America Alone: The End of the World as We Know It
 

America Alone: The End of the World as We Know It

by Mark Steyn

In this, his first major book, Mark Steyn--probably the most widely read, and wittiest, columnist in the English-speaking world--takes on the great poison of the twenty-first century: the anti-Americanism that fuels both Old Europe and radical Islam. America, Steyn argues, will have to stand alone. The world will be divided between America and the rest; and for our sake America had better win. (read review)

Top tags: politicsnon-fictionnonfictionislamdemographics (all tags)

Overview: Amazon Reviews

9/11 Was Not "the Day Everything Changed," But the Day That Revealed How Much Had Already Changed
  • Rated 4 stars
Reviewed by an Amazon user, 2008-11-25
Author Mark Steyn's "America Alone" provides a global construct in which the world is dependent on America for a future that honors human dignity and basic liberties. The rise in global Islamism represents a critical global threat. At issue is whether we have the will to get the job done. Other major powers do not. They have committed demographic suicide, created unsustainable welfare state models, and are too exhausted to be counted on.

Steyn says September 11, 2001, was not "the day everything changed," but the day that revealed how much had already changed. Islamic extremists are not fighting so that we can provide them with something. They are fighting to eliminate America and the West. We need to be shaken from our pre-occupation with elevating the secondary impulses (self-gratification) over the primary ones: national defense, self-reliance, family, and, most basic of all, reproductive activity.

Steyn offers a series of alternative responses to this global threat and rules all but "reforming Islam" unrealistic. His plan for reform places an emphasis on creating conditions which will increase the likelihood of Muslim reform including:
1. Supporting women's rights in the Muslim world.
2. Roll back ideological exports like Wahhabi, that radicalize Muslims.
3. Support economic and political liberty in the Muslim world.
4. End the Iranian Regime.
5. Strike militarily as needed.

"America Alone" will change the way you look at the world. Steyn argues we don't know who we are, we don't know the issues, and we still do not understand the nature of the enemy. We are the ones who are nuts. We have the better government, religion, and culture but our ideological insecurity is a weakness that becomes this particular enemy's strength. We must turn away from a culture that is suicidal. A suicide bomber is not a weak weapon against a culture intent on killing itself.

Truly Eye Opening
  • Rated 5 stars
Reviewed by an Amazon user, 2008-11-05
America Alone is a cogent analysis of the culture clash between western civilization and Islam. Steyn's brilliant composition is both enlightening and powerful. Mark Steyn segments his writing with great wit and humor, which makes his observations and arguments all the more entertaining.
Nostradamus
  • Rated 5 stars
Reviewed by an Amazon user, 2008-11-03
Mark Steyn opens your eyes to the truth with total disregard to political correctness. Thank God! He is a modern day Nostradamus. If Obama get in Tuesday, Mark's predictions will only be accelerated.
America Alone
  • Rated 4 stars
Reviewed by an Amazon user, 2008-10-28
Mark Steyn is refreshingly informative. We do need to be aware of the Islamic danger.
I recommend this book to any thinking American.
Where are the babies? Steyn knows...
  • Rated 4 stars
Reviewed by an Amazon user, 2008-10-22
Whether you like the author or not (I do), and whether you dislike his dry wit or not (I'm all about it), you're going to have a hard time disagreeing with his main point: much of what will be decided in the world in terms of Islam has already been decided by birth rate. Many countries aren't producing enough babies to replace themselves, and they need immigrants in order to pay for their lavish social programs. Those immigrants, especially in Europe, are (a) most often Muslim, and (b) often very uninterested in doing anything other than recreating their respective countries in their god's image.

That being said, Steyn is able to tell this story with ample statistical and parenthetical examples of his claims along with the ability to predict the future by simply observing the present. It's a thought-provoking read, and it's certainly one worth considering.
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