Ralph’s book review on “The Fate of Abraham”: Journey from right-wing apologist of the establishment to unaligned, independently-minded, ferocious critic of the corruption

This is one of the best non-fiction books that I’ve read in a long time, and is fascinating on many levels. 

It’s an interesting insight into the thoughts of an intelligent, well educated writer and his journey from being a right-wing apologist of the establishment to an unaligned, independently-minded, ferocious critic of the corruption at the heart of various western governments, a journey that seems kick started by the fake WMD lie put out by the Bush and Blair governments earlier this century.

In this extremely well researched book Oborne takes the reader on the lengthy history of three major Western powers - the US, UK and France - and how they developed their attitudes towards Islam out of ignorance, prejudice, self-interest, and subservience to powerful vested interests.

It’s a long book - 474 pages - and represents 20 years of research. Yet this is an easy and fluid read that reveals much detail I was surprised I’d been previously unaware of. Such as how profound have been the major scientific contributions made to science by Islamic scholars. The Arabic number system created the hugely vital concept of Zero at a time when the West was using Roman numerals. How, between 2002-2017, the US spent $2.8 trillion (15% of its total discretionary expenditure) on counter-terrorism, and by 2013 the FBI had 10,000 intelligence analysts and 15,000 paid informants. About how Britain’s “Information Research Department”, a shadowy organisation of the 1990’s, introduced a modern-day McCarthyism through Blair’s Prevent scheme. How Britain’s antipathy to Islam stretches back to the surprising ignorance of the Venerable Bede in the 8th Century and yet ironically how vital was Muslim labour in the economic growth of an imperialist Britain. And Muslim involvement in the C17th/C18th introduction of coffee to Britain, the development of London coffee houses and from these the creation of the Stock Exchange.

Oborne’s book brings us nearly up to date with insights into Quilliam, Policy Exchange and other unaccountable, deep state, shadowy bodies that have been puppet masters of well known politicians and government apparatchiks. At this point in our history where fear and loathing are being spouted out on the streets this is a welcome read that gives an historical perspective on how and why some Western powers are so crudely selfish and ignorant.