This is the first book to address the political-philosophical dimensions of Islamic fundamentalist terrorism and offer conclusions about how the West should respond. Author biog: Paul Berman is a political and cultural critic. His writings appear in The New Republic, The New York Times and Slate, among other publications.
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"This is the best book I have read on Muslim fundamentalism and what to do about it." George Walden, The Sunday Telegraph "A fluent and lucid essay by one of America's best exponents of recent intellectual history." - The Economist. "A compelling challenge to modern liberal attitudes..." - Martin Bright, The Observer "There is much to commend in this well written polemic, not least its analysis of Islamic fundamentalism and its concern about the myopia of many left-liberal thinkers in the west." - New Statesman "Those who opposed the second Gulf War should urgently read Terror and Liberalism." The Independent on Sunday "[Berman's] is an American, pro-Jewish perspective that knee-jerk European liberals would do well to read." - Robbie Hudson, The Sunday Times.
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DURING THE BUILDUP to the Persian Gulf War of 1991, Richard Nixon wrote an op-ed for The New York Times, endorsing the coming war and explaining its goals. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
DURING THE BUILDUP to the Persian Gulf War of 1991, Richard Nixon wrote an op-ed for The New York Times, endorsing the coming war and explaining its goals. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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71 of 77 people found the following review helpful
By Mick H
Format:Hardcover
Paul Berman is from the left politically, but, as with Christopher Hitchens, is appalled at the current attitude of the liberal left to the Iraqi war and the Palestinian situation. He argues that the short 20th century (1914-1989) didn't see the final defeat of the totalitarianisms of left and right, but that these survive in the Middle East, both in the teachings of Islamic fundamentalists and with the secular Baathists. Both of these groups in their different ways incorporated elements of the worst of European totalitarian philosophies. And the left, following the ignoble traditions of many in the thirties (Berman cites the example of the French socialists under Paul Faure), pretend it isn't happening.
One of the most interesting points that Berman raises, for me, is the question of the Palestinian suicide bombers. I find it quite extraordinary that this repellent form of terrorism is so remarkably effective in raising support for the Palestinian cause, and how many on the left think it quite reasonable (well yes, it's a shame about those innocent deaths, but...), and take it as proof that the Palestinians are suffering so appallingly under the Israelis that comparisons are blithely made not just with apartheid South Africa, but even, pace Tom Paulin and others, with Nazi Germany. But this is completely to misunderstand the mentality involved here. These suicide bombers are part of a profound pathology within the Arab world, a chiliastic movement, where death is glory. The same lazy shallow thinking, whereby everyone acts rationally in the light of their perceived interests, had it that the 9/11 bombers were protesting American foreign policy and the plight of the Palestinians. No, no, no. These people were protesting the very existence of liberalism. These people were fanatics.
... Read more ›34 of 38 people found the following review helpful
By F Gaddo
Format:Hardcover
Paul Berman wrote a compelling book about the dangers that current terrorism provide for the cause of freedom and liberalism. This case - that there are forces that are at war with liberalism and that we need to rise up to the challenge - has been made enough by some commentators but not heard enough, especially in some circles and through the major media channels. In particular, in Europe such a case has been often derided as simply an ad hoc justification for an 'imperialist war' or, when recognised for what it is, an unnecessary war on terror. Paul Berman is no neo-conservative. Actually in the preface he raises the question whether this book should position itself on the left or right side of the political spectrum. The author clearly would like to put himself on the moderate left side, but makes often argument that are heard more from commentators on the moderate right side. The reason is simple: with regard to the current 'terror war', there is no right or left, but only a liberal society and its enemies. Berman traces the history of this clash, between liberty and totalitarianism, back a century, to First World, Second world war and the cold war. Liberalism has fought many enemies, and many faces of the same enemy. We need to recognise terrorists for what they are and they they, those who harbour them, and dictators are the enemy of liberalism, under another face maybe, but animated by the same avulsion for our principles of freedom and equality as previous totalitarianisms, such as nazism and communism, were. The fact that this call to arms comes from somebody that would like to place himself on the left side is even more encouraging, as today there are too many people willing to deny the reality of our world and indulge themselves in wishful thinking.... Read more ›
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By anozama
Format:Paperback
The controversies of the Iraq war can distract us from the bigger issue of the global war against Islamic terror. Reading this powerful book (of 2004) refocuses our attention where it needs to be. Berman - a centre-left intellectual, no neo-conservative - is warning us not to be naïve, and to appreciate the reality of totalitarian terror. We must learn from our liberal forbears in the 30's, who underestimated the madness about to engulf them.
He takes us back to the collapse of the enlightenment and the `apocalyptic rebellion' of the early 20th century. In and around two World Wars, he reminds us, marched various totalitarian groups: the Bolsheviks, the Nazis, the Spanish Phalange, the Italian Fascists. These monstrously evil movements all had similar yearnings: Holy Armageddon, the extermination of `corrupt' (ie liberal) societies, creation of a Pure, Authoritarian, Total State. Moslem fundamentalists are the latest such totalitarian regime : Jihad warriors gloriously sacrificing themselves in pursuit of the Pure Islamist State operating under Shariah Law.
He describes the formation and ethos of the Baath party (initially co-opting Mohammed as their leader, until taken over by Saddam Hussein), then the original Muslim Brotherhood (greatly influenced by the Sunni writer Sayyid Qutb). Passionately opposed to the secular liberal societies - even partially religious ones - Qutb taught of the deplorable inattention given by Christianity to the Old Testament, and its inevitable, sinful, decline from the medieval Church-State into an overly materialistic, insufficiently devout, corruptly liberated and democratic mess. And he taught of the `sins' of the Jews: their rejection of Mohammed, their financial dealings, the works of Marx, and Freud.... Read more ›
He takes us back to the collapse of the enlightenment and the `apocalyptic rebellion' of the early 20th century. In and around two World Wars, he reminds us, marched various totalitarian groups: the Bolsheviks, the Nazis, the Spanish Phalange, the Italian Fascists. These monstrously evil movements all had similar yearnings: Holy Armageddon, the extermination of `corrupt' (ie liberal) societies, creation of a Pure, Authoritarian, Total State. Moslem fundamentalists are the latest such totalitarian regime : Jihad warriors gloriously sacrificing themselves in pursuit of the Pure Islamist State operating under Shariah Law.
He describes the formation and ethos of the Baath party (initially co-opting Mohammed as their leader, until taken over by Saddam Hussein), then the original Muslim Brotherhood (greatly influenced by the Sunni writer Sayyid Qutb). Passionately opposed to the secular liberal societies - even partially religious ones - Qutb taught of the deplorable inattention given by Christianity to the Old Testament, and its inevitable, sinful, decline from the medieval Church-State into an overly materialistic, insufficiently devout, corruptly liberated and democratic mess. And he taught of the `sins' of the Jews: their rejection of Mohammed, their financial dealings, the works of Marx, and Freud.... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great anti totalitarian book, please read
For me this book was a game changer. Along with Steven Pinker's Blank Slate, this book provides a thorough explanation of why romantic ideological, idealism leads to... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Jonathan
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must read!
The War on Terror is a concern for us all, and understanding it is imperitive. Of course our governments make mistakes and do some very illiberal things, but there are plenty of... Read more
Published on 5 Dec 2008 by Mr. R. B. G. Harries
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant!
Considering the current situation around the world, Paul Berman's book is one of the finest in print. The background material is laid out clearly and convincingly. Read more
Published on 2 Sep 2006 by CJ Craig
4.0 out of 5 stars
Appeasement or intervention
Terrorism and suicide attacks have a long history across the world. Berman is analysing the cultural foundations of totalitarian thought, which is leading states as well as... Read more
Published on 14 Nov 2004 by Rainer Brömer
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