PublishedPerennial, December 2003 |
ISBN9780060573119 |
FormatSoftcover, 418 pages |
Dimensions20.3cm × 13.3cm × 2.5cm |
Welcome to America, 1996. And the "rough beast" that the visionary poet Yeats foresaw in 1919 is now a monster of decadence, a plague several generations in gestation, and we, as a nation, are now slouching, not towards Bethlehem, but towards Gomorrah, the biblical city burned to the ground for the sinfulness of its people.
In Robert H. Bork's "Slouching Towards Gomorrah, " one of our nation's most distinguished conservative scholars offers a prophetic and unprecedented view of a culture in decline, a nation in such serious moral trouble that its very foundation is crumbling. Of our own President, Bork writes: "Thirty years ago, Clinton's behavior would have been absolutely disqualifying. Since the 1992 election, the public has learned far more about what is known, euphemistically, as the 'character issue.' Yet none of this appears to affect Clinton's popularity. It is difficult not to conclude that something about our moral perceptions and reactions has changed profoundly. If that change is permanent, the implication for our future is bleak." The root of our decline, Bork argues, is the rise of modern liberalism, which stresses the dual forces of radical egalitarianism (the equality of outcomes rather than opportunities) and radical individualism (the drastic reduction of limits to personal gratification). The roots of modern liberalism are deeply embedded in the past two and a half centuries and -- perhaps -- arise from the very nature of Western civilization itself. From the collapse of popular culture to the general weakening of intellect, from the role of the Supreme Court as an agent of modern liberalism to the trouble in religion, from the assault of radicalfeminism on American institutions and freedoms to the "killing for convenience" of abortion and euthanasia, Bork has brilliantly encapsulated a nation and a culture on the brink. He courageously sounds an alarm for all Americans. To understand our current plight and the direction in which we are moving. Bork believes we must look to the '60s, a decade in which the moral integrity of our nation came under full-blown assault. We have never recovered from the attack because the radicals of the '60s have taken over or heavily modified the cultural institutions they once sought to destroy. We can accept our fate and try to insulate ourselves and our loved ones from the devasting effects of a degenerating culture, or we can choose to halt the beast, to oppose modern liberalism in every arena. In the view of Robert Bork, an understanding of our problem and the will to resist may be our only hope."Clearly and gracefully written, this humane and well-reasoned analysis...invites the respectful attention of liberals and conservatives alike."--Eugene D. Genovese, "Washington Post Book World" "A brilliant and alarming exploration of the dark side of contemporary American culture. Bork has done an important and good deed."--William J. Bennett, author of "The Book of Virtues" "A brilliant blend of passionate conviction and sustained arguement. May be the most important book of the '90s."--Michael Novak, American Enterprise Institute
