Celsius 7/7

by Michael Gove

In his column that appeared in the Times on the morning of September 11th, 2001, Michael Gove prophetically argued that the West’s policy of appeasement towards terror would provoke yet greater atrocities. In Celsius 7/7 (named for the date of London’s subway and bus bombings), Gove goes farther still, exploring the sources of Islamic rage, the historical factors that culminated in the current terrorist campaign, and the Muslim world’s troubled relationship to modernity. He also analyzes the intellectual roots and political appeal of Islam and contextualizes today’s fundamentalist challenge. Combining a broad historical sweep with character sketches of key figures such as Donald Rumsfeld, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, and Osama bin Laden, Gove offers a shrewd, detached analysis with powerfully convincing recommendations for future action.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction

153 pages, Paperback

First published June 29, 2006

About the author

Michael Gove is a journalist and British Conservative politician, who was Secretary of State for Education from 2010 to 2014 and Secretary of State for Justice from 2015 to 2016. He has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Surrey Heath since 2005.

Reviews

[Michael Owen · Rating 1 out of 5]

A Gove style diatribe about the evils of muslims and the sanctity of Israel and the West. Inflammatory and divisive throughout. A real missed opportunity to research why the followers of Islam in the UK or elsewhere are persuaded to turn towards terrorism and radical forms of Islamism.
Mr. Gove claims on pg. 74; "If political authority is to be exercised fairly, scrupulously and for the common good, then it has to be held accountable.." These words from Michael Gove an MP who has been found, by the High Court, to have unlawfully administered the blacklisting and blocking of FOI requests in order to avoid accountability. His record on transparency and accountability during his time as an MP are woeful. His behaviour and actions in direct comparison to the rhetoric spouted in this book, highlight a dishonest man with few scruples. An exercise in Hypocrisy.
And this from pg.135; "If we wish to live in a more peaceful world we should want it to be more democratic." This from an MP whose party unlawfully prorogued parliament, unlawfully failed to publish tenders during the COVID-19 pandemic and who has personally been found, again by the High Court, to have unlawfully awarded over half a million pounds of taxpayers money to his friends and cronies.
This will be the last time that I will let Michael Gove sneak on to my reading list. Avoid.

[Hayden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gove rightly highlights the rhetorical timidity exhibited by sections of the media and political elite with regard to Islamism. He justifiably laments the price of religious sensitivity where fanaticism is involved, and necessarily warns of the potential ramifications attendant upon a reluctance of the West to demonstrate a moral self-confidence at least half-way comparable to the unquestioning zeal its ideological enemies entertain.
Gove predictably errs however in dismissing out of hand the possibility that Western foreign policy blunders and misjudgements could at least lend extra credence to any anti-Western sentiment. Just as I feel it's dishonest and convenient for the conservative to overlook any case for imperfect Western practices and endeavours, so too do I feel that the liberal is due equal reproach for ignoring the pernicious impacts of fundamentalism.

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book - reading it as Gove's political career seemed to peak and then crash and burn, I was never the less impressed by his integrity, intellect and candour. All these are rare qualities in a politician.

[Mark O'mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

An articulate, reasoned response to the Western political and cultural response to Islamic fascism - not Islam but extreme Islamic theology and how it has been and should be responded to by Western leaders and citizens. A worthwhile read.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting contribution to the debate and some fair points made, maybe more applicable now than when it was written.

[Edward L.]

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