Holy War, Inc.: Inside the Secret World of Osama Bin Laden

by Peter L. Bergen

Book Overview

On September 11, 2001, the world changed forever as more than three thousand men, women, and children lost their lives in the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil. The attack was masterminded... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743205022
• ISBN13: 9780743205023
• Release Date: November 2001
• Publisher: Free Press
• Length: 283 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.4" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

One of the best books on the subject.

Peter Bergen isn't just another writer who after the 9/11 attacks decided to "dive deep" into the topic of Osama Bin Laden. Peter Bergen had actually started writing the book before the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Bin Laden has been a topic that Bergen has followed for years, dating back to the mid-1990s. He didn't write this book so that it didn't offend the United States and he didn't write this book expecting to do anything other then provide a deep analysis on Bin Laden, his followers and Islamic terrorism in general. I think what really sets him apart from everyone else is he has met Bin Laden. He has spoken in great detail with Bin Laden. He's one of the few Westerners Bin Laden has spoken to (in great detail) on camera and Bergen's experience is extremely interesting.I hope Bergen writes another book because "Holy War, Inc" was truly a pleasure to read, even under the current circumstances.

Great

This book, finished in August of 2001, is an in-depth look at Osama bin Laden, and terrorist machine that he built. The author starts with a history of the bin Laden family, and then follows the development of Osama bin Laden, and the Islamist movements that he is now associated with. And then, as the story moves on, the recent wave of terrorist attacks targeted on the United States are examined with sweeping detail and clarity. This book is something of a masterpiece. Having read numerous media reports on Osama bin Laden, I understood some, but knew that there was much I didn't understand about him and the movement that he is a part of. But, having read this book, I feel like I now understand so much more. I did find that this book was clear and concise, giving a wealth of understanding. I highly recommend it.

An Absolutely Relentless Search for Reason and Truth

Peter Bergen has literally gone out of his way to provide a proper focus into the reasoning behind the minds of Osama bin Laden, the expanding cadre of "Holy Warriors" drawn to his cause, and the "enemies of Allah", identified beyond the United States to within the Muslim world itself. Unbiased and intrepid, Bergen elucidates clearly the reality of the Islamic Front and the call to arms, the Jihad at hand, and how the United States and others failed to respect the legitimacy and verve of the threat before 9/11. This book provides the impeccable dose of cultural relativity necessary to disarm hearsay and contrivance precipitated in the wake of terror and tragedy. In the quest for truth , it is incumbent upon all to respect all angles of perspective no matter how opposed one may be. Bergen's pursuit of truth has proven not only efficacious, but also squelches the cacophony of misinformed jingoes extolling the virtues of hate and ignorance emanating ad nauseum from each side of the conflict. This book is the end result of years spent in the creases of the world under the constant threat of violent reproach in a mere 235 pages. If anything, one will gain a new respect of the journalists seeking out the truth, individuals not unlike Peter Bergen.

Here's Your Best Source for bin Laden/Al Qaeda 101

If, like me, after 9/11 you felt a pressing need to "know thine enemy," this is the perfect book to purchase. You may have already seen Bergen on MSNBC--they repeat often a special on bin Laden with him interviewed frequently, a lot of which is lifted verbatim from the book.Clearly written by a guy who's been reporting on all parties involved long before 9/11, this book really gives you the big picture on bin Laden, Al Qaeda and the roots of both throughout recent years. You'll get the info surrounding the original WTC bombing, the African Embassy bombings, the Cole bombing, the failed Millenium bombings here and a few other more recent militant Islamist capers.It definitely spells out why bin Laden reviles the U.S. so much, but does not necessarily answer how he could come to believe the things he does with such murderous verocity--although what could?If you want a quick primer on Al Qaeda, bin Laden or his even scarier #2, this book is a quick, easy read.Note: I have "The New Jackals" ordered but have not read it yet; allegedly it's a great read as well.

Keep your cool

This is the ticket if you want reality. But it shows us how evil the terrorist is, how unconscious! These terrorists come to life in this book in that it shows you how they actually do believe in their cause. I now am convinced Laden thinks he is doing gods will, but how he became that way is beyond me. I cannot go into all the details here but you need to read this to understand how the situation came about, there are many facts here, including CIA and USA policies I would never of guessed that left me aware. I want to also recommend another good book like this but also predicted the WTC events and the Bio war and a few other events that have come to pass as well as more predictions. Karl Mark Maddox's SB 1 or God