Militias in America: A Reference Handbook

by Neil A. Hamilton

Overview

This volume provides readers with a historical overview of prominent militias and other extremist groups and offers extensive insights into their nature and ideology.

Militias in America delves extensively into the nature and ideology of today's prominent militia groups, including the Michigan Militia, Virginia Hunt, Ku Klux Klan, Black Panthers, Skinheads, Liberty Lobby, and the Militia of Montana.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780874368598
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	12/01/1996
Series:	Contemporary World Issues
Pages:	235
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.62(d)

About the Author

Neil A. Hamilton is associate professor and chair of the Department of History at Spring Hill College, Mobile, AL.

Editorial Reviews

The author has done an excellent job of ferreting out information, organizing it, and presenting it for use by researchers.” —School Library Jourbanal

“Recommended for all collections as a nonpolemic introductory guide to one of modern U.S. society's most controversial movements.” —Choice

From the Publisher

Gr 9 UpThe word "militia" has been a part of the American vocabulary since colonial days, yet its definition has changed considerably over the years. Groups that were once formed for the protection of all citizens have, in many cases, evolved into radical, right-wing extremists. This title sets the stage for the movements, starting with a description of the early militias' plans and purposes. It details the philosophies that were the driving force when the word militia began to take on new meaning, from the 1940s to the 1960s. In the 70s and 80s, yet more groups formed, with different, often more radical views. Alienation, paranoia, fallout from countercultures, conspiracy theories, and disenchantment with the government are all discussed as motivation for those who subscribe to the ideas being spread by these groups. Due to the extensive media coverage of events such as those in Ruby Ridge, Waco, and Oklahoma City, interest in these organizations has increased dramatically in the last decade. The author has done an excellent job of ferreting out information, organizing it, and presenting it for use by researchers. A plethora of documentation is included, from primary documents to Internet web sites.Marilyn Fairbanks, East Junior High School, Brockton, MA

School Library Journal

Provides background material for researching or discussing the current controversy surrounding militias. After a very brief look at early periods, to right-wing extremism since World War II. Also includes two chronologies, biographical sketches, primary documents, directories of organizations supporting and opposing militias, and annotated bibliographies of print and non-print resources. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews