Them: Adventures with Extremists

Them: Adventures with Extremists by Jon Ronson embarks on a captivating and darkly humorous journey into the intriguing and often bizarre world of extremism. Ronson, a journalist with an eye for the curious and absurd, plunges into the heart of various extremist groups to uncover the truth behind the conspiracy theories that suggest a secret room where a shadowy elite supposedly controls the world. His quest is fraught with unexpected danger, absurd encounters, and eye-opening revelations.

Through his investigative odyssey, Ronson finds himself immersed in the lives of Islamic fundamentalists, neo-Nazis, and Ku Klux Klansmen, all fervently believing in the existence of this clandestine power centre. His ventures lead him into bizarre and sometimes perilous situations, including being chased by mysterious men in dark glasses and being unmasked as a Jew in the midst of a Jihad training camp. One of the book's most startling moments occurs when Ronson discovers international CEOs and politicians participating in a surreal pagan ritual deep in the forests of northern California.

A Sunday Times bestseller, Them: Adventures with Extremists launched Jon Ronson's distinctive career and remains a seminal work in his bibliography. This eye-opening narrative is not only outrageously funny but also provokes deep contemplation about the dichotomy between 'us' and 'them.' Ronson's approachable and witty style illuminates the strange convictions of those on the fringes of society, making the reader ponder the thin line that separates mainstream ideology from extremism.

Part of the Picador Collection, Them: Adventures with Extremists stands out as a significant work in modern literature, celebrating fifty years of Picador books. This collection showcases the best of contemporary writing, reaffirming Ronson's place among influential authors.

'Funny and compulsively readable' - Louis Theroux

'Chilling and hilarious... Ronson's trademark laid-back attitude is a delight' - The Independent

If you're curious about the minds that cultivate radical thoughts or simply seek a riveting, well-crafted narrative, Them: Adventures with Extremists offers an unparalleled glimpse into the exotic and extreme, all while providing plenty of laughs along the way.