Cooley's book was first published in 1999, then updated for this 2000 edition. Of course, a new edition will be needed to bring matters up to date, but this thorough treatment should nevertheless be required reading for those who seek background to current affairs. From the author's introduction: "This book narrates the course and the consequences of a strange love affair which went disastrously wrong: the alliance, during the second half of the twentieth century, between the United States of American and some of the most conservative and fanatical followers of Islam." Although the events of September 11 took most people by surprise, those aware of the information contained here must have understood something of its inevitability. Cooley's academic affiliation is not stated. The book is distributed in the US by Stylus Publishing. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) Read Less