When I saw this book by Pat Buchanan on the new book shelf at the library I knew I had something to really chew on. Here was my chance to give that paleocoservative cave man one right between the eyes. Who can forget how Buchanan single handedly torpedoed George H. W. Bush's second term candidacy at the 1992 Republican convention in Dallas? Who is not still angry about the things he said to Michael Kinsly week after week on Crossfire? Well, Pat Buchanan is pretty tame compared to the conservatives we have running the show today.

Buchanan calls the the Bush II administration a failure because of it's hubris and ideological policymaking. In a chapter he calls "The Gospel of George Bush," he lambastes the notion that America can or should "end tyranny in our world," or spread democracy to every nation. He calls the invasion of Iraq the greatest mistake in American history. I'm with you Pat. Oh, it's hard to write that. How can I be agreeing with this guy?


Domestically Buchanan sees America drifting toward a union with Canada and Mexico, where we will lose our national identity - or the division of America where we will lose the southwest to the Mexicans, he's not sure which. Now we're talking! That's the Pat Buchanan I remember! He hits all the high notes, except that he never mentions the Trilateral Commission. Usually the Trilateral Commission is behind all these world government plots.

Buchanan feels the we need to close our borders to immigrants from Latin America, who speak another language, don't look like us and refuse to assimilate. He says, "Yet were an American to propose an immigration policy to keep the United States predominantly Christian and European -the rational behind the immigration act of 1924 - he or she would be denounced as a racist, a xenophobe, and un-American." Well, yeah, Pat. That would cover the bill.

What he fails to remember is the history of immigration in this country. Millions of people came here from China, Italy, Eastern Europe, Germany, Scandinavia in successive waves. Each time there were Pat Buchanans there eager to nail the gate shut and each time, in about three generations, the immigrants assimilated, made our country culturally richer and joined the Buchanans of the world to decry the coming of the next wave. Of course the Scandinavians brought lutefisk, which nearly poisoned the entire upper Midwest, or at least made it smell bad. I'm allowed to say that, just like Buchanan is allowed to sing "No Irish Need Apply." If he remembers the words.

I'll Never Forget The Day I Read A Book!

Mr. Buchanan is known for his politically conservative views. He is something of a modern day Jeremiah proclaiming the coming cataclysmic end of the nation. When his views conform with my own generally liberal beliefs, his clear articulation of problems meets with my approval. His scathing critic of the current administration's careless squandering of international goodwill following 911 with their overt display of hubris is very well written.

His strident decrying of the "culture wars" is overdone in my opinion. He says that the invasion from Mexico as a bigger threat to the USA than anything happening in Afghanistan and Iraq. I generally agree that there are many problems facing our country. However, many of his proposed solutions are too draconian for my tastes.

Nevertheless, the book was worth reading to learn what he has to say. Mr Buchanan has a lot of supporters and this book gives an insight into their views. ( )

Outstanding book. Buchanan lays out the road our nation has traveled on and where this road leads us, and it isn't a pretty picture. Disturbing and sobering, this book is a wake-up call to Americans to realize the disastrous route our country is taking. Not a particularly pleasant read, but a necessary one. ( )

Review on my Blog. ( )