Faith and the Death of Civilizations

By coincidence,  David Goldman’s book, How Civilizations Die (and Why Islam is Dying Too), came out the same time that the Financial Times dedicated a special supplement, titled “Welcome, Number Seven Billion” that gives a detailed tour around the world about population, fertility rates, and other demographic details. Also remarkably, The Economist’s lead article was about the rapidly declining rate of fertility in Asia.

Whether you find yourself agreeing or disagreeing with Goldmruan’s demographic-mixed-with-religion journey through world history (and I found myself disagreeing at times), the book displays the dazzling erudition, fluidity, and sarcasm that marks Goldman’s newspaper columns written under the “Spengler” pseudonym.

While today’s academia are mired in esoteric details and jargon, Goldman’s book sways with easy assurance across millennia and continents, and with utter disregard to academic fiefdoms.  It draws a picture of where the world might have been (we are very good at re-inventing the past too) and where it may be heading, with some sharp barbs against present and past Washington administrations.