An Autumn of War: What America Learned from September 11 and the War on Terrorism by Victor Davis Hanson

On September 11, 2001, hours after the terrorist attacks, military historian Victor Davis Hanson wrote an article in which he asserted that the US was now at war and had the moral right to respond with force. An Autumn of War, which opens with that first essay, will stimulate readers across the political spectrum to think more deeply about the attacks, the war, and their lessons for all of us.

Taliban: Militant Islam, Oil and Fundamentalism in Central Asia by Ahmed Rashid

Ahmed Rashid's book "Taliban: Militant Islam, Oil, and the Fundamentalism in Central Asia" is an excellent book for those who would like to understand the Taliban, its background, rise to power as well as US and Pakistan's support of the fundamentalist regime. Published in 2000, it is a very timely book given the tragedy of the September 11 attacks.

Afghanistan's Endless War: State Failure, Regional Politics, and the Rise of the Taliban by Larry P. Goodson

A scholarly survey of the Afghan civil war, Soviet occupation, the pursuit of power by the competing mujahadeen factions, and the rise of the Taliban. This book provides a comprehensive account of the recent fighting in Afghanistan that offers a look into the unique nature of Afghanistan with regard to the deep ethno-linguistic cleavages.

American Jihad: The Terrorists Living Among Us by Steven Emerson

September 11 was not an isolated or unpredictable event. The US has become home to probably thousands of terrorists, and it has become a central node in their international networks. Steven Emerson, the nation's leading expert on Islamist terrorism, has been working full-time since 1993 to track the spread of terrorist networks to our shores, even at great personal risk. Since death threats in 1995, he has not maintained a home address, though he has continued to write and testify under his own name. With the help of a staff of researchers he has followed the terrorists' monetary sources, monitored their attacks and plans, exposed their ties to charitable foundations, and assisted a variety of government agencies in the battle against them. He has obtained videotaped evidence of terrorist training camps and conferences, and tracked the international connections of American operatives to over a dozen organizations.

Invasion: How America Still Welcomes Terrorists Criminals & Other Foreign Menaces to Our Shores by Michelle Malkin

According to author Malkin, the 20th hijacker was our own government. She exposes how America continues to welcome terrorists, criminal aliens, foreign murderers, torturers, and the rest of the world's "undesirables." It reveals how our immigration authorities have granted citizenship or legal permanent residence to America-haters and brutal thugs. And it explains how misguided policies and overworked officials have encouraged criminals to enter our country, abuse our systems, and attack our citizens. In many cases, says Malkin, our government has approved policies that make it virtually impossible to identify or track known criminals entering our country.

The Last Jihad by Joel Rosenberg

Saddam Hussein sends hit men to assassinate the President of the US; Iraqi terrorists spread carnage throughout London, Paris, and Riyadh; and he has a nuclear surprise. Only a Arab-Isreali coalition against Iraq can keep the U.S. and other nations from devastation. Now, the Isreali Prime Minister gives the American President an ultimatum: Melt down Baghdad within one hour . . . or Israel will do it herself. From Jerusalem, Bennett and McCoy must summon all their stealth and savvy to save themselves--and the world--from absolute destruction.

Inside Terrorism by Bruce Hoffman

Bruce Hoffman, the director of the Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence, has written a clear summary of some of the major historical trends in international terrorism. He makes careful distinctions between the motivations that drive political (or ethno-nationalist) terrorism and religious terrorism, and he also shows why the rise of religious terrorism, coupled with the increased availability of weapons of mass destruction, may foretell an era of even greater violence.

Usama bin Laden's al-Qaida: Profile of a Terrorist Network by Yonah Alexander, Michael S. Swetnam

The book describes al Qaida's beginnings, structure, and its efforts to buy or develop nuclear weapons. Also delves into the 1998 edict that Muslims should kill Americans (military or civilian) anyplace in the world, and provides insight into how the insanity of bin Laden developed and why others bought into it. Brief sketches of dozens of al Qaida members. A chronological review of events. The book provides statements and interviews of bin Laden so that you can hear in his own words his views.