Description

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A manifesto for an aggressive liberal response to terrorist attacks.

One of our most brilliant public intellectuals, Paul Berman has spent his career writing on revolutionary movements and their totalitarian aspects. Here he argues that, in the terror war, we are not facing a battle of the West against Islam—a clash of civilizations. We are facing, instead, the same battle that tore apart Europe during most of the twentieth century, only in a new version. It is the clash of liberalism and its enemies—the battle between freedom and totalitarianism that arose in Europe many years ago and spread to the Muslim world.



The author considers the wars against fascism and communism from the past, and draws cautionary lessons. But he also draws from those past experiences a liberal program for the present—a program that departs in fundamental respects from the policies of the Bush administration.

About the Author

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Paul Berman writes about politics and literature for The New Republic, the New York Times Book Review, and other magazines. His books have been translated into thirteen languages. He lives in New York City.

Praise For…

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Breaks its bounds....As a thinker [and] as a writer, Berman begins to cast a spell.
— Bookforum

Brilliant, stirring.
— Dallas Morning News

Full of good, smart moments.
— Kirkus Reviews

An accomplished intellectual history....This book has insights for everyone across the political spectrum who seeks a better understanding of the present danger.
— National Review

One of the most challenging accounts of the post-9/11 world.
— New York Times

Berman makes a compelling case.
— New York Times Book Review

A compelling [and] powerful book.
— Newsletter of the Social Democrats USA

Berman connects the dots of world fascism...Policymakers everywhere should bone up on his discoveries and take heed.
— Philadelphia Inquirer

Berman is one of the most elegant and provacative thinkers to emerge from America's New Left.
— Salon

An achievement...practical, yet analytical.
— The Nation

There is much to admire in Berman's book....[a] valuable contribution.
— The New York Review

A damning indictment of bad leftism...a smart [and] honest book that should be read.
— The Weekly Standard

An engaging, delusion-busting history primer.
— Village Voice

Wonderfully rich and illuminating.
— Wall Street Journal

Berman's book is penetrating, insightful, honest, erudite...it is always intense.
— Washington Monthly

Forceful and persuasive.
— Washington Post Book World