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

Introduction
"One of Us: The Story of Anders Breivik and the Massacre in Norway" is a gripping account of the life and actions of Anders Breivik, the male accountable for the 2011 massacre, which resulted in the death of 77 people. Composed by Åsne Seierstad, a globally renowned reporter, the book supplies a detailed, investigative portrayal of the events leading up to and surrounding the atrocities devoted by Breivik. In doing so, Seierstad raises essential questions about extremism, seclusion, and the capability for wicked within all of us.

Early Life and Environment
Seierstad dives deep into the life and environment that formed Breivik. Born in 1979 in Oslo, Norway, Breivik was the child of separated moms and dads. His father, Jens Breivik, had really little contact with him while his mother, Wenche Behring, experienced psychological health problems. Seierstad reveals that, as an outcome, Breivik dealt with a youth marked by instability, overlook, and abuse.

The book likewise examines the course that led Breivik to radicalization, including his increasing fixation with the concept of Europe being culturally under attack by immigration and multicultural policies. Furthermore, Seierstad connects Breivik's radicalization to his use of online forums, where he adopted the screen name "Fjotolf Hansen". The book reveals that these online areas fostered his extremist views and offered a neighborhood where he might feel powerful and prominent.

Planning the Attacks
"One of Us" details the meticulous planning and preparation that Breivik undertook prior to committing the attacks on July 22, 2011. Over numerous years, Breivik developed his plot, which included bombing federal government buildings in Oslo and performing a mass shooting at a youth camp on the island of Utøya. In order to fund his strategies, Breivik developed his own company, offered phony diplomas online, and lived an economical lifestyle.

While assembling his weapons and explosives, Breivik prepared a 1,500-page manifesto, describing his nationalist and xenophobic beliefs, as well as his motivation for the attacks. Through studying police investigations, witness accounts, and court procedures, Seierstad reconstructs the events of that day, catching the destructive impact on the victims and the country.

The Massacre
On July 22, 2011, Breivik set off an automobile bomb in main Oslo, which eliminated eight people and injured many others. Dressed as a law enforcement officer, Breivik then took a ferryboat to Utøya, where the Labour Party's youth camp was occurring. Here, he methodically hunted down and killed 69 individuals, the majority of them teenagers.

Seierstad's composing catches the painful experiences of the victims as they attempted to leave, conceal, and help one another. She recounts the terror of that day, the destructive death, in addition to the acts of guts in the face of unthinkable scary.

Aftermath and Trial
In the consequences of the attacks, lots of people questioned how such an atrocity might be perpetrated by a single individual, as well as the extent of Breivik's peace of mind. The book follows Breivik's trial and explores the ongoing debate over his mental state. Eventually, he was found guilty and sentenced to twenty-one years in jail, which is the highest punishment permitted under Norwegian law.

"One of United States" likewise highlights the resiliency of the Norwegian individuals and their commitment to preserving the perfects of democracy and tolerance following the attacks. Through her extensive reportage and engaging narrative, Seierstad offers an effective evaluation of the factors that resulted in among the darkest days in Norway's history.
One of Us: The Story of Anders Breivik and the Massacre in Norway
Original Title: En av oss: en fortelling om Norge

One of Us is a non-fiction book that examines the life of terrorist Anders Behring Breivik and the 2011 mass murder in Norway. The book provides an in-depth account of Breivik's life, the massacre, and its aftermath, as well as the social and political context that allowed such an event to occur.


Author: Åsne Seierstad

Åsne Seierstad Åsne Seierstad, the fearless journalist & author behind The Bookseller of Kabul. Dive into her award-winning narratives & inspiring quotes!
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