Chris Hedges grew up in a Christian household. His father was a Presbyterian minister and the family lived according to Christian tenets and with a belief that Christians must always fight for justice. Hedges graduated from Harvard Divinity School but chose to be a foreign correspondent rather than be ordained. However, he did not turn away from his Christian beliefs.

In these two books, Hedges writes about Christian fundamentalism and its growing influence. American Fascists* is a detailed description of the movement, its beliefs and its methods of operation. It heralds a Christian U.S., that is, Christian according to fundamentalist beliefs: rejection of evolution principles, secular institutions, and environmentalism; opposition to immigration, especially Muslims; promotion of submissive roles for women; opposition to homosexuality; and support of getting rich. The movement backs war against non-Christians, although it supports Israel because it believes that Jews must rule the biblical land in order for Jesus to return. It is a totalitarian organization and simply being Christian does not make one a friend, one must share the fundamental beliefs.

To realize a Christian country, there must be people of the right belief in high places and there is. In 2006, there were at least 70 million evangelists in the U.S., Christian fundamentalists held the majority of seats in 36 percent of all Republican Party state committees and 45 senators and 186 members of the House of Representatives were approved of by Christian Right advocacy groups. In Empire of Illusion, Hedges states it is unlikely Obama can change the attitude left by the last administration, it is too deeply entrenched.

Hedges warns, "If this mass movement succeeds, it will do so not simply because of its ruthlessness and mendacity, its callous manipulation of the people it lures into its arms, many of whom live on the margins of American society. It will succeed because of the moral failure of those, including Christians, who understand the intent of the radicals yet fail to confront them … There arise moments when those who would destroy the tolerance that makes an open society possible should no longer be tolerated."

Empire of Illusion looks at the American citizen's lapse from morality by investigating the pornography industry, the celebrity culture, "vocational" universities, and corporate influence. The impact of cant and spectacle plus the high rate of functional illiteracy diminishes a person's ability to separate illusion from truth. Meanwhile the corporations and military forces profit and the Christian Right lobbies in Washington. The U.S. is in a death spiral says Hedges.

As always, Canadians must look at their own culture, politics, beliefs. Are they on the same road?

Both books are available in the Toronto Public Library.