In a time when political correctness has become more a tool of homogenization of society, Press answers to the topic of racism. "Culturism" (Press, 2007) seems to be an extant that could be drawn from more ancient civilizations regarding cultural differences. Rather than relenting to nescient ethnic practices of in-group categorizations and stereotyping persons based upon their differences, Press champions a culturist approach to resolve the issue(s) of social racism by comparing racism to the concept of culturism.

For those who share a desire for personal development and seek to better understand the racial implications in social interactions and communications, this book would make a great addition to their libraries.

D Lacy

I once actually thought this book was important, that it had merit. But that was when I was foolish enough to believe in the Stealth Jihad and Eurabian conspiracy theories. Neither of which have any basis in the real world. If I had done a better job of thinking critically I would have rejected them outright. I don't know if Amazon will let me post links, but here goes. John Keneth Press, even if he actually meant well, has written a book to help fight a threat that really doesn't exist, and is promoting bigotry.

Islamification Myth
[...]

Delusions of Eurabia:
[...]

Also according to the CIA World Fact book most European Nations do not have a substantial Muslim population to begin with.

For example, here are the statistics they have regarding religion for the United Kingdom
Christian (Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 71.6%, Muslim 2.7%, Hindu 1%, other 1.6%, unspecified or none 23.1% (2001 census)
[...]

The percentage of the population that is Muslim is even smaller. These are the statistics for Norway
Church of Norway 85.7%, Pentecostal 1%, Roman Catholic 1%, other Christian 2.4%, Muslim 1.8%, other 8.1% (2004)
[...]

Even if we are to believe the worst about most European or American Muslims, which we have no good reason to do, there's no real chance that the fears that motivated Press to write this book will materialize.

Sorry it wouldn't let me post links to my sources. I sited my sources the best I could.

When I first read of the idea of Culturism, it struck me like a bolt of lightning. Of course, everything made sense, here was a word and a concept "Culturism" I had been struggling to define whenever my thoughts turned to multiculturalism.
"Multiculturalism robs us of the authority to protect our culture"
As I read brief passages from each chapter of the book, I couldn't help but keep repeating to myself, "of course, of course of course" it just all made perfect sense.
JKP's book concerns itself to culturism in America but it's concepts can be applied universally.
Within the context of America, JKP identifies the origins of American Culturism as emerging from the Puritan ethic.
The first section on the Puritan ethic was a new concept to me.
Reading this section wasn't so much an "of course" experience as much as a steep learning curve It is an aspect of American history that I have not much familiarity.
The Puritan theme is used to tie together the notion of Culturism and American culture.
JKP explains the ideas that gave birth to multiculturalism in anthropology. Margaret Mead has a lot to answer for.
So what is JKP getting at? Nothing less than the need to understand that our culture, are values are not self - evident as they may appear to us and especially not to other cultures.
It is JKP's message that our culture needs to be defended if it is to survive.
Most significant is the western notion of Justice.
JKP uses many examples of practices of other cultures to drive home the point that there is no room in our culture for multiculturalism when multiculturalism threatens the values that we take for granted.
The false notion that we have accepted in that all cultures are equal.
JKP points out the myth of the noble savage, invented by Rousseau. This myth has developed to include the belief that indigenous cultures were caretakers of their environment whilst immigrant cultures destroyed and pillaged the environment.
Very much the same ideas are in the book The Future Eaters by Tim Flannery.
So the subtle message which JKP presents very gently, in a restrained voice is that western culture is under threat from Islamic culture.
The call to Culturism is to awaken us to the very qualities that make our culture unique and worthy of protecting. If we do not protect our culture then we will inevitably lose what we cherish.
There is a lot more food for thought in this book of which I have highlighted what to me is the core message. I wholeheartedly recommend it to everybody.

It is not John Press but the negative reviewer above who proves to be "close-minded" and pig-ignorant. While I too have some disagreements with the author, Culturism is on the whole a truly bold and iconoclastic contribution to intellectual discourse in a political and cultural climate that incessently worships but never defines the value of "diversity". Too often, lazy thinkers like this reviewer above argue that a true respect for diversity demands uncritical accomodation to the co-existence of many different moral values and belief systems to prove that one is not "racist". This is supposed to be an unquestioned good in itself even if many of these values and beliefs are by definition incompatible within the boundaries of one society or culture. Press's most crucial point is that societies DO have the right to define themselves and to defend and maintain their underlying coherence and unified moral purpose. The failure to do so leads not only to extreme cultural relativism (and ultimately ANARCHY!) but can perpetuate and create needless social and military strife. In our case as Americans, we should not apologize for - but vehemently ADVOCATE - our standing as a nation of the West and one whose defined freedoms and liberties should never be compromised by the need to "tolerate" incompatible groups and missions. Simply for making that point (along with many other interesting excursions in intellectual and cultural history) we as readers should profoundly than John Press for getting this discourse underway.

This book helped form the basis of how I think. It's insightful, and important.