Well, since we’re all chiming in, I suppose I should say something too as I’ve written a review for The Claremont Review of Books (available soonish). I agree very much with Andrew on the big picture — the book’s failings, man’s inherent weakness for fanaticism, etc — but let us note that amidst the many flaws of Dinesh’s argument, there is some truth to his basic point. American culture doesn’t always help our task in winning hearts and minds. Liberals had no problem pointing this out when it came to, say, Jim Crow during the Cold War. Dinesh makes a similar point about the push for gay marriage, feminism etc. I don’t see why we have to reject the point entirely simply because we think Dinesh exaggerates its importance way too much (and he does).

But, there is a caveat (though I’ll be short so as to not anger the editors of the CRB): It shouldn’t matter. If gay marriage is wrong, it’s wrong. If feminism goes too far, it goes too far. Jim Crow was wrong because it was wrong, not because it gave the Soviet Union talking points at the UN. So even if Dinesh were right that our “pagan depravity” prompts Jihadis to behead Jews and Christians, kill homosexuals, enslave women, hijack planes, and blow up buildings full of civilians, the fault still lies entirely with the Jihadis.

I don’t like Michael Moore. If he says something really, really obnoxious and, in response, I cut off his head I don’t think I get to claim that he was asking for it.