I hatets fotspor looks at modern hatred towards Muslims. Where does this hatred come from? How and why did it come about?

Early in the book we are introduced to ’Jørgen’, who was involved in online debates and met Breivik after a political event in Oslo in December 2009. ’Jørgen’ says that he – when looking back – feels that both his thoughts and the thoughts of others were characterised by a kind of gloomy darkness at that time in 2009. This negative message and hatred was regurgitated again and again, and repeated on different websites. He now thinks it necessary to look at recent history to understand how this hate was able to blossom and to explain the tragedy of the terror attacks in Oslo and the shootings on Utøya Island 22nd July 2011.

With this as the foundation, the book takes us on several journeys. One of them goes to Luton, described by extreme right-wing websites as a kind of hell on Earth. Another goes to Bosnia, where a hatred of Muslims resulted in the massacre in Srebrenica.

The story of hatred towards Muslims is also highlighted through the story of a suicide at Notre Dame and a story of a young man who ran amok in the streets of Antwerp.

The book also looks closely at the evolution of the so-called antijihad blogosphere, and discusses the English Defence League and how the so-called Eurabia way of thinking has spread

‘One of the best-informed Norwegian journalists when it comes to fascism and Muslim hatred in Europe. … I hatets fotspor is characterised by Øyvind Strømen’s great narrative and unique perspective. He starts with his own experiences and blends thorough research with interviews and reports in a form of prose which seems both reliable and built on a wide range of verifiable sources.’
Klassekampen

‘The Norwegian public changed after the events of 22nd July, and one of the reasons for this is a man called Øyvind Strømmen. His main point is that solo terrorist Breivik was not a lone wolf – he was part of a pack.’
VG