"A World Ignited: How Apostles of Ethnic, Religious and Racial Hatred Torch the Globe" (Rowman & Littlefield: New York and Oxford)
Martin Tolchin capped a 40-year career at The New York Times, where he reported on Congress and politics, by becoming founder, publisher, and editor-in-chief of The Hill newspaper. He's now launching a new newspaper in Washington, "The Capitol Leader." His wife Susan is professor of public policy at George Mason University, and a well-known lecturer and media commentator.
They have just come out with their ninth book, "A World Ignited: How Apostles of Ethnic, Religious and Racial Hatred Torch the Globe" (Rowman & Littlefield: New York and Oxford). It addresses the surge of hatred that has swept the world in the last decade. The Tolchins discuss how, fed by economic disparities, ancient religious and cultural wars, and deep-seated feelings of defeat and humiliation, this hatred is amplified by modern communications technology, especially television and the Internet; and made more lethal by modern weaponry and unprecedented acts of violence.
Their detailed, timely work examines this condition's myriad of causes and its toll in lives and human misery. The Tolchins write that every corner of the world is bombarded by graphic, emotional examples of inhumanity. As these challenges to peace and freedom become commonplace the public and government response appears increasingly sedate or self-righteous. Meanwhile, in some countries, manipulative politicians and sadistic terrorists have become skilled at exploiting the current state of affairs. We ignore this reality at our own peril.
The book not only takes aim at the Bush administration for its provocative and unilateral policies that have inspired unprecedented waves of anti-Americanism, but also breaks new ground in its exploration of both President Bush's unsung role in combating worldwide anti-Semitism, and the role of the United States as the fount of hate on the Internet. "A World Ignited" is a thorough, and ultimately positive exploration of the history of ethnic, religious, and racial hatred and how the politics of hope can halt, and even reverse, this cacophony of hate.
I would enthusiastically recommend the book.