Why are so many Muslims embracing jihad and cheering for al-Qaeda and Hamas ? Shy are even the modern, secularized Arab states such as Egypt producing a generation of angry young extremists?

Nonie Darwish knows why. When she was eight, her father died wile leaking fedayeen raids into Israel. Her family moved from Gaza back to Cairo, where they were honored as shahids-martyrs for jihad. She grew up learning the same lessons as millions of Muslim children: to hate jews, destroy Israel, oppose America , and submit to dictatorship.

But Darwish became increasingly appalled by the and hatred in her culture, and in 1978 she emigrated to America, Since 9/11 she has been lecturing and writing on behalf of moderate Arabs and Arab Americans. Extremists have denounced her as an infidel and threatened her life.

In this fascinating book, she speaks out against the dark side of her native culture-Women abused by Islamic traditions, the poor and uneducated mistreated by the elites, bribery and corruption as a way of life. Her former friends and meighbors blames all of their troubles on Jews and Americans, but Darwish rejects their bigotry and calls for the Arad world to make Peace with the West.

The only hope for the future, she writes, is for America to continue waging its War on Terror and seeding the Middle East with the values of democracy, respect for women, and tolerance for all religions.

Nonie Darwish grew up in Cairo and Gaza, the daughter of a high-ranking Egyptian army offcer. She now lectures around the country to civic organizations, universities, churches, and synagogues. She lives in Los Angeles with her family.