Book Review: Acquitted by Kyle Rittenhouse

Kyle Rittenhouse's "Acquitted" represents one of the most polarizing autobiographical works in recent memory, arriving two years after the author's controversial acquittal on all charges related to the August 2020 Kenosha shootings. Released as a Kindle edition in November 2023, the book positions itself as Rittenhouse's first-person account of the events that transformed him from an anonymous teenager into a nationally divisive figure. Starting with a childhood marked by homelessness and his father's drug addictions, the book provides what Rittenhouse describes as "an unflinching look at the choices—his and others—that led to Kenosha on August 25, 2020".

Background and Context

Kyle Rittenhouse gained national attention at age 17 for shooting three men in Kenosha, Wisconsin—two fatally—during protests following the police shooting of Jacob Blake in August 2020. After traveling to Kenosha and joining a group of armed people who claimed to be protecting businesses, Rittenhouse became involved in confrontations that resulted in him fatally shooting Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, and Anthony Huber, 26, while wounding Gaige Grosskreutz. Following a highly publicized trial, he was acquitted on all charges in November 2021.

The Book's Central Narrative

Rittenhouse frames his story with the stark declaration: "My name is Kyle Rittenhouse. I was attacked. I defended myself. I was prosecuted. I was acquitted". The author emphasizes that he "never wanted to be a public figure" and describes his goals as wanting to "be a cop or a paramedic," claiming he went to Kenosha to "help my community—not become a whipping boy in the national debate".

Rittenhouse explains his motivation for writing the book: "The reason I wanted to tell my story is because there were so many false media narratives and so many people painting a different picture of who I really am in their own mind". The book attempts to counter what he perceives as mischaracterizations by revealing his background of poverty and family struggles.

Strengths and Merits

Personal Vulnerability: The book's most compelling aspect may be Rittenhouse's candid discussion of his difficult childhood: "I was a kid who grew up homeless and in subsidized government housing, living off of food stamps with a drug addict dad". This humanizing element provides context often missing from media coverage.

First-Person Perspective: For readers seeking to understand Rittenhouse's mindset and motivations, the book offers direct access to his thoughts and feelings about the events that changed his life.

Timing and Relevance: Published on the second anniversary of his acquittal, the book addresses ongoing civil litigation and public interest in the case.

Critical Weaknesses and Concerns

Writing Quality: Multiple reviewers have criticized the book's fundamental writing mechanics, with one noting "misspellings, run-on sentences, indentation and grammar are horrible. You have to read it 4 or 5 times to understand the point Kyle is trying to make". Another reviewer observed that while the book "maybe written in the level of a 5th or 6th grader," this might reflect the author's "innocent and naive" nature.

Limited Substance: Critics argue that the book lacks substantive new information, with one reviewer stating, "If you watched the trial, there's no need to read this book. If you were to pull relevant information out of this 200 page autobiography, you'll only really need to read 20 pages".

Family Controversies: The book reportedly contains unflattering portrayals of Rittenhouse's family members, leading to public disputes: "The stuff he said about his family was untrue and very very unnecessary. As if Kyle's family didn't support him when he were at his lowest, he turns around and writes all this nonsense that Wendy, Faith and Mckenzie had to come out and say it wasn't true".

Self-Victimization Concerns: Some reviewers characterize the narrative as "a self-victimizing rant, blaming everyone else for his problems but himself…even shaming his parents".

Market Reception and Performance

The book has maintained a four-out-of-five-star rating on Amazon, suggesting satisfaction among its target readership.

Public and Critical Response

The book has generated predictably polarized reactions. Social media responses range from calling Rittenhouse "repulsive" and criticizing him for trying to "milk the deaths of two people for every dime," to supporters praising him as an "American hero" and declaring "This country needs a million more like you".

Supportive reviews emphasize themes of media bias and self-defense rights: "This was a great book that sheds some light on how the media and people in general can formulate an opinion before gathering information".

Critical reviews question Rittenhouse's motivations and character, with some reviewers refusing to engage with the content entirely, writing: "There are already too many books written by or about murderers out there do we need another?"

Legal and Ethical Context

The book's publication comes amid ongoing civil litigation, which may explain what some reviewers perceive as the author's reluctance to provide detailed accounts of controversial aspects of the case. Multiple civil lawsuits remain pending, including wrongful death suits filed by the families of Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber, as well as a suit by Gaige Grosskreutz.

Target Audience and Accessibility

The book appears primarily aimed at conservative readers already sympathetic to Rittenhouse's case. As one reviewer noted, "Anyone picking up this book probably already has an opinion whether Kyle Rittenhouse is a hero or a murderer". The work seems unlikely to change minds or provide new insights for neutral readers seeking to understand the complexities of the case.

Broader Cultural Significance

"Acquitted" functions less as a traditional autobiography and more as a cultural artifact representing the deep divisions in American society over issues of gun rights, self-defense, racial justice, and media coverage. The book reflects Rittenhouse's transformation from defendant to conservative media figure, following appearances on Fox News and meetings with prominent political figures.

Final Assessment

"Acquitted" suffers from significant structural and substantive weaknesses that limit its effectiveness as either memoir or social commentary. The poor writing quality, limited new information, and apparent family conflicts detract from whatever insights the book might offer about a pivotal moment in recent American history.

While the book succeeds in humanizing Rittenhouse through revelations about his difficult childhood, it fails to provide the thoughtful reflection or analytical depth that might help readers understand the broader implications of the Kenosha events. The author's stated goal of correcting "false media narratives" is undermined by the book's limitations and the ongoing polarization surrounding his case.

For readers seeking to understand the Kenosha shootings and their aftermath, court transcripts, journalistic accounts, and documentary treatments would likely provide more comprehensive and objective perspectives than this highly subjective and technically flawed memoir.

Bottom Line

"Acquitted" represents a missed opportunity to provide meaningful insight into one of America's most controversial legal cases. While it offers a window into Rittenhouse's personal experience, the book's technical shortcomings, limited scope, and partisan framing significantly diminish its value as either historical document or compelling narrative.