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Dennis Prager contends that humanity confronts a monumental choice. The whole world must choose between American values and two oppositional alternatives: fundamentalist Islam and European-style democratic socialism. In this visionary book, Prager makes the case for the American values system as the most viable program ever devised to produce a good society.
Still the Best Hope deals with three major themes, each vital to America's future. The first is perhaps the most persuasive explanation for why Leftism has been and will always be a moral failure, despite its appeal to many people of goodwill. The second explains why fundamentalist Islam also cannot make a good society—though Prager holds out hope for an open and tolerant Islam. The third is a persuasive defense of what Prager calls the "American Trinity": liberty, values rooted in the Creator, and the melting-pot ideal.
Prager shows why these values can and must be adopted by every nation and culture in the world, why Americans must relearn and recommit to these values, and why the United States must vigorously export them.
Prologue: Why This Book 1
Introduction: Humanity at the Crossroads: The Future Will Be Leftist, Islamist, or American 7
Part I Leftism
Chapter 1 What Is Leftism? 21
Chapter 2 Why the Left Believes What It Believes 68
Chapter 3 Why the Left Succeeds 82
Chapter 4 The Left's Moral Record 168
Part II Islam and Islamism
Chapter 5 On Evaluating Religions 233
Chapter 6 The Moral Record of Islam 244
Chapter 7 Islam, America, and the West 286
Chapter 8 Responses to Arguments on Behalf of Islam 291
Part III America and Its Unique Values
Chapter 9 The American Trinity 311
Acknowledgments 390
Addendum 95
Notes 400
Index 421
Pyrite
Posted May 27, 2012
In spite of the review by the Publishers Weekly, people with an open mind who may feel that they are middle of the road pollitically should read this book. It has helped me, as an independant, understand some of the sweeping generalities I had felt that were fair but actually only enhance the slide to socialism in the US. Worth your time to read and think about. The review by the Libary Journal may not have read the book base on the alternatives they list in the review. Hopefully others who read the book, from either side of the issues will take the time and effort to objectively review the arguments put forward.
9 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 10, 2012
"Clarity over agreement" (Dennis Prager's motto) about sums this book up. Most people do not know why they believe what they believe and yet, argue, debate and blast those with "opposing" views. Don't be a victim of indoctrination (on the left or the right). Read, research and do some critical thinking on your own. Don't let the media's "spin" be your information. This is one of the wisest, thoughtful, common sense books I have ever read. A MUST READ for anyone who is engaged in our community and future.
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 30, 2012
I love Dennis Prager. This book captures exactly what this year's elections will be all about and why they are so important. We are deciding if the USA will become like Left wing Europe or if we will go back to the very principles that made this (flawed) country the best the world has ever seen. Dennis explains Leftism and Americanism (aka conservatism) very clearly and backs everything up with great examples.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 29, 2012
I have been a big fan of Prager for 16-17 years, and I still find more to think about after reading this. I hope the people who need to read this the most will overcome their prejudice against Jews and American patriots long enough to be enlightened by the wisdom contained in this book.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 22, 2012
I wonder if the people who gave this book low ratings even read the book or just have a knee-jerk reaction to anyone who is politically conservative. If they actually read the book they would know that it is a clear and thoughtful explanation of the important differences between Leftism and Americanism. He asserts that by holding dear the notions of Liberty, In God We Trust, and E Pluribus Unum we can still thrive as a nation. Those on the left who have an open mind will find it thought provoking and those on the right will find it reaffirming.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 12, 2012
Dennis Prager's clarity of thought is amazing.
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 10, 2012
The sooner we stop deluding ourselves that eg. America is a shining city on a hill, God's anointed people, and other fantasies, the better off we'll be. Those needing evidence to do so need only look at our world-leading government and trade deficits, inability to get along with much of the world's Muslim populations, world's highest (and economy-weakening) health care system, floundering K-12 education system, deteriorating and inadequate infrastructure, enormous funds wasted on military, Homeland Security, and government surveillance of our citizenry, having caused the recent world-wide 'Great Recession,' and our paralyzed, bought-and-paid-for government.
2 out of 17 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 9, 2012
Kicks you in the balls and stuffs you in the trash and closes it
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 5, 2012
Anyone who cares about America and its future must read this book! Dennis Prager is one of the clearest thinkers and writers of our time. He has a gift of making complicated issues simple. Reading this book is better than getting a B.A. in Political Science from an Ivy League university.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 28, 2012
I Also Recommend:
I think Dennis needs to devote an entire book to understanding the Left. His clarity on the issue is much needed. I bought the audiobook version of the book and I thought it was OKAY... I truly think that if Dennis took the time out to read his own book and charged 40 bucks for it, there would still be a long line of us willing to cough up the extra change for it. Only the voice of Dennis will suffice, because no one paints as clarifying a picture as Dennis. I intend to get this for my Kindle as well. I put him up there alongside the likes of David Berlinski(Science), Robert Kagan(ForeignPolicy), Thomas Sowell(Academics), Andrew Roberts(Historian), and he truly is one of the few clarifying voices of our day.
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Posted July 14, 2012
5 Stars if you agree with Mr. Prager. 4 stars if you wanted know how the right thinks. Give it 3 stars for
covering every topic you can imagine.. 2 stars for rediculous comparisons; and give 1 star if you are an
"evil" Democrat or a "Leftist".
0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 27, 2012
great book!
0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 25, 2012
This is a really nice book! 1335358763796
0 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 14, 2012
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Posted April 24, 2012
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Overview
Dennis Prager contends that humanity confronts a monumental choice. The whole world must choose between American values and two oppositional alternatives: fundamentalist Islam and European-style democratic socialism. In this visionary book, Prager makes the case for the American values system as the most viable program ever devised to produce a good society.
Still the Best Hope deals with three major themes, each vital to America's future. The first is perhaps the most ...