“Throughout, Shaer reveals the messy underbelly of Lubavitch Crown Heights with the language and pacing of the true-crime genre. He creates compelling characters out of the dispute’s colorful central figures, and expertly weaves context with narrative.” – The Jewish Daily Forward

“Captivating… Shaer, a stranger in this land, is a rare neutral observer in the detached world of Lubavitcher Jews and seems to have gained trust on both sides. His prose is carefully balanced and respectful but still peppered with gems of wordsmithery.” – The Christian Science Monitor

“A thrilling read that propels the reader into a most enjoyable fracas. Shaer delves deep into one of America’s most fascinating and closed religious sub-cultures, the Crown Heights Lubavitcher Jews of New York City. Even if you don’t know the difference between a bagel and bialy, you’ll learn how and why our most devout beliefs can bring us together and drive us apart.” – Peter Moskos, author of Cop in the Hood

“An engrossing read, from the first page to the last. How many of us have looked at Orthodox Hasidic enclaves and wondered about the life and people within? With a keen eye and empathetic ear, Shaer takes us into this world. Brooklyn, New York is the setting for a courtroom drama that pits the insular world of the Hasidim against the secular world outside. The book feels novelistic, but it is all too true, and Shaer brings to life the great characters: gangs, lawyers, religious leaders, victims, and perpetrators. All come alive in this wonderful, riveting book.” – Sudhir Venkatesh, author of Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets