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The War on the West: How to Prevail in the Age of Unreason: How to Prevail in the Age of Unreason
Audible Audiobook – UnabridgedDouglas Murray (Author), HarperCollins (Publisher)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars (6,412)
SUNDAY TIMES NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER‘The most important book of the year’ Daily Mail
The brilliant and provocative new book from one of the world’s foremost political writers
‘The anti-Western revisionists have been out in force in recent years. It is high time that we revise them in turn…’
In The War on the West, international bestselling author Douglas Murray asks: if the history of humankind is one of slavery, conquest, prejudice, genocide and exploitation, why are only Western nations taking the blame for it?
It’s become perfectly acceptable to celebrate the contributions of non-Western cultures, but discussing their flaws and crimes is called hate speech. What’s more it has become acceptable to discuss the flaws and crimes of Western culture, but celebrating their contributions is also called hate speech. Some of this is a much-needed reckoning; however, some is part of a larger international attack on reason, democracy, science, progress and the citizens of the West by dishonest scholars, hatemongers, hostile nations and human-rights abusers hoping to distract from their ongoing villainy.
In The War on the West, Douglas Murray shows the ways in which many well-meaning people have been lured into polarisation by lies, and shows how far the world’s most crucial political debates have been hijacked across Europe and America. Propelled by an incisive deconstruction of inconsistent arguments and hypocritical activism, The War on the West is an essential and urgent polemic that cements Murray’s status as one of the world’s foremost political writers.
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From Australia
Reuben
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellently written critique of Revisionists, Race Hustlers and Children
Reviewed in Australia on 10 July 2022
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Douglas Murray gives an enlightening, thorough and rich analysis of the west's decent into moral panic and self-hated. This is also true of his critique of revisionists, race-hustlers and children; in which he reveals and exposes the "misapprehension of our society due to a misrepresentation of our society" (Murray on the Rubin Report). After reading outright dishonest reviews here, it is clear the anti-westerners and children have their narratives and lies at stake, not that the rest of us can expect them to ever be bothered to read the book (even if they have bought it, just to burn it). Overall, Murray's book is a must read for anyone needing an introduction to the western cultural war that finds itself in this era. There are many facets to the cultural war Douglas rightfully points out, for instance, Jonathan Haidt tends to focus on this condition known as "woke" in terms of mental health and social media; while academics like James Lindsey focus on the intellectual and philosophical roots of this condition. Douglas Murray nicely brings the main dimensions of the cultural war together and I would highly recommended anyone needing an introduction to this topic, and in many ways an entire area of study in itself. The audiobook is also a great listen, which will too enhance you with the knowledge needed with a hint of humour, especially when Doug, in his passionate, nicely but slightly aggressive British accent reads out the quotations of the children and idiots of our era.
6 people found this helpful
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Sam
5.0 out of 5 stars Book review
Reviewed in Australia on 29 January 2026
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Good read
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Steve P
4.0 out of 5 stars An important work
Reviewed in Australia on 3 September 2022
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
THE WAR ON THE WEST by Douglas Murray is an incisive analysis of how woke ideologues are attacking Western civilization. The author, a conservative commentator and journalist, documents how the left has weaponized critical theories to promote a divisive social agenda.
The book begins with a brief history of the origins of political correctness and wokeism. Murray argues that these ideas have gained traction in recent years due to the rise of social media and the increasing influence of some academics on university campuses. He goes on to discuss how the left is using identity politics and other critical theories to stifle free speech and undermine Western values.
The War on the West is a well-argued and insightful book with many detailed examples. There are also a couple of "interludes" that provide focus specifically on China, the issue of reparations, and the need for gratitude.
There is one issue I do have with the book. In his conclusion, he responds to the question: What is there positive about being white? In his response, Murray almost borders on racism himself. He lists a range of things he sees as the benefits of being white. These would have been better framed as the benefits of so-called Western culture -- rather than those of being white. Admittedly, he was responding to a specific question asked of someone else. But engaging with the question and accepting the "whiteness" of what he praises about Western culture felt as though he undermined his overall argument to move away from identity politics.
Overall, this is an important work that should be read by anyone who has an interest in current discussions about identity politics, free speech, and the future of Western civilization.
****½
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Darryl Greer
5.0 out of 5 stars THOUGHT PROVOKING AND INSIGHTFUL
Reviewed in Australia on 5 June 2023
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Douglas Kear Murray is a British author and political commentator. He is an associate editor of the conservative-leaning British political and cultural magazine "The Spectator" and has written columns for numerous other publications including "The Wall Street Journal". French philosopher, Bernard-Henri Lévy has said of Murray, “Whether one agrees with him or not…he is one of the most important public intellectuals today.” From an early life schooling at a London inner-city sink school, Murray’s later education progressed through Eton and onto Magdelan College, Oxford University. In his latest work, "The War On The West", Murray tackles, with his usual panache and acumen, some of the worst consequences of “woke” culture in the world today. He asks: “If the history of humankind is one of slavery, conquest, prejudice, genocide and exploitation, why are only Western nations taking the blame for it?” The book commences with a brief history of the origins of political correctness and wokeism and progresses through the ways in which woke has infiltrated academia, art, literature, religion and society in general, his comments well-argued, thought provoking and insightful. He tackles the consequences of Critical Race Theory. In a world which seems intent on destroying itself, it is refreshing to find an intellectual who hasn’t suffered from a common-sense by-pass.
8 people found this helpful
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Shaz
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Book
Reviewed in Australia on 26 May 2024
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Douglas Murray knows what he is writing about. He is a fantastic journalist and writer who gets to the heart of every subject he speaks or writes about. Currently, with the terrible racism (jealousy and tall Poppy syndrome) being shown toward Jewish people, his is the voice or reason. Thank goodness those people have Douglas Murray to speak up for them with truth and compassion.
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Paul J Davies
5.0 out of 5 stars For the sake of your children you must read this
Reviewed in Australia on 20 September 2024
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Simply outstanding intellectual clarity at a time of so much noise. Dissecting the complete nonsense coming out of leading academic institutions with an intellectual scalpel the work of which I can only stand in awe. The absolute delight in the Interlude with references to the work of Dostoyevsky and Nietzsche was a complete joy. Then to provide The Answer to the trap question and in so doing wake up dormant self respect for what reasonable people have worked for and their parents and grandparents may well have died for was a blessing.
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oswynne
5.0 out of 5 stars MURRAY SHOWS HOW WESTERN CULTURE IS SNUFFED OUT
Reviewed in Australia on 15 January 2024
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Tough love, inciteful and brilliant in typical DM style. Every parent should read this to understand how they are brainwashing your kids to hate their once proud heritage... witness the marches against Judea Christian values. Every 'adult' should read and understand it. Your own elected Reps are doing this to you because you were too lazy to check up on them once you voted them in. It is up to you to ensure that you don't allow this to happen. Well done for speaking up for us DM!
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Roger Mendelson
4.0 out of 5 stars CAUSE TO THINK
Reviewed in Australia on 1 July 2024
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Douglas Murray is an articulate writer who focusses on western values and how they are under attack.
He is not a right-wing idealogue but a considered and learned thinker.
The book is an easy read and covers many issues of which I was just peripherally aware.
This book is a must-read for those who are concerned with the future of western democracies.
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Jane Townsend
4.0 out of 5 stars Thinking out loud
Reviewed in Australia on 11 February 2023
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
I'm glad Murray has a voice to speak for all of us who have been silenced by the PC juggernaut . Some of his use of western art and culture to illustrate the contributions of western society to the world seem elitist and inaccessible even to me as an educated middle class " white". He could have also said ' smart phones' gps, space technology, maserati and other European cars, solar technology, universities, wildlife conservation, Louis Vuitton, Tesla, EVs, electronic hip hop, ' the list goes on of relatable modern " essentials " much loved and sought after by 'anti racists' and our new overlords - the new black elite, or should I say "persons of Color"
The brainwashing of anti whiteness is so pervasive and mainstream in white peoples unconscious mindset that the west now lives in a totalitarian state of censorship , where we no longer have freedom of speech. The frog in the pot long ago lost its chance to escape. We have well and truly cooked ourselves. And I am sad for my children and grandchildren who will inherit this false narrative,and not know what they are missing. If we don't consciously challenge it , and proudly state our case at every opportunity, we have set them up for a frightening future.
On the flip side , it is true that the world over, the birth rate is falling . It's not just white people who are failing to re produce. Before long- in a hundred years or two, humans will be relatively few and we can only hope they have learnt to live in peace.
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Fabrizio
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book
Reviewed in Australia on 14 April 2025
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Douglas Murray doesn’t miss.
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From Australia
Simon
5.0 out of 5 stars Critical thinking at its clearest
Reviewed in Australia on 13 August 2024
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
The must read journal of the 21st century as an antidote to the rise of the Marxist for another unsuccessful tilt at the destruction of Western culture.
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Shaz
5.0 out of 5 stars The War on the West: How to Prevail in the Age of Unreason
Reviewed in Australia on 22 October 2024
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Douglas Murray is fabulous. Love reading his books and listening to his experiences & wisdom
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Johnnyk
4.0 out of 5 stars A must read for all Westerners and their opposition
Reviewed in Australia on 16 June 2022
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
This book made many claims which all appear to be substantiated and make for some alarming reading. Like most reasonable people, I believe that all people deserve a fair go and that we in the West have not always done things right. The fact remains though that many other parts of the world continually show their racist and class systems and yet not a bad word is said.
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LeBot
1.0 out of 5 stars awful, dont buy
Reviewed in Australia on 16 November 2025
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
This tripe is a complete piece of poorly researched, hateful and totally inaccurate junk. I haven't given this rot 1 star, my score was 0, which is not an option unfortunately.
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John Bissland
5.0 out of 5 stars the road to hell is paved with good intentions!
Reviewed in Australia on 24 February 2024
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
This publication should open our eyes to apathy and the power of well meaning but shortsighted vocal minorities bringing about social changes which, in the long term, spell disaster.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Gets to the facts!
Reviewed in Australia on 12 January 2024
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Nails down the facts around what is currently going on, the potential downward spiral we face if we continue on this route. Douglas Murray at his best!
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant author
Reviewed in Australia on 2 February 2024
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Bought on the Spur of the moment after watching a couple of interviews with Douglas Murray on TV. I wasn’t disappointed.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Important, well-researched, well-argued, and heroically brave
Reviewed in Australia on 9 July 2022
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
In the current climate of wokeism, crt, and cancel theory, it takes great bravery to stand up and say certain things that need to be said. Those of us interested in moving beyond the madness are fortunate that Douglas Murray has done just that, and we ought to be grateful that he has.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Orwell’s prescience bought to the fore
Reviewed in Australia on 30 April 2022
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
We’ll done Douglas. I’m an Engineer and the assault on STEM is particularly alarming. What exactly are “these other ways of knowing” ?
2+2 = 5 sounds the death-nell for civilisation. Which is what they want, although why the critics don’t just “foot fall” out of the west is no surprise is it?
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Banjo
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in Australia on 7 January 2024
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Anything Douglas Murray writes is brilliant. His research & objectivit is Unmatched by anyone.
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