THIS MEANS WAR

Philip Bobbitt's new book "Terror and Consent" will be a struggle to read, but nothing compared to the struggle democracies face with terror networks in the 21st century. Yes, it is a war, says the UT lecturer and former Clinton-era national security policymaker, but a war like nothing else we've ever seen. We need new tools, new attitudes, and we need to dispense with "fighting the last war" (or using its analogies).

Nothing else I've read has reformed my thinking about terrorism more than Bobbitt's book, so I recommend you fortify yourself with good light, a good chair, snacks and plenty of time, and have at it!