Preemption : A Knife That Cuts Both Ways

Every so often, a startling book emerges that gives voice to a new or previously unexamined societal trend.

Alan M. Dershowitz's provocative new work, "Preemption", is just such a book, chronicling a paradigm shift in America's approach to controlling destructive conduct.

As he reveals, America is moving - whether in its manner of fighting crime or in its response to terrorism - towards more preventive and proactive approaches, and away from primary reliance on deterrent and reactive responses.

Although, the events of 9/11 have accelerated this revolutionary shift, Dershowitz documents that the seeds were planted much earlier.

In this thought-provoking account, Dershowitz explores the historical origins of the change, as well as its troubling implication for civil liberties, human rights, criminal justice, national security and foreign policy.