Mark Steyn

Mark Steyn is basically everything I dislike - bigot Christian, anti-abortion, gun supporter, climate change denier, 'America-is-the-best-country-in-the-world-look-at-us!'... He goes against everything I stand for, and to be honest I am quite tired of the short sighted views of his likes. Actually, now in the era of Trump these people make me quite fed up. Yet, reading him is quite interesting because, behind the simplicity of his views hide a few impolitically correct reflexions that are show more nevertheless relevant.

Facing here the rise of Islamism, he dresses the death certificate of the whole Western World but the US; unless the US makes the right decisions (according to him) which (according to him) is far from being a given. He is shooting his prejudices all over, from Canada to Australia; yet it's Europe he is especially targeting here and, as a European, I have to say his stance echoes many of my own personal feelings.

Europe? Why Europe? Because Europe is history. Bye, bye. On the way out. Soon dead.

His verdict may be over the top, yet his arguments are everything but difficult to ignore. He is right: we are an ageing population, relying on social policies that are unsustainable in the long run, all of it being a serious challenge to our over-bureaucratic governments and 'nanny states'. He is right too: cultural relativism is a cancer, that has led to communautarism, divisions, and the rise of a dangerous political correctness that seriously undermines free speech and therefore democracy. Is it a wonder, then, than haters of all sides (from extremists Muslims to far right populists) are gaining ground? Europe is turning into a cocktail way more Molotov than Martini, and it should concern us all.

BUT, he is wrong too (and seriously off the mark) on other scores which, badly enough, are the core of his book: the consequences of the rise of Muslim population, and secularism and socialism.

On Muslims, he is falling prey of that pitiful trap every 'green peril' adherent falls into that is, ascribing them values that are opposites and challenging to western ones, and so viewing Islam as a threat to the western world. That's bonkers. The only 'Islam' which is barbaric and threatening, and not only to Europe but Muslims themselves (but Mark Steyn is way too prejudiced to get that point) is Wahhabism and its derivative - and the vast majority of Muslims vomit it (eg how many European Muslims went on to join ISIS?... The pitifully low figures says it all, really...).

I won't delve into secularism, that he accuses of being such a spiritual vacuum that others (read: 'Muslims' that is, for him, 'extremists') are more than willing to fulfil. That, again, is bonkers. Most European countries made the choice of separating church and state, it's for a reason. Should he study history he would know why; he hasn't done his homework so I will leave it here. I am just wondering: is he really thinking the bigotry we see in America any better? Or is he supporting some sort of Christian theocracy? That would be funny, because that would -ironically- make him a Christian version of the Muslims he denounces... Ha! Either way, he is too short sighted to see the point.

Last but not least, when it comes to socialism and the unsustainability of our social programs, it's not all down to welfare state turning citizens into assisted and apathetic morons, but to a falling birth rates. Generosity is not the problem (though it might be for a supporter of unbridled capitalism as he seems to be). Demographic is. But I give him some points for a good laugh: his understanding of socialism is so caricatural it's hilarious.

All in all then, Mark Steyn is nothing but a populist; and like all populist he is very good at pointing at problems, but awful at pointing at the causes and so address them appropriately. I liked reading this for its sharp and vitriolic sense of humour. Honestly, he takes no prisoner and I really loved that! Its ability to press where it hurts is also welcome, especially since he does point at serious issues. But, if you are looking for a serious read behind the real reason of why Europe is in the state it is and/or the place of its Muslim population, then, frankly, go elsewhere. He is so prejudiced, it would have been funny were his ideas not gaining ground (again, far-right populism sadly going mainstream). show less

Somehow Mr. Steyn makes serious politics and dire detailed statistics, dare I say it, FUNNY. The startling information is enough to make any liberty- and debt-conscious American/Western European cry in their oatmeal if they could only stop laughing long enough at the take-no-prisoners oneliners. Hated that the information is true and terrifying, loved that he had the heart to tell it to us without a lot of PC doubletalk and jumbled up economics-ese. Although I know many condemn it as such, I show more hesitate to classify this as a "political" book because it really isn't--he torpedoes people on both sides of the blue/red fence and a bunch of others who fall somewhere between or well outside of it. It's just a wake-up call to the evils of an over-sized government we and our allies can't afford. Frankly, I would have considered giving this book a rare "5" if it hadn't been for the title. C'mon Mr. Steyn--the pic, spot-on analysis, and information were enough. Why did you have to stoop to tacky sensationalism by adding the sub-title? I highly recommend this book. I almost wish it was required reading for registered voters, but that would just add another level of bureaucracy. show less

After America: Get Ready For Armageddon is Mark Steyn’s sequel to America Alone, and while an interesting and entertaining read, it is dour in its conclusions and predictions. It offers but limited hope that the American People will wake up in time and in sufficient numbers to resuscitate their once great nation. In entertaining and humorous anecdotes, Steyn lays out America’s cultural folly and suicidal course as a great nation, pointing out that what he’s saying is neither new nor show more some clairvoyant insight but a simple recalling of history. It’s all happened before.
When the Roman Empire fell darkness ensued for hundreds of years, but when the British Empire fell hardly anyone noticed because, Steyn says, America was there to allow for a gentle landing. The transition of power was smooth and America’s actions were much in the manner of a benevolent, democratic giant. However, the theme of After America is that if - or when - America falls, the powers that will likely remain (China, Iran, Russia, etc…) are neither democratic nor benevolent and darkness (lack of individual freedom) will again ensue. A very good read, politically and literarily. Steyn’s command of the language and witty style could make reading your own obituary (or America’s) fun – well, almost. show less

Required reading. Only Steyn can make a topic so depressing so hilarious. Of the books I've read about the increasing war between Islam and the West this one strikes the nail on the head most directly discussing the West's current lack of both offspring and will.