The Liberal Defence of Murder Hardcover - 2008

Media reviews

“A great deal of damning material on the apologists of recent illegalities.”—Philippe Sands, Guardian

“Among those who share responsibility for the carnage and chaos in the Gulf are the useful idiots who gave the war intellectual cover and attempted to lend it a liberal imprimatur. The more belligerent they sounded the more bankrupt they became; the more strident their voice the more craven their position. As the war they have supported degrades into a murderous mess, Richard Seymour expertly traces their descent from humanitarian intervention to blatant islamophobia.”—Gary Younge

“A powerful critique of ‘humanitarian intervention’ and of those liberal intellectuals who support it.”—Independent

“An excellent antidote to the propagandists of the crisis of our times.”—Independent on Sunday

“A powerful counter-blast against the monstrous regiment of ‘useful idiots.’”—Times

“Indispensable ... Seymour brilliantly uncovers the pre-history and modern reality of the so-called ‘pro-war Left.’”—China Mieville

“[Seymour] delves into areas that are usually politely ignored, carefully uncovering liberalism and reformism’s own shameful record of collaboration with mass murder ... essential reading.”—Owen Hatherley, New Statesman

“We need to understand where these ideas comes from and how to fight them. This book is a major contribution to this understanding.”—Lindsey German, Socialist Review

“The Liberal Defence of Murder is an important and scrupulously researched book with much to offer those who want to know why the likes of Christopher Hitchens have gone so loopy.”—Morning Star

“The most authoritative historical analysis of its kind...[Seymour] displays a welcome critical engagement, meaningful intellectualism and unabashed factual analysis.”—Resurgence

“[T]his is a book with the potential to reshape the entire study of deradicalization.”—Against the Current