American Reich: A Murder in Orange County, Neo-Nazis, and a New Age of Hate

by Eric Lichtblau

From the Pulitzer-winning author of the New York Times bestseller The Nazis Next Door, a deeply reported exploration of the violent resurgence of hatred and white supremacy through the lens of Orange County, California—“ground zero” for racial extremism—and the story of one brutal murder there that revealed the deep roots of violent bigotry as a bellwether for the country.

One night in early 2018, while he was home from college, an Ivy League student named Blaze Bernstein snuck out of his parents’ house in Orange County. Waiting for him in a car outside was an old high-school classmate: Sam Woodward, someone who Blaze mostly remembered as a brooding, bigoted loner. But that night, after months of flirtatious messaging, Sam had succeeded in coaxing Blaze—a gay, Jewish sophomore at UPenn—out for a rendezvous. No one would ever see him alive again.

In American Reich, veteran investigative journalist Eric Lichtblau uses the story of Blaze’s life and death to shine a light on the epidemic of hate in Southern California and, increasingly, the nation as a whole. Orange County has long been a bastion of the ultra-right: carved out of farmland as a haven for wealthy whites fleeing the diversifying metropolis to the north, it was the birthplace of the far-right John Birch Society, a hub for neo-Nazi recruitment, and a powerful springboard for race-baiting Republican politicians including Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. But in the years leading up to Blaze’s disappearance, Orange County was changing: like the country as a whole, it was rapidly diversifying, to the outrage of many of its white residents. No one was more opposed to the changes than America’s resurgent neo-Nazi groups, one of which had recently gained a new member: Sam Woodward.

Revealing how Orange County has exported racial hatred to the rest of the country and the world, American Reich weaves this tragic tale together with stories from across the nation, showing what this haunted place and the colliding paths of two of its residents reveal about America's fractured soul and our hope for healing.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, True Crime, Politics, Crime, Race, Audiobook

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 6, 2026

About the author

American journalist

Reviews

[Brendan (History Nerds United) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remember back in the day, when we'd watch Indiana Jones and it was a fait accompli that the Nazis would get their comeuppance and we'd all be so happy that they did? I miss simpler times.

Instead of then, we are here now. Eric Lichtblau gives us a tour through this uneasy time with his book, American Reich. Ostensibly, the book is about a specific murder in Orange County, CA. This crime was perpetrated by Sam Woodward who killed former classmate Blaze Bernstein for being gay. However, this case takes up very little page count. Mostly, Lichtblau tells the story of the exponential explosion of hate crimes in the U.S. over the past twenty or so years. To his credit, the author does tie many of these directly to Orange County and it is riveting overall, but not always. To his discredit, Lichtblau gives way too much time and attention to Donald Trump.

Now before anyone throws a hateful comment my way (which would be very ironic), I don't care if you think Donald Trump has anything to do with the rise in hate crimes. My objection is not with his inclusion in the book, but rather how much time Lichtblau spends laying everything at his feet. He is meticulous in documenting many things Trump has said. However, I kept wanting him to get back to the actual case this book is about or at least Orange County specifically. Admittedly, I am just sick of seeing his name shoehorned in a lot of books lately. To be clear, though, Lichtblau does not shove him in here unnecessarily. There are valid reasons, if not a requirement, to bring him up in this narrative. I just object to how much attention he gets overall at the cost of other avenues of investigation.

As an example, Lichtblau mentions how there is a worrying amount of Neo-Nazism in the military. As a former servicemember, I wanted a bit more on where and how much. My own experience did not align with his reporting (which of course means next to nothing, as my own experience is completely anecdotal), which made me want the author to dig in and show as much research and attention as he did with Trump.

In the end, while I have that one major issue with the text, I overall enjoyed the book. Lichtblau didn't win a Pulitzer by accident and his research is top-notch when he shows you the goods. Shining a light on this aspect of our current climate is vital, and this book is worth your time.

(This book was provided as a review copy by Little, Brown and Company.)

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC for review. To be published January 6, 2026 (I see what you did there.)

5 stars

A look at the rise of white supremacy (as well as other types of hate) after 2015, specifically in Orange County, California, and set in the frame of the 2018 case of two former high school classmates. Blaze Bernstein, a gay, Jewish student at Penn, snuck out of his Orange County home to meet with Sam Woodward, a loner from his high school who had been messaging him flirtatiously. Blaze was never seen alive again.

Lichtblau examines the conservative/Republican political history of Orange County (which is slowly changing) and how the emergence of Donald Trump has caused an increase in hate crimes against essentially every minority group; they have nearly doubled their n a decade and three out of every four offenders is a white male.

This was incredibly depressing, but so important. It’s impossible to deny the numbers, the things that Trump is on record as saying and the statements of young, white, Christian, straight men who cite Trump as their reason for committing their crimes. Anyone who thought that the fact that we, as a country, elected Barack Obama President meant that we had crossed over into some post-racial wonderland needs only to look to what has happened since to understand the precipice on which this country exists. Recommended.

[Dona's Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

DNF @ p115

The research is impeccable but I just couldn't finish this book. It's dark and scary.

Thank you to Eric Lichtblau, Little, Brown and Co., and NetGalley for an accessible digital copy of AMERICAN REICH. All views are mine.

[Ellen Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy for review. All opinions are my own. A terrifying yet realistic look into how dangerous this country has become when it comes to hatred and bigotry. This is not simply a true crime book about Blase Bernstein’s tragic end, this is a book that is giving us all a long hard look at the state of the country and how unacceptable it is that hatred has become so normalized. I was really proud of the author for the research done and how well everything was explained. This book will touch you in your core. A must read for every American.

[Traci Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot of interesting stuff in this book but the book is too long and too broad. The book feels unmoored trying to cover way too much ground -- but also feels an obligation to return to the main murder. I think this one needed a much more exacting editorial eye.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book uses a hate crime committed in Orange County, CA, to then zoom out and illustrate the rise of overt white supremacy in the USA as a whole. In 2018, Blaze Bernstein, who was Jewish and gay, was murdered by a former classmate who was raised to be homophobic and subsequently joined hate groups on the Internet and in person.

I was unaware that Orange County is one of the most bigoted counties in the country, and the multiple stories relayed from this county were horrifying. As well, the author (and the dangerous young men he profiles) draw a direct link from Trump’s rhetoric since 2015 to the subsequent rise in white supremacist groups and hate crimes. There are no answers here as to how to fix things, but it’s clear that hateful, violent rhetoric leads to real harm and lost lives. A depressing but necessary read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown for allowing me to read an ARC of this title.

[MM Suarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It’s hard to believe there’s that much hate."

This book centers on the murder of Blaze Bernstein (RIP), a gay, Jewish young man, committed by a former classmate Sam Woodward, a neo-Nazi in Orange County California, which unbeknownst to me is a hot bed of white supremacist hate. The book goes into some details about this case and many other hate crimes commited around the country, most of them connected in some way to the various hate groups that have gained lots of traction since the 2016 election. The author argues that our country is seeing a nationwide rise in bigotry, violence and white supremacy that hasn't been seen since the days of the Civil Rights Movement, often instigated by the current President's venomous racial and ethnic rhetoric.
This is not an easy book to read and it doesn't offer any answers, but is is informative, well written and well worth the reading time.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am short on words for this writing. It is powerful, brutal, but necessary reading if you care for others!

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

CW for this book: hate, racism, anti-Semitism, sexism, homophobia, violence, Trump.

This review is based on an ARC received from NetGalley. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this copy in exchange for my honest review.

While this book deals with a lot of very public issues, the act of tying all of these tragedies to one place and using one tragedy as the catalyst for the larger discussion makes this more of a propulsive story, rather than simply an academic or purely journalistic discussion of hate and white supremacy in America.

And while there will certainly be complaints from the MAGA and Trump supporters in America, this book tells an incontrovertible tale about Donald Trump's complicity, if not direct responsibility for much of the increased violence associated with hate. While hate has always existed, it has been increasingly normalized and welcomed by this administration and that man. There is an enormous amount of information here to convince even the most fence sitting person that Trump and Trumpism (along with social media) are harming America and giving comfort to the most violent and hateful amongst us.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t give a lot of five-star ratings. For me, five stars means a book really sticks with me, one I keep thinking about and want other people to read. American Reich absolutely fits that.

This is not an easy or uplifting book. It’s honestly pretty scary. Lichtblau tells the story of the murder of Blaze Bernstein in Orange County, and it’s horrific on its own, but what makes it even more disturbing is how clearly he shows the real presence of neo-Nazi groups and the radicalization of young white men—right here in suburban America.

As someone who lives in Orange County, this book really shook me. These things weren’t happening “somewhere else.” They were happening in parks, neighborhoods, and streets close to home, to people who don’t look like me. It forced me to think hard about my own white privilege and how easy it is not to notice these dangers if they don’t directly affect you.

The book is well researched and clearly written, and it has a strong emotional pull without feeling over the top. Lichtblau also doesn’t shy away from making connections between the rise in hate groups and Trump-era politics. MAGA supporters won’t like that, but he makes a compelling case that’s hard to completely dismiss.

This is a tough read, but an important one. It stayed with me long after I finished it, and I’ll definitely be recommending it to others.

[Heidi]

Frightening is an understatement. It boggles my mind that we collectively seem to be forgetting that Nazi’s were the bad guys. This book describes the rise of neo-Nazi’s and other hate groups in the United States while focusing primarily on the murder of a Jewish gay man in Orange County by a follower of this ideology. The book gets a bit off-course in a few places keeping it from a higher rating but is well-worth reading.

[Madison ✨ (mad.lyreading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book examines white supremacy almost exclusively in Southern California, with the throughline being about the murder of Blaze Bernstein. All of the information in this book was incredibly well researched, and very informative, but I struggled with the focus of the book. It jumped around a bit, and I didn't feel like there was enough about Sam Woodward (the man who killed Blaze) to make that the main storyline. I feel like this could have been restructured to make a bit more sense for the reader, but overall still a very good (and terrifying) read.

Thank you to LIttle, Brown and Company and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and intriguing book on the rise of hate crimes and the white supremacy movement. While not exploring the motivations behind young white men joining these ultra extremist and violent often neo-Nazi groups, the mounting evidence of assaults, bating actions and murder shows that regardless of the reasons, these men believe they are being assaulted by people who want to destroy the white race - with really no truthful evidence of that. The author does a great job of showing how easy it is to be indoctrinated - but also how some people leave these nasty groups. I think this is an important book and highly recommend. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this ARC.

[Alyssa Beck · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I want to say for Blaze - May his memory be a blessing.

I received an early copy from NetGalley in exchange for a review.

I rated this book 4.25, but you can't use decimals on Goodreads, so a 4/5 it is. The beginning of the book was a little slow for me to get into, but I am glad that I kept reading. I knew the author had received Pulitzers for his books in the past, so I figured I just needed to adjust to his writing style. Once I found my groove with the way that he conveyed information, I couldn't put the book down. This book looks at the rise of Right-Wing Nationalism and White Supremacy in Orange County through the lens of the murder of Blaze Bernstein, fitting it in the broader social context of Orange County and the US in general. And how that hate crime is indicative of a larger systemic issue within American society.

Despite Timothy McVee and other right-wing terrorists, the United States has largely ignored the problem of these, almost exclusively white, violent perpetrators. This book discusses the consequences of that decision and how it, along with the rhetoric of President Trump, has created a resurgence of this kind of hate and violence. Focusing on Orange County, it gives a clear picture of what is happening there currently and charts the path of how we got there. The permissions that are being granted to those individuals and how they are being emboldened by the relaxing of regulations on social media and dog whistles in media and political speeches.

I would recommend this book if you liked Homegrown by Jeffrey Toobin or if you are interested in a sobering look into an aspect of American society that needs to be brought out of the shadows and into the light.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book title seems like an attempt to lure true crime fans in with the promise of a procedural breakdown of a case, but this is more of a sweeping review of racism in America and its fallout. The bulk of the book covers the history of white supremacist groups and the rise of hate crimes and the motivations behind the crimes. Very well researched and written.

‘There was a Sikh quotation that Kaleka had learned years earlier…’The tongue is like a sharp knife; it kills without drawing blood.’ Kids in America grew up learning just the opposite sentiment, with the old adage: sticks and stones can break my bones, but names will never hurt me. But anyone battered by slurs and insults, the kind that flew off the stage from Wade Page’s neo-Nazi bands before his rampage, knew it wasn’t true. To Kaleka, the Sikh sentiment about the deadly power of the tongue seemed to reflect all the hatred coursing through America…’

‘…as political scientist, Robert Pape began to dig into the data...a very different explanation emerged: Most of the rioters came to Washington that day from places that Biden had won, not Trump, and their defining feature in terms of demographics was that they hailed from counties where the proportion of the white population was shrinking rapidly compared to that of non-whites. The more the white population had shrunk the more likely it was to send riders to the Capitol… The declining proportion of the white population had a ‘galvanizing effect’ on the rioters…the storming of the Capitol driven in part by ‘rival cleavages and white discontent’ with the changing diversity in their hometowns.’

[Andrea- The Shelf Life Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blaze Bernstein was a 19 year old sophomore, attended the University of Pennsylvania and flourishing. Over winter break he decided to come home to visit his parents in Orange County, CA. While he was home, he searched on his dating app, and found someone that he was interested in. Unfortunately, that would be the last person to see him alive. Not knowing at the time, that this man was someone that knew Blaze was Jewish and also Gay. He joined the man in the car and was later found dead and buried in a shallow grave in a park.

Samuel Woodward was 20 years old and knew Blaze from the high school they both attended. Samuel, who was raised to be homophobic and pure white race associated, subsequently joined a Neo-Nazi and far-right extremist group. He was “hunting” for men on the gay dating app. He relayed text messages to his friends in this extreme group about the killing of Blaze.

I did not think I was going to like this book as much as I did. It was very interesting and relevant to current events. The author did a tremendous job on taking this horrible situation, not only bringing awareness to Blaze’s story, but also the local extreme Neo-Nazi recruitments in this area.

My thanks to Little, Brown and Company, The Author, as well as NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of American Reich.

[Amanda Newland-Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

American Reich by Eric Lichtblau is a deeply unsettling and meticulously researched examination of the resurgence—and persistence—of neo-Nazi and white supremacist movements in the United States. Rather than treating extremism as a fringe or historical anomaly, Lichtblau convincingly argues that these ideologies have long operated in plain sight, often with alarming proximity to mainstream institutions.

The book’s greatest strength is its investigative depth. Drawing on court records, government files, and years of reporting, Lichtblau exposes how white supremacist groups have adapted over decades—rebranding, networking, and exploiting legal protections to survive and, in some cases, thrive. His reporting on the failures and blind spots of law enforcement and federal agencies is particularly compelling, revealing patterns of minimization and missed warnings that feel disturbingly familiar.

Lichtblau’s writing is clear and accessible, making complex networks and historical developments understandable without oversimplifying them. The narrative maintains tension despite its nonfiction format, especially when tracing connections between seemingly isolated actors and broader ideological movements. For readers interested in domestic extremism, civil rights, or national security, this book is both informative and sobering.

Where American Reich falls just short of five stars is in its structure. At times, the sheer volume of cases and names can feel overwhelming, and certain sections read more like an extended dossier than a cohesive narrative. A slightly tighter thematic organization might have strengthened the overall flow.

Still, this is a powerful and important work—one that underscores how dangerous it is to underestimate extremist movements or view them as relics of the past. American Reich is not just history or reportage; it’s a warning, grounded in evidence, that demands serious attention.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Eric Lichtblau uses the tragic murder of Blaze Bernstein to illuminate the resurgence of white supremacy in America. Lichtblau's focus on Orange County as an example of American hate traces how the region evolved from a "haven for wealthy whites" into a hub for neo-Nazi recruitment and far-right politics. His connections between local extremism and national political figures provide historical context for understanding hate movements.
The author handles Bernstein's story with sensitivity while demonstrating how individual acts of violence connect to larger patterns of radicalization. His exploration of how demographic changes trigger backlash from white supremacist groups feels urgently relevant to our current moment.
Lichtblau's thorough reporting and clear writing make complex social dynamics accessible without sensationalizing the actual violence. His analysis of how extremism spreads from regional hotspots to influence national discourse is particularly valuable for understanding today's political climate.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

American Reich: A Murder in Orange County, Neo-Nazis, and a New Age of Hate shows how white supremacist ideology does not live on the fringes but seeps into everyday life and turns deadly. By tracing a single murder, the book exposes the networks, rhetoric, and normalization that allow extremist beliefs to flourish in plain sight.

What makes this feel especially urgent now is how closely it echoes the political moment. Trump-era policies, dog whistles, and rhetoric around immigration, “law and order,” and grievance politics provide cover and validation for the same movements Monacelli documents. The book makes it hard to separate violent extremists from the broader ecosystem of voters and leaders who downplay, excuse, or quietly benefit from their presence.

The reporting is clear, grounded, and unsettling. While some background will be familiar to readers who follow extremism closely, the connection between ideology, policy, and real-world violence lands hard.

This is an uncomfortable but necessary read that underscores how today’s political choices and voting blocs help shape the climate in which hate feels permissible.

[Naima · Rating 3 out of 5]

some of it is well written but i think a lot of it relies on you already being very familiar with the events described, the groups involved, and the historical context. which, if you are, then you have no need to read this book. the white supremacist state of rhodesia is treated like a foot note like oh everyone knows what that was, for example- yeah, i know what it was, but that’s a huge chunk of context when you’re literally saying multiple neo nazis were wearing its flag. it also really insists upon the university pro palestinian protests being violent and antisemitic on basis of it opposing israel and saying they contributed to rising antisemitic hate crimes instead of, you know, the neo nazis they’re discussing

i think if you were a teenager in the 2010s and had a vague awareness of the news, nothing in this would come as new information to you, but i don’t think the book really comes together cohesively

[Alex Gruenenfelder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that goes behind the "Orange Curtain" to tackle the rise of "mass casualty hate crimes" and the mainstreaming of white supremacy under President Donald Trump. Alongside this, it charts the history of Southern California and the important role it has played in the rise of hate. The author puts a lot of effort into humanizing and describing victims, centering their stories, rather than simply focusing on the background of white supremacist and neo-Nazi criminals and terrorists. This is especially true of Blaze Bernstein's murder, which is at the heart of this book and its main case study. I thought the book was fantastic as an examination of far-right extremism and the often unobserved history of Orange County, and I would recommend it to readers interested in both.

[shiloh]

This is a book that needed to be written, and I look forward to reading it, but I'm not sure when that'll be. Nothing against the author or the book itself (really, more people should be aware of this, and I think it is a tragedy that unfortunately has new resonance today) -- but I went to high school with Blaze and his murderer, and I remember the search for him, and it's very weird to see something so close to home in a book so big. Most people reading this will not have attended our tiny Santa Ana high school, so this is very much a me problem! I will definitely be reading this once I can do so.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Based on the description, I thought this would be more focused on the murder of Blaze Bernstein by Samuel Woodward. (As an aside, am I the only one who can’t see those last names in close proximity without thinking about Watergate?) The murder is certainly covered, but this is more of a general modern history of neo-nazi/white supremacist/hate groups in the United States.

Excellent info here, presented in an engaging way. Depressing as all get-out. Plenty of who, what, when, and where. If we could figure out the why, maybe we could unlock the secret to rooting out the hate from people’s hearts.

[Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

The scariest, most depressing book I've ever read. Very well-researched and well-written... but terrifying and bleak as heck. When all this hate and backwards thinking is laid out in front of you like this, it's hard to feel any hope for the world. It's so hard to understand how anyone can hate other people this much, but it's important for us to know that it's happening and even getting worse. I just wish this book had focused more on how to turn this kind of thinking around, rather than throwing hate crime after hate crime at us with barely a chance to catch our breath.

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for providing the ARC for review consideration.

[Frank Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a former Orange County resident. I knew the Woodward family through the local Boy Scout Troop. Sam Woodward attended at least 2 of the weeklong hiking trips I led. I signed off on his Family Life merit badge, a requirement towards Eagle Scout. Having observed the boy’s family for several years, I added a discussion question, “How will you become a better father than your father?” Without signaling my real intent I had each boy answer this prompt, with no comment from me, but listening closely to Sam’s reply.

[David Rebula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes. Orange County, California. ...California. One of the most conservative places in America. Wild the amount of Neo-Nazi hate coming out of there; as well as for the rest of the country. It is oddly weird how so much hate and violence and negative psychological emotions stem from people holding MAGA signs. But there is one more interesting dilemma happening. The Far-Right is the land of Stephen Miller. That group is extremely antisemitic. And Trump world is the most Pro-Israel party in the history of Isreal. That is going to clash sooner rather than later and I'm here for it

[Matt Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Trump's America, it's pretty clear that the most vile and dangerous elements of the far right are feeling empowered. But until I read this, I was unaware of how emboldened they are. There are Nazis among us - a lot of them - and they are seeking to do us harm.

Lichtblau weaves the story of a horrifying murder in Orange County, a place he covered as a young reporter, with the broader tale of the new far right. It's a deeply disquieting read. He makes clear that what happened in the OC can happen, and is happening, all over America. And, as the headlines make plain, it's only getting worse.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher, via Netgalley, for an advance e-galley for honest review.

This is a horrifying but enlightening exploration of how we've got to this point and how we've stayed here over the years, with an in-depth and intense look at the current state of white supremacy in the US. It centers in Orange County, California, though it includes incidents from around the country, and really demonstrates how ingrained this is in what looks from the outside like an idyllic environment.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book leaves me speechless with fear and sadness. I feel this is an important book with very relevant topic in this type of cultural/political climate we live in. Some parts of the book is repetitive but it could be the author's way of driving home the subject. However overall, the book is well researched. A lot of incidents in the book seemed to have been neglected in the media. Even though it's a tough read, I will still recommend this book.

[Alex Rivas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This investigation offers a chilling look at the surge of hate crimes across the United States, with a specific, sharp focus on the rising tensions in Orange County.

It doesn't shy away from the 'why,' tracing a direct line between the rhetoric of extreme right-wing leaders and the real-world violence targeting marginalized communities.

It’s a sobering reminder that words have consequences, and 'local' issues are often part of a much larger, dangerous national trend.