America Alone by Mark Steyn (2006, Hardcover)

Steyn's book is an easy, fast and occasionally rather humorous read, but that does not detract from its explosive and well-researched premise, namely that the Islamic faith, as practiced by millions of Muslims today (and sadly, by what may be a majority of its adherents) poses a far greater threat to individual rights, freedom of religion and speech, and democracy than most anyone realizes. This reality, when combined with the demographic changes sweeping Europe (Europe is almost certain to be 25% to 30% Muslim by 2030, and majority Muslim by 2060) leaves America without any future allies in its struggle against Islamic terror.

How many here in America are aware that, at present fertility rates among many European nations (less than 1.2 children for every native Spaniard couple; less than 1.3 for every native Italian couple) that the natives of these nations will be halved in less than 50 years; that Germany's population of 62 million ethnic Germans will be under 35 million by 2050? How many Americans are aware of the fact that Muslims account for as much as 30 and 40 percent of the under twenty population in several Western European nations? This has enormous consequences for America, because these Muslims gaining numerical ascendancy in Europe are not assimilating, and their greater allegiance is to Islam, not the European country of their citizenship. In 20 years, when a rogue Muslim state decides to terrorize its neighbors--or the world--which nation in Europe will join the U.S. in confronting such a state? The answer: none of them, for what nation is willing to go to war against a terrorist country when 25% of that nation's own people identify more closely with the terrorist country?

Besides the looming threat of "Eurabia," Steyn also exposes what others, most notably Robert Spencer of Jihadwatch, have been trying to tell Americans for years, namely that Islam is decidedly NOT a religion of peace, but is rather one of conquest. Moreover, it is undeniably the most intolerant major religion on the planet. In every nation where Muslims rule (with a small exception of Turkey, and they certainly have their problems), women suffer terrible discrimination, citizens of other faiths are routinely persecuted, and the most violent antiAmerican and antisemitic rhetoric--reminiscent of Goebbel's propaganda against Jews--is actively taught in schools and reported through their media outlets.

Overall, this book is an alarming and fascinating read, well researched and quite politically incorrect given today's false mantra of "Islam is a religion of peace." Anyone who studies the Qur'an and the Hadith--anyone familiar with world history--knows how nonsensical this "religion of peace" fiction is. Steyn's book, with its details of the West's self-flagellating insistence on condemning our own culture while refusing to face the obvious facts of the terribly flawed Islamist culture, should be required reading for anyone who wishes to intelligently converse on the threat Islam poses to the West.

One thing's for sure, given the demographic facts in Europe and the nature of Islam: things are going to get much worse, before they get any better.