The Shock of History: Religion, Memory, Identity

The shock of history: we live it, neither knowing or comprehending it. France, Europe, and the world have entered into a new era of thought, attitudes, and powers. This shock of history makes clear the fact that there is no such thing as an insurmountable destiny. The time will come for Europe to awaken, to respond to the challenges of immigration, toxic ideologies, the perils of globalism, and the confusion that assails her.

But under what conditions? That is the question to which this book responds. Conceived in the form of a lively and dynamic interview with a historian who, after taking part in history himself, never ceased to study and reflect upon it.

In this text, the first of his major works to appear in English, Dominique Venner recounts the great movements of European history, the origin of its thought, and its tragedies. He proposes new paths and offers powerful examples to ward off decadence, and to understand the history in which we are immersed and in which we lead our lives.

'We are in possession of a spiritual heritage that has nothing to envy in those of other great civilisations, but we are unaware and misinformed about it. To this massive spiritual crisis of Western nihilism, we must provide our own answers. [...] There are no universal answers to the questions of existence and behaviour. Every civilisation has its truths and its gods, all respectable so long as they do not threaten our existence. Every civilisation creates its own answers, without which the individial, man or woman, lacking identity and archetypes, is thrown into a world of chaos. Like plants, men cannot exist without roots. Every individual must discover his own.' -p. 80
'Concerning Europe, it seems as though we will be forced to rise up and face immense challenges and fearsome catastrophes even beyond those posed by immigration. These hardships will present the opportunity for both a rebirth and a rediscovery of ourselves. I believe in those qualities that are specific to the European people, qualities currently in a state of dormancy. I believe in our active individuality, our inventiveness, and in the awakening of our energy. This awakening will undoubtedly come. When? I do not know, but I am positive that it will take place.' -p. 25
'[Cato the Younger] then set out to kill himself as an act of total freedom, in order provoke a rebirth of the tradition that died with him.' -p. 45