Book info

• Title Them
• Author Jon Ronson
• Year 2001
• Genre Non-fiction

My worryingly paradoxical thought process could be summarized thus: Thank God I don't believe in the secret rulers of the world. Imagine what the secret rulers of the world might do to me if I did. What if a tiny, shadow elite rule the world from a secret room? In Them Jon Ronson sets out to find this room, with the help of the extremists – Islamic fundamentalists, neo-Nazis, Ku Klux Klansmen – that believe in it. Along the way, he is chased by men in dark glasses, unmasked as a Jew in the middle of a Jihad training camp, and witnesses international CEOs and politicians participate in a bizarre pagan ritual in the forests of northern California.

Thoughts

I have previously enjoyed Jon Ronson’s works, and his recent podcasts have been really interesting. I think the first time I stumbled across his investigations was the Men Who Stare at Goats, but this one pre-dates that. This time, we’re looking at… well, that’s the problem. I don’t really get what this book was about? Some conspiracy theorists, some racists, and some crusty old men playing golf. And…?

The most interesting part to me was the time Jon spent with Omar and David, but otherwise I didn’t really see how it all linked together or what the point of it was. Obviously many investigations don’t come to a complete full stop conclusion, but there’s usually narrative in there somewhere. I’m not sure that was evident in this book BUT I have to say, I still really enjoy Ronson’s writing and self-deprecating nature.

Rating: 2 / 5