Why We Fight: Moral Clarity and the War on Terrorism (Hardcover)

by William J. Bennett (Author) "THE RUINS OF THE WORLD TRADE Center were still smoking, ash and soot lingered in the air, the odor of death lay everywhere..." (more)
Key Phrases: United States, New York, World Trade Center (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Bestselling author William J. Bennett says he was inspired by displays of patriotism after the September 11 terrorist attacks, but he was also struck by how "some were quick to find us to blame." He worries that this "countermovement of America-bashing" will make the United States lose its resolve: "What I fear is the erosion of moral clarity, and the spread of indifference and confusion, as a thousand voices discourse with energy and zeal on the questionable nature, if not the outright illegitimacy, of our methods or our cause." Bennett cites dozens of examples of professors who decry U.S. foreign policy and pundits who object to so much flag flying. While recognizing that these are minority views, he concludes that Osama bin Laden caught Americans with their defenses down--not just physical and military defenses, but also moral and intellectual ones. "Many of us have forgotten what we once knew about our freedoms and our decencies, and we have forgotten why, time and time again, we have had to rally ourselves to the point of ultimate sacrifice to defend them," writes Bennett, who also appraises Islam and defends Israel on these pages. Why We Fight is short and quickly read--and worthwhile for anybody who wants to be reminded of first principles during the war on terrorism. --John Miller

From Publishers Weekly
National morals arbiter Bennett takes America's reaction to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and uses it as a platform to discuss a half dozen of the major social and political issues including the role of pacifism, patriotism, "Islamophobia" and support for Israel. His goal is to bolster support for the Bush administration's War on Terror, and in particular, convince readers that the U.S. is, quite literally, a "country worth fighting for." Bennett's point of view is anchored in the "righteous anger" he feels Americans are justified in feeling against al-Qaeda. To rally the cause, he invokes all the righteous institutions of America the church, the state, the family except our well-regarded ability to tolerate different points of view. Unfortunately, his own anger is directed internally, at the members of the so-called cultural elite mostly journalists and educators who would call into question America's clear mandate to retaliate. This elite, he says, is trained on relativistic, postmodernist theory rather than on what he calls common sense. In so doing, he extrapolates unreasonably from the behavior of a small group of individuals, such as a few university studentss quoted in the press, and applies its thinking to larger class of college students. Further, Bennett excels at simplifying issues to the point where black and white appear out of gray. When he concludes that "why we fight" is to prevent al-Qaeda from acquiring chemical and biological weapons and using them for mass destruction, it is easy to agree with him. But when he condemns self-criticism as a national pathology, his words lose their value. For what is this book, if not a product of self-criticism? Bennett rarely ventures beyond his personal convictions. Stirring it may be, but edifying regarding the complexities of America's present situation it is not.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday; 1 edition (April 9, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385506805
• ISBN-13: 978-0385506809
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (73 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #76,643 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Speaking Truth to Power, June 28, 2002

By	Terrence J. Sexton "Terrence Sexton" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Why is it that so many intellectuals and media-elites are uncomfortable with patriotism? Why do they fail to recognize that, despite its flaws, America remains a beacon of freedom to the oppressed and downtrodden around the world? And why do the elites cheer on America's enemies as those enemies seek to extinguish the rights that enable us to speak our minds, criticize the government, and determine our own destinies?

Bill Bennett tackles these nagging questions, and more, in his excellent short book "Why We Fight."

Bennett also explains the moral, philosophical, and theological justifications for using force to avert evil. He respectfully and thoughtfully examines the underpinnings of various strains of pacifism, and describes how many pacifists, including some Quakers, have come to recognize that there are times when force is not only justified, but required.

In the end, the explanation of why we fight is easily understood. We fight to preserve freedom's foothold against the forces of tyranny and despotism. America's moral failings, including slavery, are the exception rather than the rule. Those who do not understand that will never understand this book, and deserve our pity rather than our contempt.

26 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Why you should care..., August 21, 2002

By	The Sanity Inspector (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

In this slim volume of reflections on the 9-11 attacks and the domestic reactions to it, Bennett calls for purposeful anger and determined retaliation against the terrorists. It says something about our times that this is a controversial position. Yet, after a couple of generations of having school kids indoctrinated in the evils of being judgmental, it seems that sizeable amounts of our morally enervated Ritalin zombies are wholly unequipped to respond to our latest challenge.

Bennett spends some ink deploring the Left in this country, who immediately blamed America for the attacks. Hate like that cannot be reformed, only resisted. But his greater concern is the moral illiteracy that these people have inculcated in American schoolchildren. The kids are being taught to think about the attack as if it were just a natural disaster, nobody's fault, except for the ones who are being taught to believe that Uncle Sam wore a short skirt and asked for it.

The weakest section is the one on Islam. Better surveys of that religion, its warlike tendencies, and its usage-hijacking, if you prefer-by terrorists are available by authors like Daniel Pipes, Bernard Lewis, Stephen Emerson, and Ram Swarup. Bennett is at his best excoriating miseducation of American children, and the resulting moral confusion they suffer. A generation that has been taught "Don't hit", may turn out peaceful, but one that has been taught "Don't hit back" has been cruelly cheated.

People who can watch 3,000 fellow Americans die and respond only with "Yes, but..." deserve nothing but contempt. This book gives it to them hot and strong. Get it to bolster your resolve. And watch what they're teaching your children.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, brief, December 30, 2002

By	Kevin M. Gorden (Chino, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a fine book that answers all of the silly arguments put forth by those opposed to defending freedom and America. Read the negative reviews, the arguments they put forth are answered by the book in marvelous and just fashion. Bennett is cordial, as always, he is not mean or cruel to those with whom he disagrees. He doesn't label them like the people who dish out the poor reviews on Amazon. A fine work. Read it yourself it'll take a few day tops.!