Number 7: BERNARD LEWIS

I was watching Kudlow and Cramer over a year ago and saw an incredibly bright elderly gent with a British accent discussing Islam. He was brilliantly plain-spoken and absolutely mesmerizing. “Who is this guy?!” was all I wanted to know. Well, it was Bernard Lewis. For resume purposes, he’s the Cleveland E. Dodge Professor of Near Eastern Studies (Emeritus) at Princeton University. But between you and me and everyone else, he is the (and I mean the) world’s foremost historian on the Middle East and matters Muslim. And as for our immediate purposes, he is a guest speaker on the National Review 2004 Post-Election Caribbean Cruise.

Bernard Lewis is reason alone to sail with us in November–no one is better suited than he to discuss the mind and madness of America’s foremost enemies. Quite simply, he is indispensable to strategic thinking. (I’m in excellent company on that: Find out why Ramesh Ponnuru and Jay Nordlinger positively glow over the dean of Middle East scholars.)

It’s hard to believe, but this incredibly important and learned man will indeed be sailing with us. What a cruise it will be! Can you imagine Professor Lewis and Victor Davis Hanson (more on him another day) discussing the whos, whats, and whys of al Qadea, Saddam, the Taliban, and the ayatollahs?! Talk about brainpower.

Folks, the National Review 2004 Post-Election Caribbean Cruise is an unprecedented opportunity to hear all our confirmed speakers–the entire ensemble consists of Dick Morris, Bernard Lewis, Rep. Pat Toomey, Michelle Malkin, Victor Davis Hanson, Bernard Lewis, Ed Gillespie, Stephen Moore, Dinesh D’Souza, John Hillen, John Derbyshire, John O’Sullivan, Rich Lowry, Ramesh Ponnuru, and Jay Nordlinger–sort out the election results, prognosticate as to their effects short- and long-term, and elucidate on American strategy in Europe and the Middle East. There will be no lack of scintillating discussions.

The question is, Will there be a lack of you? I hope not. During our week (November 13-20) on the high seas, you’ll experience a luxury cruise (on Holland America Line’s glorious Zuiderdam), and exclusive NR extras: numerous seminars of sharp/witty discussions of politics and policy, three revelrous pool-side cocktail parties, two late-night “smokers” (featuring H. Upmann cigars and complimentary cognac!), and intimate dining (on at least two nights) with our speakers. And all that comes at super affordable rates (our ultra-low prices start at just $1,549 a person!). So do the right thing, right now: reserve your luxury stateroom. Just visit–where you’ll find complete information about our trip, the ship, and a secure reservation form.