Jihad in Brooklyn: 6the NYPD Raid That Stopped America's First Suicide Bombers

by Samuel M. Katz

Book Overview

New York has always been a mecca for immigrants, including an Egyptian dishwasher living in a cramped Brooklyn apartment he shared with three other Middle-Eastern men. But on July 31, 1997, the last place he wanted to be was home, where two of his roommates-young, angry Palestinians-were proudly showing off the bomb belts they planned to detonate on a packed rush-hour subway train. Barely able to stifle his panic, the Egyptian told two policemen his...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451214439
• ISBN13: 9780451214430
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: New American Library
• Length: 326 Pages
• Weight: 0.69 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.3" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Great book!

A truly great book. NYPD is an amazing agency and after reading this book, you get to see just how amazing they really are. A true eye opening book.

good case against illegal immigration

Although the plot was broken by a legal immigrant seeking the American dream, and the police responded with proper degree of speed and understanding, the real lesson learned here is that the problem was created by turning a blind eye towards illegal immigration. The U.S. is a haven for immigrants and races from around the world, but by no means does this make illegal immigration okay - it is not. Doing the right thing means respecting our existing laws, respecting the people who live here and came here legally, and respect for the people that enforce our laws. Support legislation to enforce our immigation policies... we may not be so lucky next time.

GREAT!

This book was very good. It depicts the step by step process of how the middle east (mainly palestine and israel) is peaceless. It explains the entire process that the NYPD's Emergency Service Unit, or ESU, took to thwart the terrorist attack that would have occurred in Brooklyn. They portrayed the bravery of the NYPD and all Police officers within the United States. Not only does the ESU do there job well, but they do it with professionalism. This is a Must Read for anyone who would like to join any elite police units such as SWAT or even the NYPD's ESU.

Egyptian immigrant saves New York

For those who think all Middle Eastern immigrants are terrorists, this book has some sobering lessons. The only reason NYPD figured out this plot in advance --and saved New York-- was because a newly arrived Egyptian immigrant decided to put his life and future on the line for America by telling police about the plot. This guy didn't even speak English very well, and coming from Egypt, was terrified of police. The Palestinian bombers told him about their plot, thinking he would never dare to tell anyone, but he immediately went to the nearest police officer and persisted in telling the story, despite the initial skepticism with which the cops greeted him. This story affirms that "intel" is the way to disrupt terrorist plots, not blind antagonism towards immigrants. Without this immigrant from Egypt, NYPD would never have known about the plot. The next time Colorado Representative Tom Tancredo starts ranting about how all the immigrants are terrorists, you can counter with this story. This immigrant really saved the day.

An Awe-Inspiring Account of Courage

I must confess that when I first saw this book, I thought that it was novel, and not an actual account. I had never heard of the plot when, in July 1997, two Palestinian suicide bombers intended on blowing themselves up on a subway train in Brooklyn. This story should have been on the front page of every newspaper in America, but instead it was wiped under the rug for reasons, inexplicable reasons of ego, that are, in the wake of 9/11, unimaganible. Most importantly, this is a book about courage and of some brave New York City cops who put their lives on the line to keep others safe. Reading about the bravery the men from the Emergency Services Unit exhibited in stopping the bombers, was inspirational. The author does a remarkable job in bringing us into the world of the Palestinian bombers as well as into the world of the cops. It all comes together in an explosive confrontation that could have been tragic. This is a great book.