World War IV: The Long Struggle Against Islamofascism

by Norman Podhoretz

For almost half a century—as a magazine editor and as the author of numerous bestselling books and hundreds of articles—Norman Podhoretz has helped drive the central political and intellectual debates in this country. Now, in this provocative and powerfully argued book, he takes on the most controversial issue of our time—the war against the global network of terrorists that attacked us on 9/11.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History, Islam

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Norman Podhoretz is an American neoconservative writer and editor.

Reviews

[Daniel Laflin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Strong Argument that the Cold war was WW III and ended with USSR breakup and that we have entered into WW IV ever since Islamic Terrorism Started and Its fully engaged since 9-11

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title to this book is deceiving. It implies that the book will discuss the ins and outs of the war against Islamofacists. The book itself, however, is more of a discussion of the Bush Doctrine and the politics involved with the current war on global terrorism.

This is not to say that the book is bad - it is actually quite good. The author solidly defends Bush and his policies and makes a good case for his legacy to be re-evaluated in a favorable manner in the future. Bush haters will not like this book unless they have an open mind and are willing to read something that goes against everything presented in the MSM. Those readers who have not forgotten 9-11 and understand that more such attacks will follow in spite of what certain politicians believe will find this book satisfying.

[Laine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isolationists and pacifists are either breathtakingly uninformed or worse, choose to have no contextual understanding of history, evil men, murderous ideologies. This sobering reminder of the overriding challenge of our time is superb, sublime, sobering, supportive of the great heroes of our time ... who know freedom is everything and freedom is not ever free.

[Elliot Ratzman · Rating 1 out of 5]

It’s important for progressives to take conservatives seriously, to see if there are points we haven’t considered, to know and weigh the arguments. Assuming that this book, by neo-con chief Norman Podhoretz, longtime editor of Commentary, is the best that that camp can do for making the case for “the long struggle against Islamofascism” and here, The Bush Doctrine—that “Islam” is the heir to Totalitarianism and must be fought ignoring the Realist School of politics. Well, Podhoretz is a Jewish Archie Bunker with an intern who knows how to use ‘the google’. No citations. No understanding of the relationship between religion and politics, ideas and human behavior. No shame thinking military solutions from Vietnam to N. Korea are the only way to ‘victory.’ No evidence from the people whose countries and cultures he wants to bully into conformity. All this is haunted by claims that his liberal opponents are “anti-American”. Hubris mixed with ignorance doesn’t make for convincing arguments.

[Amy Robertson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Podhoretz thinks that anyone who disagrees with him clings to their ideas merely out of ego or to maintain "their comfortable lodgings" in their academic or journalistic establishments. No one who disagrees with "the Bush Doctrine" could possibly do so from conviction but only from expediency. And those who try to fool us with their copious footnotes (Podhoretz sources nothing) -- well, they are nothing but clever tricksters we must guard against.
He would be laughable (a larger than life caricature of illogic) if he weren't so dangerous.
Vote early and vote often.

[Jerry Wall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reread ca. 2010
Defense of Bush handling of 9/11 attacks and aftermath.
Responds to attacks on Bush handling from right and left.
Podhoretz believed in quality of Bush actions, and many were with him
including, after some delay did many like Kissinger, etc.

[Sándor Kiss · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice, but a bit naive ideological manifesto. Totally one-sided, but well written. Although it bugged me that most of the book is built up on fighting the shadows of good old enemies. The World War IV narrative is convincing, but the straight out lies were unnecessary (e.g.: the conditions in Guantanamo Bay, Abu Gharib, and of course there is not and were not any torture at all....) George W. may have been right about his doctrine, but planning and execution was not his strong suit.

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

World War III was the Cold War. World War IV is the war against Islamofascism -- a more specific and accurate enemy than "terrorism," Podhoretz argues. Comparing our current war to the world wars shows that we must be prepared for a lengthy, expensive war and great loss of life -- and that it is worth it for world freedom.

Podhoretz reviews US foreign policy since WWII and examines Bush's speeches to argue that Bush has a coherent strategy -- the Bush Doctrine -- that is analogous to the Truman Doctrine. P defends the invasion of Iraq on the grounds of a preemptive regime change and America's interest in promoting democracy througout the world.

Podhoretz doesn't think Bush is an idiot. He believes that the war in Iraq was and still is a good idea. As a habitual reader of mainstream media, I found this book refreshing, and very helpful in its explanation of the Bush Doctrine and its historical context. Seeing excerpts from Bush's speeches all together made me realize how very good they are -- Podhoretz persuasively argues that Bush is a visionary and compares his foreign policy favorably to other presidents (Carter, elder Bush, Clinton, of course, but even Reagan).

I would have appreciated, though, more acknowledgements of the troubles and costs of Iraq -- a more balanced approach -- because although I agree with P that the MSM haven't fairly or accurately portrayed the war or Bush's strategy, I'm not totally sure that this war has been/is the best way to promote changes in the Middle East.

[MG · Rating 2 out of 5]

This a very imformative, although dry, book.

WW IV reads more like a history text book than an actual commentary on the Global War on Terror.

I'm not knocking the book, it's very, very good. It's exhaustively researched, well written, but to be honest, I was kind of happy that I got through the whole thing.

Isuppose this is one of the dangers of reading as much non-fiction as I do: sometimes, the author does TOO good a job of sticking to the facts. I would have liked some more of the authors insight, though his writing on President Bush and the development of the Bush Doctrine is definitely worth skipping ahead to.

FINALLY! Someone writing about the current Global War on Terror "Gets It" concerning the brilliance ofour strategy in the Middle East! That, in and of itself, "saved" the book for me.

[Mike Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I tried to judge this book on how it was written as opposed to the opinions of the author. Podhoretz defends rather eloquently George W. Bush's handling of the War on Terror which he dubs World War IV. He compares and contrasts this with the cold war (World War III). One of the strengths of this book is Podhoretz's analysis of how US foreign policy caused and led the way for the rise of terrorism. Since this was written in 2006 the author does not the ability to see how the Bush doctrine led to an even greater destabilization to the Mideast. Some of the main arguments are still relevant today with the rise of ISIS.

[Joana Marinho · Rating 2 out of 5]

Podhoretz spends most of the time in this book criticizing those who dared to question the Bush Doctrine, even some of the neocons who worked with the Administration. I was hopefull for an insight on the main decisions but this book isn't really about that.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real eye opener on Global Politics, especially American foreign policy.

[Brian Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book about Bush foreign policy and why it will not be changed any time soon. Title refers to the Cold War as World War 3, hence the current war is World War IV.

[Bill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good, but dry. Instead, please read Mark Steyn's "America Alone".

[Urey Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you read nothing else about the Islamic threat - read this book and The Looming Tower by Wright.

[Norbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it. It'll wake you up.

[Johns · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bracing read but a book all Americans should read and know.