A powerful, urgent, and unflinching exploration of terror, power, and the fragile line between security and freedom in a post-9/11 world. In this collection of essays, Martin Amis explores the world transformed by the tragedy of September 11, 2001. Beyond examining the nature of terrorism and the ideology behind jihadism, Amis delivers scathing critiques of Western governments' responses, questioning their motives, missteps, and the often troubling balance between security and liberty. His writing navigates the difficult terrain between condemnation and understanding, exposing the complexities of guilt, fear, and power in a world reshaped by terror. With unflinching honesty, Amis grapples with the complexities of blame, the psychology of violence, and the global consequences of a world irrevocably altered by extremism. Measured yet urgent, The Second Plane reflects a deep unease with the clash between civilization and barbarism, and the challenge of preserving humanity in an age marked by terror.