Preparing for War

“In this compelling and scholarly mix of memoir and cultural and political history, Bradley Onishi brings to bear his experience as a former Christian nationalist movement insider to expose the radicalism behind the January 6th insurrection. Gripping and essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the threat that this movement poses to American democracy.”

Katherine Stewart

“In Preparing for War, Bradley Onishi traces the history of White Christian nationalism from the John Birch Society to the Big Lie and the January 6 terrorist assault on the U.S. Capitol--a narrative enlivened by the author's own intersections with the movement. This is an excellent and important book, both chilling and prophetic.”

Randall Balmer

“Hinging on the Capitol insurrection on January 6, 2021, Preparing for War presents the New Religious Right in light of their aggressive political ambitions. Bradley Onishi is ringing the alarm bells. He believes we are not at the end but rather a beginning of a religiously sanctioned extremism that threatens our American democratic future. Following the best scholarship on the nature of Christian nationalism and the further developments of the Religious Right. Onishi roots his story of historical changes in his life experiences in Southern California. The challenge is for all of us to examine how these momentous shifts have affected our own lives, and then seek ways to counteract the destructive paths being forged in our communities and our nation. This is a book to read with care.”

Dr. Gerardo Marti

“Bradley Onishi takes us on a sweeping yet personal journey through modern American religious and political history to understand the violent, extremist strains of White Christian America that led to the January 6th insurrection. With insight from countless interviews, deep scholarship, and his own escape from White Christian nationalism, Onishi's Preparing for War is a clear account of what happened and clarion warning about what is coming. Compelling and timely.”

Andrew Seidel

“Preparing for War is Bradley Onishi's exposition of White Christian nationalism from its roots in the antebellum South, to the 'family values' discourses that took control of Republican Party in the 1980s, all the way to the reactionary movement that still puts Donald Trump at the helm of a culture war. That movement wants to turn back time to a point when everyone other than White, Christian men knew their place, and White Christian men had a social order to keep everyone else in their places through violent displays of both public and private force. At this moment, when those reactionary forces threaten to regain control of the American state and impose their theocratic vision on the rest of us, Onishi's thorough and meticulous history is crucial. If you've ever found yourself confused and questioning how a nation supposedly founded for 'religious freedom' could evolve to become a 'Christian nation' bordering on theocracy, Preparing for War is necessary reading.”

Tori Williams Douglass