An eye-opening political and social history of Afghanistan and its Islamic fundamentalist movement. A correspondent in the region, Rashid gives an account of the Taliban in the context of the politics and history of Central Asia. He draws on interviews with Taliban leaders and firsthand experience in telling this story of empires, power and politics. Rashid has also written "The Resurgence of Central Asia, Islam or Nationalism?"  (CAS49, $14.95)