Christian Picciolini Books

A stunning exploration of how to heal a nation reeling from extremist violence from a viral TED speaker and onetime white-supremacist leader who now work as a peace activist disengaging hateful radicals.

At 14, Christian Picciolini, a bright boy from a good family, was drawn into a violent racist agenda, quickly rising to a leadership role in America's first neo-Nazi skinhead gang. How did this suburban teen, seemingly with everything going for him, become engulfed in extremist ideologies? This gripping cautionary tale chronicles his indoctrination as a lonely outsider seeking belonging. A chance encounter with a charismatic figure exploited Christian's deep need for connection, propelling him into a dangerous lifestyle. When his mentor was imprisoned for a hate crime, Christian, at just 18, took charge of brutal extremist skinhead cells nationwide. He immersed himself in the culture of violence, from street brawls to white power rallies, and even recruitment efforts for foreign terrorist groups. However, over time, he recognized that his hate-filled existence was based on lies. After years of grappling with the monster he had become, Christian transformed his life. He emerged as an advocate for peace, inclusion, and racial diversity, co-founding Life After Hate, a nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals disengage from hate groups and embrace love and acceptance, regardless of race, religion, or sexual orientation.