Unfortunately I couldn’t finish this book because it was too graphic and disturbing for me. I’m so sorry that the author went through these things.

This captivating book meticulously delves into the intricate backgrounds of notable figures like Timothy McVeigh and other right-wing extremists, meticulously examining their current affiliations with militant ideologies. Going beyond widely known incidents such as the Oklahoma bombing, it comprehensively covers the events of January 6, 2021, shedding a spotlight on the gravity of domestic terrorism. Unfortunately, this critical issue often languishes in the shadows due to its unfortunate association with white supremacy, frequently eclipsed by external attacks.

Toobin's profound expertise and extensive research culminate in an exceptional, meticulously fact-based analysis of both the extremist and the event. Toobin illuminates that McVeigh's exposure to right-wing propaganda dates back to high school, under the influence of radical talk show hosts like the prolific Rush Limbaugh, who disseminated harmful ideas on a daily basis. Notably, Toobin underscores that McVeigh wasn't acting in isolation; rather, he collaborated with like-minded individuals who fervently supported his anti-government views. Their shared belief in an imminent second civil war reveals a striking confidence in overcoming perceived threats.

As we immerse ourselves in Timothy McVeigh's narrative, it becomes imperative to traverse the historical roots of this extremism, meticulously exploring its intricate connections to white supremacy and the unsettling history of lynch mobs. A robust link appears to intricately tie McVeigh's extremism to the ideologies of those embroiled in the events of January 6, 2021, a quarter-century later. Therefore, grasping the historical nuances and motivations of right-wing extremist groups is not merely advisable but imperative. Armed with our knowledge of these groups, it becomes paramount to treat them with the seriousness they warrant.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book—it's truly a must-read!

Thank you, NetGalley, for this book.

I grew up in Oklahoma City and know exactly where I was the moment I heard about the bombing. It was my freshman year at Oklahoma State, and the radio on my alarm clock woke me up. I heard a reporter talking about “multiple casualties” and thought there had been a car crash. As I listened further, it became clear that something catastrophic had happened. Turning on the television, I was immediately transported into chaos.

I’ve watched many documentaries about McVeigh and the bombing, but this was the first book I had ever read. I am a fan of Toobin’s writing, namely his book about OJ Simpson, and knew this one would be well-researched. Not only does Toobin trace McVeigh’s childhood, time in the military, and role in the bombing, that’s just the first 30% of the book. The investigation, trial, and impact make up the bulk of the book. I was captivated by this book, especially since the story is already so familiar to me.

This book is pretty captivating and well researched. I sometimes was annoyed by how the author would bring in 2023 reference points throughout the history (as opposed to in the intro, epilogue, or toward the end when more contextually relevant).

This account of the Oklahoma City bombing accomplishes two major things. Toobin gives a clear and concise history of Timothy McVeigh's life, developmental of ideals, and ultimate criminal act and trial. However, it also does so much more than that. It focuses on the impact that can be had in how a case is tried, both in court and in the court of the public and the media. Toobin links the Oklahoma City bombing and insurrection of January 6th and reflects on how the decision of the prosecutors and much of society to see this crime as a "lone wolf" attack led to accountability for McVeigh, but allowed the growing problem of domestic terror to continue to snowball. Those who recognized the fact that McVeigh was reflective of a large group of people with similar ideals tried to share this information, but in the end, a lone wolf approach was taken and this book addresses the long term impacts of that.

I had higher hopes for Homegrown: Timothy McVeigh and the Rise of Right-Wing Extremism. However, I was a little disappointed with it. Two stars.

I was a senior in high school in a small town 20 miles west of Oklahoma City when the Oklahoma City bombing happened. A woman from my town worked in the Social Security office in the Murrah building and was one of the victims whose body was never found. Growing up in the shadow of this tragedy has greatly impacted my views on domestic terrorism and fear of right wing extremism. Jeffrey Toobin did a wonderful job in exposing the dark underbelly of right-wing extremism and pointing out the larger issues that led to the OKC bombing and influenced young Timothy McVeigh and his cohorts. Highly recommend.

So, I was reading this on a beautiful vacation to Cape Cod, and I could hardly put it down. I was pretty young when the Oklahoma City bombing happened, and it was just one of many disturbing tragedies of the time (the Gulf War, Waco, OJ Simpson, OKC, the Unabomber, and Columbine all occurred within one 6-year period), so it was fascinating to be reminded of some details and learn others. But ultimately, the book makes one point over and over: unlike Ted Kaczynski, Tim McVeigh was not a brilliant, troubled loner but rather a gullible, gun-loving racist cut from the very same cloth as the January 6 insurrectionists and your average Tucker Carlson viewer. The only reason he was a loner was because the cable and internet network of right-wing extremists had not been developed yet. (McVeigh did love listening to Rush Limbaugh on the radio.) But what do we do with that knowledge? How do we stop homegrowing terrorists? There have been other books on the OKC tragedy, so what does this one add?

I also didn't appreciate the author's sneering contempt of many of his subjects. It's no surprise to call out the ineptitude of the conspirators, but Toobin is pretty heavy-handed on the lawyers, judges, police, feds, and press as well. He describes Michigan as "Detroit--attached to Idaho" because of the rural areas and right-wing extremists, but that is rather offensively ignoring the racial diversity, post-industrial economy, and 10 cities besides Detroit who have ~100K populations. I started to wonder who this guy thinks he is--so I looked at his Wikipedia page, and wow, talk about glass houses. So I guess I'm still hoping for the book that helps us shift the current away from the conditions that grow domestic terrorists, and I hope it's written by someone with a more unimpeachable moral character that won't play into the right-wing rhetoric about depraved liberals.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

Excellent book! I thoroughly appreciated reading about McVeigh and the sources that shaped who he became juxtaposed with what’s currently happening in our country building up to Jan 6 and Trump and the anti-federal government sentiments that are pervasive in extremists today. This book gave a well-researched, complete history of how this criminal tragedy didn’t happen in a vacuum and should serve as a warning to us going forward that although Jan 6 criminals are being prosecuted, it barely scratches the surface. Excellent writing - reads like fiction - sadly, it is not. Thanks to Simon & Schuster for the copy.

Excellent book and well researched. It was interesting to learn about what McVeigh's motivation was, how he became so angry and disgruntled.

I will never forget the day of the Oklahoma bombing; seeing the destruction, the screaming, the smoke - it is something that stays with you for forever and as the horrific details came out, trying to understand Timothy McVeigh and just WHY he would do such a horrific thing with such disregard for human life was something I have struggled with for years. So, when I saw this book was being published, I knew I had to request it and dive into the not-so-distant past.

This was an amazingly researched and detailed book. Intermingled with the story of Timothy McVeigh is the story of January 6th and how the events of that day were directly affected by the actions of TMcV [as many of the mass shootings have as well; several of the shooters had photos and information about TMcV in their house and their "manifesto's" directly quote him] and it is really terrifying to see just how the "far right" has evolved and just how truly dangerous they all really are [just look at the chaos caused daily by the likes of Tucker Carlson, MTG, Lauren Boebart and others].

IF you were around in 1995, this is a must-read. It is so interesting to see how TMcV evolved and the extensive planning that went into the whole thing [people were SO wrong in calling him stupid; if nothing else was clear by the end of this book, his NOT being stupid is made abundantly clear] and how, right until the end, he was never sorry, never expressed remorse and continued to blame the government he hated.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jeffrey Toobin, and Simon and Schuster for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First, you have to put aside the grossness of Toobin to really enjoy this work. When you do that, you can really see the impeccable work he has put into the book. As someone who was young or old enough to remember the vivid images of the Oklahoma City Bombing this book really walked you through then to now with such clarity. Really great work.

This book is informative and comprehensive, with a lot of detail around the events surrounding the 1995 Oklahoma City terrorist attack on the Alfred P. Murrah building. It is very fact-based and a bit dry, without a lot of emotional connection or extra narrative depth. I found it interesting and helpful how the author connected McVeigh's actions and mindset back to the events at Ruby Ridge and Waco, and then connected them forward to the events of Jan. 6, 2021.

WOW. To cut to the chase, this is a must read. Well-researched, insightful, and thought-provoking. Toobin provides us with a blueprint of the history of domestic acts of terror in this country, linking Timothy McVeigh to January 6th in such a way that is masterful.

A quote from the book that sums up the central message:
“There were three powerful ideological motivations for Mcveigh’s decision to bomb the Murrah building: the obsession with gun rights; the perceived approval of the Founding Fathers; and the belief in the value and power of violence. These feelings were replicated, with extraordinary precision, in the rioters on January 6 as well as many of the other right-wing extremists who have flourished in the quarter century since the bombing.

There was a paradox in Mcveigh’s patriotism, just as there is among his ideological successors. They profess to love their country, but detest nearly everything about the contemporary United States.”

This book talks of the triad of political unrest — The effects of economic hardship, gun obsession, and a search for scapegoats. We can certainly draw parallels to what we see today in right-wing extremism.

The book also does a good job of pointing out the different radicalization tools today vs the 90’s with Mcveigh — namely, the invention of the internet. The effects of social media and the internet are put forth as an important factor in the views being proliferated faster and on a wider scale.

It also pointed to Former president Bill Clinton and his knowledge of domestic terrorism and its growing unrest, with the Michigan militia being an example of that. Clinton shared concern back in ‘95 after the OKC bombing, but was diverted to other things under his presidency. He knew then that talking heads like Rush Limbaugh, Tucker Carlson, the Turner Diaries, etc. and their hateful (racist, sexist, xenophobic) and misleading rhetoric about the “great replacement” of white Americans could incite violence.

It also talks about the failure of history to classify McVeigh for what he was: as a right-wing extremist, a KKK member, a citizen obsessed with the 2nd amendment. Instead, McVeigh is often thought of as a loner likened to that of Ted Kaczynski. Mcveigh himself, felt it necessary to highlight the important distinction between he and the Unabomber. “…the Unabomber has approximately one sympathizer (Al Gore), whereas the OKC bombing represents a massive feeling of disenchantment and growing unrest in this country.”

The report Department of Homeland Security put forth, shortly after Obama took office, warning of increased domestic acts of terror from right-wing extremist groups in 2009 that they soon retracted due to enormous push back from the Republican Party was — Alarming! Every citizen should read this book.

As an educator and forensic psychologist, I will be referencing this text in my violence risk assessment and criminology classes.

Homegrown is a thoroughly researched, fascinating account of Timothy McVeigh's 1995 bombing of the Alfred Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, OK. But the book is so much more than that. The eleven day siege at Ruby Ridge in 1992 was followed by the horrific Waco siege where 76 Branch Davidians died on April 19, 1993. Timothy McVeigh was at the side of the road in Waco selling bumper stickers during the Waco standoff.

McVeigh chose the two year anniversary of Waco to bomb the OKC federal building where 168 people perished, including 19 children at a daycare. He viewed the bombing as his patriotic duty to focus on the issue of the right to bear arms and to start a movement to overthrow the government. President Clinton and Congress had recently passed legislation that banned assault weapons.

Author, Jefrey Toobin, covered the Tim McVeigh and Terry Nichols trials. McVeigh had been pulled over by a trooper approximately 90 minutes after the bombing because he did not have a license plate on the getaway car. McVeigh had a gun on him when he was pulled over and he was arrested for having a gun without a permit. In 2019, Oklahoma changed the law so that people can carry guns without permits.

The premise of the book is the link between the OKC bombing and the events on January 6, 2021 when a mob attacked the US Capitol Building in Washington, DC in an attempt to retain Donald Trump as President of the United States. As a country, we have tended to treat domestic terrorist situations as isolated, lone wolf scenarios rather than address the large, growing group of white supremacists who focus on freedom as the right to bear arms and want minimal federal legislation and oversight.

Highly recommend; a must read.

Homegrown is great in that it shows how little our country has changed in its white supremacy subculture over the last 30 years.

It is a very dry read, and to be quite honest, knowing the author's past was always on my mind and put a negative spin on my read.

This is an incredible book! Meticulously researched and chock full of information. I wish it had been written long ago, before the current "popularity" of white supremacy! Maybe it would have helped prevent some of it from happening today.
Toobin dives into the world of Timothy McVeigh. Where he came from, who/what influenced him, how he became the terrorist that he did. The level of detail is so amazing, at times you feel like you are with McVeigh, looking over his shoulder.
I also particularly liked the second half of the book covering the legal machinations in McVeigh's defense. The oversized egos of the defense, the cautiousness of Merritt Garland and the prosecution, and the input of McVeigh himself. How in the world do you defend someone who wants to admit his culpability and start a race war?
I worked in Federal Prisons for 21 years. I remember when this all happened, and the effects it had on the white supremacist inmates. I remember finding a copy of the Turner Diary (a white supremacist book advocating a race war that deeply influenced McVeigh). I read it, and was left appalled, shocked, and disgusted by it's contents. I am not a left wing radical. I have been a centrist conservative (probably not by today's standards) for most of my life. Please believe me when I tell you that Toobin's book is a necessary addition to your reading list!
While I really enjoyed reading the story of McVeigh, where the book could really help society today is in it's telling of how right wing media heavily influenced McVeigh. And continues today to promote the propaganda. I wish people would read this and see for themselves that the so called journalists don't really believe what they are saying, but are just after ratings and adding to their own personas.
I have read close to 30 books so far this year, and this one goes down as my favorite so far. I could not put it down! Please, take some time and read it!
This is an important book. Very important for today's times!

This book brought back a lot of memories. The information was spot on. Interesting to learn about the defense team and reminders of how the same philosophy is in bigger force today. Thought it was dryly presented and no follow up on other potential coconspirators. Also, Nichols dead baby was a red herring that was touched on in the beginning but never properly addressed again. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this work.

The author is an interesting character is his own right. He is immensely talented and I am glad to see him publish this work after all the controversy from the Zoom call. No one is perfect.

This work was so good. The topic is tragic and takes my breath away. But this book needed to be written. It is long and it needed to be. Toobin does an amazing job with this. He is such an excellent writer. Highly recommend. This is an important history. Will recommend to my non-fiction friends.

Homegrown is a well-documented deep dive into Timothy McVeigh and the timeline that led to the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. Toobin manages to make a tangled timeline interesting throughout the book with uniquely detailed descriptions of McVeigh's relationships and travels. He humanizes those who need to be humanized and acknowledges when some of the villains may have had more or less to do with the actual bombing or their knowledge of it.

I appreciate that Toobin reminds the reader of who some of McVeigh's associates are throughout the book as many nonfiction authors assume that the reader will remember even the most tertiary people involved. He does the same with the different venues and if he has to mention something outside the chronology.

The one downfall of this book is one that many authors and publishers have fallen victim to in the past few years: a subtitle that emphasizes a point that does not get addressed in as much detail as it implies. While the rise of right-wing extremism is mentioned briefly throughout the book, the concluding chapters seem rushed and are frequently walls of text that don't quite tie into McVeigh's story. It would have been interesting to read interviews with members of the Michigan militia or other perpetrators of right-wing violence, instead of just lists of those events.

This book will be very interesting to anyone who grew up with the Oklahoma City bombing as one of the first terrorist or major news events of their lives or those who were born after the event.