Eli Saslow pens a riveting tale of the White Nationalist, Derek Black, who was tapped as the “heir apparent” to the leadership of the KKK, but eventually rejected that role. Growing up, Derek’s father was a grand wizard for the KKK, and his mother was once married to David Duke. Accepting this political stance was just normal for Derek, but things began to change when he enrolled in a liberal arts college and was confronted with ideas that were opposite to his own. Saslow does an impeccable job of describing the inner micro-adjustments that occurred daily for Derek, and his long, slow slide to the left is a thing of beauty. Do not miss this superbly profound study in human nature, politics, racism, and family.
Rising Out of Hatred is one of 12 finalists chosen for the 2019 Pacific Northwest Book Award. The six winners will be announced in January. nwbooklovers.org is posting blurbs from the committee for each of the shortlisted titles.