Fergusson, James

An authoritative account of the Somali region, its history and the story of the Islamic extremists operating there today cites the high human cost of the region's clan-based civil war while explaining how current activities are directly threatening world security.

Explores the history of the Taliban, from Mullah Omar and his students' 1994 skirmish with Afghani and Pakistani forces at a small truck stop on the border of the two countries to the Taliban movement's takeover of Afghanistan and establishment of theocratic Sharia law. Examines the continuance of the Taliban, even after American forces seemingly overthrew them in 2001.