[7] It examines a shared set of "universal truths" within the movement, pertaining to sex, gender, and family values.

According to the book, the movement perceives the European Union's social policies as infringing on national independence in a "totalitarian" way.

[11][5] This is referred to as a "symbolic glue",[8] bringing together various groups that may not have cooperated under other circumstances, including right-wing populists, religious organizations, and "anti-gender 'scholars'".

[5] A review in the Journal of Common Market Studies said that the book "provides a superb — and somewhat depressing — tour of anti-gender campaigns in Europe".

The review stated that the book is "an important key text for those tackling this research area", but that it "leaves somewhat unanswered the question as to why rather than how".

[11] A review in Feminist Dissent called the book a "valuable contribution to understand the ways the Christian right in Europe operates".

"[6] Writing for the Journal of the History of Sexuality, Robert A. Nye said that it was "a very important book for historians of contemporary Europe and for Americans, Britons, and others who have not yet put a name to the new populist movements in their own backyards".

[8] In Politique européenne, Jane Jensen compared and contrasted the book with another title released around the same time about the same topic matter called Varieties of Opposition to Gender Equality in Europe by Mieke Verloo.