For those unfamiliar with Mark Steyn, he is the Canadian-born, New Hampshire-residing columnist who is likely the most popular editorial writer of any newspaper that syndicates him, yet he is mysteriously absent from CNN panels and Tim Russert forums.  Indeed, as far as polemical skills go, Mark is unmatched even by other brilliant writers in the conservative movement. He lacks the flowery elegance of a George Will, falls short of the intellectual prowess of a Thomas Sowell (who doesn't), and yet surpasses even them in his ability to captivate readers, and render absurd the error du jour of the far left (particularly as it pertains to the topic of this book).

Steyn's latest work, America Alone is the best apologetic I have read for a vigilant war on terror and jihadism, and yet it really does not even purport to be so. The explicit intent of Steyn's work is to demonstrate the utter disaster our European friends have created for themselves, and to lay out the case that only America can save the planet from global Islamo-fascism (a last hope that Steyn is only holding onto by a thin thread). In the course of persuasively proving said assertions (that Europe is doomed is nearly irrefutable, and that America is on her way to joining them short of some massive changes in thinking, is comparably demonstrable), Steyn drafts a compelling case for a militarily aggressive response to the Islamic threat. But even more than the traditional neo-conservative rhetoric that is so confusingly controversial in this day and age, Steyn reinforces that what is even more urgently needed is an immediate and emphatic change of heart/mind, culturally, from the American people. We have a military power unlike any that has ever existed; what we lack is a will and conviction to defeat those who would kill us.

What Steyn has done in America Alone, is go far beyond the base reality that jihadists want to kill us.  He actually dares to delve into the real cultural phenomena of what is happening globally, beginning with the unavoidable subject of demography.  The numerical facts of the day and age we live in are these: Europe, with its pathetic birth rate is a self-extincting waste in the generational battles we face ahead, while the Islamicists are procreating at unbelievable rates. America, to its credit, continues to experience net population increase year-over-year, even apart from immigration considerations, though it is teetering on breakeven numbers as of late (sans immigration). However, Spain, Italy, France, and many others, are simply put: goners. They have long ago traded a vibrant culture of family and community for an apathetic socialism that has poisoned it into a dependent state of nanny-welfarism. They have forfeited the will to survive, evidenced not just in their capitulation to terrorists, but in their inability to reproduce themselves.  That a continent of near exclusive Anglo-Christian influences for centuries has been replaced by rank secularism, with the most ardent demographic influence and growth coming entirely from the Islamic religion, is a historical fact that has to be understood and lamented. Steyn's analysis of this is profound, and commanding material.

Steyn's work masterfully mocks the apathy and political correctness that is rampant in American pop culture (and across the pond as well, of course). I hesitate to steal his thunder in terms of the voluminous illustrations of this, but I dare say that after you stop laughing at the sharp humor Steyn uses to make his various points, you will likely find yourself with a peculiar sense of discomfort and disgust at the harsh realities he highlights. We have a dangerous enemy, and they are as determined to kill us, and yet the universal response amongst the left has been capitulation, appeasement, and inexplicable failures to deal with our problem. Political correctness has run amok, indeed.

This book is a must-read for any student of culture, politics, the sanctity of life, and religious affairs. No analysis of the present immigration controversy is coherent without an appreciation of the material in this book (a controversy that includes some absurd advocates on the left, and on the right). The very word, "multi-culturalism", will take on entirely new meaning for any reader of this book. Disdain for American exceptionalism will have to be re-interpreted by any real American next time they observe such from your typical Hollywood star (or Massachusetts senator, for that matter). I came away from reading this book with a renewed vigor for the things I care about most in my life (family, community, church, freedom, ambition, prosperity, and faith). However, I also came away with a renewed commitment that we fight the ideological (and military) enemy we face in Islamo-fascism, and that we do so as proud Americans, whose historical commitment to economic prosperity and ethical principles are the sole reasons we stand alone in the generations to come as we fight the jihadist efforts to capture the west.
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