What do you think?
Rate this book
Because They Hate
Brigitte Gabriel lost her childhood to militant Islam. In 1975 she was ten years old and living in Southern Lebanon when militant Muslims from throughout the Middle East poured into her country and declared jihad against the Lebanese Christians. Lebanon was the only Christian influenced country in the Middle East, and the Lebanese Civil War was the first front in what has become the worldwide jihad of fundamentalist Islam against non-Muslim peoples. For seven years, Brigitte and her parents lived in an underground bomb shelter. They had no running water or electricity and very little food; at times they were reduced to boiling grass to survive.
Because They Hate is a political wake-up call told through a very personal memoir frame. Brigitte warns that the US is threatened by fundamentalist Islamic theology in the same way Lebanon was-- radical Islam will stop at nothing short of domination of all non-Muslim countries. Gabriel saw this mission start in Lebanon, and she refuses to stand silently by while it happens here. Gabriel sees in the West a lack of understanding and a blatant ignorance of the ways and thinking of the Middle East. She also points out mistakes the West has made in consistently underestimating the single-mindedness with which fundamentalist Islam has pursued its goals over the past thirty years. Fiercely articulate and passionately committed, Gabriel tells her own story as well as outlines the history, social movements, and religious divisions that have led to this critical historical conflict.
Because They Hate is a political wake-up call told through a very personal memoir frame. Brigitte warns that the US is threatened by fundamentalist Islamic theology in the same way Lebanon was-- radical Islam will stop at nothing short of domination of all non-Muslim countries. Gabriel saw this mission start in Lebanon, and she refuses to stand silently by while it happens here. Gabriel sees in the West a lack of understanding and a blatant ignorance of the ways and thinking of the Middle East. She also points out mistakes the West has made in consistently underestimating the single-mindedness with which fundamentalist Islam has pursued its goals over the past thirty years. Fiercely articulate and passionately committed, Gabriel tells her own story as well as outlines the history, social movements, and religious divisions that have led to this critical historical conflict.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 257 reviews
May 11, 2024
In this frightening but pertinent and timeous warning this courageous woman of truth and vision, Brigitte Gabriel, warns the USA and the world of the danger faced by Islamo-Fascism, and how ignoring or appeasing this threat will result in the ruthless and bloody Islamification of the USA and other Western societies unless we face this cancer and act now.
Gabriel points out how "Today, radical Islam's war rages with varying degrees of intensity throughout the world, not only against Christians and Jews in the West but also against Hindus, Buddhists, Copts, indeed all non-Muslim infidels. The radical Islamists decree of zealotry even has them attacking other denominations within Islam itself. Islamic radicals are instigating and perpetuating terrorist campaigns, insurgencies, civil wars, minority suppression and ethnic cleansing and/or genocide in Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Chad, Chechnya, Dagestan, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Great Britain, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kashmir, Kenya, Kosovo, Lebanon, Macedonia, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, the Netherlands, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, territories administered by the Palestinian authority, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, Spain, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkey, the United States of America, Yemen and Zanzibar".
Brigitte Gabriel, lived as a ten year old girl through the terror as of Muslims from across the world flooded into Lebanon to wage a bloody and ruthless jihad against Lebanese Christians in which over 60 000 Lebanese Christian men, women and children were butchered. A horrific exercise in ethnic cleansing that was ignored by the world and by those who's self-proclaimed task was to stand up for human rights.
Gabriel recounts her idyllic childhood in a peaceful and cosmopolitan land before the PLO and Lebanese Muslims launched a war against Lebanon's Christian population.
They were joined by Muslim terrorists pouring into Lebanon from as far afield as Somalia, Syria, Iran, Jordan, Iraq, Libya and Egypt. Lebanon was turned overnight into a killing field.
Christian leftists who fought alongside the Palestinians for greater Islamic control over Lebanon, were so-blinded by their ideologically motivated self-righteousness that they did not see that they too as much targets as the general Christian population.
In Lebanon every person carried an identity document that identified their religion and what sect of religion they belonged to. Cars were stopped at PLO or Muslim checkpoints, and if the Palestinians or Muslims realized that the occupants the cars were sprayed with bullets and the entire families inside, killed, with shouts of "Allahu Akbar".
Gabriel remembers her years as a frightened and starving child in a bomb shelter as missiles rained on her village from a nearby Muslim town.
Gabriel outlines the history of the 1982 Lebanon War from the perspective a victim of Palestinian/ Islamic ethnic cleansing and explains how Israel's eventual intervention (in response to murderous attacks by the PLO from Lebanon into Israel), was welcomed by the Christian Lebanese desperate to be rescued from the hideous genocide the Palestinians and Muslims, with the support of Syria, were inflicting on them.
Gabriel explains how Israel provided health care to all Lebanese, Christian and Muslims, and even Palestinians. They were treated free of charge in Israeli hospitals.
After Gabriel's mother was critically injured in a PLO shelling attack, she was transported to an Israeli hospital, where Gabriel recounts her amazement at the great kindness and love shown her by Israelis, who the Islamo-Leftist media had been so demonized in the eyes of Lebanese population by the Arab media and Islamo-Leftist PR propaganda machine.
Gabriel discovered how the Palestinian propaganda could not have been further from the truth, and that she had been told a fabricated lie by her government and culture about the Israel that was the opposite of reality
Israeli Jews were the only people in the world who realized what the Christian Lebanese were going through.
The Israelis were able to bring peace to the area and drive out the terrorists. Lebanon had been turned into a base of terror, but as always Israel was condemned for defending itself and the victims (both the Israelis and Christian Lebanese) were painted by the world media as the criminals.
The skirmish at the Sabra and Shatilla PLO camps in October 1982, in which several hundred Muslim terrorists from around the world, were killed (and a few civilian casualties) in a retaliation action by Christian Lebanese fighters provoked a hysterical world reaction. But the massacred of Christian Lebanese villagers, and the mass murder of Lebanese infants, children and women by the PLO and Muslim Lebanese for the seven years before that had elicited no reaction round the world whatsoever, as their continued atrocities would be ignored in the years to come.
She explains how the media fabricated lies and played a role as part of the PLO's propaganda machine in Lebanon and the The Land of Israel.
The second part of the book describes the presence of massive Islamic networks in the USA, how Arabic petro-dollars and nihilistic left wing ideologues use the media, civil society and universities in the USA to prepare the Islamic assault on the world's freedoms and demonize Israel and the West.
At universities across the USA students are being brainwashed in an anti-Western and Israel-hating diet that is shaping a hate-filled new generation. At university campuses murder of children is condoned and openly seen as justified by Muslim and hard left students.
Those who oppose the Islamo-Leftist nihilistic agenda are prevented from speaking at universities.
She clearly illustrates how Islamic radicals have made their goals of seizing power and imposing radical Islam clear to all. You can't read this book and not be ware of the threat the free world faces.
We are faced with a threat to the world as great as that faced by the Nazis in 1938, with the potential of death and destruction on a far greater scale than that of the Holocaust.
Gabriel explains how the USA and the West is being strangled by it's own political correctness.
As she so correctly points out : "There is no time for any more delusions. There is too much at stake. America needs to wake up from a gullible state of ignorant bliss, and start learning Islamic history. We must expose the truth and must get involved in ensuring that our elected officials have our support to throw political correctness in the garbage. We must clearly state that we are sick and tired of the lies and deception that we want to know the truth about the enemy we are fighting, and what we can do to win this war. Only then will we have a chance of winning this battle. Once our elected officials know that they can count on our support and not be demonized for stating the facts, they will be more courageous about coming out in the open and declaring war on our enemy."
Gabriel points out how "Today, radical Islam's war rages with varying degrees of intensity throughout the world, not only against Christians and Jews in the West but also against Hindus, Buddhists, Copts, indeed all non-Muslim infidels. The radical Islamists decree of zealotry even has them attacking other denominations within Islam itself. Islamic radicals are instigating and perpetuating terrorist campaigns, insurgencies, civil wars, minority suppression and ethnic cleansing and/or genocide in Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Chad, Chechnya, Dagestan, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Great Britain, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kashmir, Kenya, Kosovo, Lebanon, Macedonia, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, the Netherlands, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, territories administered by the Palestinian authority, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, Spain, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkey, the United States of America, Yemen and Zanzibar".
Brigitte Gabriel, lived as a ten year old girl through the terror as of Muslims from across the world flooded into Lebanon to wage a bloody and ruthless jihad against Lebanese Christians in which over 60 000 Lebanese Christian men, women and children were butchered. A horrific exercise in ethnic cleansing that was ignored by the world and by those who's self-proclaimed task was to stand up for human rights.
Gabriel recounts her idyllic childhood in a peaceful and cosmopolitan land before the PLO and Lebanese Muslims launched a war against Lebanon's Christian population.
They were joined by Muslim terrorists pouring into Lebanon from as far afield as Somalia, Syria, Iran, Jordan, Iraq, Libya and Egypt. Lebanon was turned overnight into a killing field.
Christian leftists who fought alongside the Palestinians for greater Islamic control over Lebanon, were so-blinded by their ideologically motivated self-righteousness that they did not see that they too as much targets as the general Christian population.
In Lebanon every person carried an identity document that identified their religion and what sect of religion they belonged to. Cars were stopped at PLO or Muslim checkpoints, and if the Palestinians or Muslims realized that the occupants the cars were sprayed with bullets and the entire families inside, killed, with shouts of "Allahu Akbar".
Gabriel remembers her years as a frightened and starving child in a bomb shelter as missiles rained on her village from a nearby Muslim town.
Gabriel outlines the history of the 1982 Lebanon War from the perspective a victim of Palestinian/ Islamic ethnic cleansing and explains how Israel's eventual intervention (in response to murderous attacks by the PLO from Lebanon into Israel), was welcomed by the Christian Lebanese desperate to be rescued from the hideous genocide the Palestinians and Muslims, with the support of Syria, were inflicting on them.
Gabriel explains how Israel provided health care to all Lebanese, Christian and Muslims, and even Palestinians. They were treated free of charge in Israeli hospitals.
After Gabriel's mother was critically injured in a PLO shelling attack, she was transported to an Israeli hospital, where Gabriel recounts her amazement at the great kindness and love shown her by Israelis, who the Islamo-Leftist media had been so demonized in the eyes of Lebanese population by the Arab media and Islamo-Leftist PR propaganda machine.
Gabriel discovered how the Palestinian propaganda could not have been further from the truth, and that she had been told a fabricated lie by her government and culture about the Israel that was the opposite of reality
Israeli Jews were the only people in the world who realized what the Christian Lebanese were going through.
The Israelis were able to bring peace to the area and drive out the terrorists. Lebanon had been turned into a base of terror, but as always Israel was condemned for defending itself and the victims (both the Israelis and Christian Lebanese) were painted by the world media as the criminals.
The skirmish at the Sabra and Shatilla PLO camps in October 1982, in which several hundred Muslim terrorists from around the world, were killed (and a few civilian casualties) in a retaliation action by Christian Lebanese fighters provoked a hysterical world reaction. But the massacred of Christian Lebanese villagers, and the mass murder of Lebanese infants, children and women by the PLO and Muslim Lebanese for the seven years before that had elicited no reaction round the world whatsoever, as their continued atrocities would be ignored in the years to come.
She explains how the media fabricated lies and played a role as part of the PLO's propaganda machine in Lebanon and the The Land of Israel.
The second part of the book describes the presence of massive Islamic networks in the USA, how Arabic petro-dollars and nihilistic left wing ideologues use the media, civil society and universities in the USA to prepare the Islamic assault on the world's freedoms and demonize Israel and the West.
At universities across the USA students are being brainwashed in an anti-Western and Israel-hating diet that is shaping a hate-filled new generation. At university campuses murder of children is condoned and openly seen as justified by Muslim and hard left students.
Those who oppose the Islamo-Leftist nihilistic agenda are prevented from speaking at universities.
She clearly illustrates how Islamic radicals have made their goals of seizing power and imposing radical Islam clear to all. You can't read this book and not be ware of the threat the free world faces.
We are faced with a threat to the world as great as that faced by the Nazis in 1938, with the potential of death and destruction on a far greater scale than that of the Holocaust.
Gabriel explains how the USA and the West is being strangled by it's own political correctness.
As she so correctly points out : "There is no time for any more delusions. There is too much at stake. America needs to wake up from a gullible state of ignorant bliss, and start learning Islamic history. We must expose the truth and must get involved in ensuring that our elected officials have our support to throw political correctness in the garbage. We must clearly state that we are sick and tired of the lies and deception that we want to know the truth about the enemy we are fighting, and what we can do to win this war. Only then will we have a chance of winning this battle. Once our elected officials know that they can count on our support and not be demonized for stating the facts, they will be more courageous about coming out in the open and declaring war on our enemy."
July 30, 2007
In Because They Hate, Brigitte Gabriel describes her idyllic childhood as a Christian in Lebanon and her teen years spent with her aged parents in a bomb shelter there during hostilities between Lebanon & Israel in the 1970s. She describes her perception of the destruction of her birth country by Moslems.
She makes the case that Islam is an extremely acquisitive ideology with world domination in mind – not peaceful coexistence. Gabriel goes on to advise us about threats to western civilization and culture, and specifically to our (U.S., she’s an American citizen now) country – and what our response should be to fend off that threat.
I first heard about her on Michelle Malkin’s blog, [http://www.michellemalkin.com], and a link to a U-Tube video of her giving a speech at Heritage Foundation or American Enterprise Institute (I'm not sure which & I can't seem to find the link - bad girl!). Wow. She’s a really powerful speaker and dynamo. It’s also gratifying to hear a naturalized citizen so fully embrace our country and furthermore, become an activist in its preservation and protection: Gabriel started an organization, the American Congress for Truth ([http://www.americancongressfortruth.com/]) to do just that. This book is an extension of those efforts and a warning to all who value our freedom and security. Compelling read!
She makes the case that Islam is an extremely acquisitive ideology with world domination in mind – not peaceful coexistence. Gabriel goes on to advise us about threats to western civilization and culture, and specifically to our (U.S., she’s an American citizen now) country – and what our response should be to fend off that threat.
I first heard about her on Michelle Malkin’s blog, [http://www.michellemalkin.com], and a link to a U-Tube video of her giving a speech at Heritage Foundation or American Enterprise Institute (I'm not sure which & I can't seem to find the link - bad girl!). Wow. She’s a really powerful speaker and dynamo. It’s also gratifying to hear a naturalized citizen so fully embrace our country and furthermore, become an activist in its preservation and protection: Gabriel started an organization, the American Congress for Truth ([http://www.americancongressfortruth.com/]) to do just that. This book is an extension of those efforts and a warning to all who value our freedom and security. Compelling read!
February 4, 2008
This was an excellent book that makes one think about what we are doing in America and if we are politically correcting ourselves to our own downfall when it comes to the war against radical Islam. The author's own story is very telling about the differences between free people and those who are not. Although not a "can't put it down" kind of book, I really enjoyed the story and the information that it contained.
July 16, 2017
This was a fascinating and compelling read from an insider on the militant Islamic takeover of Lebanon by someone who was there. The author, a Lebanese Christian, is a survivor of terrorism and she warns the rest of the western world, telling it like it is. One starts to realize how terrorists take over a country one bit at a time and very gradually. I try to not push books very often, but to me this is a must-read.
I highlighted so many quotes that I loved, that at times I felt as if I was highlighting most of the book. Here are a few of my favorites:
“Islamic terrorism has nothing to do with economic position or status in life.”
“Americans just don’t realize the viciousness of the militant Islamic fundamentalist.”
“Anyone who disagrees with radical Islamic propaganda is being attacked in the media, on college campuses, and at rallies countering events that promote the Islamic cause.”
The author pictured with her late mother, who saved her from death.
I highlighted so many quotes that I loved, that at times I felt as if I was highlighting most of the book. Here are a few of my favorites:
“Islamic terrorism has nothing to do with economic position or status in life.”
“Americans just don’t realize the viciousness of the militant Islamic fundamentalist.”
“Anyone who disagrees with radical Islamic propaganda is being attacked in the media, on college campuses, and at rallies countering events that promote the Islamic cause.”
The author pictured with her late mother, who saved her from death.
July 1, 2010
The beginning of this book is the gripping story of a little girl growing up Christian in Lebanon during the Lebanese Civil War. She and her parents lived in an underground bunker for 7 years while religiously fueled war destroyed Lebanon. In this time she taught herself to speak English by watching television and eventually went on to become a successful journalist and author.
Unfortunately the rest of the book is written from the perspective of someone whose awful circumstances have made a clear impact on her bias against Islam. She frequently refers to the entire Muslim population as radicals and uses historical comparisons that are very forgiving to American/European history for the sake of making Islam look bad.
If this were just a memoir I probably wouldn't have minded the tone as much, but it's billed as a "warning" to America from a "survivor of Islamic terror."
Unfortunately the rest of the book is written from the perspective of someone whose awful circumstances have made a clear impact on her bias against Islam. She frequently refers to the entire Muslim population as radicals and uses historical comparisons that are very forgiving to American/European history for the sake of making Islam look bad.
If this were just a memoir I probably wouldn't have minded the tone as much, but it's billed as a "warning" to America from a "survivor of Islamic terror."
September 4, 2007
I can't say enough about this book. I was BLOWN away about how informative that all of this was!
I recommend this to anyone that has any doubts about what is going on in today's world with terrorism.
I am thinking of buying about 50 copies of this, and handing them out to people to read.
This is TRULY one of the best books that I have EVER read!
I recommend this to anyone that has any doubts about what is going on in today's world with terrorism.
I am thinking of buying about 50 copies of this, and handing them out to people to read.
This is TRULY one of the best books that I have EVER read!
December 21, 2018
3.5 stars rounded up for the courage to relive all this in detail.
The story of what happened in Lebanon and Brigitte Gabriel's life. Her poor parents and neighbors- with their age too, how could any actual attempt be made to "start over"? Impossible at that health and age level for any "norm" to occur again.
It's not a shock to me. I've heard worst stories, believe it or not, from those who have lived them while standing eye to eye as they describe such beastly wounds. Some untreated for days and loss of limbs resulting. From Syria too- even worse numbers as well, if that is possible.
The West wants to remain blind because it's easier. And they get to "feel" even more introspective superiority for their own supposedly inclusive "graciousness". Victims by the thousands in less safe environments that the "gracious" enjoy- pooh poohed and forgotten. It's so much easier to discuss WWII and the genocides of the past while doing so in safe, cozy placements.
By their acts, you shall know them. And that goes both ways for the killing of innocents. Or long known neighbors, just because they are Christian.
It's an extremely difficult read for the levels of anxiety and horror experienced in this life, especially in those years from when she was 10-14. Many note that the last parts are politico rhetoric after her refugee emigration. To me it was not really all that much her personal opinion as much as the observed outcomes of the actual reality since, as she just knows what she has seen and what changes have been wroth by increased population balances.
The story of what happened in Lebanon and Brigitte Gabriel's life. Her poor parents and neighbors- with their age too, how could any actual attempt be made to "start over"? Impossible at that health and age level for any "norm" to occur again.
It's not a shock to me. I've heard worst stories, believe it or not, from those who have lived them while standing eye to eye as they describe such beastly wounds. Some untreated for days and loss of limbs resulting. From Syria too- even worse numbers as well, if that is possible.
The West wants to remain blind because it's easier. And they get to "feel" even more introspective superiority for their own supposedly inclusive "graciousness". Victims by the thousands in less safe environments that the "gracious" enjoy- pooh poohed and forgotten. It's so much easier to discuss WWII and the genocides of the past while doing so in safe, cozy placements.
By their acts, you shall know them. And that goes both ways for the killing of innocents. Or long known neighbors, just because they are Christian.
It's an extremely difficult read for the levels of anxiety and horror experienced in this life, especially in those years from when she was 10-14. Many note that the last parts are politico rhetoric after her refugee emigration. To me it was not really all that much her personal opinion as much as the observed outcomes of the actual reality since, as she just knows what she has seen and what changes have been wroth by increased population balances.
December 10, 2008
This book has got to be one of the best non-fiction book I've read in a long time. It's opened my eyes and made me more aware of the Middle East. I think this should be required reading for everyone!
It's about her own experiences growing up in Lebanon during the 70s and 80s and how Christians, Jews and Non-Muslims were persecuted, tortured, killed and practically wiped out of the Middle East all in the name of Allah AND that it's still going on. Very scary because the Koran says that those who do not succumb to Islam should be killed. This book should be a wake up call that they will not stop until they take over and destroy everything and everyone that does not follow the Islamic ways. Americans and Jews are the focal point but their goal is the all countries and peoples that do not follow Islam.
She talks about how Sept 11th was just a prelude and that there will be more attacks on US soil. The United States government needs to wake up and realize how much we are hated for our ways and that other countries want us all dead. Our schools, businesses and even charities have been infiltrated to help them spread their "Koran" and how we deserve to die.
I HIGHLY recommend this book to everyone.
It's about her own experiences growing up in Lebanon during the 70s and 80s and how Christians, Jews and Non-Muslims were persecuted, tortured, killed and practically wiped out of the Middle East all in the name of Allah AND that it's still going on. Very scary because the Koran says that those who do not succumb to Islam should be killed. This book should be a wake up call that they will not stop until they take over and destroy everything and everyone that does not follow the Islamic ways. Americans and Jews are the focal point but their goal is the all countries and peoples that do not follow Islam.
She talks about how Sept 11th was just a prelude and that there will be more attacks on US soil. The United States government needs to wake up and realize how much we are hated for our ways and that other countries want us all dead. Our schools, businesses and even charities have been infiltrated to help them spread their "Koran" and how we deserve to die.
I HIGHLY recommend this book to everyone.
February 11, 2019
Wow, incredible first hand account of what it was like to grow up in Lebanon during their civil war. The first part of the book is her personal story, which that alone makes this a book worth reading. The second part is her plea for Americans to not let something similar happen here. I found both parts extremely eye opening and interesting. However, the second half got a little "soap boxy" for me. Trust me, she's earned every right to be on her soap box and say this, but just wore me out reading it at times.
August 30, 2008
Although this is by no means a "fun" book, it is an exceptionally important one-- one that everyone in America should read. Ms. Gabriel has seen Islamic terrorism first-hand-- she survived the so-called Lebanese civil war as a child. As such, she understands these terrorists on a much deeper level than most of us can even begin to fathom, and her strong and clear warning to us about the true nature of the threat all of Western civilization faces should be well heeded. In this book, she establishes her credentials by recounting the horrors and travails of her childhood in South Lebanon, followed by the story of how she escaped that situation and eventually became a naturalized U.S. citizen. She then uses the remainder of the work to detail for we Westerners some of the finer points of a Middle Eastern culture that we simply do not understand, explaining along the way how and why our attempts at negotiation and/or appeasement have and will continue to fail. Ever hopeful, (she'd have to be to survive what she did), she ends the book with several recommendations for what average citizens can do to help in the effort against those who would destroy us. I CANNOT RECOMMEND THIS BOOK HIGHLY ENOUGH.
May 24, 2007
Excellent book! Very courageous woman. I was surprised to find out some eye opening things about Islam.
May 19, 2009
I could go on and on about what I learned from this book. I highly recommend it to every American. Even if you just read the first half of the book which is the personal story of Ms. Gabriel's family during the Lebanese civil war it will be worth your time. But you'll want to keep reading because the education you'll receive about the religion of Islam--the culture and the doctrine--is absolutely fascinating and unfortunatley disturbing. I grew up with fabulous friends who were Muslim but all I knew was that they had to dress even more modestly than myself and that they had to fast during daylight hours in September/October.(?) I feel like I understand more about the middle east and about Islam now when I watch the news.
I warn you, this book is not politically correct. But that's one of the points the author is trying to make--our desire in America to be politically correct could destroy us. Something to think about. I surely haven't stopped thinking about it. I'm off to get her next book now.
I warn you, this book is not politically correct. But that's one of the points the author is trying to make--our desire in America to be politically correct could destroy us. Something to think about. I surely haven't stopped thinking about it. I'm off to get her next book now.
March 2, 2017
I expected even more hard facts and quotations on assertions the author makes about islamic radicals, but otherwise the book offers a good perspective on the dangers of islamo-fascism. Let's be clear, the only religious fascist we're dealing with in Europe and America are of the islamic persuasion, so I'm rightly concerned about what other countries suffered under them. While her personal story is important, I thought it took over a rather significant portion of the book that could be used to point out the current state of affairs in the West. That's one gripe I have about the book.
The author doesn't mince words in calling out the brutality of religious fanatics and the compliant silent majority; they get their own share of blame for atrocities commited in the name of their religion. Rightly so. Her research into what islamic organizations promote in America and their educational system reveals, quite frankly, horrifying things. Like the author, I consider any call for the implementation of sharia law in any western country an act of treason and a reason for expulsion of said persons. Maybe I'm a hard-liner secularist this way, but let's consider what would happen if, say a christian, called for the implementation of the laws from the Bible in any islamic country. I'd say he or she would be glad to get out alive. We do know about secularist bloggers who are facing executions in Saudi Arabia, don't we? Or the many butchered bloggers in Bangladesh? No? You should look it up - it's mind-boggling.
So why are westerners silent when islamists call for sharia in Europe or America? Why are we supposed to tolerate this intolerance and disregard for OUR rules and law? We aren't saying muslims can't practice their religion, but they can't have separate laws when they have our citizenship. They are either Europeans, or they are muslims from an islamic state. If they don't like our socities, they can emigrate to those that are more to their liking. We aren't forcing them to stay where they feel uncomfortable, but we aren't changing our land and rules to suit them. That's not how it works in a democratic, secular state. The rules are the same for everyone.
I think it is time westerners stood up to creeping islamization and once again took pride in their own cultures and freedoms. I'm not saying our systems and cultures are perfect, far from it - all cultures are a continuous work-in-progress, but I consider them vastly superior to the horrible things condoned by sharia-ruled countries. As a woman I'm particularly sensitive to this issue because I know I might have been one of those unfortunate child-brides, honor-killed girls, and brutalised wives. Why don't muslims who are horrified by these things (because there are secular muslims out there) come together and change this horrible state of affairs? Yes, as the author explained, the Koran and Hadith prohibit any changes in the practice of religion, but then why are there so many sects and denominations in islam if anyone cared about those rules? Doctrines are one thing and real life something different, so over time rules must adapt to current situations. Religions move on or become irrelevant. Muslim countries were once very secular and prosperous (Iran, Lebanon). They can be so again. I'm not saying they must become western, but they should stop with the oppression of minorities and women.
Muslim immigrants in Europe were largely left in peace until they started demanding more special privileges and blasphemy laws, but now they face some serious scrutiny due to many terroristic actions. Sorry, blasphemy laws are not Europe - we will say what we want about religions and cultural practices. We aren't allowed to call for your destruction or violence against you (really, what decent human would do that to another human being), but we can criticise your beliefs to our heart's content. Calls by imams to recognize polygamy and child-marriage disgust me and nobody can convince me marriage to a 13-year old is anything other than officially sanctioned pedophilia. Does such a girl even finish school? So stop with this crap and get on with the 21st century Europe.
We allow so much plurality of religions and cultures in our states, so why do you want to impose some stupid backwards practices on people who let you live in peace? Why do you think you're calling the shots in our countries and demanding we accept practices that are prosecuted by law? Take the peaceful and spiritual parts of your religion and leave sharia and oppression at the door. Stop with the hate and start cooperating with the rest of humanity.
The author doesn't mince words in calling out the brutality of religious fanatics and the compliant silent majority; they get their own share of blame for atrocities commited in the name of their religion. Rightly so. Her research into what islamic organizations promote in America and their educational system reveals, quite frankly, horrifying things. Like the author, I consider any call for the implementation of sharia law in any western country an act of treason and a reason for expulsion of said persons. Maybe I'm a hard-liner secularist this way, but let's consider what would happen if, say a christian, called for the implementation of the laws from the Bible in any islamic country. I'd say he or she would be glad to get out alive. We do know about secularist bloggers who are facing executions in Saudi Arabia, don't we? Or the many butchered bloggers in Bangladesh? No? You should look it up - it's mind-boggling.
So why are westerners silent when islamists call for sharia in Europe or America? Why are we supposed to tolerate this intolerance and disregard for OUR rules and law? We aren't saying muslims can't practice their religion, but they can't have separate laws when they have our citizenship. They are either Europeans, or they are muslims from an islamic state. If they don't like our socities, they can emigrate to those that are more to their liking. We aren't forcing them to stay where they feel uncomfortable, but we aren't changing our land and rules to suit them. That's not how it works in a democratic, secular state. The rules are the same for everyone.
I think it is time westerners stood up to creeping islamization and once again took pride in their own cultures and freedoms. I'm not saying our systems and cultures are perfect, far from it - all cultures are a continuous work-in-progress, but I consider them vastly superior to the horrible things condoned by sharia-ruled countries. As a woman I'm particularly sensitive to this issue because I know I might have been one of those unfortunate child-brides, honor-killed girls, and brutalised wives. Why don't muslims who are horrified by these things (because there are secular muslims out there) come together and change this horrible state of affairs? Yes, as the author explained, the Koran and Hadith prohibit any changes in the practice of religion, but then why are there so many sects and denominations in islam if anyone cared about those rules? Doctrines are one thing and real life something different, so over time rules must adapt to current situations. Religions move on or become irrelevant. Muslim countries were once very secular and prosperous (Iran, Lebanon). They can be so again. I'm not saying they must become western, but they should stop with the oppression of minorities and women.
Muslim immigrants in Europe were largely left in peace until they started demanding more special privileges and blasphemy laws, but now they face some serious scrutiny due to many terroristic actions. Sorry, blasphemy laws are not Europe - we will say what we want about religions and cultural practices. We aren't allowed to call for your destruction or violence against you (really, what decent human would do that to another human being), but we can criticise your beliefs to our heart's content. Calls by imams to recognize polygamy and child-marriage disgust me and nobody can convince me marriage to a 13-year old is anything other than officially sanctioned pedophilia. Does such a girl even finish school? So stop with this crap and get on with the 21st century Europe.
We allow so much plurality of religions and cultures in our states, so why do you want to impose some stupid backwards practices on people who let you live in peace? Why do you think you're calling the shots in our countries and demanding we accept practices that are prosecuted by law? Take the peaceful and spiritual parts of your religion and leave sharia and oppression at the door. Stop with the hate and start cooperating with the rest of humanity.
June 24, 2011
Brigitte Gabriel's words should be read, and studied carefully, by all the law enforcement and government officials of the West -- as well as by everyone who values freedom.
March 26, 2013
This was an interesting book. Having been brought up in Lebanon as a Christian, the author's views are greatly influenced by her having survived religious persecution and attacks by Muslims before she moved to Israel, and Gabriel is now an American citizen. In "Because They Hate" Gabriel condemns today's radical Islamic movement, terrorism, and the deceitfulness of the Koran. She warns that what happened in Lebanon could happen to the U.S. and other countries and that the United States to open its eyes to Muslim infiltration and lying propaganda to indoctrinate and convert the world to Islam in, as she says, "whether by sword or suicide bomb."
Gabriel maintains that the issues holding Middle Eastern Arabs back are not Israel's existence and the U.S., but rather:
a) their high illiteracy rates
b) their subjugation of women
c) their celebration of death over life
d) their being programmed to hate
e) their corrupt and oppressive leaders and governments
f) their perverse concept of shahida or dying for Allah and honor killing
Gabriel offers compelling ways the U.S. government can protect us from the radical, intolerant Islam she has seen first hand.
Gabriel maintains that the issues holding Middle Eastern Arabs back are not Israel's existence and the U.S., but rather:
a) their high illiteracy rates
b) their subjugation of women
c) their celebration of death over life
d) their being programmed to hate
e) their corrupt and oppressive leaders and governments
f) their perverse concept of shahida or dying for Allah and honor killing
Gabriel offers compelling ways the U.S. government can protect us from the radical, intolerant Islam she has seen first hand.
January 15, 2022
This is a hard book to like but an easy book to appreciate. Brigitte Gabriel's urgent memoir is well-organized and searingly honest. As a journalist who speaks fluent Arabic and lived through years of terror perpetuated by Muslims in Lebanon, she is well versed in her subject.
Gabriel is particularly eloquent when writing in chapter 9 about efforts to sanitize the meaning of "jihad." More than some other commentators, she also explains why "taqiyya" and "kithman" -- Arabic names for lying that serves the advancement of Islamic goals -- make dialog between Muslims and non-Muslims problematic.
The book has endnotes but not an index. It ends with a handful of suggestions about how readers can help protect the United States against the ravages of Islamist ideology and its adherents. Some of those suggestions -- like working to ensure "wide presidential powers to protect us during this time of war" sound half-baked and at odds with the "can do" spirit of the rest of the book. Nevertheless, missteps in the manuscript are rare. Brigitte Gabriel's courageous, exasperated voice is one for which we can all be thankful.
Gabriel is particularly eloquent when writing in chapter 9 about efforts to sanitize the meaning of "jihad." More than some other commentators, she also explains why "taqiyya" and "kithman" -- Arabic names for lying that serves the advancement of Islamic goals -- make dialog between Muslims and non-Muslims problematic.
The book has endnotes but not an index. It ends with a handful of suggestions about how readers can help protect the United States against the ravages of Islamist ideology and its adherents. Some of those suggestions -- like working to ensure "wide presidential powers to protect us during this time of war" sound half-baked and at odds with the "can do" spirit of the rest of the book. Nevertheless, missteps in the manuscript are rare. Brigitte Gabriel's courageous, exasperated voice is one for which we can all be thankful.
June 14, 2007
This was an eye opening book that everyone should read about terrorism and its infiltration across the world especially in the United States.
September 18, 2007
This book scared me a bit but really made me think about what is happening in the world and here in America.
May 6, 2016
The beginning of the book was quite interesting with descriptions of her childhood in Lebanon. She was raised as a Christian in a part of the world that is defined by the ways of Islam. Her harrowing descriptions of the battle between the Muslims and Jews brought home just how traumatic wartime can be. The rest of the book was less enjoyable, being a rant against all things Islamic. While this is understandable given her childhood experiences, it does not make for a rational and considered analysis of the situation. People are individuals, some good some bad; some amoral, some deeply moral. Other books that make an effort to describe both sides would make for a more reasoned reading.
December 19, 2011
I don't think that I even made it past the preface of this book. Gabriel insists that Muslims are the ones that use terror as a tool of conquest, yet within a few paragraphs she proceeds to describe in fantastic detail how Muslims want to take over America and destroy it. If she even has a valid point in the book, the unrelenting fear-mongering drastically undercuts it. When she claims that it's "because they hate", it's quite clear that Gabriel is projecting.
Read
May 12, 2007everyone should read this book. must warn you it is disturbing but we should all know the truth!!!
June 8, 2018
I think it would be dangerous for anyone to build their perception of Islam based on this book. The author has clearly not recovered from the war in her country of origin, Lebanon, caused by radical Islamists. This is understandable because I would have similar sentiments if it happened in my country. However, what annoyed me about this book is Brigitte’s belief that “America is the greatest country on earth” yet we all know how inaccurate that is. Somebody should remind Brigitte of the atrocities her “great country” has committed and continues to commit against humanity.
I am not defending radical Islamists but Brigitte gathered enough information to show the world that Arabs are violent by nature and this is inherent in their DNA. Brigitte’s way of thinking is why we still have racism in the world. People like her and many others have concluded that there is something wrong engraved in the DNA of certain races. Utter rubbish!
The rancour Brigitte displays is understandable but writing it in 200 plus pages does not move humanity closer to resolving the so-called “Islamic problem”. Her bitterness and insistence to use history to judge others is what has blinded us from addressing the real issues. Yes, radical Islamists have killed innocent people but should we condemn all Muslims and Arabs by the actions of a few? I do not think so. Should we continue using aggression to deal with radical Islamists when it has only been met with equal aggression? Certainly not.
I think we should use this book as an admission that humanity has a problem which it has called the “Islamic problem”. This problem is based on factual and non-factual information, biases and prejudices. With this admittance, we need to find a way of addressing it and secure the future of generations to come. This will be our first step towards meaningful progress in dealing with Islamic fundamentalism.
I am not defending radical Islamists but Brigitte gathered enough information to show the world that Arabs are violent by nature and this is inherent in their DNA. Brigitte’s way of thinking is why we still have racism in the world. People like her and many others have concluded that there is something wrong engraved in the DNA of certain races. Utter rubbish!
The rancour Brigitte displays is understandable but writing it in 200 plus pages does not move humanity closer to resolving the so-called “Islamic problem”. Her bitterness and insistence to use history to judge others is what has blinded us from addressing the real issues. Yes, radical Islamists have killed innocent people but should we condemn all Muslims and Arabs by the actions of a few? I do not think so. Should we continue using aggression to deal with radical Islamists when it has only been met with equal aggression? Certainly not.
I think we should use this book as an admission that humanity has a problem which it has called the “Islamic problem”. This problem is based on factual and non-factual information, biases and prejudices. With this admittance, we need to find a way of addressing it and secure the future of generations to come. This will be our first step towards meaningful progress in dealing with Islamic fundamentalism.
August 6, 2012
Brigitte Gabriel tells her story of growing up as a Christian arab in Lebanon during their civil war. Lebanon received waves of Palestinian refugees in after the founding of Israel and again after the Six-Day War. When King Hussein of Jordan expelled the Palestinians from Jordan in 1970, Lebanon was the only Arab country that was willing to accept them. The Palestinians repaid this generosity in 1975 by declaring jihad against the Lebanese Christians, thus igniting the Lebanese Civil War. During the Lebanese Civil War, Gabriel was often under military attack by the Muslims, simply because she was a Christian.
Gabriel also tells of her time in Israel, where she was a television journalist working in Jerusalem, where she was the evening news anchor for Middle East Television's World News. She talks about how much freedom Israeli journalists have, compared to journalists in Arab countries. Israeli journalists are free to criticize the government of Israel. Although they will not say so publicly, many Palestinian Christians living in the West Bank are afraid that if the Israelis leave, they will be persecuted by the Muslim jihadists. She found the Jews living in Jerusalem to be far more civilized and decent than the Muslims living in Jerusalem. Some may say that she is biased against Muslims. But bias is not simply favoring one group over another; bias is favoring one group over another when both groups are objectively equal.
Gabriel also tells of her time in Israel, where she was a television journalist working in Jerusalem, where she was the evening news anchor for Middle East Television's World News. She talks about how much freedom Israeli journalists have, compared to journalists in Arab countries. Israeli journalists are free to criticize the government of Israel. Although they will not say so publicly, many Palestinian Christians living in the West Bank are afraid that if the Israelis leave, they will be persecuted by the Muslim jihadists. She found the Jews living in Jerusalem to be far more civilized and decent than the Muslims living in Jerusalem. Some may say that she is biased against Muslims. But bias is not simply favoring one group over another; bias is favoring one group over another when both groups are objectively equal.
October 13, 2009
The most important book in a decade. Blunt and to the point, Gabriel's book is written for Americans in our own language to let us know what we are up against with Muslims. She is from Lebanon, a country that was very much like ours -- a democratic nation with Western Democratic values that was predominately Christian. Like us, they felt good about themselves for being tolerant and inclusive and multiculturalists. This attitude blinded them to the Muslim and Palestinian take-over of her country.
Gabriel witnessed the massacre of Christians and lived through the bombings as Muslim radicals launched a brutal assault on her country. She paints a somber picture of the Arab mentality that I didn't understand before and explains how the Palestinian refugees were 'used' in the battle against Israel and the takeover of Lebanon. She describes the Islam religion and why we need to understand it and the Arab culture. She talks about the dual ploy of Muslim leaders saying one thing in English and another in Arabic. She warns us about our obsession with political correctness: "The West is not failing the expectations of terrorists worldwide. The constant apologizing, the appeasement, the sensitivity training, and our destructive ignorance from not studying and evaluating our enemy are masking the threat we face and hastening our defeat."
Gabriel witnessed the massacre of Christians and lived through the bombings as Muslim radicals launched a brutal assault on her country. She paints a somber picture of the Arab mentality that I didn't understand before and explains how the Palestinian refugees were 'used' in the battle against Israel and the takeover of Lebanon. She describes the Islam religion and why we need to understand it and the Arab culture. She talks about the dual ploy of Muslim leaders saying one thing in English and another in Arabic. She warns us about our obsession with political correctness: "The West is not failing the expectations of terrorists worldwide. The constant apologizing, the appeasement, the sensitivity training, and our destructive ignorance from not studying and evaluating our enemy are masking the threat we face and hastening our defeat."
September 22, 2012
Ms Gabriel is a journalist who was an anchor for World News who grew up in war torn Lebanon during the war in 1975. She is an Arab Christian. She is passionate to tell the message that United States is at risk of further attacks by radical Islam. Ms Gabriel believes that the U.S. stance of tolerance is resulting in the US to be an easy prey and to be unaware of the dangers. In this 10 hour audio, the author tells her own story of survival, the history of Lebanon, Arab and Israeli conflict. Because of her passion and her unwillingness to be politically correct she has been widely criticized. But is this worth listening to? I think so, I think we need to be well informed and if we only hear one side or if we are afraid to question the policies then we might be guilty of apathy and as the author states, "social paranoia discourages free thought and expression. This book could have used some editing. She repeats herself quite a bit throughout the book. A written copy would be valuable that the audio as it is so much easier to research all the information that the author has collected. Ms Gabriel is a US citizen now and because of her past she is extremely passionate that what happened to Lebanon not happen here.
January 26, 2009
I love talking to people of other cultures and faiths to hear how their experiences have differed from my own. I think it somewhat fills my desire and curiosity to travel at no expense.
I had little knowledge of Lebanese history or even interest in differentiating it from other surrounding Arab cultures. I did not know that Christianity was allowed at anytime but Brigitte attended a Catholic elementary school. The war she experienced forever changed Lebanese way of life.
Most compelling is how she matured from child to woman amidst war and carnage; gained access, as a journalist, to world wide communication; thus placing her both on the front lines of battle and central to the information of a news room. This opportunity presented new information to what was going on when war often limits access to news reporting. This makes Brigitte's individual story extraordinary and her perspective worth listening to.
I had little knowledge of Lebanese history or even interest in differentiating it from other surrounding Arab cultures. I did not know that Christianity was allowed at anytime but Brigitte attended a Catholic elementary school. The war she experienced forever changed Lebanese way of life.
Most compelling is how she matured from child to woman amidst war and carnage; gained access, as a journalist, to world wide communication; thus placing her both on the front lines of battle and central to the information of a news room. This opportunity presented new information to what was going on when war often limits access to news reporting. This makes Brigitte's individual story extraordinary and her perspective worth listening to.
December 8, 2014
I really liked this book. It wasn't an easy read in that the first part, the author describes her idyllic childhood in Lebanon and then WHAM! seven years spent in a bomb shelter with her elderly parents during the war. The second part was difficult because she just tells it like it is - I mean, in your face, no BS, this is what we're dealing with now in this country, like it or not. Her biggest complaint about this country? The number of politically correct people and how their attitude will be our downfall. Thankfully the book isn't a total downer as at the very end, she gives suggestions on what the average American can do.
November 9, 2009
I made it about an eighth of a way through this book before I was too offended to continue. I should have researched this one a bit better. I was hoping for a memoir and got a political screed. If you are convinced that all Muslims have been trained since birth to conquer the West, this is the book for you.
September 2, 2014
This is the best source of information I have ever read about the history of Islam and the middle east. It is a must read for everyone who cherishes freedom and democracy. Brigitte Gabiel's story is a true eye opener.
January 30, 2016
Reading this book saddened me that people are still doing this to each other in this world. Bridgitte Gabriel wrote a compelling and frighteningly read story of the hate crimes perpetuated against Christians and Jews living in Beirut in the 1970's. I would recommend this book to anyone.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 257 reviews