definitely pro trans) so expect a load of one star pile ones from gender critical as well as trans rights peolle.

Well narrated. Very accessible.

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Thought provoking. Having built the case for 'doing something,', not convinced the suggestions will work.

A serious and important subject

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