By The Book Reviews

Review by By The Books Reviewer

In "Confronting Evil: Assessing the Worst of the Worst," Bill O'Reilly and Josh Hammer embark on an ambitious endeavor to dissect the lives and atrocities of history's most nefarious figures. The authors aim to provide a comprehensive examination of individuals such as Genghis Khan, Caligula, Henry VIII, Stalin, Hitler, Mao, the Ayatollah Khomeini, Putin, and the Mexican drug cartels, attributing to them the collective suffering of hundreds of millions. ([us.macmillan.com](https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250402707/confrontingevil/?utm_source=openai))

The book's premise is undeniably compelling. The exploration of evil as a universal and ancient concept, juxtaposed with the moral imperative to confront it, sets the stage for a potentially profound narrative. The inclusion of John Stuart Mill's assertion that "bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing" underscores the urgency of this confrontation. ([us.macmillan.com](https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250402707/confrontingevil/?utm_source=openai))

However, the execution of this ambitious project leaves much to be desired. The selection of historical figures appears arbitrary and lacks a clear criterion for inclusion. The juxtaposition of ancient rulers with contemporary figures and organizations without a nuanced analysis of their distinct contexts results in a superficial treatment of complex histories.

Furthermore, the authors' approach to the subject matter is disappointingly simplistic. The narrative often devolves into a litany of atrocities without providing the necessary historical, political, and social frameworks that would allow readers to understand the multifaceted nature of these individuals and their actions. This reductionist perspective not only undermines the depth of the analysis but also risks sensationalizing the very evil it seeks to confront.

The writing style is another point of contention. The prose is marred by a didactic tone that presumes a lack of awareness on the part of the reader. This condescension is further exacerbated by the repetitive moralizing that permeates the text, leaving little room for readers to engage critically with the material.

In terms of structure, the book suffers from a lack of coherence. The chapters read as disjointed essays rather than components of a unified narrative. Transitions between topics are abrupt, and the absence of a clear thematic thread makes it challenging to discern the overarching argument.

Moreover, the book's reliance on the Judeo-Christian tradition as the moral framework for assessing evil is both limiting and exclusionary. This perspective fails to acknowledge the diverse ethical systems that exist globally and reduces the complex phenomenon of evil to a binary struggle between good and evil, neglecting the gray areas that often define human behavior.

In conclusion, while "Confronting Evil" aspires to shed light on the darkest aspects of human history, it ultimately falls short of providing a substantive or insightful analysis. The lack of depth, coherence, and critical engagement renders this work a missed opportunity in the discourse on morality and history.

Recommendation: Not recommended.

written on: 9/18/2025