Correspondent Ahmed Rashid brings the shadowy world of the Taliban--the world’s most extreme and radical Islamic organization--into sharp focus in this enormously insightful book. He offers the only authoritative account of the Taliban available to English-language readers, explaining the Taliban’s rise to power, its impact on Afghanistan and the region, its role in oil and gas company decisions, and the effects of changing American attitudes toward the Taliban. He also describes the new face of Islamic fundamentalism and explains why Afghanistan has become the world center for international terrorism.

“The broader story here is powerful. . . . One learns . . . a great deal from Mr. Rashid’s book about the nature of local Central Asian politics and the consequences of interference by outside powers. . . . [A] valuable and informative work.”--Richard Bernstein, New York Times

“An excellent political and historical account of the movement’s rise to power.”
--Katha Pollitt, Nation

“Anyone contemplating new adventures in Afghanistan--whether to save its women from persecution, rescue the state from further fragmentation or save themselves from terrorist backlash--might first consult Rashid’s book.”--Paula R. Newberg, San Francisco Chronicle

“An excellent study.”--L. Carl Brown, Foreign Affairs

Ahmed Rashid is a correspondent for the Far Eastern Economic Review and the Daily Telegraph, reporting on Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia.