This was a difficult read for me. Not because the book is bad or poorly written, but just because the subject matter and vivid nature of the writing is troubling. It is a book about Muslim extremism and the wars that have been and are being fought by its adherents. The main thrust of the book takes the reader through America's conflicts with the extremists in Iraq and Afghanistan. Filkins is a foreign correspondent with the New York Times and was embedded with units in both conflicts. The author's take on the situations is complex and yet very simple at the same time. He sees the all the nuances of the region's politics and religion, yet also sees that this war has really been being fought for ages and that manipulation and betrayal is the key to survival for many of the extremists. It is weird to see him describe a man who is one day a Taliban fighter, the next day a friend of the Afghan Coalition, and the next day a Taliban fighter again. I recommend the book for its honest description of the brutality of war and its perspective on the minds and actions of those Muslims who have been waging this war for ages.
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