One of Us: The Story of Anders Breivik and the Massacre in Norway

Journalist Seierstad (The Angel of Grozny) tackles the emotional and tragic story of the Oslo murders committed by Anders Breivik, telling not only the killer's story but the stories of those who lost their lives that fateful day in July 2011. The author's research is based on memories, accounts, communications, and interviews with those intimately involved in the events and is done tastefully, attempting not to dramatize or exaggerate the tragedy but to clearly present the mental and emotional influences that affected Breivik's development and led him and the others to that moment. Also explained is how the nation and those whose families were torn apart dealt with the devastation's aftermath. The subject matter is sensitive and dark; however, Seierstad's approach is straightforward and his tone even. He takes great care to share the narratives and lives of those who became Breivik's victims. This intense work studies one of the most brutal slayings in Norway, recounting the various cultural and socioeconomic influences upon Breivik's maturation. It also tells a clear and detailed description of the perpetrator's mental state and his lifetime of anger and paranoia.