Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

One of my favorite books of the year so far. Reilly, a journalist embedded within the online world of so-called Sedition Hunters recounts the time leading up to and including the attempted insurrection on January 6th. The first half of the book follows the threads of all those who found themselves in the Capitol that day, and how they ended up there -- the conspiracies and circumstances that led them to believe that treason was in fact a viable option.

The second half he lays out the roles of those who took it upon themselves to track them down. Throughout the book, Reilly makes no attempt to hide his beliefs on those who were in his (and their) word's "stupid," but he also doesn't mince words about the aftermath, the bungled investigations, the politicking instead of trying to help people recover. This is the first book on the subject that I've seen that really understands the underground cesspool that is right wing social media, how it feeds upon people in this particular point in history, and how it can make things infinitely worse in the years to come if we don't actually deal with it. The ideology that led to January 6th is a cancer that the people in power so far seem to either ignore or deny, meanwhile there's an election this year with the same two players. Will we see a repeat?

Fascinating and infuriating look at January 6th and some of the aftermath. Sedition Hunters elicited a wider range of emotions than just about anything I've read. It took a while to get through due to said emotions and the fact the book could use more formatting. Reading Sedition Hunters was a little like watching a tennis match in book form. Sedition Hunters might be a book better suited for a time when we are out of this mess. Reading it currently is just depressing and enraging.

Thank you to PublicAffairs and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Sedition Hunters.

Sedition Hunters covers the aftermath of January 6th, the work online tipsters, and the shortcomings of the FBI. I really enjoyed the writing but, overall, it needed more structure and focus.

I DNF'd this book. It started very strong, but after 100+ pages we still hadn't arrived at the sedition or the sedition hunters, and I felt like I have invested enough time into the book to be at that stage. The writing is good but the book needed to start coming together and it really didn't. This might be good for someone who wants a slow burn around January 6th and what came after.

**Book Review: "Sedition Hunters" - Unveiling Justice Amidst Chaos**

Ryan Reilly's *Sedition Hunters* delves into the tumultuous aftermath of the January 6th attack on the Capitol, offering a revealing glimpse into the complexities of seeking justice in the midst of unprecedented chaos. This exploration navigates the blurred lines between law enforcement, technology, and citizen participation, presenting a narrative that resonates with both the intrigue of a detective story and the urgency of a national crisis.

The book shines a spotlight on the jarring reality of a crime that played out in plain sight—a dramatic breach of the Capitol that left a nation in disbelief. Reilly captures the essence of the confusion and disbelief that followed, focusing on the monumental task of identifying and prosecuting the individuals responsible. From the conspiracies that flourished online to the lawbreakers who strutted their actions on national TV, the book weaves a narrative of audacious defiance that challenged the conventional norms of law enforcement.

Reilly adeptly outlines the perplexing conundrum that the attack posed to the concept of justice. With outgoing President Donald Trump's visible encouragement, the traditional playbook of investigators tracking down criminals seemed insufficient to address the scale of this event. The stark divergence between public perception and legal consequences led to a unique ethical dilemma—how could justice be served when the very definition of right and wrong was in flux?

A standout aspect of the book is its spotlight on citizen activism, with ordinary individuals stepping into roles usually reserved for law enforcement. Reilly introduces us to the world of "sedition hunters," average people who took it upon themselves to uncover the truth. From creating apps to identifying culprits to collaborating with the FBI, these vigilante investigators carved out an unprecedented path in the pursuit of justice. Their efforts reveal a testament to the power of collective action and the fusion of technology and human determination.

While the book excels in shedding light on this unique form of collective justice, there are instances where the narrative structure falters. Reilly's narrative at times feels scattered, jumping between subjects and characters without clear delineation. A more organized framework with distinct chapters dedicated to key facets such as citizen involvement, law enforcement's challenges, and courtroom outcomes could have improved the overall flow.

*Sedition Hunters* offers an engaging and thought-provoking look into a chapter of American history that defies traditional definitions of law and order. Ryan Reilly captures the essence of a nation grappling with the fallout of an unprecedented event and the determined individuals who stepped up to restore a sense of justice. The book stands as a testament to the power of human agency and technological collaboration amidst chaos—a compelling reminder that the quest for justice is a dynamic and evolving journey.

A fascinating and honestly chilling look at the difficulties in building prosecution cases against participants in the January 6th insurrection. This book makes clear the limited manpower and other resources on hand for the FBI and the Justice Department -- while at times I felt hopeful reading about the efforts that ordinary citizens and government workers alike have gone to to ensure some kind of justice is meted out, it's extremely upsetting to realize just how tenuous these systems are. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book ahead of its publication.

This was a long read.
Pros:
I got to know that the FBI is technologically back to CompuServe times. Very lacking in technology.
I learned that there was a dedicated part of certain Americans that started to turn in the Rioters from the January 6, attack on the capital.
I learned that an average citizen actually created an app to help identify the rioters at the capitol.
I learned that most of the rioters at the capital will not be charged, the Justice System was overwhelmed.

Cons:
This book was so scattered that it was hard to follow. The author would talk about one subject or person and then the very next paragraph go on a tangent on another subject or person. Then 5 pages later circle back to the original person.
It was confusing and hard to follow.
I wish that the book had been laid out better. FOr instance, John Q Public helping the FBI is one chapter, Rogue FBI agents one chapter, The prosecution one chapter, the findings or outcomes of the trials in another.

I think that the author thought that everyone reading would have a great knowledge of the events and just threw everything he had at the wall, hoping most would stick.

Just needs better formatting.