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“I’m grateful for this country and its Constitution.��

UNMASKED: INSIDE ANTIFA’S RADICAL PLAN TO DESTROY DEMOCRACY by Andy Ngo is not exactly an enjoyable book to read, but it’s one I’m glad I took the time to absorb. I listened to the audio version, which I found to be a great way to take in this journalistic exploration. In this book, Andy Ngo takes a deep dive into the actions, history, and ideology of Antifa.

I have little tolerance for violent individuals who hide behind masks and harass people—sometimes even at their homes. This is exactly the kind of behavior that Antifa has carried out against Andy Ngo himself. The book includes photographic and video evidence that such harassment has occurred, leaving little room for doubt.

One of the more compelling aspects of this text is how thoroughly Ngo examines the history and development of the Antifa movement, including its internal policies, rules, and organizational structure. What surprised me most was Ngo’s willingness to engage with and even consider some of the perspectives held by Antifa members. While he ultimately criticizes their values as misguided, he shows a level of thoughtfulness and consideration that is more generous than I expected. For example, he takes time to understand and address the logic (fallacious though it is) of their arguments, even though he does not agree with them. This measured approach is something I appreciated. That said, Ngo has no praise for Antifa or its goals. His criticism is clear and pointed, but it’s not dismissive from the outset, which allows the reader to weigh his arguments thoughtfully.

The most profound part of UNMASKED is its “Afterward��. It’s powerful and thought-provoking, standing out as the most impactful section of the text. Ngo, a first-generation American and the child of refugees from communist Vietnam, reflects on why he is so committed to preserving the America he knows and loves. At one point, he writes, “America is worth preserving and protecting for future generations.�� I found this perspective deeply moving. It’s always inspiring when the child of immigrants, who may have a more acute understanding of the fragility of freedom, values this nation even more than those who have been here for generations.

As a side note, the book is well-researched, concluding with 53 pages of single-spaced endnotes and sources. Ngo does an excellent job of backing up his claims with hard evidence, which is a testament to his journalistic rigor.

Is UNMASKED an enjoyable read? Not exactly. But it’s a book I’m glad to have been exposed to. It’s thought-provoking, informative, and a sobering look at a movement that warrants scrutiny.