While Europe Slept: How Radical Islam is Destroying the West from Within

by Bruce Bawer

Hardcover, 2006

Status

Available

Call number

322 BAW

Publication

Doubleday (2006), 256 pages

Description

An American living in Europe reports on the failure of European liberals to confront Islamic extremism in their own countries. Traveling and talking with people in trains, cafeĢs, restaurants, and on street corners, Bawer came face-to-face with the mix of moralistic smugness and ignorance that feeds the rising tide of hatred toward the United States. He found, as well, a widespread refusal to grapple with problems caused by a growing Muslim presence in Europe--from the violation of immigration laws to honor killings and acts of terrorism, including the assassination of a prominent Dutch politician and the 2003 bombing in Madrid. Bawer warns that Europe can no longer ignore the clash of civilizations raging on its own territory. Failure to recognize the problems and react quickly, he predicts, will lead to a virulent right-wing nationalism of a kind not seen since the 1930s.--From publisher description.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member worldsedge
A frightening and depressing view of the future of Europe, as it is turning into "Eurabia." Mixes both personal narrative and academic discourse, the American author is a gay man who lived in Amsterdam and Oslo. The most depressing part of his book is his discussion of the political life of
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northern Europe, how the intellectuals and political leaders are not only doing nothing, they're making things much worse much more quickly. Particularly interesting was the author's take on Pim Fortuyn, who was on the receiving end of an unending smear campaign before his vicious murder and also Ayaan Hirsi Ali.
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LibraryThing member vesuvian
I recommend reading this.
LibraryThing member sunflrsophie
This was an eye opening read. European immigration is vastly different from American immigration, for now at least. European countries don't expect immigrants to integrate into European culture. Could be read as a warning for the future of the US. Author stressed the importance of integration
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rather than segregation of immigrant societies.
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LibraryThing member Osbaldistone
Solely as a recitation of recent events in Europe that are under-reported in Europe and the US, this is a must read. Bawer is a journalist who spent quite a bit of time living, working, and traveling in Europe, and his insight into how real events are morphed as they find their way into the evening
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news or morning paper (if at all) can help one make sense of what's going on in Europe, the UK, and the US.

This is not an academic excercise in "what's wrong with Europe". For that, perhaps try Weigel's "The Cube and the Cathedral".

Os.
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LibraryThing member gmicksmith
This is an articulate work by a liberal gay person. He puts to rest the idea that only narrow-minded right wingers engage in alleged Islamophobia. After living in Europe for some time, Bawer provides numerous examples of horrendous behavior by Islamists and how they threaten the very freedoms that
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the West championed. His work is indicative of how much both parts of the political spectrum actually share in common and are not divided by American politicians who seek to divide the American people. Everyone should be wary of the loss of Europe to Eurabia.
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Awards

Language

Original language

English

Physical description

256 p.; 6.36 inches

ISBN

0385514727 / 9780385514729

Local notes

2006-07 Reading Circle selection
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