Islam versus Europe: Bat Ye'or : A Big Disappointment

I've started reading Bat Ye'or's book "Eurabia: the EuroArab Axis". Since the transformation (hopefully to be thwarted) of Europe into Eurabia is the major theme of this blog, I expected to enjoy this book and be broadly, perhaps even completely, in agreement with it. But it has been a tremendous disappointment so far.

Her tone is hysterical. She paints a picture of a Europe seething with hatred for America, Israel and Jews. Any opposition to the Iraq war is portrayed as deriving from hatred of America and Jews. There are hints that the deliberate transformation of Europe into Eurabia is part of some grand Nazi conspiracy to finally complete Hitler's project, the extermination of the Jews.

I'm sorry but this is nonsense. It is an infantile understanding of what is taking place in Europe. The genocide of the European people that is underway represents a profound moral and intellectual failure, perhaps the greatest in world history, but I don't doubt that all but a few of those who have participated in it are sincere and benignly intentioned. In many ways, that makes the tragedy even more great. To portray the whole thing as some kind of grand Nazi-esque conspiracy is just laughable.

My first impressions of the book are that it verges on the maniacal. It is written in such a mad, frothing tone that I can hardly force myself to read it. The Counterjihad movement has to do better than this, or it will not be taken seriously.

I'll keep reading, though. Maybe it will get better, or at least contain some useful information in amongst the hysteria.

8 comments:

Rüdiger Plantiko said...: "Eurabia" is my next book project. It came to my attention through Oriana Fallaci's excellent book "The Force of Reason". According to Fallaci, Bat Ye'Or's "Eurabia" contains the detailed proof of the conspiracy of Arabian and European political classes after the 1973 Oil Crisis. Her quotations appeared sound, objective and fact-oriented to me.

Is it possible that your diagnosis "hystery" is a kind of defense for not being forced to face the full reality? (Pathologizing deviant opinions, as is well known from our Muslim and left/green friends, see "Islamophobia"). Just a question...

But, OK, I will first have to read the book...; 7 April 2011 20:10
Cheradenine Zakalwe said...: Possible, but it seems unlikely as I am otherwise sympathetic to the idea that Europe is being islamified and that this is a very bad thing.

The start of the book is mostly a summary of recent events, so perhaps it is not reflective of the book as a whole. Anyway, I'll keep reading. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts once you've read it.; 7 April 2011 21:30
Johnny Rottenborough said...: I’ve never read Bat Ye’or. Sounds like I haven’t missed much but let us know if the book takes a turn for the better.; 7 April 2011 21:42
Cheradenine Zakalwe said...: She was quoted favourably in Mark Durie's book "The Third Choice", which is the best book I've read about Islam so far. That was what put me on to her. So we'll see. I'll get round to the book you mentioned too.

It's a comforting illusion to think you can save the world if you only read enough books; or maybe it's not an illusion?; 7 April 2011 21:53
Johnny Rottenborough said...: t may be that Bat Ye’or’s style is a product of her background. In A God Who Hates, Wafa Sultan writes: ‘On top of shouting their way through a conversation, they [Muslims] have acquired the habit of shrieking, and they take pleasure in hearing their own shrieks. They believe the louder they shriek, the more they prove they are right. Their conversation consists of shouting, their talk is a screech, and he who shouts loudest and screeches longest is, they believe, the strongest.
[…]
‘The way the world has retreated, and continues to retreat, in the face of Muslims’ screams and shouts, has played a major role in encouraging them to continue to behave the way they do. When others remain silent or worse, retreat, Muslims get the impression they are right.’; 7 April 2011 22:46
Cheradenine Zakalwe said...: Very interesting. That description really puts me in mind of Yasmin Alibhai-Brown in her television appearances.; 7 April 2011 23:17
Ralph Lynn said...: Book Club!

Fjordman has written some good blogs about Eurabia. Whether it's by accident or design, it becomes more apparent by the day, that that IS what's on the cards for us.

I've recently read Bat's THE DHIMMI - no wonder she is alarmed with Eurabia! Chapter after chapter of grinding harrasments and forced supplication, interspersed with enthusiatic massacre.

After I've finished LES DAWSON'S LANCASHIRE (I need it), I have THE LEGACY OF JIHAD, and M.A.KHAN'S ISLAMIC JIHAD to look forward to.

Dave and Edward Maggotbrain, of the former labour party are Eurabia enthusiasts.; 8 April 2011 11:52
Cheradenine Zakalwe said...: I bought The Legacy of Jihad recently, too. Only had time to read the introduction so far.

BTW Ralph, I gave you posting rights here a while ago so you can post book reviews or whatever if you like.; 8 April 2011 12:52

Islam versus Europe

Where Islam spreads, freedom dies

Bat Ye'or : A Big Disappointment

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