The War on the West

How to Prevail in the Age of Unreason

By: Douglas Murray

Narrated by: Douglas Murray

SUNDAY TIMES NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER

‘The most important book of the year’ Daily Mail

The brilliant and provocative new book from one of the world’s foremost political writers

‘The anti-Western revisionists have been out in force in recent years. It is high time that we revise them in turn…’

In The War on the West, international bestselling author Douglas Murray asks: if the history of humankind is one of slavery, conquest, prejudice, genocide and exploitation, why are only Western nations taking the blame for it?

It’s become perfectly acceptable to celebrate the contributions of non-Western cultures, but discussing their flaws and crimes is called hate speech. What’s more it has become acceptable to discuss the flaws and crimes of Western culture, but celebrating their contributions is also called hate speech. Some of this is a much-needed reckoning; however, some is part of a larger international attack on reason, democracy, science, progress and the citizens of the West by dishonest scholars, hatemongers, hostile nations and human-rights abusers hoping to distract from their ongoing villainy.

In The War on the West, Douglas Murray shows the ways in which many well-meaning people have been lured into polarisation by lies, and shows how far the world’s most crucial political debates have been hijacked across Europe and America. Propelled by an incisive deconstruction of inconsistent arguments and hypocritical activism, The War on the West is an essential and urgent polemic that cements Murray’s status as one of the world’s foremost political writers.

©2022 Douglas Murray (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

‘Murray shows not just how every aspect of western society has come under the iconoclasts’ gaze – from mathematics to music, Kew Gardens to Jane Austen – but how flimsy their case often is.’ – The Sunday Times

‘Murray writes with wonderful lucidity about the many fronts on which the West is waging war against itself. And he writes with a sense of urgency.’ – Real Clear Politics

‘Well executed… a spirited defence against the Left's assault on the Western tradition.’ – The Daily Telegraph

‘The War on the West is a monumental book leading to several pivotal realisations.’ – Lotus Eaters

‘Meticulous, measured… The War on the West is Douglas Murray’s latest blast against loony left wokery.’ – The Spectator

The Woke Exposed

Well researched and argued, with an impressive reach, as Murray's books tend to be. One can only hope that today's reverse racism will be a passing phase in our civilization's development, though it's legacy will surely taint our progress for years to come.

My only reservation about the book is that the writing and reading styles are rather melodramatic, but this is a subjective view.

This book touched my heart

Like many people, I too struggle with these dilemmas. I wish to respect, learn from, accomodate and even adopt some aspects of cultures around me. At the same time, I respect and learn from my own history. I am proud of who I am. Despite all the bad things that happened, the West has made the world a better place. We have to acknowledge that.

Douglas Murray, articulated perfectly these dilemmas and his way of discussing it touched my heart. I am glad I read (listened to) this book. Thank you Mr Murray.

Uncomfortable truth

As a follower of DM in the media, I've been aware of this book for quite some time. Consuming a lot of news, the contents of this book is not new to me but I really appreciated the greater depth of the various stories. Those of us in the West are fortunate to have Douglas on our side.

Will be a classic

Free society navigating into the future through introspection such as this woke wave usually finds the optimal path. Without introspection the path is blind

Clear facts and rationale and curious analyses

Spot on and I’m happy we have individuals like Douglas Murray to share the light -thank you.

A return to reason

Courageously plants a flag in a landscape sliding into increasing danger of collapse through moral panic. One small point missing, might be the good fortune the West enjoyed in geography (see Jared Diamond ‘Guns Germs & Steel’). It is upon this good luck that its foundations were industriously (at times immorally) built.

Just brilliant

Murray effortlessly encapsulates the beauty and promise of western values. Well worth the purchase.

Incredibly timely and insightful

Douglas Murray is a brilliant author and speaker. Listening to him read his own considered reflections and thoughts was really enjoyable despite the fairly dark nature of the work. Worth every second of your time and I’ll likely revisit to make sure I haven’t missed any key insights.

Brilliant and enlightening

In November 2025, we are living the result of this madness. Thank you for this masterpiece

Excellent

Murray explains in great detail the problems of CRT and how this fake racial claim has destroyed everything beautiful about the west.