Nice book by the founder of Daily Kos in which he makes links between the extreme tactics and belief systems of the Taliban (and other fundamentalist Muslim extremists) and the modern American conservative movement (which he calls the American Taliban). Certainly, some of his parallels are overstated and some linkages are dependent on taking words out of the context in which they were originally said. However, many of the linkages are spot on.

In the chapter on "War," Markos begins by detailing the bloodthirstiness of many in the modern conservative movement and their willingness to wage ongoing war against other nations. But he continues in the chapter by relating example after example of American men engaged in killings and shootings, much of which would be considered terrorism under different circumstances but seems to be the default position for those in the "American Taliban." (The "foot soldiers" in the "American Taliban" are influenced by their "leaders," namely, Glenn Beck, Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, and Fox News.)

Through six chapters on power, war, sex, women, culture, and truth, Markos draws the parallels between the extremists modern conservatives claim to be against and the conservatives themselves, showing that the modern conservative movement acts, believes, speaks, and behaves just like their counterparts they oppose.

If you are a conservative, you will hate this book. If you are a liberal, you are likely to enjoy it (with a couple caveats as mentioned in my first paragraph). In a big way, Markos is "preaching to the choir." But for those who hear the notes, this song is a very familiar song. ( )