How the West Was Lost - by Alexander Boot (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

What made the West western ? And has Western civilisation found modernity but lost itself? This provocative and stimulating polemic argues that western culture and civilisation have been destroyed not only in, but indeed by, modernity. How the West Was Lost argues that all modern upheavals the Reformation, the English, American, French and Russian Revolutions, the Napoleonic Wars, the American Civil War, both World Wars can only be understood if seen as resulting in an assault on the core values of the West. At its heart lies the belief that the central conflict of our time is cultural and that traditional culture and civilised society have been under attack ever since the Enlightenment. The author traces the development of Western civilisation from its origins paradoxically in the East and examines what he sees as its inexorable decline in all forms of art and all walks of life. He asks uncomfortable questions about politics, philosophy, psychology and religion and suggests answers which are provocative and unorthodox. This book is a bold and challenging attempt to present a new concept of modern history for our complacent times. The results are often unexpected but always original and invigorating."

Review Quotes

"There are many wise ideas in this book"--Roger Scruton, writer and philosopher
"A startlingly clear analysis of why we have become who we are, written with such admirable clarity and wit that news of humanity's defeat seems almost bearable. Noone who claims to know anything should open their mouth in public without reading it."--Fay Weldon, author of "The Life and Loves of a She-Devil" and "Auto Da Fay
"
"Highly original an extremely important argument even for those who have no religious belief, and Alexander Boot puts it more unflinchingly, more courageously, than anyone else."--Theodore Dalrymple, author of Life at the Bottom and Our Culture, What's Left of It
"Those reading Alexander Boot's vigorous and witty assault on the modern superstitions of progress and science will never see the world in the same way again. A refreshing and original voice."--James Le Fanu, Telegraph columnist and author of The Rise and Fall of Modern Medicine
"At last! Someone with the courage to say the unsayable: that one can be for liberty while detesting many of the means by which liberty is achieved."--Digby Anderson, journalist and former Director of the Social Affairs Unit
"Alexander Boot puts his finger precisely on the malaise affecting western societies. His book is the most readable account of the decline of the West since Spengler, and serenely free from the contamination of academic jargon. It should be read by politicians, teachers, bishops and anyone who has anything to do with public administration. We should all read it. Twice."--Reverend Dr Peter Mullen, Rector of St Michael's Cornhill and author of Holy Smoke: The Daily Life of a Rector in the City of London
"

""There are many wise ideas in this book""--Roger Scruton, writer and philosopher
""A startlingly clear analysis of why we have become who we are, written with such admirable clarity and wit that news of humanity's defeat seems almost bearable. Noone who claims to know anything should open their mouth in public without reading it.""--Fay Weldon, author of "The Life and Loves of a She-Devil" and "Auto Da Fay
"
""Highly original an extremely important argument even for those who have no religious belief, and Alexander Boot puts it more unflinchingly, more courageously, than anyone else.""--Theodore Dalrymple, author of Life at the Bottom and Our Culture, What's Left of It
""Those reading Alexander Boot's vigorous and witty assault on the modern superstitions of progress and science will never see the world in the same way again. A refreshing and original voice.""--James Le Fanu, Telegraph columnist and author of The Rise and Fall of Modern Medicine
""At last! Someone with the courage to say the unsayable: that one can be for liberty while detesting many of the means by which liberty is achieved.""--Digby Anderson, journalist and former Director of the Social Affairs Unit
""Alexander Boot puts his finger precisely on the malaise affecting western societies. His book is the most readable account of the decline of the West since Spengler, and serenely free from the contamination of academic jargon. It should be read by politicians, teachers, bishops and anyone who has anything to do with public administration. We should all read it. Twice.""--Reverend Dr Peter Mullen, Rector of St Michael's Cornhill and author of Holy Smoke: The Daily Life of a Rector in the City of London
"

About the Author

A philology graduate of Moscow University, Alexander Boot lectured there on English and American literature in English, wrote art criticism and got into trouble with the KGB before emigrating to the USA in 1973 only to find that the West he was seeking was no longer there. This inspired a life-long quest for an explanation, reflected in numerous essays. He has written for a wide range of publications including the London Magazine, the Salisbury Review and the Independent. He now divides his time between London and Burgundy, working on his next two books."