Still the Best Hope: Why the World Needs American Values to Triumph – A Cogent and Inspiring Argument for Liberty at Civilization's Crossroads

Dennis Prager has provided a tour de force for conservative thought. First of all, before reviewing the book that was written, it is important to debunk the reviews about the book that was not written. (For those want a review of the real book, please skip down 3 paragraphs.) The 1-star reviewer below "Shade" clearly has not even purchased, let alone read, this book. This is easily proved by his question and statement: "why won't Prager tell you that the original intention of E Pluribus Unum was to indicate that out of many states (the original thirteen) one nation could be forged (with a central, federal government)? Instead he chooses to interpret this phrase from some singular conservative perspective, insisting that his is the only true and proper interpretation." But on page 373 Prager wrote, "At first the pluribus in E Pluribus Unum referred to the thirteen original colonies - and the motto was adopted in order to help forge these many colonies into unum, one nation." This is typical of those who attack Prager. They consistently attribute things to him he did not say or simply make something up, which anyone who actually listens to or reads him knows is untrue. But truth is obviously not as high a value as smearing a thoughtful conservative who changes minds and hearts every single day. "Shade" has provided yet another example proving one of Prager's main theses in section 1 of his book - the Left would rather demonize the Right than tell the truth. One more example of Shade's distortion: "In Prager's simplistic reductio ad absurdum there are only three, that's right THREE, philosophies in all the world." Prager never even suggested these are the only three "philosophies in all the world." In fact, you only have to get to page 16, still in the introduction, to see in bold letters, "Is there a Fourth - the Chinese - Alternative?" Prager then discusses their ideology as a model but dismisses it as a viable option for global hegemony. The reviewer shows his own simplistic reductio ad abdurdum by falsely assuming that viable hegemonic ideologies are the same as any ideology. Prager does not discuss anarchy, for example, since it is not a viable hegemonic ideology. Shade also fails to provide another possible global alternative that does not fall under the three Prager deconstructs. Now for the 2-star review: "It's ironic how Prager routinely criticizes the left for its narcissism, and then he turns around and writes a book about how wonderful the U.S. empire is." At least this reviewer got half of it right - Prager does consistently point out how much better Leftists think they are than conservatives, morally, intellectually, etc. Prager wrote a 400 page book and spent only 80 on the American value system, let alone the US. The other 310 pages are not about the US, so arguing that he wrote a book about the US Empire is absurd and, as with the above, demonstrates that the reviewer did not read the book and is more interested in smearing a thoughtful conservative than in truth. One more: "Prager is often critical of the government, but doesn't take on that aspect of big government that causes so much suffering around the world, the military industrial complex." Prager discusses this on pages 49-51. He also discusses and debunks the Chris Hedges work (pointing out that those like him) castigates intolerance, but seems entirely unaware of the intolerance of his own rhetoric and positions regarding Christians in the US (see page 131). Finally, he discusses the role of the US military in that very context on pages 382-387. Here he argues that the US has been - despite it's moral blemishes which he discusses on pages 380-383 - the least oppressive, least authoritarian, and most benign world superpower in human history and has liberated, among others, the Japanese, Chinese, Germans, South Koreans, Kuwaitis, and Iraqis, respectively. The fact that Japan, Germany, and South Korea have been able to turn into such wonderful societies while US troops have continued to "occupy" suggests how different the US "Empire" has been from every single other global power in recorded history. The US also leads the world in charitable giving and is the first place people all over the world look to when natural disasters or human-inflicted evils happen. Just as those in Haiti regarding the former and Kuwait regarding the latter. A final example to prove the reviewer never read the book nor likely listened to his show: "Most people who like Prager's views aren't interested in exploring alternative views." The whole point of the book is to explore alternative views and his shortest section is on the one he advocates. The book Prager did write is about the three most viable ideological systems in the world today - what he calls Leftism, Islamism, and Americanism. He provides a wonderful appendix at the end of the book listing the American and Leftist positions to major issues such as "the state," "primary source of evil," "family ideal," "individual's income," "place of religion in America," etc. Prager's thesis is that the best hope for a better world is embodied in the American value system, which is synonymous with conservatism. Prager devotes over half of the book to Leftism, precisely defining it, articulating what the ideology contains, why it is attractive to hundreds of millions of people, and its moral record during the 20th century. Leftism for Prager is embodied in the social democratic parties of Western Europe and the Democratic Party in the US. Ultimately he concludes that Leftism and all of its satellite ideologies - feminism, environmentalism, secularism, moral relativism, etc. - morally and economically bankrupt those who adhere to it. Prager contends that although its advocates use moral rhetoric and are well-intentioned, the policies they espouse produce selfishness, apathy, and, as seen in Western Europe's birth-rate, a staggering ennui. To support his case he looks not only to the obvious failures of 20th century far Left in the former Soviet Union, China, Cuba, Laos, and North Korea, but the seemingly successful cases like France, Germany, and Spain. Though he admits these are decent countries that have relatively more liberty than most of the rest of the world, their preoccupation with economic equality and state-sponsored benefits has economically and morally bankrupted an entire continent. He claims that most people in these countries do not recognize true evil - communism, Islamism, Terrorism - and instead choose to fight lesser or quasi-evils like climate change, second hand smoke, or onomastic notions of "intolerance." Prager also shows how ideas from the Left pervade our most influential institutions - the university, primary and secondary schools, many churches and other religious institutions, Hollywood, and almost all media outlets - talk radio and Fox News excluded. His deconstruction of the language that the media uses in presenting what otherwise seems like "just the news" is particularly revealing. For example, he shows how AP reports frequently choose to use terms like "sectarian violence" to describe Islamic terror while carefully avoiding the terms "Muslim, Islamic," etc. - be it violence against Christians, Jews, or fellow Muslims. They do this, Prager notes, while carefully not ascribing Islamic influences to terrorism committed by those like Nidal Hassan who screamed "Allahu Akbar," before shooting 13 innocents, was a card-carrying member of "Soldier of Allah," and raised repeated red flags about his Islamist sympathies. Finally, Prager contends that Leftism's preoccupation with having others (the state) provide for even the able-bodied citizen has, and will continue to, wear away at the fabrics of what was once a dynamic European culture. In short, they have produced a culture that stresses individual benefits but collective (and therefore no meaningful) responsibility. Next Prager analyzes Islamism, which he defines as a political form of violent Islam that is embodied in Hamas, Hezbollah, and Al Qaeda. He never seriously considers the US as possibly moving toward Islamism, but does implicitly suggest that it poses a real threat to the African continent, the Middle-East where it already dominates in many areas, and even Southern and Western Europe. He indirectly suggests that the latter could fall victim to Islamism due to their Leftist commitment to multiculturalism, inability to recognize true evil and assimilate foreigners, and their quasi-pacifism. Prager, a scholar at the Middle-East Institute at the Columbia University School of International Affairs, is critical of Islamism, but takes pains to distinguish it from other forms of peaceful Islam that are practiced peacefully throughout the world. That said, he is also careful to note that the number of peaceful adherents to Islam is irrelevant to the threat of Islamism. He cites the relatively few Nazi supporters there were in Germany in 1932 or committed communists in the Soviet Union or China as evidence to suggest that it is not the presence of a peaceful majority that matters, but the hegemonic influence of the threatening minority and the way the majority responds to that threat, that are important. For example, only 7-10% of the Islamic world supports Islamism, but that minority is still no less a threat. Finally, Prager holds out hope for the Muslim world by concluding that Islam - though it is in a low moral, intellectual, social, and economic state today, with its honor killings, intolerance of other religions, and obsession with de-legitimizing and destroying Israel - can have a bright future. He compares the medieval Christian world, which had many of the same characteristics - religious bigotry, little emphasis on liberty, etc. - to show how reformation is possible. He insists that the only way that it is possible, however, is if the Left, through organizations like CAIR, stop stymieing all criticism toward Islam and Muslims themselves unite in large numbers to condemn violence in their name. Here, as with the world in general, he believes that American Muslims hold out the best hope for Muslims elsewhere. Prager's last section, though brief, is on Americanism. Here he articulates, better than any writer I know of, the case for conservatism and American values. He insists that American values are, as inscribed on our coinage, E Pluribus Unum, In God We Trust, and, most important, Liberty. Prager contrasts these values with the Leftist values of Multiculturalism, Secularism, and Equality. Though not all Leftists disdain liberty and not all Rightists disdain equality, he carefully demonstrates where each differs. He outlines 11 total American values in addition to these three pillars, showing how reason, for example, is critically important in any culture, but is insufficient by itself. He also argues for the sanctity of human life, the distinction between animals and humans, the difference between nature and, as Jefferson would put it, Natures God, and the limits of using material wealth as the supreme value the way the Left does. Prager insists that these values are not specific to America and can be adopted by any country, using Uruguay and as an example. He draws an important distinction here - other nations may retain their own cultures while simultaneously adopting these values. Finally, Prager tackles the typical charges that Islamists and those on the Left make against America. Claims of "American Imperialism" are presented in context with comparable global powers to demonstrate how benign (despite sometimes overstepping bounds) the US has been over the last 100 years. He also presents a particularly compelling case for why America - even if one believes it is not a net force for good in the world - is better than any non-utopian alternative; namely, China, Russia, Iran, Turkey, Western Europe, and the UN. Though Dennis Prager has few moderate ideological positions (he is as ideologically pure a conservative as exists), his presentation is as calm, fair, and clear as anyone writing today of any persuasion. All Americans should read this book. Even if one detests the Right, this is as lucid an explanation of conservative thought as exists. We owe it to ourselves to read the best of those with whom we differ. This book qualifies as the best. Thoughtful moderates and liberals - though few Leftists - will find the text to be well-reasoned and the conclusions insightful, even if they disagree on certain matters. For others, it will change the way they view the world. The book is almost 400 pages, contains 350 endnotes, and at least another 100 in-text references.

Truly a vital book for our times, and a book that is absolutely mandatory for anyone who has only recently awakened to the harsh realities of the REAL world. In this extremely detailed and thoroughly researched tome, Mr. Prager defines the three prominent philosophies that divide our world into ideological factions: leftism, islam, and the American Trinity (Liberty, In God we trust, and E Pluribus Unum). The fates of many nations will be defined by the choices of their people. We find ourselves in a particularly volatile and increasingly unstable world, and no one is going to make the transition unscathed. Europe and the middle-east have clearly chosen what paths they want to follow, ...and will pay the consequences. America is experiencing an ideological rift even more divisive than that of the 1850s. The alternate ideology poses an existential threat to the nation's very existance, its already pushing Europe toward the abyss, probably irretrievably so. Europe, despite pretentions to "enlightenment", has actually learned nothing in the past seventy years or so , and will repeat the errors of their grandparents' generation, the seeds have been sown. It will be much bloodier the third time around... There was a time in my early youth, when I believed much of the drivel which is "liberalism/leftism/progressivism". Real-world experience and thorough research enlightened me. Exposure to public school and "popular-culture" initially filled my thought with many things that are NOT really so. Being a book-worm saved me. Reading the biographies of the prominent personalities adored and worshipped by leftists enabled me to realize that none of these exalted characters were even the slightest bit admirable. Most of them were full-blown hypocrites, criminals, and frauds. Of all the poseurs and losers I encountered wearing T-shirts bearing the likeness of Che Guevara, ...NOT ONE of the them actually KNEW anything about him (beyond the minimal mandatory hype). They sang platitudes to this vile being, and dutifully "drank the coolaid". The thought of actually going to the library and researching him was out of the question for his disciples. I attended miscelleneous leftist organizations and events, ...just to see what they were REALLY about. I came to realize that I did not like the sort of people drawn to such groups, and came to detest more and more of their toxic propaganda and deceptive rantings. One popular piece of propaganda: "islam is the religion of peace". I have BEEN to islamic countries, I've interacted with the populace very closely. Actual muslims will TELL you that this is one of the most laughable and ridiculous misperceptions that Westerners are propagating about their culture! They will even point out to you the various surahs in which mohomaed implores his followers to wage WAR on non-muslims (ESPECIALLY Jews). The REALITY versus the propaganda, and ALL the FACTS to back it up, are well supplied in Mr. Prager's book. America: It IS the LAST BEST hope in the world. All the anti-American lies are debunked within. Supposedly, America is "an inheritantly racist nation". Really? WHY are there MORE people than ever, from every possible racial group, ...clamoring to become citizens of America? Far more Africans have WILLFULLY immigrated to America, ...than the numbers of those Africans brought here as slaves. By the way, an enormous number of slaves who were originally sent to America, ...were European people. ANYONE can become an American. A citizen of such nations as the United States, Canada, or Australia can move back to the land of his or her ancestral origin, however many generations removed. You will never truly be Irish, Russian, Japanese, Indian, etc., ...no matter how fluently you speak the language of the old country. You did not grow up in that culture IN that culture's geographic boundaries. On the other hand, anyone from the most exotic and remote corner of the globe, ...can become a full-fledged American. Its acceptance of an ideologie, an ideologie which certain elements inside America have been trying to extinguish at all costs. In truth, nothing of the content in this book surprised me, I've encountered it all before. I read this book, and I see all the truth and facts that I discovered independantly over several years of reading and personal experience. This book is a priceless gem of logical argument, factual reporting, and rational thought. Thank you Mr. Prager for this most excellent book!

OUTSTANDING!!! A Must Read !!!

Mr. Prager erläutert in diesem Buch ausführlich (manchmal generalisierend, aber niemals falsch), die Wichtigkeit der liberalen und konservativen amerikanischen Grundwerte für eine funktionierende Gesellschaft. Wer sich politisch stark links sieht und nicht bereit ist, anderen mit offenem Ohr zu lauschen, der wird dieses Buch nicht leiden können. Wer aber auf der Suche nach Weisheit und Antworten (z.B. auf die Frage, warum Sozialismus wie der Europäische nicht die beste Idee ist) ist, für den kann "still the best hope" nur empfohlen werden. Mit besten Grüßen.

The USA is a country of extremes (there is extreme religion and an extreme counter culture), so that people tend to see things in terms of black and white. There is one the one hand extreme prudery and on the other extreme salaciousness. Prager is also a man of extremes. He seems to suggest that we have to accept his Right-wing version in toto. He also omits to point out that most of the elements of American counter culture (such as political correctness, gender neutral language, obscene language in films, and pornography) are recent imports from the USA into Europe. Much of British society, for instance, relies on compromise, but these recent American imports have upset this balance. He also neglects to say that what has had such a positive impact on American society is not so much the US constitution (influenced by deism and the French Revolution) but religious revivals (meaning not evangelistic services, but an exceptional and powerful movement of the Spirit of God).

Amazing Book. If you want to clarify about the world's political philosophies, go for it.

Clarity, coherence and a moral compass that makes us admire the author even more. An opposition to all political correctness of these days.