A semi-good read.

Pretty sure I got this heartwarming, feel-good book for Christmas from friends because I keep threatening to move to Sweden. It was interesting enough, but it was mainly a lot of stories meant to shock and enrage, which worked, but which aren't incredibly productive. (At the very end he actually says "it's probably too late." OK, thanks!)

It also bugged me that he only interviewed, quoted and referenced educated Westerners... Granted, he was mostly criticizing them but I would've been much more impressed if he had actually interviewed a group of the 85-90% of moderate W European Muslims who he kept stating are a big part of the problem. It could've helped to inform some actionable ideas.

I'm glad I read it though. Really? Half of Germans under 24 don't know what the Holocaust was? And that's just one of the many appalling statements in the book.

I suppose I should caveat this review with the statements, "I am a sociologist at heart" and "I am a socialist at heart." And I guess I am naive - I do think that peaceful negotiations should be the first step in resolving any conflict, whether it's at an individual or a global level. Speak softly... but still carry that big stick in your back pocket.

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This is the fourth edit I've made to this post. I think that says something about the book - I have more to say about it, and my reaction to it, than I first suspected. (Or, it's just a slow night.)