How the West Was Lost [Hardcover]

Alexander Boot (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1850439850 | ISBN-13: 978-1850439851 | Publication Date: September 3, 2006

What made the West 'western'? And has Western civilisation found modernity but lost itself? This provocative and stimulating polemic argues that the modern world has destroyed western culture and civilisation without gaining anything in return, leaving contemporary man with a spiritual and cultural gap that no amount of material wealth can fill. This is a brave and challenging attempt to explain how and why this has happened and present a new concept of modern history for our complacent times.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"There are many wise ideas in this book"--Roger Scruton, writer and philosopher

"A startlingly clear analysis of why we have become who we are, written with such admirable clarity and wit that news of humanity's defeat seems almost bearable. Noone who claims to know anything should open their mouth in public without reading it."--Fay Weldon, author of The Life and Loves of a She-Devil and Auto Da Fay

"Highly original…an extremely important argument even for those who have no religious belief, and Alexander Boot puts it more unflinchingly, more courageously, than anyone else."--Theodore Dalrymple, author of Life at the Bottom and Our Culture, What's Left of It

"Those reading Alexander Boot's vigorous and witty assault on the modern superstitions of progress and science will never see the world in the same way again. A refreshing and original voice."--James Le Fanu, Telegraph columnist and author of The Rise and Fall of Modern Medicine

"At last! Someone with the courage to say the unsayable: that one can be for liberty while detesting many of the means by which liberty is achieved."--Digby Anderson, journalist and former Director of the Social Affairs Unit

"Alexander Boot puts his finger precisely on the malaise affecting western societies. His book is the most readable account of the decline of the West since Spengler, and serenely free from the contamination of academic jargon. It should be read by politicians, teachers, bishops and anyone who has anything to do with public administration. We should all read it. Twice."--Reverend Dr Peter Mullen, Rector of St Michael's Cornhill and author of Holy Smoke: The Daily Life of a Rector in the City of London

About the Author

A philology graduate of Moscow University, Alexander Boot lectured there on English and American literature in English, wrote art criticism and got into trouble with the KGB before emigrating to the USA in 1973 - only to find that the West he was seeking was no longer there. This inspired a life-long quest for an explanation, reflected in numerous essays. He has written for a wide range of publications including the London Magazine, the Salisbury Review and the Independent. He now divides his time between London and Burgundy, working on his next two books.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: I. B. Tauris (September 3, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1850439850
• ISBN-13: 978-1850439851
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,125,254 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful, well-written historical reflection, February 22, 2007

By 

Sarah S (Edmonds, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How the West Was Lost (Hardcover)

It is obvious to many observers that today's societies are experiencing a breakdown of what many would call "traditional Western social and cultural values." Boot takes this argument one step further, contending that Western man, or "Westman," is already dead. He defines Westman as a socio-cultural type that emerged from the blending of Hellenic logic and Christian values. Boot argues that traditional Westman values were besieged by Enlightenment ideals, suffered a crippling blow in the Industrial Revolution, and were finally demolished by the wars of the 20th century. Dancing on the ashes of Westman's tomb is a new socio-cultural type--Modern man, or "Modman."

According to Boot, two subspecies of Modmen exist, the Nihilists (exemplified by Russia) and the Philistines (led by America). Both forms rule by "glossocracy," that is, distorting the true meaning of words to preserve political power. The only substantive difference between the two subspecies is the Nihilist's willingness to add mass murder into the power equation as well. Cast in these terms, Boot analyzes the wars and political murders characteristic of the 20th century, using the millions of dead to argue strongly that Modman governments are deeply flawed because they deny the existence of the soul -- a human dimension that was supremely important in Westman's world.

This is an outstanding book that challenged me to re-evaluate my personal interpretation of recent history. Boot has a very strong, opinionated voice, and though one may not agree with all of his opinions, his ideas will provoke personal reflection. To truly enjoy this work, at least a basic knowledge of Greek philosophy, Christianity, European culture from 1200 - 1850, and the events of the 20th century is requisite. This work is a commentary on history and culture, and as such, it is geared for people who are knowledgable in these areas.

11 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Our Beloved, Dead Western Civilization, November 3, 2006

By 

C. Welch "a bourgeois" (Springfield, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How the West Was Lost (Hardcover)

A sublime eulogy to the greatness of what was Western civilization and its beautiful culture..... now, of course, long dead.

7 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Ignorant, January 17, 2007

By 

PK (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How the West Was Lost (Hardcover)

This book is full of chauvinism, prejudice and ignorance. The writer does not even posess an elementary knowledge on the subject he pretends to be talking about, yet he makes confident proclamations. E.g. at one point he claims that Aristotle was a disciple of Socrates. In fact, the former was born 15 years after the death of the latter. Ignorance of such basic facts on behalf of the author renders this book unworthy of reading.