Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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373 of 393 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A courageous voice for Western civilization , February 28, 2006
There is a new section opening up in the libraries of the world. It will contain books on 'the Islamic threat to Western Civilization.' Bat-Yeor's 'Eurabia' was a pioneer, as were the works of Robert Spencer. Bruce Bawer, Andrew Bostom and later in this year Mark Steyn will have his chance to explain why 'old Europe' seems to be folding up and dying before the Muslim invasion.
What then makes Oriana Fallaci's book of special value and meaning? For one thing she is a first hand observer, a European, an Italian journalist of worldwide reputation. Secondly, she has a personal story of the reactions to her previous writings on the subject, the attacks, the boycotting, the hatred, the efforts to silence her, the driving her from her native Italy to her current place of refuge in New York. A good part of this present book tells her own story and she is not shy about condemning those who sees as not simply attacking her, but betraying the West.
As Fallaci understands it all the political forces of the West, the Left, the Right, and most surprisingly and painfully the Church have submitted to the Islamic onslaught. The Muslims speak openly about taking over Western Civilization, but anyone who dares to hint as Fallaci more than does about the superiority morally and culturally of Western civilization is called 'racist'.
Defining herself as a 'Christian atheist' one who sees how strong a part Christianity has played in the development of Western Civilization she is appalled by the Church's apologetics and sniveling before Islam.
From her new home in New York she sees the United States as the last hope of stemming the Islamic tide.
At present gravely ill this book may be the swan song of one of the most provocative and courageous of modern journalists.
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490 of 520 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Impassioned Reason, March 7, 2006
There are two groups that are going to really hate this book. One are the Islamists who divide humanity into two groups: the People of Paradise and the People of Hell. And who insist that their beliefs alone are off-limits when it comes to critical inquiry. The second group is the multiculturalists and relativists, who do not find anything particular valuable in Western Culture over any other culture (including those who kill a daughter who has been raped to preserve "honor".)
So who WILL like this book? Those who do deeply cherish Western culture as it has developed through the US constitution, who value the hard won freedom and autonomy of the individual, who believe that women are the equals of men and should be treated as so, and those who believe that humanity reaches its greatest heights when the human mind is left free.
Make no mistake about it. Fallaci really really hates (my word) what is happening to her culture (an ongoing surrender to an immigrating, limiting Islam), because she really loves what Western Culture (via Locke and others) has been. And that passion comes in like a great blazing fireball. She is a real and authentic voice, with ragged edges, authenticity, fire, and conviction. The multiculturalists, pacifists, Islamists and others are doing everything they can to shut her up. But it seems that the strength of her fire only grows. The West is so lucky to have a woman like her. We need a thousand such voices, and even more. We need the passionate understanding of how wonderful our own culture is, and how it is worth preserving and fighting for. Read this book with While Europe Slept and you'll get a real education.
Fallaci's The Force of Reason is a raw act of courage. And Fallaci is a great hero of our time. My heartfelt thanks and gratitude to her for the gift of her passion, as rare as diamonds and as precious as gold in a culture becoming as limp as milque toast.
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95 of 97 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
a true heroine, March 20, 2006
in the twilight of her life oriana fallaci wastes no time and makes a heroic effort to wake up the "natives"of eurabia before it is too late.
Reiterating the pact made with the arabs in 1973 when the Europeans sold their souls for oil Ms.Fallaci rails against the Muslim takeover of democracy where there is no longer free speech,free press,free thought or freedom of religion except for what is deemed politicaly correct which is islamophilic,anti american and anti christian.
The media is targeted as well for their censorship of all things that might reflect badly upon islam and their hand wringing excuse making sob stories excusing any muslim of any mischief including polygamy,illegal immigration which is in the millions and last falls rioting in France deemed due to unemployment which somehow Hindu's,Buddhists,Atheists,Jews and Christians escape.
This book is a warning not to be taken lightly by Europe indeed the world.
For a Europe who ignored Mein Kampf I expect litle but hope much.
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