Crusade Chronicles of an Unjust War

"The war in Iraq has been a victory of moral fervor over moral clarity. The first without the second is a curse on itself. James Carroll brings to bear-I hope not too late-the moral clarity we so badly need." -Garry Wills With the words "this Crusade, this war on terror," George W. Bush defined the purpose of his presidency. And just as promptly, James Carroll-Boston Globecolumnist, bestselling author, and respected moral authority-began a week-by-week argument with the administration. In powerful, passionate bulletins, Carroll dissected the President's exploitation of the nation's fears, invocations of a Christian mission, and efforts to overturn America's traditional relations-with other nations and its own citizens. Combining clear moral consciousness, an acute sense of history, and a real-world grasp of the unforgiving demands of politics,Crusadeis a compelling call for the rescue of America's noblest traditions. James Carrollis the bestselling author of the National Book Award-winning memoirAn American Requiem. His other books includeConstantine's Sword, which is a history of Christian anti-Semitism, and ten previous novels. Carroll lectures widely on war and peace, and on Jewish-Christian-Muslim reconciliation. He lives in Boston. With the words "this Crusade, this war on terror," President George W. Bush defined the purpose of his presidency. And, just as promptly, James CarrollBoston Globecolumnist, son of a general, former antiwar chaplain and activist, and recognized voice of ethical authoritybegan a week-by-week argument with the administration over its actions. In powerful, passionate bulletins, Carroll dissected the president's exploitation of the nation's fears, invocations of a Christian mission, and efforts to overturn America's traditional relationswith other nations and with its own citizens. Crusade, the first collection of Carroll's searing columns, offers a comprehensive and tough-minded critique of the war on terror. From Carroll's first rejection of "war" as the proper response to Osama bin Laden, to his prescient verdict of failure in Iraq, to his never-before-published analysis of the faith-based roots of current U.S. policies, this volume displays his rare insight and scope. Combining clear moral consciousness, an acute sense of history, and a real-world grasp of the unforgiving demands of politics,Crusadeis a compelling call for the rescue of America's noblest traditions. A cry from the heart, a record of protest, and a permanently relevant analysis, Carroll's work shrewdly confronts the Bush era and measures it against what America was meant to be. "Thought-provoking . . . challenges us to examine our own morals and carefully parse the language of war."The Christian Science Monitor "A journalistic page of glory. With unerring political as well as moral instinct, Carroll has shown that it is possible to see and understand the true nature of awful eventsnot only afterward, with hindsight, but even as they unfold, when it counts most."Jonathan Schell, author ofThe Unconquerable World "The war in Iraq has been a victory of moral fervor over moral clarity. The first without the second is a curse on itself and others. James Carroll brings to bearI hope not too latethe moral clarity we so badly need."Garry Wills "Crusadeis the most compelling report and analysis that we've had yet of the Middle East conflict, specifically Iraq, and all in a wonderfully readable style . . . Those who are uncomfortable about our commitment in Iraq as well as those who have made up their minds against it will find here both literate and compelling support."John Kenneth Galbraith "At a time when political writing seems

James Carroll is the bestselling author of the National Book Award-winning memoir An American Requiem and Constantine's Sword, a history of Christian anti-Semitism. He lectures widely on war and peace, and on Jewish-Christian-Muslim reconciliation. He lives in Boston, Massachusetts.