Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Perilous Fight: Overcoming Our Culture's War on the American Family

Rate this book
Learn from one of our leading conservative voices how we can return to the biblical values our nation was founded upon, especially the vital importance of the family, in order to secure a prosperous future for generations to come. Does America no longer feel like home? Widespread divorce rates, the erosion of traditional marriage, the popular rise of radical ideologies, attacks on faith, and government interference are only a few of the factors contributing to the struggles of families in our culture. And because of the importance of healthy families to every part of our national life, the breakdown of the family threatens to rob us of the country we love. But it doesn't have to be this way. Like many of us, Dr. Ben Carson fears we are losing the country we love. In this provocative and ultimately hopeful book, he gives us the facts, inspiration, and theory-to-action answers we need to restore a key foundation of the family. The Perilous Fight equips us to This is a practical and inspiring book for anyone Strong families are the cornerstone of strong communities. Strong communities build a strong nation. Only when we prioritize the family as an institution established by God will we proudly remain the land of the free and the home of the brave.

240 pages, Hardcover

Published November 1, 2024

68 people are currently reading
213 people want to read

About the author

Ben Carson

62 books955 followers
Benjamin Solomon "Ben" Carson, Sr., M.D. is an American neurosurgeon and the Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States by President George W. Bush in 2008.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
124 (63%)
4 stars
50 (25%)
3 stars
17 (8%)
2 stars
4 (2%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Thomas George Phillips.
625 reviews42 followers
May 28, 2024
Dr. Ben Carson certainly has a story to tell; the man was born in less than ideal circumstances in Detroit, Michigan. He was raised by a single mother who worked at several jobs to support Ben and his brother.

A case can be made that Dr. Carson paid his dues to achieve his dream of becoming a doctor.

Dr. Carson has outlined his views on how to reach the "American Dream." The traditional family is of particular concern to Ben Carson; he sees the nuclear family as under assault from progressives.

Profile Image for Avree Clark.
Author 1 book77 followers
August 1, 2024
“There is more that unites us than divides us.” -Ben Carson
A quick listen that is wonderfully narrated by Dr. Ben Carson himself. He has such a soothing voice! I enjoy anything Ben Carson puts out. I appreciate how he discusses relevant topics, even speaking to beyond just those who have a family. I especially liked Chapter 8. In a later chapter, he mentions how Lenin said, “Give me four years to teach the children and the seed I have sown will never be uprooted.” Sounds familiar with the indoctrination occurring at the youngest school-age levels now.
39 reviews9 followers
May 29, 2024
A GREST BOOK BY A GREAT MAN

Dr. Carson has said in this book, what needed urgently to be said to the citizenry of the USA. It motivates .e to give a lot of thought to writing in his name when I vote for president later this year.
188 reviews
July 23, 2024
America is under attack on two fronts--faith and family. Parental rights are being undermined. What is wrong has been elevated to being right. We, as Americans, need to unite and advise our leaders we want policies that support our families.
This book informs, educates, warns, encourages us to wake up to the realities taking place. I highly recommend and encourage people to take an honest look at the direction in which we are headed.
Profile Image for Commissioner James Knaggs.
49 reviews
June 4, 2024
Pay Attention…

Dr. Carson surgically takes us toward a healthy country in this affirmation of the family. The cancer designed to destroy us need not win the battle against us. Here we understand the diagnosis and treatments to well-being. May it be so…
16 reviews
June 12, 2024
Excellent book on what the American family should look like, written by a true American who had to do things the hard way while growing up and wound up one of the most successful surgeons in our lifetime.
Profile Image for Mary Lou.
1,093 reviews24 followers
July 1, 2024
I've said it before; I'll say it again: When will Goodreads adopt a half star option? I'm bumping this 3½ star book up to 4 because of the critical subject matter.

Dr. Carson has leant his voice to the growing chorus of Amercans who are finally waking up and realizing that the foundational institutions of our country, particularly the nuclear family, are under attack. He addresses the problem, its origins, those who are being manipulated (and by whom), and what we need to do to protect our children and our society.

All of this is critically important, of course. I wonder, though, if Carson didn't rush to get his message out and, in doing so, sacrifice some clarity in his execution. Perhaps it's just a personal preference, but I think the book would have been more effective if he'd laid out the parental concerns first. I wonder how many readers lost interest before the reasons for concern were delineated. In his introduction he writes: "Right now you might be wondering, 'Why the history lesson, Dr. Carson?'" as he talks about our country's founding. And he's correct. It was not, in my opinion, the way to grab his readers and make them want to read on.

Carson's big picture is like a jigsaw puzzle that doesn't quite have all the pieces in place yet, but I recommend you stick with it. The pieces are all there.

Coincidentally, I recently read another book that covers this same topic with a slightly different emphasis and a little more detail, "Family Unfriendly" by Tim Carney. The two go together well, and I recommend both.
211 reviews4 followers
April 16, 2025
Good Man, Good Message, but Not a Lot That’s New

Dr. Ben Carson, former presidential candidate, cabinet secretary (under Trump), neurosurgeon, and commentator/observer has an affirming message for those concerned with societal devolvement in America and the West in his interesting book, “The Perilous Fight.” He builds upon the image from “The Star-Spangled Banner” of values and principles under attack, yet persevering the battle. It’s a message of hope, grounded in the Bible and family, to resist the forces of secularism that threaten increasingly in today’s culture. It’s a well-developed commentary and worth reading for its insights and affirmations, but there are not a lot of new ideas or solutions.
54 reviews2 followers
June 1, 2024
Dr. Carson provides a very seasoned perspective about what real life events and situations are negatively impacting today's American families. Given the extremely difficult life he faced as a child and successfully overcame to become a practicing medical doctor, he has earned credibility (in my opinion) for the observations and expected implications of today's culture that negatively impacts the family unit - and presumably degrades the education and values we pass on to future generations. Thus we should all carefully evaluate (and consider supporting) his suggestions for actions to "right the ship" to help our families.
Profile Image for Savannah M.
84 reviews
October 7, 2024
This book looks at the current issues in the US today and how Ben Carson believes we can overcome the challenges. While I agree with some of his ideas, I really felt like the book was repetitive in nature. I do enjoy his added stories throughout. I couldn’t give it a 4, but I do believe it’s more of a 3.5 stars rating.
Profile Image for Annaliese.
278 reviews
July 15, 2025
This was a tough read. I agree that American families are being surrounded by bad influences in many ways. However, I do not agree that it is the evil socialists out to get everyone. And as a teacher, I am offended that he thinks that we just want to spread our agendas. If I were to “spread any agenda” to my students, it would be to get to class on time. But that’s not happening 😂
Profile Image for Jack Dawes.
99 reviews
September 3, 2024
Good information but really lacking a clear direction. This reads like an infomercial for someone who just arrived in our present time from the near past. It ends with little to nothing for what to do about all the previous chapters outline as problems. It felt detached from purpose and vision.
292 reviews1 follower
January 23, 2025
I cannot recommend this book strongly enough. Attacks on the core of what has made America the greatest country in modern history, The Family must be dealt with.

This book is a starting point to save the family.










the F
Profile Image for Beth.
158 reviews3 followers
February 22, 2025
Clear and concise. It is clear that Dr. Carson is an intelligent man - his writing shows a logical, orderly mind. The final chapters that talk about actions that can be taken to fight the war on the family were especially good.
305 reviews3 followers
June 29, 2024
The book sends a good message to the American public. One thing I didn’t like is the constant backing up of concepts by using biblical passages.
5 reviews
July 8, 2024
A must read for everyone! It is well written and very thought-provoking. Everyone would benefit greatly from reading.
1 review
July 15, 2024
Dr. Ben Carson is to the point, informative, realistic, and encouraging! Definitely recommend reading especially if you have children.
Profile Image for Carole.
375 reviews6 followers
July 21, 2024
Well thought out words of wisdom from a very fine man who cares a great deal about our country and the direction in which it is headed.
Profile Image for Michelle.
107 reviews
August 7, 2024
I would give the first 30% of the book a 2 or 3 but it got much better. Heavy reliance on stories about his own family made him seem judgmental of anything different.
10 reviews
December 13, 2024
A decent intro back into politics by a nice old chap I really like.
Profile Image for Joyce.
289 reviews1 follower
January 10, 2025
A must read. Very straight forward and informative!
1 review
June 27, 2025
Perilous Fight

Great read explaining the need to minister to our children and families. Our children’s academic achievement is failing resulting in societal decline.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.