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

Author(s): Asne Seierstad

True Crime

On 22 July 2011 Anders Behring Breivik killed 77 of his fellow Norwegians in a terrorist atrocity that shocked the world. Many were teenagers, just beginning their adult lives. In the devastating aftermath, the inevitable questions began. How could this happen? Why did it happen? And who was Anders Breivik? Asne Seierstad was uniquely placed to explore these questions. An award-winning foreign correspondent, she had spent years writing about people caught up in violent conflict. Now, for the first time, she was being asked to write about her home country. Based on extensive testimonies and interviews, One of Us is the definitive account of the massacres and the subsequent trial. But more than that, it is the compelling story of Anders Breivik and a select group of his victims. A picture emerges of a killer - isolated, awkward, with a strange and troubled childhood. And on the other side, we come to know fascinating, dazzling young people such as Simon Saebo and Bano Rashid, eager to contribute to their society. As we follow the path to their inevitable collision, it becomes clear just what was lost in that one day. A gripping, shattering and vital book, One of Us is the story of a massacre and a study of evil. But it is also a story about community versus isolation, hope versus rejection, love versus bigotry - and a powerful memorial to those who lost their lives.


Product Information

The definitive account of Anders Breivik's terrorist atrocity and its aftermath by Norwegian writer and foreign correspondent Asne Seierstad, author of The Bookseller of Kabul

Honestly and intelligently written ... offers lessons to those who choose to heed it on the folly of trying to make simple diagnoses or to apply simple remedies in Afghanistan -- for The Bookseller of Kabul, Isabel Hilton Daily Telegraph A colourful portrait of people struggling to survive in the most brutal circumstances ... bears witness to the power of literature to withstand even the most repressive regime -- for The Bookseller of Kabul, Michael Arditti Daily Mail A compelling picture of a country which tragically continues to tear itself apart -- for The Bookseller of Kabul Sunday Telegraph

Asne Seierstad was born in 1970 and studied Russian, Spanish and the History of Philosophy at Oslo University. An internationally bestselling author, she has also received numerous awards for her journalism. She has worked as a war correspondent across the world, including Russia, China, Iraq and Afghanistan. Her second book, The Bookseller of Kabul, has sold over two million copies and the paperback was in the Sunday Times top ten for over a year. Her other critically acclaimed works include A Hundred and One Days: A Baghdad Journal and The Angel of Grozny. Following the atrocities in Oslo and Utoya in July 2011, she attended the trial of Anders Breivik and then began work on One of Us, which became a European bestseller. All of Asne Seierstad's books are published by Virago. She is currently working on a book about Libya and the aftermath of Gaddafi.

General Fields

  • : 9781844089208
  • : Virago Press
  • : Virago Press
  • : October 2015
  • : United Kingdom
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : Asne Seierstad
  • : Paperback
  • : 315
  • : 363.32509481
  • : 352