Homegrown: Timothy McVeigh and the Rise of Right-Wing Extremism

Just days after the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah building, Gulf War veteran Timothy McVeigh showed no remorse. McVeigh was responsible for killing 168 people and injuring many more, all because he wanted to take down the federal government. Enraged by the government’s handling of standoffs at Waco and Ruby Ridge, McVeigh also abhorred immigration and women’s rights movements and longed to make America great again, long before that sentiment became a campaign slogan. Journalist Toobin (True Crimes and Misdemeanors) draws upon thousands of interviews, tapes, and legal documents, providing an in-depth, heart-wrenching look at this horrific event. Toobin provides a measured and skillful narration of his work, noting that McVeigh’s actions paved the way for the January 6 insurrection. Toobin’s thoughtful analysis allows listeners to see similarities between the two events, particularly how grassroots movements were galvanized to overthrow the government.