Talia Lavin manages to make some of the most repugnant aspects of society absolutely fascinating to read about in Culture Warlords. This on its own is a major accomplishment, but when you combine it with all the historical and modern information about white supremacists, incels, and fascists, this book becomes a must read for everyone who wants to build a more just and equal world. After all, how can we improve things if we don’t have a good understanding of those who want to see the world burn?

Lavin, a Jewish woman and journalist, took on several false personas to insert herself deep into the world of white supremacy. She visited everything from hate-filled forums to dating sites for white people who hate POC, Jews, feminists, and the LGBTQ+ community. Her findings are at times highly disturbing, and at other times they’re shockingly banal. Regardless, Lavin’s well-written account is a quick read that will leave you educated and longing for a mental shower.

Lavin deserves high praise for being able to put up with so much hated without becoming radicalized herself. It’s not a job that anyone should have to undertake, but bringing this knowledge to the world at large is a critical public service. If you’ve ever wondered what white supremacists, incels, and other hateful groups really think, along with what they really want, then you should definitely read this book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.

It's not so much that this is a quick read as that, once begun, I could no more put it down than I could stop playing a horror movie in the middle, just when the looming, overarching sense of dread demands some kind of relief. But this is not a horror movie, this is all too real. This is the world we live in.

Of course, I was expecting that when I went in - not just the horror, the revulsion, the recognition, but also how morbidly fascinating the subject matter is. What I wasn't expecting was grace. And humor. And prose that's not only readable, but also manages to be beautiful in places.

This was an amazingly engaging and interesting read, and Lavin's clear-eyed, just rage at the darkness that exists in the human heart is a welcome call to action. Highly recommended.