Named2011 Book of the Yearby the Daily Telegraph, Economist and Independent, Jason Burke'sThe 9/11 Wars- at once investigation, reportage and contemporary history - is an essential book for understanding the dangerous and unstable world of the twenty-first century. On September 11th 2001, in a series of coordinated suicide attacks, terrorists struck at the heart of American life, destroying New York's World Trade Center and a substantial portion of the Pentagon. Since the Twin Towers fell, the world has seen the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq, the downfall of Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden, bombings, battles and riots. Hundreds of thousands of people have died in the 'war on terror'. Whether reporting on the riots in France or the attack on Mumbai, suicide bombers in Iraq or British troops fighting in Helmand Province in Afghanistan, Jason Burke tells the story of a world that changed forever when the hijacked planes flew out of the brilliant blue sky above Manhattan on September 11th. 'The best overview of the 9/11 decade so far in print' Economist 'A magisterial history of the last decade' Pankaj Mishra Guardian 'At a time when there are more books out on terrorism than ever before . this is likely to be among the best' Sunday Telegraph 'Potent . journalism of a high order .

essential for understanding the past decade' Sherard Cowper-Coles, Sunday Times Jason Burke is the South Asia correspondent for the Guardian. He has reported around the world for both the Guardian and the Observer. He is the author of two other widely praised books, both published by Penguin: Al-Qaeda and On the Road to Kandahar. He lives in New Delhi.