Book Review: "While Europe Slept: How Radical Islam is Destroying the West from Within" by Bruce Bawer (2006)

Based on his fear of the excesses of the American evangelical movement, gay journalist Bruce Bawer moved to Norway in 1998 expecting to find a socially democratic version of heaven on earth. However, his hopes were soon dashed as what he saw was something as dangerous and destructive as the Protestant fundamentalism he moved away from: European passivity, political correctness, and general head-in-the-sand attitude towards the realities of the post-9/11 world.

In telling his story, I couldn't help think of the old maxim that a neo-con is a liberal mugged by reality. Bawer is a true case in point. Essentially "While Europe Slept" is a love letter to America, with all of its warts, bruises and imperfections through the eyes of a minority who by virtue of his sexuality and politics has not always fit into mainstream society.

This book is essential reading for everyone with even a passing interest in international affairs. I have only one criticism, and it is that the book's subtitle may lead one to believe that it's an alarmist warning about the dangers of Muslim radicalism. While there's some of that, "While Europe Slept" is more a study in cause and effect between the attitudes of the European elite and the demographic and cultural crisis facing the Continent vis-a-vis the scorched-earth determination of the American government to win the war on terror.

A clash of civilizations, indeed.

Overall rating: 10/10