It is an unhappy commentary on the state of societal affairs when a scholar is compelled to remind readers of civilization’s benefits.  Have things become so bad that we need to lay out arguments in favor of order, discipline, and our cultural patrimony?  Is what was believed to be self-evident for centuries, now not self-evident at all?  Are there really people who believe that a crass descent into barbarism and anarchy are preferable?  The unsettling answer to these three questions is, unfortunately, yes.  And this is the starting point of Michael R. J. Bonner’s stimulating and wonderfully researched new book, Defense of Civilization.  The book is not currently available, but will be released soon.