Book Review: America Alone - The End of the World as We Know It by Mark Steyn
Published November 23, 2006
Mark Steyn, thought by many blogosphere and newspaper readers to be one of the world's best columnists, is back with a book that examines the demographics that threatens the West as we know it.
In America Alone, Steyn points out that Western countries are literally dying as they do not have birthrates high enough to replace older citizens as they die every year. On the other hand, countries with the highest growth rate are ones with large Muslim communities; they are also some of the youngest societies.
Steyn also makes it clear that many of this growing minority does not want to integrate but rather segregate itself in the host country, preferring Sharia law to the laws of the land. Of course, this situation is self-inflicted whether it be by Western leaders always making Muslims out to be victims even in the face of Islamist attacks like 9/11 & 7/7 (and rushing to Mosques rather than to the families of the victims), or by the self-defeating drive for multiculturalism and the bloated welfare state. This is far more advanced in Europe, especially on the Continent, than it is in the US. Yet there are Americans on the left who look to Europe for their ideas on society, culture and inter-faith community relations.
The book is a testament to the lack of will in the West to confront Islamism wherever it raises its head. However, Steyn does not merely bleat about the state of affairs but liberally peppers the book with his wry, direct humour. In reaction to the amount of people in Egypt who believe Mossad attacked the Egyption resort, Steyn reiterates that "Denial is more than a river in Egypt." And in reaction to the Russian statistics on abortion: "Russian women are voting with their fetuses." And it might amuse a few people when they realise that the sub-title of the book is shared with one of REM's most memorable songs.
This is a sobering tome that does not merely state the bleeding obvious in a prediction of doom - it also offers solutions to the problems facing the West. In fact he has a list of 10 suggestions to help Islam reform itself. For instance, he suggests that we should "Cease bankrolling unreformable oil dictatorships by a long overdue reform of the energy industry."
Steyn does not peddle neo-isolationism or total war against Muslims, and neither does he believe surrendering is the answer either. Rather, he believes that in order to help ourselves we have to help Islam evolve into something that can cope with the realities of the 21st-century world.
Steyn has produced more of what we expect from him in his excellent and recognisable style. America Alone is expertly crafted, reads well and is informative without being turgid. I highly recommend it to all and suggest it be placed on Christmas wishlists by all that don't already have it. Essential reading for all.
Marty's band, Growing Old Disgracefully, can be found at: Disgraceful Music. His Cthulhu tales can be found at Temple of Dagon. 
- Book Review: America Alone - The End of the World as We Know It by Mark Steyn
- Published: November 23, 2006
- Type: Review
- Section: Books
- Filed Under: Books: Nonfiction, Books: Politics and Affairs, Books: Religion
- Writer: Marty Dodge
- Marty Dodge's BC Writer page
- Marty Dodge's personal site
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Comments on this articleComments
Not a bad review. However, as a 'writer', Marty should know that the statement "In reaction to the amount of people..." misuses 'amount' when he should have used 'number'. Why doesn't a copy editor catch this? Maybe Mark Steyn made the same mistake. I'll have to check my copy.
Regards.
Putin is to blame for Beslan? LOL
Reminds me of Monty Python where they want to kidnap and kill Pilates wife in the life of Brian but point out that sole responsibility for her death rests with rome.
If i show up at a school with bombs and guns it is my responsibility that the children died. No one elses.
America deserves more than dying. It deserves to go to hell.
Hi all,
The book is a direct insult to Islam;the author seems to be lacking somehow;he must read about islamic history before jumping to conclusions,he wrongly accuse Islam of being incompatible with today's society simply by the deeds of some adherents of this religion;he must know that islam succeeded in becoming a great faith in a matter of yen years!!!!Is there a nation or whatever in this world that did the same????
This alone proves that it is a divine revelation from the Creator!!but the author really hits the nail when he says Islam will prevail;THANKS A LOT!!! This is very true as we were told the same good news by our dear prophet MUHAMAD peace be upon him 1428 years ago!!!! No wonder it will prevail and the whole world will be one under the banner of THERE IS NO GOD BUT ALLAH AND MOHAMAD IS HIS MESSENGER;only then will there bo no bloodshed,no hate,no starving, no wrongdoing;PEACE WILL TRIUMPH.
THANKS A LOT FOR YOUR TIME
Well there is a shock...an offended Islamist. As far as I can tell everything offends Islamist loons.
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With my bad English, I will be short:
1. The Stein's book title is incomplete: the full title should be: "America alone, deeply divided and dangerously infested",
2. It contains a witty text with only few facts, enough for the article, but not for the big book. With all repeats and water removed, it would be 1/10 of the present volume;
3. One fact, repeated frequently, is Beslan as an example of Muslims cruelty. This interpretation is wrong - actually, the Chechens are responsible for taking the hostages, while true responsibility for the slaughter is on the Putin and his aides - the short list of his murderous activities includes Kursk murder, Nord-Ost murder, Yendarbiev murder, and recently -Politkovskaya and Litvinenko murder, while the full list contains thousands in Chechnya and hundreds in Russia and abroad.
The true role of Putin deserves of special analysis in context of "America alone" as an important factor in speeding up the process.
The wrong interpretation of one event undermines the reliability of others.
However, the whole picture given by Mr. Stein is correct, impressive and helpful for whose who is capable of seeing the truth.