The following is a summary of the October 2008 issue of the St. Croix Review:

In the editorial, "Deconstructing America," Barry MacDonald reviews a book by Herbert London about the progress of "secularism" -- God is being removed from the American culture.

Herbert London, in "American Denial," cites the many challenges that Americans are unwilling to face; in "D-Day for Israel," he considers what would happen if Israel attacks Iran, or if it doesn't; in "The Chinese Olympic Mask," he remarks on the politics involved in the games; in "Bipolar Foreign Policy Theory," he reviews a book that caricatures Neo-cons and liberals; in "Islamic Intimidation and the Random House Fiasco," he relates how an iconic American publisher lost its nerve.

In "The Great Terror at 40 -- Remembering the Western Elites' Enchantment with Communism" Allan Brownfeld recounts how Western academics, clergymen, journalists, and literary figures gave support to the Soviet Union; in "Murdered by Mumia: The Crusade in Behalf of a Convicted Cop-killer Reveals a Strange View of Murder on the Part of Elite Opinion," he shows how the murdered policeman's wife has combated the left's best efforts to pervert justice for three decades.

In "Drill Now," Mark Hendrickson states the reasons we should be drilling for oil immediately; in "America's Debt Problem," he points out the moral failings and the bad policies behind American debt; in "Thank You, Alexander Sozhenitsyn," he reviews the great Russian's life and accomplishments; in "Olympic Anecdotes," he recounts the high and low points of the modern Olympics and reminds us of the noble Olympic ideals.

David J. Bean considers the economy in "How Did the Cure Work," and sees continuing mismanagement by the Fed and Treasury involving Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. He believes that economic trouble has spread to Japan and Europe.

Harry Neuwirth reminds us why we have been blessed in "Entrepreneurial Capitalism."

In "Obama Conceives the Inconceivable on Conception," Paul Kengor looks at Obama's statements on conception and stem cell research and sees a lack of candor; in "Obama and Abortion Survivors: Clarifying the Record," he reveals the extraordinary lengths Obama will go to defend Rowe vs. Wade; in "Where Are the Bush Democrats? The GOP Leadership Lurch from 2000 to 2008," he shows how G. W. Bush has failed to convey an inspiring, conservative message.

In "The Maniac," Thomas Martin expounds the views of G. K. Chesterton that there is a "Great Chain of Being," with God reigning over man. Martin opposes modern thinkers such as Charles Darwin, Thomas Paine, and Friedrich Nietzsche, who recognize no God.

Among other points, Robert Whitten in "Global Warming and National Security" points out that the great majority of scientists have little or no expertise in atmospheric science, and among atmospheric scientists and climatologists there is no consensus on Global Warming.

Jigs Gardner, in "Joseph Conrad and the Quest for Truth," writes about the ascendancy of New Criticism and high point reached in the quality of literature in the early 20th century.

John Ingraham reviews Government Pirates: The Assault on Private Property Rights and How We Can Fight It, by Don Corace.